





4 O 



.<>" 



^O. 



o > 









V ^^ ...,.^..^ . "'-o'»K>\^^' "^/-^o^^.^'o^^ "'^o'^Wf^*,^^ 






i. ' . . s ■ < 






^t. ♦ A 



'•^^0^ 



^ < 



0* .° f^ 









<^°^ 



>^^ 









•^bv" 



<^ 



•v-*' 






c 

-^^0^ 
^•^°*. 



,0^- 



°u> 






.^^ 






a V- 
^0 ^^ 






.- -^^^o^ 






V 






^'^ •->■ 












<' 













.-^^y 









o_ 






s. 






*o<^ 






vO'' 















%■ 












O > - 



H 



*-..«' 
























% A^ / ■ 






'-^-0^ 

.^"^°- 



.*^ 



o V A - -^ ^o I- . 






■^^ 

^J^ 






'^^ 






■^S^^ ^^""^ "^Wv^v ./^"^ 









^ .-J. ».. 



^0^ 









^^°^ 



"°o 















0' 












^ , . . "v 









\^^^ :m^^ %/ ;^te^ %,^^ :'M4: 
%^ - ... .„ / '^^ ^^ - 










yi%^.* ^^v v^ 



-0^ 









o > 









°<. 



.,•■••/,.■■..S■-•v^'^ 



o > 



=V 



*''-V 












°o 






r C.r. •? • \ >. 






> V 



■^ 



o!^^ 



A 



< 



'^^. 






"•^^0^ 



"--•^. 



^ 



■^-^ 



v^' 



























y 



«>■ ■':<. 









.0 



\V' " e 



"-'yS^. 






•'■■ 0'- 



1^ 









.\^ 









.0^ 



'•^ 













.<^ 



•n-o^ 



o^' 






^~^"^^y ^ 



' o „o 



^^^ A" 



.'^" 






» ' • / ^> v 












,0-' 



^^ 






%,^ ^^v;^-; x,^ 






.^'V\.,... 









-^ 



^^"> 



•v \,^^AX^\,< 



f-^ °- 



-.1- ' . ■ ^'' . 



^> 



v^ 



.* 



A*-' 



^o. 



A O 



X: 



xO-?- 






-i 



.^^ V •;- 









0^ ,'••'> -> 









..V ■>,. 



■;'}??^, 







"^*-. 



vf*3 






-^Ao^ 



rO <. ° " " - o 



0^' 



f '%-^^my/ 



*^, 



•I o 



..•^ q<. 



■;• 









•iq. 









„^^ 



■7 -/ 









=1. 






A' 



.'T .y 



■7- 






^^ 



^°-^^. 



4 O 









■ o , o ■ 



*t-- 



"->- 

■^ 



A-" 



^•^ 

^d. 






■> ,v 



> 






■sy ""^ 



.0^ 












.0^ 






.V 



">x. 



■*•*, 






- / 



PUBLISHERS' INTRODUCTION. 

While we have paid due care and attention to the business department of the enterprise, 
which now results in a History of Nashua, we have endeavored to neglect nothing which wou. i 
tend to make it a literary success, and of historic value. 

Mechanically it is all that high grade material, care and a sincere desire to issue a creditable 
work, can make it. 

We thus express our appreciation of the financial support and sympathy of the public through 
which the production is made possible. We extend our thanks to the gentlemen, who without 
compensation assumed the no light task of preparing their various portions of the work. 



r 



^p 



1 



•I- «; A^ -^ i 










^^ 









.*^?i 






ri 









V >^ K 1^ § ^5 




1^ 



■J J^^ 



? -^ 



? ,^ 4 •« "^ t y^' 



^'1^ 



Vs. '^ -^ r g 



^■«^fl 15^^ ■? '^i V 



5 -^ I 



^^ 






"ta ; 






■v. ^ 



M 






8 






< S 

(- z 

rr. K 

Q ^ 

O £ 

o 5^ 

-f 

s z 

h - 



M. 



..Ai 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



CITY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



FROM THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENT OF OLD DUNSTABLE TO THE YEAR 1895 



WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS, THEIR DESCENDANTS 

AND OTHER RESIDENTS 



miustratcO with flrJaps, JEngravinfls, anCi Iportratts 



I'KHPAUISn BV A SICLECTEI) CORPS OI' EDITORS UNDER THE nrSINKSS SlI'liRIN nCNDi; NCK OE 

H. REINHEIMER & CO. 



Judge EDWARD E. PARKER 



EDIT(1R-IN-CHIEI'" 



NASHUA, N. H. 
TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 

.897 



Copyright 1895, by H. Reinheimer & Co. 
AU rights reserved. 



y^6 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Page. 
Charter of Old Dunslable, Title Page 

Editorial Ciroup, " " 

The Indian Head House, 64 

The Arms of the Priorj' of Dunstable, _ 77 

A Venerable Witness, 93 

The Island — A View on the Nashua River, 102 

The old Iron Bridge Over the Nashua, 1 14 

The First Congregational Church, 149 

The First Congregational Church, Main Street, 150 

Pilgrim Church, 152 

The Methodist Church, 158 

The Protestant Episcopal Church, 160 

The Chapel, Edgevvood Cemetery, 192 

View in Edgewood Cemetery, 193 

View in Edgewood Cemetery, 194 

View in Edgewood Cemetery, 195 

School Buildings, 255 

Nashua Literarj- Institute, 261 

Battle Flags, 29S 

Residence of Dana W. King, 310 

Soldiers' Monument, 317 

Sacred Heart Parochial School, 425 

Cotton Fibre, 438 

Williams' Foundry, 439 

Old HoUis Street Shoe Shop, 456 



I'agk. 

Estabrook-Anderson Shoe Factory (Palm street view) 457 

Estabrook-Anderson Shoe F'actory, 457 

Estabrook-Anderson Shoe Factory (Pine street view) 458 
Nashua Card and Glazed Paper Co. (some of the help) 459 

Nashua Card and Glazed Paper Company Factory, 460 

Peunichuck Water Works Pumping Station, 468 

An Old Shop Window, 471 

Nashua Manufacturing Company, 472 

Nashua Falls — Nashua River, 473 

An Old Advertisement, 497 

Telcgra,ih Building, 5C0 

Fac-Simile of Old Regimental Order, 524 

Fac-Simile of Old Regimental Order, 525 

The Armory, 544 

Residence of Mrs. Charles Williams, 554 

The Willows, 588 

Public Buildings, 589 

F'ire Stations, 595 

City Farm and House of Correction, 599 

Hudson Iron Bridge- High and Low Water, 600 

Stark Squaie, 605 

School Houses erected in i8y6 1897, 607 

Hand Tub, 609 

Steam F'ire Engine number four, 610 



EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION. 

Ver\' nearly half a century had elapsed since the publication of Fox's "History of Dunstable," 
and Nashua had grown from a village of six thousand inhabitants or thereabouts, to a city of more 
than triple that size. 

No systematic effort at preserving the account of its growth or the events leading to its present 
condition had been made. The importance of such a work was understood and appreciated by its 
citizens, but the task was recognized as a formidable one, involving much labor with but little 
probability of adequate compensation. 

When, in November, 1894, an outside firm of publishers proposed to undertake the work, 
Nashuans were reluctant in encouraging the project, feeling that strangers could not prepare the 
history intelligently and would be inclined to slight those things of most interest and importance, 
for such portions as would yield a profit. 

After careful deliberation, the tone of the public sentiment having been ascertained in a meas- 
ure through means of the press and by interviews with citizens, it was decided to call a meeting of 
several of the gentlemen who had been interviewed, together with others, in order that some defi- 
nite and satisfactory plan might be decided upon. 

The meeting was called and, while there was a variety of opinions as to the method to be pur- 
sued in writing the history, there was the greatest unanimity in regard to the desirability and 
propriety of the work being done. 

The meeting adjourned without date and without arriving at any definite conclusion, but, 
notwithstanding the somewhat discouraging tone of the deliberations, the gentlemen engaged in 
the work were not disheartened but continued to labor assiduously, meeting, day by day, in spite of 
many obstacles and hindrances, the most encouraging signs of public sympathy and approval. 

The plan of a continuous narrative was finally dismissed as inexpedient, since it would pre- 
clude the possibility of issuing such a work for many years from the date of its commencement. 

There then seemed to be but one plan to be considered, having, as its exponent and model, the 
Memorial History of Boston, published in 1885, which has the indorsement and approval of some of 
the most distinguished scholars and citizens of Massachusetts and of the literary world. 

Following the general plan of that work, the city's history has been divided in topics, or sub- 
jects, which are of sufficient number to include everything of vital importance. Each of these 
subjects or topics is written by one person, who, having nothing to do with matters other than 
those which appertain to his own chapter, will, we apprehend, give a correspondingly more lucid, 
accurate and interesting account of the historical phase of which he writes. 

That the gentlemen whose names are associated together as editors of the work, perform their 
labor without compensation is a sufficient guarantee of its probable merit and value as a history, 
and that it will fulfill all that it promises. All of them are residents of Nashua of years of stand- 
ing, distinguished among their fellow citizens as men of probity, sound judgment and abundant 
mental capacities, and the promoters of this work can feel that they have reason to congratulate 
themselves and the citizens of Nashua upon having been successful in securing a staff of editors so 
well qualified and peculiarly fitted for the work which each has performed. 

A prominent feature of the book are the portraits of citizens of Nashua, both of the living 
and of the dead. In connection with these portraits there are also short biographical sketches. 
Their value and importance will be more readily seen and appreciated when one considers that 
they are made a component part of the work not so much for their present value, although that is 
of no small account, as for the inestimable value and worth to future generations. 




i^m^h^:^^^- 



THE EDITORS. 



CONTENTS. V 

CONTENTS. PART FIRST. 

CHAPTHK I. THE FIRST SETTLERS OF DUNSTABLE. 

Legend of the Xorthuien. l<irst Voyages to the New World. Landing of the I'ilgi ims. Valleys of the Merrimack 
and Nashua. Kndicott Rock. Friendly Indians. Settlements extended north of Chelmsford and Groton. 
Early Grants. Brenton's Farm. Charlestowu School Farm Grant. Dramcnp Hill. Billerica School Farm 
Grant. Jonathan Danforth, Surveyor. Thomas Brattle. John Parker, Brattle Street Church. 3 

CHAPTER II. HISTORY FROM 1662 TO 1674. 

Henry Kimball's Farm. Grant to .\ncient and Honorable .\rtillery Company of Boston, .\rtillery Pond. Petition 
for consolidation of Grants into one Plantation. Township of Dunstable. F;arly Proprietors. Trafficking 
with the Indians. Indian Tribes. Passaconoway, Venerated Chief. Last Indian Resident. Roby's Farm. 
Whittier's Poem "The Bashaba's Feast." First Settlers. Rev. Thomas Weld, First Pastor. His House-lot. 
Old Fort. Houses of Hassell, Temple and Perry. g 

CHAPTER III. HISTORY FROM 1675 TO 1685. 

Civil .\ffairs. Town Meetings. First Meeting-house. Rev. Thomas Weld, first minister. His settlement. High- 
land Farm. Other matters of interest pertaining to it. Bobbin Factory. Halilwin apple. Public Sentiment. 
Great Comet. Death of Edward Tyng. Town regulations. Mine Islands. Highway from Groton. Thirty 
Acre Rights. Names of the proprietors. Taxes. i^ 

CHAPTER IV. HISTORY FROM 1685 TO THE DEATH OF REV. MR. WELD IN 1702. 

New Meeting-house built. Ordination of Mr. Weld. Church formed. Names of members. Covenant. Other 
churches in New Hampshire. Indians sell their lands and remove from the vicinity. Bridge built over 
Concord river at Billerica. Dog Whipper appointed. Important meeting of Delegates in Boston. First 
Tythingman chosen. Indian ravages in eastern part. Representatives of the town. Settlers forfeit rights by 
removal. State tax abated and grant for support of ministry made. Mrs. Hannah Dustin taken captive at 
Haverhill, Mass. Killed her captors and returned. Monument to her memory. Frequent alarms prevented 
growth of settlement. Grist mill at mouth of Stony Brook. Rev. Mr. Weld's compensation. Meeting-house 
glazed. List of inhnbitants. .\u\ asked to support the ministry. Death of Rev. Mr. Weld. Biographical 
sketch. Monument to his memory. aj 

CHAPTER V. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY FROM 1702 TO 1737. 

Town Records imperfect. Grant for support of the niinistrj-. Rev. Samuel Hunt. His petition. Rev. Samuel 
Parris. Meeting-house repaired. Rev. Ames Cheever. Salary. Rev. Mr. Treat. Parsonage. Rev. Jona. 
Pierpont. Rev. Mr. Coffin. Rev. Mr. Prentice. His marriage. Salary. Death of Rev. Mr. Prentice. His 
grave. Death of Jonathan Tyng. 33 

CHAPTER VI. CIVIL HISTORY OF THE TOWN UNTIL ITS DIVISION BY THE NEW STATE 

LINE IN 1741. 

Growth of town. Need of aid. Bills of credit issued. Farwell and Blanchard Trustees for town's share. Second 
issue. Rev. Mr. Prentice receives it. Depreciation in value. No representative chosen. Records. The 
Meeting-house. Pews erected. l"irst Pauper. Grand Jurymen chosen by town. Tythingman chosen. Bridge 
at Billerica. Voting by ballot. Customs of the times. Ferry-boat. ICarthquake. Innkeepers licensed. 
Boom across the Merrimack. Jurisprudence. Taxes. Education. Laws relating to it. Difficulty of observing 
them. Town indicted. Small amount raised. Fell into neglect. Various disputes. New settlements. 
Nortingham (Hudson). Merrimack. Litchfield. Vote to build new Meeting-house. HoUis. Townsend. 
State line fixed. Rev. Mr. Swan settled. "New Lights." Meeting-house tniilt. 37 

CHAPTER VII. HISTORY OF DUNSTABLE, N. H., TO THE OLD FRENCH WAR. 

Incorporation liy New Hampshire. Great road to Tyiigsborough. Rev. Mr. Swan dismissed, .\necdote of him. No 
schoolhouse in town. Indian hostilities. Soldiers impressed into service. Farwell and Taylor captured and 
taken to Canada. Rev. Mr. Bird settled. Divisions in the church. Proceedings declared illegal. Mr. Bird 
leaves Dunstable. "One Pine Hill" controversy. Full account by Judge Worcester. .Schools resumed. 



VI ■ CONTENTS. 

Bridge over the Nashua. Lottery proposed to raise money. Not granted. Funds raised by subscription. 
Death of John Lovewell. Sketch of his life. His great age. Rev. Mr. Adams preached two years. New 
meeting-house built. 43 

CHAPTER VIII. HISTORY FROM 1757 TO THE REVOLUTION. 

Church affairs. Rev. Mr. Smith. Protest. Notice of Colonel Blanchard. Rev. Josiah Cotton. Ecclesiastical coun- 
cil. Compromise. Town meeting on points of doctrine. Rev. Mr. Ivivermore. Rev. Mr. Fessenden. Rev. 
Mr. Kidder settled. Notice of him. Rev. Mr. Sperry. Slaves owned in town. Customs at funerals. 50 

CH.4PTER IX. HISTORY TO THE ORIGIN OF NASHUA VILLAGE. 

Sacrifices made for independence. Convention for state constitution Representatives. Convention to adopt consti- 
tion of United States. Different opinions. Vote of the town against it. Notice of Jonathan Blanchard — of 
Judge Jonathan Lovewell. 53 

CHAPTER X. HISTORY OF NASHUA VILLAGE. 

First stage coach. Boating on the Merrimack. Population in 1800. Canal boat launched. Oration. Name of 
Nashua. Description of the village. Post office. Middlesex canal. Gradual increase. Dunstable plains. 
Changes in Main street. New Meeting-house built. Rev. Mr. Sperry ordained. Dams across Nashua River. 
Census. Manufactures contemplated. First views. Nashua Manufacturing company. Their works. Boating 
canal. Indian Head company. Meeting-house on Olive street erected. History of the two Congregational 
societies. New bridge. Taylor's falls bridge. Unitarian church. State of Nashua Manufacturing company. 
Jackson company. Newspapers. First Baptist church. Methodist churches. Growth of the village. Rail- 
roads. Bank. Steamboat. Universalist church. Population. Second Baptist church. Name of the town 
changed. Free-will Baptist church. First Christian society. Protestant Episcopal church. Machine shop. 
Manufacturers' and Mechanics' association. Iron Foundr)'. Factory at Salmon Brook. Vote to erect a town 
house. Town of Nashville organized. Contrast of the past and present. 56 

CHAPTER XI. 

Indian Head Coffee house. Wheelwright shop of Jesse Crosby. Kendrick & Tuttle's store. The "Tontine." 
Fletcher street. Watananock house. Thayer's court. Store on corner of F'ranklin street, now Whiting build- 
ing. First Baptist church building. Central building. Shattuck's block. Greeley building. Central house. 
" Boat Landing." Timothy Gay's grocery store. First brick store and dwelling house in town. First Congre- 
gational church building " Ten-F"ooters." Phillip's block. Eayer's block. Jacob Hall cottage, .'^aron F. 
Sawyer house. Atwood's building. Murgatroyd & Barker's block. Exchange building. Fisher's block. 
Beasom block. Factory street. Hunt building. Washington house. Noyes block. John G. Bluut's store. 
Craft's pottery. Residences of fort}- years ago. 63 

APPENDICES. 

I — Genealog}' of the early settlers of Old Dunstable. 71 

2 — History of the post office in Nashua. 73 

3 — Statistics of the district schools. 74 

4 — The name — Its origin. 77 



CONTENTS. VII 

CONTENTS. PART SECOND. 

POEM— The l.ast of tlif Nasluuvass, 80 

Topography and Surface Geoloy;y, 93 

HIGHWAYS, BRIIjGHS, CANALS, STAGING AND TAVbKNS. 

Iiilrochiotion. "Apostle Eliot " — Ilis bridle path. Naticook land grant. Earliest laid out road. Eirst bridge over 
Salmon lirook. Ferry over the Merrimack river. The "I'ouud." Eaying out of road from Nashua river to 
Pennichuck brook. Bridges over the Nashua. Runnells' bridge troubles. Laying out o{ roads from Dec. 5, 1755, 
to Oct. 4, 1766, inclusive. I'irst hearse. I'irst recorded dead. Taylor's falls bridge, 1825. Middlesex canal, 
1804. The Nashua river (l.iin brlow the liridge. Taylor's falls bridge. Laying out. roads in Nashville. Stage 
coaches. Taverns. 114 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

Introduction. Chronological tabic of the churches. The First Congregational ch\irch. Division in the church. 
Benevolences. Pilgrim church. Rev. Handel G. Nott. Pearl Street church. The I'uiversalisl church. First 
Baptist church. The Crown Hill Baptist church. The Unitarian church. The Methodist church — Its division 
and reunion. Appointments. The Protestant Episcopal church. The Church of the Immaculate Conception. 
Father O'Dounell. St. Aloysius. St. Francis Xavier. Young Men's Christian association. The Salvation 
Army. The Free Will Baptist church. Spiritualism. Conclusion. 148 

THE CEMETERIES— ANCIENT AND MODERN. 

The old burying ground. The Southwest or Gilson cemetery. The Old South cemetery. Nashua cemetery. Edge- 
wood cemetery. The Spring street cemetery. The Irish Catholic cemetery. Cemetery of the Church of St. 
Aloysius. Cemetery of the Church of St. Francis Xavier. i"4 

MEDICAL HISTORY OF NASHUA. 

Introduction. Nathan Cutler. Doctor Maynard. Peter Howe. Micah Ivldridge. Ebenezer Dearborn. lUijah 
Colburn. Charles P. CofTin. J. G. Graves. Small pox— 1837. Edward Spalding. Josiah Kiltredge. K. R. 
Hammond. J. F. Whittle. O. A. Woodbury. B.Colby. S. A. Toothaker. H. W. Buxton. W. E. Rider. J. 
H. Graves. N. P. Carter. J. C. Garland. Samuel Ingalls. N. J. Moore. George Gray. Edwin Colburn. 
L. P. Sawyer. F. B. Ayer. W. .\. Tracy. Ezra L. Griffin. James B. Greeley. Thomas H. Gibby. George 
W. Currier. Andrew J. Gilson. IC. F. McQuesten. George F. Wilbur. G. H. Noyes. P. E. Dansereau. 
Eugene Wason. S. G. Dearborn. C. S. Collins. Henry G. Dearborn. R. J. Hallarn. W. S. Collins. John 
Nottage. C. C. Ellis. M. H. Tierney. A. M. Spalding. W. H. Dinsmore. N. E. Guillel. W. I. Blauchard. 
Doctor Couroy. G. H. Greeley. A. M. Spalding. C. B. Hammond. J. N. Woodward. A. W. Petit. George 

A. Underbill. C. S. Rounsevel. Bradford Allen. R. B. Prescott. A. W. Sliea. Ella Ulaylock. Katherine 
E. Prichard. F. E. Kittredge. J. A. Lagace. M. T. Lajoie. A. S. Wallace. II. II. Jewell. I. F. Graves. 

B. G. Moran. F.A.Dearborn. I. G. Anthoine. J.T.Greeley. R. V. Vaillancour. ICmile Simard. Augustus 
Guertin. Napoleon Matte. Charles S. Valcour. Charles F. Nutter. First board of health. Nashua Medical 
association. F^mergency hospital. ^3° 

EDUCATIONAL. 

I'irst school in town. I'irst school committee. I'irst school house. First school house on north side of Nashua 
river, 1816. Schools in iS;,9 and 1S40. Re-numbering of districts. Vocal music. Mount Pleasant school 
house. West Pearl street school house. Main street school house. Formation of High school in 1869. Charles 
H. Merrill. Evening schools. T. W. Hussey. Edward A. Kingsley. S. Arthur Bent. John H. Goodale. 
O'Donnell School. Fjastns B. Powers. E.J.Goodwin. Lemuel S. Hastings. FredGowing. Nashua Literarv 
institution. St. .-Moysius Parochial school. School of the Sacre.l Heart. Parochial school of the Church of 
St. Francis Xavier. ^•''-i 



VIII / . CONTENTS. 

MILITARY HISTORY TO THE CLOSE OF THE WAR WITH MEXICO. 

Introduction. Indian trilies. Passaconaway. Wannalancet. King Philip. Perilous sitnatiou of Dunstable. Indians 
remove. Garrison increased. Measures of governor and council. Mr. Tyng alone remains in Dunstable. His 
petition. Attack on Chelmsford. .Sudden appearance of Mohawks. Second appearance. Wannalancet retires 
to Canada. Treaty of Niniguen. French war of 16S9. Indian attack on Dover. Garrisons. Indian ravages. 
Hassell massacre. Joe English. Massacre of the Parris family. Attack on the Weld garrison — Blanchard's — 
Galusha's. Death of Joe Ivnglish. Precautions against the Indians. Account of Indian wars from Bancroft — 
from Mary Rowlandson. Peace. Indian disturbances renewed. Incursion of Mohawks. Cross and Blanchard 
captured. The pursuers waylaid and cut off. Second fight. Name of Indian Head. William Lund captured. 
Lovewell's war and Lovewell's fight. Ballads. Restoration of peace. Anecdotes of Indian hostilities. 
Ravages of 1745. Capture of Farwell and Taylor. Peace. "Old French War." Rogers' Rangers. Dunstable 
meu in the service. Colonel Goffe's regiment. Dunstable in the Revolutionary War. Fight at Lexington. 
Walker's company. Character of New Hampshire troops. Battle of Bunker Hill. Committee of Safety. 
I'lags in use during the war. Representatives. New Hampshire troops in the service. List of Dunstable 
soldiers. War of 1812. I'ew soldiers from Dunstable. List. Notes. Indian Stream War. Florida War. 
Me.Kican War. Meeting to organize company of volunteers. Gen. Franklin Pierce. Lieut. George Bowers. 
Lieut. Thomas P. Pierce. Roll of Captain Bowers' company. Lieut. John G. Foster. Roll of Dunstable men 
in the navy. Conclusion. 270 

NASHUA IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

Dedication of soldiers' monument. Opening of the war. Meetings of Nashua's citizens. Public interest in war 
measures. 1S61. Compau}' E, First regiment. Aaron F\ Stevens. Niagara Fire Engine company. Granite 
State cadets. Home guard. Return of the First regiment and welcome home. Secoml regiment. Third regi- 
ment. Fourth regiment. Fifth regiment. Sixth regiment. Seventh regiment. Eighth regiment. Ninth 
regiment. Tenth regiment. Eleventh and Twelfth regiments. Thirteenth regiment. Fourteenth to Eigh- 
teenth regiments. New Hampshire battalion, First regiment, New England volunteer cavalry. First regiment 
New Hampshire volunteer cavalrj-. Other organizations. Distinguished sons. Local branch of Sanitar}' com- 
mission. Young Ladies' .Soldiers' Aid society. Names and personal record of 1,348 different men. Names of 
natives orresiilents of the city who participated in the War of the Rebellion. 317 

THE BENCH AND THE BAR.* 

Daniel Abbot," the first lawyer settled in Dunstable. First law office. Benjamin F. French. Peter Clark, Jr. 
Charles F. Gove. Aaron F. Stevens. Benjamin F. Emerson. Aaron P. Hughes. Bernard B. Whittemore. 
.Samuel T. Worcester. Charles W. Hoitt. Eugene M. Bowman. Edwin B. Gould. Royal Dexter Barnes. 
Charles D. Parker. Jeremiah J. Doyle. Stephen L. Hallinan. Bertis A. Pease. William J. McKay, .\lviu J. 
Lucier. Edmund Parker. William Barrett. James F. J. Otterson. Leonard Freeman Burbank. Lyman D. 
Cook. George Wilson Clyde. Henri T. Ledoux. Walter p;. Kittredge. Other lawyers who have been and 
remained in Nashua for a short time. 412 

MANUFACTURES. 

The introduction. Textile. Nashua Manufacturing company, Jackson Manufacturing company, Vale Mills company. 
Metal workers. Harbor Machine shop, Gage, Warner and Whitney, Nashua Iron foundry, Nashua Iron & Steel 
works, Underbill F^dge Tool company, Nashua Lock company, Rollins I^ngine company, George W. Davis, 
American .Shearer Manufacturing company, Sewing Machines, Hartshorn & Ames, Flather & Co., Watch com- 
pan}-. Co-operative Foundry company, Mark l'"lather & Co., William Highton & Sons, Nashua Steam Press and 
Boiler works, Nashua Sadlery Hardware company, Nashua Textile Machine company, Nashua Iron and Brass 
F'oundry company. Wood workers, F'urniture, Door, .Sash and Blind, Bobbin works, Gregg & Son, saw mills, 
Nashua Till company, American Fan company, Proctor Brothers, George O. Saunders, saw mill and box factory. 
White Mountain Freezer company. Porter Blanchard Sons company, Roby & .Swart, F'ifield Box shop, Nashua 
Building company. Carpenters and Builders. Shoes, Moody, Estabrook & Anderson, Brackett & Co., Nashua 
Boot and Shoe shop. Card and paper, Nashua Card and Glazed Paper company. Miscellaneous, Luther A. 
Roby, A. H. Dunlap cJt Sons, daguereotypes and photographs, confectionery, bakers, mill, elevator and drain- 
pipes, F'rancestown Soapstoue works, paper box manufactory, Hall's Hair Renewer, The Ledge, mittens, gloves, 
etc.. Climax heater, brass foundr}', electric power, ice, roofing and concrete walks, florists, minor enterprises, 
roofing, cigars, dams, harness and carriage making, plumbing, tools for :nanufacluring, Nashua inventions, 
manufacturing establishments. Trades, stores, steelyards and hay market, dry goods, grocers, butchers, book- 
stores, tailors, ready made clothing, boots and shoes, coal, hardware and builders' supplies, apothecaries, jew- 
elers, feed, flour and grain. 434 

^'I'lic iKunus of attorneys wliose portraits and hiograpliii'S appear flsenlicru in this book do not appear in tliis cliaptcr. 



CONTENTS. IX 

KAILKOAUS. 

Introduction, liostoii & I.owcll railroad. Nashua & I,o%vell railroad. Tnion of the two corporations. 1868, 1,200 

shares new stock issued. Concord railroad. Lease of Manchester & Lawrence by Concord railroad. The 

Wilton railroail. Worcester, Nashua & Rochester railroad. The Nashua, Acton S: Itoston railroad. The 

Pelerhorough railroad. The Nashua Street Railway company. 479 

NhWSPAPEUS. 

Introduction. First newspaper in Nashua; its many changes in name and management. I'orty-three years under the 
Whittemores. The (iazette Press company. The Nashua Herald. The New IlamiJshire Telegraph under 
the lieards. The first daily newspaper in Nashua, published by Moore & Langley. The Telegraph Publishing 
company. Pnblic career of Orrcn C. Moore. The Harrison Kagle. The Oasis. The Nashua Free Democrat. 
The Granite State Register. First morning new.spaper in Nashua published by the Telegraph Publishing com- 
pany. The New Ilauipsliire Republican. Its history until its absorption by the Telegraph Publishing company. 
Conclusion. Necrology. 494 

FINANCH AND BANKING. 

Choice of location of Dunstable. Its favorable position for extended trafTic. Large amount of property per ca])ita. 
Employment of capital. Cotton factory. Building of railways. Other inilustries. Business mainly prosper- 
ous. Nashua, Acton & Boston railway. Necessity of banks and bankers. I'irst bank in New Hampshire, 1797. 
First bank in Hillsborough at Amherst. Its failure. No bank from 1809 to 1825. The Farmers' bank. First 
bank at Dunstable in 1835. F'inaucial depression of 1837. Crisis of 1857. Depression of 1873. Panic of 1893. 
Cause. Result. Western investment companies. Nashua looses J2, 500,000. Banking institutions. The 
Nashua bank. Indian Head National bank. The Pennichuck bank. First National bank. The Second National 
bank. Savings banks. Nashua Savings bank. The City Guaranty Savings bank. Jlechanirs' Savings bank. 
New Hampshire Banking comiiany. Nashua Trust conipan\'. 510 

THE .MILITIA OF NASHUA. 

Introduction. Early militia laws. The old Fifth regiment. Old time mnsters. The old artillery company. Its 
march to Boston June 15, 1842. The Eighth company, F'ifth regiment. The I'irst company. Fifth regiment. 
The Nashua Grenadiers. Reception of President Andrew Jackson. The First Rifle company. The Nashua 
Guards. Lafaj-ette Light Infantry. Third company, light infantr)-. Columbian Grays. Washington Light 
Guards. The Union artillery. The Granite Stale Lancers. Granite State Cadets. Muster of the state militia 
at Nashua Oct. 11, i860. The Governor's Horse Guards. George Stark. The Nashua Light Guards. Nashua 
City Guards. Muster of Second regiment at Nashua 1866. Trip of City Guards to Yorktown. Foster Rifles. 
Company C, Second regiment, N. II. N. G. Tolles Light Infantry. The Nashua armory. 522 

CIVIL HISTORY OF NASHUA. 

Introduction. First .settlement. Origin of board of selectmen. The first charter. Dunstable, Mass. Finishing out 
a settlement. Trials in peace and war. Ouarrels over the purchase of a parsonage farm and building a meeting- 
house. Notes from records. The common and undivided lands. Dunstable, N. H. Boundary lines. Why 
called "Old" Dunstable. A grievance because of date of charter. Bitter controversy over a minister. A quar- 
rel, involving the people of Hollis and "One Pine Hill," over the location of a meeting-house. How poor 
people were summarily dealt with. Dispute over Runnell's Falls bridge. Excerpts from records. The vote 
for first president and general statistics. Indian Head village. Nashua village. Post office established and 
other signs of growth. Old South meeting house built and dedication. Town affairs. A notable celebration. 
Townships of Nashua and Nashville. The cause of the division, an account of the quarrel, history of both 
towns and incidental topics. Nashua and Nashville reunited under a city charter. A complete outline of the 
work of each administration, showing the transformation of an unpretentious village into a modern metropolis. 
Police court. Police and fire departments. Public library. Conclusion. 567 

SOCIETIES AND CLUBS. 

The club, its influence upon the comnuinily. The pioneer organization. Rising Sun lodge, the oldest masonic body 
in Nashua, .\ncient York lodge. Meridian Sun Royal .\rch chapter. Israel Hunt council. St. George coni- 
mandery, Knights Templar. Scottish Rite masonry. Masonic Temple. Odd I'cllowship. Granite lodge. 
Pennichuck lodge. Olive Branch lodge. Daughters of Rebekah. Nashoonon encam])ment. Indian Head 
encampment. Patriarchs Militant. Odd Fellows' building. Knights of Pythias. John G. Foster post number 



CONTENTS. 

7, G. A. R. Soldiers' Monument. Women's Relief corps. Nashua Protestant Home for Aged Women Good 
Templars. Patrons of Husbandry. Golden Cross, Merrimack River commandry and Nashua commandery 
Pilgrim Fathers. Knights of Honor. Knights and Ladies of Honor. Good Cheer society. The Nashaway 
Woman's club. The Guards club. The Fortnightly club. The Shakespeare club. The Hathaway club 
King's Daughters' Day Nursery. ■ Nashua Boat club. Improved Order of Red Men. Aucient Order of Hiber 
mans. Circle Montcalm. Les Monlagnards club. The Entre Nous club. Order of United American Mechanics 
Nashua Veteran Firemen's association. The Ballou association. The Knights of Columbus. Sons of Veterans 
Daughters of Veterans. The Union Veteran's union. gj. 



LIST OF PORTRAITS. 



XI 



LIST OF PORTRAITS. 



Abbot, Daniel 
Alherton, Charles {'.onion 
Allen, Bradford 
Anthoine, Isaiah C. 
Athertou, H. H. 
Adams, James M. 
Beard, Albin 
Bowers, Jesse 
Beasoni, William DuUon 
Harr, Mattliew 
lilack, James ,S. 
Blunt, John Graj 
Bullard, Solomon R. 
Bullard, John 
Bowers, George 
Bowers, Horace A. 
Bowers, George A. 
Barr, John N. 
Bowers, Col. George 
Badger, George W. 
Bailey, William W. 
Brown, Webster C. 
Brown, Elbridge P. 
Bussell, Charles Sargent 
Barry, Patrick 
Burke, Charles H. 
Beasom, William H. 
Chase, Thomas 
Courser, Harvey F. 
Colburn, Elijah 
Colburn, Edwin C. 
Crosby, David 
Crowell, Fred J. 
Copp, Elbridge J. 
Cutter, E. S. 
Cutter, Henry Arthur 
Cross, John 
Clough, William O. 
Chandler, Seth D. 
Dunlap, Archibald H. 
Dearborn, Ebenezer 
Dearborn, George V. N. 
Dearborn, Cornelius V. 
Dane, William P. 
Dauforth, Charles Pinkney 
DeWolfe, Albert E. 
Davis, Stillman S. 
Dearborn, John Eaton 
Estey, Jesse 
Eaton, Alvin S. 
Eaton, James Bradford 
Fassett, James H. 
Foster, John G. 
Flinn, Albert N. 
Fassett, James Boutelle 
French, George B. 
Fletcher, Josiah M. 
Fowler, George Winthrop 
Fletcher, Benjamin Jr. 
God f rev, Alfred 



I'Ar.K 

395 Gage, Charles I'inckney 

396 Green, George Warren 
221 Goodrich, Hiram M. 
225 Graves, Josiah M. 

401 Gray, George 

489 Cireeley, James I). 
546 Garland, Jeremiah C. 

82 Greeley, George P. 

91 Goodale, John H. 

Ill Greenleaf, Richard O. 

141 Greenleaf, William H. 

145 Gillis, Thomas W. 

146 Gilman, Virgil C. 
172 Hunt, John M. 
227 Hill, C. B. 

227 Hammond, Evan H. 

228 Hammond. Charles B. 

252 Hunt, James H. 

263 Hamblett, Charles J. 

26S Holman, Charles 

400 Hall, Williams 

431 Hoyt, Katharine E. 

507 Howard, Joseph W. 

487 Jackson, George I''. 

517 Kimball, John Gardner 

562 Kellogg, Henry Martiu 

563 Kittredge, Frank E. 
89 King, Dana W. 

108 King, Aaron, 

208 Lund, John C. 

213 Laton, Thomas J. 

246 Lessard, Rev. Henri A. 

229 Locke, Luther F. 
265 Labree, Edward 

407 Moore, Benjamin P. 
409 Morgan, Sumner 

428 Moore, Norman J. M. 

4gi McQuesten, Eugene F. 

553 Marsh, John F. 

140 McDonald, James G. 

207 Moore, Orren Cheney 

228 Murray, Orlando Dana 

249 Minard, Lotie Irenus 

253 Morrill, Hiram T. 

487 Noyes, Leonard W. 

488 Nutt, Charles H. 
516 Noyes, Frank G. 
521 Norwell, Henry S. 

82 Norton, Alfred M. 

313 O'Dounell, John 

476 Otis, Paul 

254 Otis, Benjamin B. 
262 Osborn, (ieorge O. 
267 Otterson, Jothani D. 
406 Pearson, .Vmbrose 

408 Pearson, Thomas Jr. 
427 Perhani. George W. 

490 Petit, A. Wilfred 
557 Parker, Edward E. 

92 Parker. Joseph B. 



I'ACE. 

167 

170 

'7' 
209 
212 
214 
216 
217 
247 
312 
432 
545 
550 
106 
1 10 
210 
218 

3>2 
410 
556 
563 
226 

565 
411 

147 

168 

224 

3'o 

475 

84 

86 

142 

226 

521 

85 

144 

21 1 

215 
264 
266 
484 
493 
5 "9 
547 

87 
"3 
269 
520 
558 
143 
'72 
517 
519 
55' 

83 
107 
168 
219 
404 
410 



XII 



LIST OF PORTRAITS. 



Phelps, George 
Poff, Charles A. 
Proctor, Ira H. 
Proctor, Nathaniel H. 
Reed, John 
Reed, Elbridge Gerry 
Rounsevel, Charles S. 
Ranisdell, George A. 
Roby, Luther A. 
Runuells, Daniel P. 
Rogers, P'reeman S. 
Spalding, Isaac 
Shea, Augustus W. 
Shattuck, Gilinan C. 
Saunders, Albert H. 
Steele, Jaines 
Stevens, Charles W. 
Sawyer, Aaron W. 
Sawyer, George Y. 
Stevens, David 
Sawyer, Reuben M. 
Smith, Roswell T. 
Spalding, Edward H. 
Stark, George 
Spalding, Solomon 
Spalding, William E. 
Sargent, Fayette S. 
Spalding, Charles W. 



Paoe. 
430 
490 
520 
520 
88 
112 
220 

403 
426 

430 

545 

90 

223 
250 

25' 
267 

3>4 
397 
399 
42S 

431 
433 
476 

477 
506 
508 
508 
509 



Shattuck, Joseph 
Spalding, Edward 
Sargent, Dana 
Spalding, John A. 
Sands, Thomas 
Tolles, Horace Clark 
Thayer, Andrew Eliot 
Tuck, Samuel 
Tolles, Willard C. 
Tolles, James H. 
Underhill, George W. 
White, James 
Wilson, Allen 
Wellman, Samuel K. 
Wallace, Alonzo S. 
Williams, Seth W. 
Whithed, Solon S. 
Warren, John Q. A. 
Woods, Benjamin S. 
Wadsworth, David 
Wheeler, Elbert 
Wason, Edward Hill 
Wood, Egbert O. 
White, Jeremiah W. 
Williams, Charles A. 
Whitney, George H. 
Williams, Charles 



Page. 
518 
548 
552 

559 
564 
107 
142 
250 
429 
561 
i6g 
109 
146 

173 
222 
229 
253 
311 
314 
31S 
316 
406 
432 
505 
518 
553 
555 



PART I 



HISTORY OF DUNSTABLE 



WHICH INCLUDES THE VALUABLE HISTORI- 
CAL MATTER GATHERED AND PUBLISHED 
BY CHARLES J. FOX, ESQ., IN 1846,— WITH 
SUCH ADDITIONS AS MAY BE OF INTEREST. 
THE SAME ORDER WILL NOT BE OBSERVED 
BY REASON OF THE DIFFERENT DIVISION 
AND CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECTS 



///STOK]- OF X.IS//r.l. X. If. 3 

CHARLES J. FOX'S HISTORY OF OLD DUNSTABLE. 

REVISED BY VIRGII. C. GII.MAX. 

CHAPTER I. 

Legend of the Xoktiimen. First Voyage to the New World. Landixg of the 
Pilgrims. Valleys of the Merrim.\ck axd Nashua. Endicott Rock. Friendly 
Indians. Settlements Extended North of Ciieljisford and Groton. Early 
Grants. Brenton's Farm. Charlestown School Farm Grant. Dramcui' Hill. 
BiLLERicA School Farm Grant. Jonathan Danfortii, Surveyor. Thomas Brattlic. 
John Parker. Br.attle Street Church. 

THE general reader finds little of interest in the history of onr country from the time of its 
discovery hy Christo])her Columbus on the fourteenth day of October, 1492, down through 
the sixteenth century. But the student whose ambition is to search out beginnings, finds 
along the track of the past, times and places that invite his attention and inquiry; there 
comes from out the misty years of the long ago the legend of the Northmen: that the shores of 
this New World were not new to them, but had for generations yielded to them the fruits of 
fisheries and trade. His efforts, however, to find what the historian demands, as authentic 
and worthy of record, fail, and he passes it by as the vaporings of pride and boasting, and returns 
to the great maritime enterprise of Columbus, the most distinguished in all the annals of the world, 
as the dawn of American History. 

From this time on its progress is not left in doubt. Whate\-er preceded it was limited in ex- 
tent and meagre in results, and, although it may truthfully be said that our birth was humble, our 
childhood slender, and at times uncertain, yet the elements of greatness and strength ami of mar- 
velous ])ossibilities were there. 

vSaj'S a gifted writer, "ICxcept the red race, of doubtful origin and melancholy fate, America 
has no 'surviving memorial of the past'. Here are no magnificent and picturesijue ruins — no stu- 
pendous monuments of forgotten skill — no curious relics of lost arts, the birth and historv of which 
are in dispute. Here were neither high dukes or mighty earls — neither a nobility, a banditti, nor 
a priesthood. Vet American History would be a treasure if it could offer to the world but the name 
of Washington. Massachusetts would be honored, if it were only for the genius of Franklin. New 
Hampshire will not be forgotten while she preserves the memory of vStark." 

European vessels had coasted along the shores but had gained no definite knowledge of the 
rivers and harbors. As to the order of the important events which followed the ojiening of the cal- 
endar of sixteen hundred, there is slight discrepancy. 

Says Bancroft, I, page in : "In 1602 Bartholomew Gosnold, who had made himself somewhat 
familiar with the usual route by the Canaries and West Indies, conceived the idea of a direct voy- 
age to America and well-nigh secured to New England the honor of being the first English colony." 
a\ sail of seven weeks in his chosen bark brought him to the continent and into the waters of Mas- 
sachusetts bay, not far to the north of Xaliant. Not finding a satisfactory harbor and discovering 
Cape Cod, he, with four of his men, made a landing; the first soil in New F'ngland trodden by Eng- 
lishmen. He doubled the cape and proceeded southward and reached Buzzard's bay. Upon the 
islands he beheld vegetation, fruits and (lowers in luxuriant growth, which so filled him with admi- 
ration for his discoveries that he lost no time in making it known. How much the glowing reports 
had to do in influencing others to make their way to the New W^orld cannot now be determined, 
but it is certain that others had learned something of the fruitfulness and beauty of the Western 
world. 

The editor of Provincial Papers of New Hampshire ( Dr. Bouton) has the following in his pre- 
liminarv notice: "The first voyager to our shores of whom we can find any record was Martin 
Pring who, in the month of June, 1603, came here with a ship of fift\- tons and thirty men and boys; 



4 HISTONV OF X-ISHCA, X. H. 

and a barque of twenty-six tons, Capt. William Brown, thirteen men and a boy. This small fleet 
was fitted out under the mayor, aldermen and merchants of the city of Bristol, England, to prose- 
cute the discovery of the northern parts of Virginia, as the whole country was then called. The 
flag-ship was called the Speedwell, and the barque the Discoverer. They first touched at one of 
the islands at the entrance of Penobscot bay; then visited the mouths of the Saco, Kennebunk 
and York rivers, which Pring says they 'found to pierce not far into the land.' They next pro- 
ceeded to the Piscataqua and explored it ten or twelve miles into the interior." 

Sixteen years before the landing of the Pilgrims in 1620, a French writer, De Monts, in writing 
from Canada, said, "The Indians tell us of a beautiful river lying far to the south which they call 
Merrimac." 

From the earliest period the valleys of the Merrimack and Nashua were the red men's paradise. 
Here were their favorite fishing stations, as well as their richest planting fields. Alas, how soon the}- 
were to be despoiled of their possessions, and the venerable and hajapy Passaconaway, whose counsel 
and wishes were the law for nearly fifteen hundred subjects, to see their glor^* depart. Barbarism 
could not forecast the future, and leaves no enduring memorials behind. The ploughshare may 
reveal some specimens of their handiwork, or the spade di.sclose some cruml^ling bones. They lived 
up to their opportunities — they worshipped the God of Nature — they died in hope of happier hunting 
grounds. 

This volume is designed to include the valuable historical matter gathered and published by 
Charles J. Fox, E.sq., in 1846, with such additions as ma>' be of interest, bringing it down to the 
present time, although the same order will not be observed by reason of the different division and 
classification of subjects. Starting with Chapter I, Mr. Fox says: 

"The landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, in December, 1620, is an epoch in the world's history. 
' On this Jjleak New England shore,' in the wilderness, with the snows of winter around them and a 
few wretched dwellings to protect them, they established a colony whicli is destined to solve a 
problem of the human race. Its motto and its basis was ' Freedom to worship God.' Persecuted in 
the old world alike by Catholic and Episcopalian for opinion's sake, driven from their homes, they 
came to this 'wilderness world' with gladsome hearts, 'singing the songs of Zion,' even in this 
'strange land' for that 'here the}- could worship God according to the dictates of their consciences 
in peace.' 

" The Plymouth settlers were but pioneers, and soon crowds flocked hither ready to dare, and to 
endure all for the priceless boon of a free conscience and free speech. 

"Boston, Salem, Portsmouth and Dover were settled, and everywhere w-ith each little band of 
brethren, the 'man of God ' went forth to cheer them in toil, in peril, and in death. As the fame of 
this new asylum for the oppressed began to spread abroad more widely, greater crowds of emigrants 
came, until the older settlements became too populous. Adventurous .spirits went forth into the 
wilderness upon every side to found new plantations, and at a A'ery early period, not long after the 
settlement of Boston, attention was turned towards the \-aneys of the Merrimack and Nashua. In 
August, 1652, the A-alley of the Merrimack as far as the outlet of Lake Winnipisiogee, was surveyed 
by Capt. Simon Willard and Capt. Edward Johnson. This survey was made by order of the General 
Assembly of Ma.ssachusetts to determine the northerl\- bound of the Colony and an inscription was 
made upon a large stone in Winnipisiogee River, at a point 'three miles iioith of the head of Merjiiuac 
River,' to designate the spot. The colony of Massachusetts then claimed all the land lying 'three 
miles ' north and east of the Merrimac from its mouth to this point atid thence due west to Yew York." 

In 1833 this stone was re-discovered and the late Judge George Y. Sawyer of this city, who was 
then practising law- in Meredith, was called to view it and interpret the inscription, since which time 
it has been known as Endicott Rock. 

In pursuance of joint resolutions of the Legislature of 1883 and 1885, His Excellency, Governor 
Hiram A. Tuttle, in 1891, appointed commissioners to erect a suitalile structure for the protection and 
preservation of this Endicott Rock. 

The work w-as completed after some unavoidable delays, and it was turned o\-er to the possession 
of the State, August i, 1892. It was an occasion of marked interest, attended by the Governor and 
Council and a large concourse of people. 

Hon. Joseph B. Walker of Concord was president of the occasion. The principal address was 



J//S7<)h')- or x.t.s/fc.i, N. If. - 

delivered by Hon. Eiastus P. Jewell oi i.acoiiia, and was the result of great historical research. He 
was followed by Hon. John Kimball of Concord, in behalf of his associate commissioners. Messrs. 
Jewell and Walker. 

He said, "From 1652 to 1833, a period of one hundred eighty-one years, the people of New 
Hampshire had no knowledge of the ICndicolt Rock. .Since its discovery in 1833 the interest in it has 
been increasing. A large number of louri.sts visited it annually and a strong feeling prevailed that 
something should be done to preserve it, which resulted in placing over it a building of appropriate 
design, after first raising the immense boulder from its almost hidden, sandy bed. The masonry is 
surmounted by a capstone suitable to receive a statue of Governor Kndicott, which it is hoped Massa- 
chusetts will place there at no distant day. 

It bears the inscription : 

" Ivndicott Rock 
The name of 
John Endicott, Gov. 
And the initials of 
Edward John.son and vSimon Willard, Commissioners 
of the Massachusetts Bay Colon}', 
John ,Slierman and Jonathan Ince, surveyors, were inscriljed 

upon this rock 

August I, 1652. 

to mark the head of the Merrimack River. 

A line three miles northward of this rock was then claimed Viy that colony as the northern limit 
of their patent. 

E. I. vS. W. 

W. P. lOHX 

ENDICVT 
GO\' 
I. S. I. I. 

The structure which covers this historic stone, long known as ICndicott Rock, was erected for its 
protection in 1892, by the State of New Hampshire, in accordance with Joint Resolutions of its 
Legislature, Approved Sept. 7, 1S83, and August 25, 1885. 

Joii.N Kniu.\LL. 
Er.\stus p. Jewell. 
Joseph B. W.xlkkr. 

Connnissioners. " 

This expedition was rendered necessarv because of the conflicting views relative to the Mason 
grant, and the doubt as to the "furthest head" of the Merrimack Ri\-er, There had been an expedi- 
tion by order of the Massachusetts Bay Colon\- made under the supervision of Goodman Woodward 
and John Stretton, with an Indian guide, in July, 163S, the result of which was their fi.xing the 
bound at "a great pine tree" three miles north of the confluence of the Winnipesaukee and Penii- 
gewasset rivers in Franklin. This was known as Ivndicott tree, but its location is now unknown, and 
Dr. Runnels in his history of Sanbornton, says it was of no account for a colonial bound after the 
year 1639 ; hence this second survey and the fixing of a more enduring monument. 

The valleys of the Meirimack and Nashua are of alluvial formation. That they have undergone 
great changes is very evident. Their general appearance, the shape of their basins, their outlets, 
their different levels, and the stratified character of the .soil, all show that at some remote period the 
greater portion of these valleys must have been covered with water in the form of lakes or large 



6 HISTiUn' OF X.lSHi:i. X. //. 

ponds. Geologists find the same characteristics upon all onr ri\-ers, and some even refer their origin 
to the Deluge. But whenever and however their origin may have been, it is evident that the \'alley 
of the Merrimack was once a succession of lakes, one ending at Pawtncket falls, another at Amos- 
keag falls, through whose rocky basins the waters at length burst their way, and formed their present 
lower channel, lea\'ing their former beds dry. 

The same is equally true of the \-alley of the Nashua, one outlet being at Mine falls, and another 
at the high bluff near the Nashua corporation, through which the water has forced a passage and left 
large basins exposed for cultix'ation. In corroboration of this theory we know that logs have often 
been found here, buried in the earth at great depth. When the excavation for the foundation of the 
locks near the Merrimack was being made in 1S25, at a spot about one hundred feet from the 
river, and at a depth of many feet below the surface, the workmen found several logs, a quantity 
of charcoal, as if the remains of a fire, and a toad, which, on being exposed to the sun and air, 
revived and hopped away. Such discoveries are not of unfrequent occurrence, but as to the time and 
mode of their deposit we are left only to theory and conjecture. 

The valley of the Merrimack was not an object of desire to the English alone. From the earliest 
periods it seems to have been looked upon by the Indians as almo.st a paradise. The Winnipisiogcc, 
or "the very pleasant place where there is but little land," or as they sometimes called it "The smile 
of the Great Spirit," was deeply belo\-ed. The Merrimack with its numerous Xaainkccks, or fishing 
stations, and its rich planting fields for maize, which also extended along the valleys of the Souhegan 
and the Nashua, were still more dear. 

The Indians who inhabitated the more southerly jjortions of the valley were of a mild disposition 
and invited intercourse with the whites, .so that in 1655 settlements had extended as far north as 
Chelmsford and Groton, and for the next ten j-ears there was unwonted activity and prosperity and a 
corresponding increase of population. It is not .strange, then, that when grants came to be made in 
1655, the settlers were eager for these valleys and members of the exploring party were among the first 
to be rewarded. 

In 1656 the lands upon both sides of the Merrimack, extending on the west side from Naticook, 
the little brook just above Thornton's ferry, in Merrimack, to a line about a mile south of Pennichuck 
brook, and including the greater part of Litchfield, were granted to William Brenton and called 
" Brenton 's Farm." 

The Indian name for the towns of Merrimack and Litchfield was Naticook. Belknap says the 
land east of the river Avas sometimes called Nacook. In 1659 and 1660 large tracts of land were 
granted upon the Souhegan, (anciently written Souheganack, meaning crooked), at a place called b}' 
the Indians, Quohquinna-pashessaiianagnog, being the meadows in Amherst, lying at the mouth of the 
brook which rises in Mont Vernon, flows around the plain in Amherst, and runs into the Souhegan in 
the south part of the town. Five hundred acres were granted to Capt. William Davis of Boston, and 
Capt. Isaac Johnson of Roxbury ; five hundred acres to Mrs. Anna Lane, and three hundred acres to 
John Wilson of Boston. One thousand acres were also granted to the town of Charlestown, Mass., 
for a "School F^arm," lying upon the Souhegan, in Milford, about four or five miles westerly of the 
first grants, " at a great hill called Dramcup hill," and five hundred acres to Mrs. Anna Cole "ad- 
joining thereto." 

Capt. Isaac Johnson, the above grantee, was killed at the great Narragansett Swamp fight, 
Dec. 19, 1675. 

Dram Cup hill was a point of more than ordinarv importance. It was not only the northwesterly 
bound of Dunstable, but of the "School F'arm" grant made to the town of Charlestown and also of 
Middlesex county, Mass., as this portion of Dunstable was supposed to be a portion of that county. 
In addition to this it was the northwest bound of the town of Monson, a subdi\'ision of Dunstable, 
and is near the noi'thvve,st corner of Milford. It is upon the south side of the highway and the rail- 
road leading from Milford to Wilton, about three miles from the former and one from the latter, just 
before crossing the bridge over the Souhegan river by Hillsboro' mills. The origin of the name is 
unknown but is in itself suggestive, and perhaps the reader may be allowed to infer that, on reaching 
it at the end of a long and tedious surveying trip through the wilderness, they rested and celebrated 
the event by indulging in more than the customary "ration" — possibh- drank from some stone \'essel 
of Indian handiwork found on the premises. 



///.S/V'A'}' or NASHUA, A'. H. 7 

As in the case til the Iviulicott R<ick. a fresh interest has sprung up within a few years and the 
Historical and Genealogical society of Milfonl has had a suitable granite monument, with appropriate 
inscriptions, prepared to mark the place. The monument was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, 
August 21, 1895, Hon. George A. Ramsdell of Xasluia, delivering the principal address. The 
monument stands u])on the north side ol the highway, two hundred and nine feet from the stones, upon 
the south bank of the Soubegan river, the true bound. 

About the same time a grant of four hundred acres, lying at the mouth of Salmon brook, was 
made to John Wliiling. it was bounded on the north " l)y the upland," and extended up the brook 
about a mile and a half, embracing the southerly part of Nashua \'illage. Several hundred acres, 
also, were granted at Pennichuck jjond, and so down Pennichuck brook, in Merrimack, to the Merri- 
mack ri\er. 

About 1662, five hundred acres upon the easterly side of the Merrimack, in Litchfield, " at 
Nacook," were granted to the town of Billerica for a " School Farm," and three hundred acres ad- 
joining, to " Phinehas Pratt and others for straights and hardshijis endured b\- them in ]>lanting at 
Plymouth 0/ which he ivas one." 

P'our hundred acres were granted to Go\'. Ivndicott, "lying in the westerly part of Pelham," 
about six miles north of Pawtucket falls, and one mile west of Beaver brook, at a great hill called 
Masha-shattiick (Deer hill) "lying between two other great hills, and adjoining southerly on a great 
pond called Pimmo-mitti-qiionnit, (a long pond)." 

All these grants were made by the Massachusetts Assembly. (Records 1659-60). 

Since Mr. Fox wrote, very valuable and interesting historical matter bearing upon all the above 
mentioned grants has been made public in the hi.story of Billerica, by Rev. Henry A. Hazcn, by 
which it appears that the first grant of land embraced in the township of Dunstable was made by 
Billerica, she having petitioned the General Court for such a grant of land elsewhere, for her own 
benefit, which met with favor, as follows: — 

" In ans'' to the peticion of the inhabitants of Billirrikey, this Court doth grant the toune of 
Billirrikey eight thousand acres of lands, for the ends desired, in any place or places that are ffree 
and not capable of making a toune, provided that the said lands be laid out before the next Court of 
Election, and that the inhabitants of Cambridge doe accept thereof and it is ordered y' Majo'' Willard, 
Cap' Edw. Johnson, Mr. Edward Jackson or any two of them, w"' Thomas Danforth, or any other 
sur\-eyor, shall lay y= same out at the peticoners charge, making retourne to the next Court of Election." 

Jonathan Danforth of Billerica, the younger brother of Thomas, and a noted land sur\-eyor, was 
charged with the task of locating this eight thousand acres. Beyond Chelmsford he had the whole 
Merrimack valley to choose from, or even the Connecticut and Champlain valleys, if it had suited 
Billerica's profit to go so far. The survey which he made and returned through the above committee, 
on which the location was finally sanctioned, is, fortunately, still presented in the office of the secre- 
tary of state and on this authority some facts long forgotten have recently come to light. 

As described and approved by the court it was located as follows : " Layd out to the vse of the 
inhabitants of Billerikey eight thousand acres of land, lying vpon Merremacke River, on both sides 
thereof, taking in the trucking howse now inhabitated by J"° Cromwell the sajd land being lajd out 
aliout sixe thousand three hundred acres on the east side of the river, and seventeen hundred fivety 
acres on the west side, and is bounded by the wilderness surrounding the same, as is demonstrated by 
a plott thereof, taken and made by Jonathan Danforth, sun-eyor, and exhibited to this Court by Major 
Symon Willard and Capt. Edward Johnson, appointed by this Court, Octob. 14, 1656 to lay out the 

same. 

svmon w it.i..\rd, 

Edw.vkd Johnson." 
" The Court allowes and ajiproves of the retourne of these connnis.sioners in reference to the land 
herein expressed." 

It is very gratifying to know something more of the men who were identified with the events of 
the settlement of our country than the mere mention of a single act like that related above. Mr. 
Danforth was one of Billerica's most renowned citizens. He removed from Cambridge to that place 
in 1654. He was one of the first selectmen, holding the ofhce twenty-one years. He also kept the 
town records for about the same length of time, and his fine penmanship is as legible and handsome 



8 HISTORY OF XASHVA, A'. H. 

to this da\- as if done in copperplate. He was also a famous mathematician and suneyor, and oper- 
ated all through this region, going as far north as P'ranklin, and is mentioned in many of the histories 
of other towns. He died in 1712, aged 85 years. The following lines from Farmer's History, taken 
from a poem written in the quaint style of the times by his nephew, Rev. John Uanforth of Dorchester, 
are sacred to his memory : — 

"He rode the circuit, chained great towns and farms 

To good behavior; and, by well-marked stations. 
He fixed their bounds for many generations. 

His arts ne'er failed him though the local stone failed 
When oft by mines and streanies it was assailed. 

All this was charming, but there's something higher 
Gave him the lusture which we most desire." 

This survey, says Mr. Hazen, p. 43, was the earliest ever made, it is safe to say, in the Merrimack 
valley beyond Chelmsford, and is the starting point in the history of Dunstable.* The location was 
in a part of the valley commonly called Naticook, but which Danforth spells Naticott. 

The grant began at the Pennichuck brook, which forms the north bound of Nashua, and extends 
on the west side of the river as far north as the Sonhegan river ; then it follows the Merrimack nearly 
a mile, passing two islands, the larger of which received the surveyor's name, "Jonathan," then 
runs eastward two or three miles, and .southward five or six, returning to its starting point. This 
Naticott grant remained for a year in the hands of Billerica, when John Parker received authority to 
dispose of it, under date " gth 6m 165S." 

A month later Parker had sold the land, and made his return and agreement with the town, in 
which he states that the sale was made to William Brenton for two hundred pounds for the entire 
eight thousand acres. 

William Brenton was a Boston merchant and leading business man ; often one of the selectmen. 
He removed soon after to Rhode Island, and was governor of that colony in 1666-8 and died in 1674. 

Another purchaser of a portion of this Billerica grant was Thomas Brattle, who, also, was a lead- 
ing merchant of Boston, and was reported to be one of the wealthiest men in the colony. His name 
appears first upon the petition for the incorporation of Dunstable. He married Elizabeth, daughter 
of William Tyng. Died April 5, 1683, in his sixtieth year. He had a son Thomas, who was at one 
time treasurer of Harvard college and was founder of the Brattle street church, whose meeting-house 
gave place some years ago to the large business block in New Washington street, formerly known as 
Brattle square. This was the first meeting-house built of brick in New England, and was erected in 
1694. The round shot from a British cannon that was embedded in its walls was looked upon with 
interest as a memento of the hostility of the mother-country. Thomas Brattle, Jr., died May 18, 17 13. 

*This does not correspond with what appears elsewhere, but may have reference to other parts of his work. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, X. H. 9 

CHAPTER II. 

Hknkv KiMiiAi,i.'.s Farm, (.'.kant to Ancient anu Honokabi.k Artillkkv Company of 
Boston. Artillery Pond. Petition kor Consolidation ok Grants into One Plan- 
tation. Township ok Di-nstahlk. Karly Proprietors. Trakkickinc; with the In- 
dians. Indian Tribes. Passaconaway, Vener.vted Chief. Last Indian Resident. 
Roby's Farm. Wiiittier's Poem, "The B.vshaba's Feast." Fir.st Settlers. Rev. 
Thom.\s Weld, First P.\stor. His House Lot. Old Fort. Houses of Ha.ssel, 
Temple and Perry. 

AMONG other grants made about 1662 was cue of a large tract in Hudson and Pelham to 
Henry Kimball, and called ''Henry Kimball's Farm:'' Samuel Scarlet had a farm also, 
on the north side of Merrimack river, perhajis in Tyngsborough ; Lieut. Joseph Wheeler, 
and his father, Capt. Thomas Wheeler, had a farm upon the Merrimack, in Nashua, a 
little south of Salmon brook, and several others whose names are not presented. 

In September, 1673, a grant of one thousand acres, lying in Nashville,* was made to the "Ancient 
and Honorable Artillery Company" of Boston. It was bounded east by the Merrimack, south by the 
Nashua, west by Spectacle brook** and extended about one mile northerly of the Nashua river. This 
embraced the whole of the village of Nashville, and was called the "Artillery Farm." From this cir- 
cumstance the little pond in the north part of the village was called ".Irtillery Pond." 

At the time this grant was made this pond was a very attractive little sheet of water, covering 
an area of about twelve acres. Being fed by springs, the water continued with very little variation 
in depth through the season. In freshets its overflow was to the south, over what are now Merri- 
mack, Amherst, Fletcher and Franklin streets, to the Nashua river. 

There was at one time a mill upon the east side about where the Blanchard churn factory now 
stands, owned by the late Samuel Shepherd, in which he manufactuted window-sa.sh, doors and 
blinds by machinery. He claimed the invention of the machiner\- and that it was the fir.st ever used 
for this purpose. 

Near by was another building in which conveniences for puljlic baths were fitted up. Permission 
was obtained by the late Gen. George Stark and the late Col. Oilman Scripture to drain the pond by 
putting in a sewer along the line of the overflow to the river. It was only a partial success, as a 
ledge was encountered upon the land of Dr. L. F. Locke, to reduce which would involve a greater 
expense than the expected results would warrant, which was to secure the rich deposit of muck for 
use upon the lands near by, owned by them. Being onlj' partially drained, it became objectionable, 
sanitarily, and the city deemed it necessar}- to carry out the original plan, and opened a channel 
through the ledge at an expense of several thousand dollars. No water is now seen ; in fact, nearl}- 
the entire surface is now under cultivation, 'vhile upon its border is a finely graded track, five- 
eighths of a mile in length, which is much used for pleasure driving and bicycling. 

At this period, 14,000 acres, lying along the Merrimack, upon both sides, between Souhegan 
river and Chelmsford, had been granted to various individuals, but as yet few settlements had been 
made. It became necessary, therefore, for their mutual benefit, to consolidate all the grants into one 
plantation, and to secure to the inhabitants all the privileges and immunities of an inco'rj)orated town- 
ship. Accordingl}-, in September, 1673, the proprietors of the farms already- laid out, and others who 
were disposed to settle here, presented a petition to the General Assembly, of which the following 
is a copyt : — 

"To the Honored Governor, Deputy Governor, with the Magistrates and Deputies now assembled in 
the General Court at Boston, vSept. 19, 1673. 

*For origin of Nashville see division of Nashua. 

**The little brook about a mile \ve.sterly of the village, which runs through the farm o\vne<l by Hiram Woods, now 
by \'. C. Gilman. 

tMass. .\ssembly Records, 1873. The original petition is on file and the ancient spelling has been preserved. 



lO 



HISTORY OF XASHUA, N. H. 



"The petition of the Proprietors of the farms that are laid out upon the Merrimac River and places 
adjacent, with others wlio desire to joyn with them in the settlement of a plantation there 

" HUMBLY SHEWETH 
"That whereas there is a considerable tract of the Country's land that is invironed with the 
properties of particular persons and towns, viz : by the line of the town of Chelmsford, and h\ the 
Groton line, and b}- Mr. Brenton's farm, by Souhegan farms, and beyond Merrimac River by the 
outermost line of Henrj- Kimball's farm, and so to Chelmsford line again — All which is in little 
capacity of doing the country any service except the farms bordering upon it be adjoined to said 
land to make a plantation there ; and there being considerable number of persons who are of a sober 
and orderly conversation, who do stand in great need of accommodations, who are willing and read}- 
to make present improvement of the said vacant lands : And the Proprietors of the said farms are 
therefore willing to join with and give encouragement to those that .shall improve the said lands : — 
the farms of those that are within the tract of land before described, being about 14,000 acres at 
the least : — 

"Your Petitioners therefore humbly request the favour of the Honorable Court that they will 
please to grant the said tract of land to your petitioners, and to such as will join them in the settle- 
ment of the lands before mentioned, so that those who ha\e improved their farms there, and others 
who speedily intend to do the same, may be in a way for the support of the public ordinances of God, 
for without which the greatest part of the year they will be deprived of, the farms lying so far remote 
from anj' towns: and farther that the Honorable Court will please grant the like immunities to this 
plantation, as they in their favours have formerly granted to other new plantations : — So shall your 
Petitioners be ever engaged to pray : — " 



I. 


Thomas Brattle. 


2. 


Jonathan Tyiig. 


3- 


Joseph Wheeler. 


4- 


James Parkerson. 


5- 


Robert Gibbs. 


6. 


John Turner. 


7- 


Sampson Sheaf. 


8. 


Samuel Scarlet. 


9- 


William Lakin. 


10. 


Abraham Parker. 


II. 


James Knapp. 


12. 


Robert Proctor. 


13- 


Simon Willard, Jr 



14- 


Thomas Edwards 


15- 


Thomas Wheeler, 


16. 


Peter Bulkeley. 


17- 


Joseph Parker. 


18. 


John Morse, Sen. 


19- 


Samuel Combs. 


20. 


James Parker, Jr. 


21. 


John Parker. 


22 . 


Josiah Parker. 


23- 


Nathaniel Blood. 


24- 


Robert Parris. 


25- 


John Jolliffe. 


26. 


Zachariah I^ong. 



Sen. 



The petition was granted upon conditions which were then univcrsall}' inserted in the charters ; 
that the grantees should '^settle" the plantation, procure a mini.ster within three years, and resen'e a 
farm for the use of the colony. By scttli)ig the plantation was understood procuring a competent 
number of actual stitlcrs, (twenty or more), who should build houses capable of defence, at least 
eighteen feet square, and who should live upon and improve their lands ; and also the erection of a 
meeting-house. The following is a copy of the original charter, dated October 15, 1673, (corres- 
ponding with October 26th, New Style), which includes all the above grants.* 

See photo of the original charter in possession of Dr. Israel T. Hunt, now of Boston, formerly of 
Nashua, kindly loaned by him for use in this history exclusively. 

"At a General Court held at Boston ye 15th (26th) October 1673. In answer to the Petition of 
Thomas Brattle, Jonathan Tyng, James Parker and William Lakin, in behalf of themselves and 
others joyning in their humble Petition to desire the favor of this Court to grant them liberty to settle 
a plantation with their ffarmes, and a considerable tract of land belonging to ye country being in- 
vironed with the proprieties of particular persons and towns : as by ye line of Chelmsford, and b}' 
Groton line, and by Mr. Brenton's ffarm, by Souhegan ffarmes, and beyond Merrimac River by ye 



♦Mass. .Assembly Records, 1673, Page 730. Records of Towns, 1673. In order to make the dates which are pre- 
vious to A. D. 1751, compared with our present reckoning, eleven days should in all cases be added. 



HisroRY or xAsriUA, n. //. „ 

iitinosl line of Henry KimlKiI's lannc, and so to Chelmsford line again, as also such other immunities 
to the plantation as this Court lialli formerly granted to other new plantations: — 

"The Court judgeth it meet to grant their request provided a farme of five hundred acres of 
upland and medo be laid out of this tract for the country's use, and that they shall in settling the 
])Iantalinn endeavor so as to finish it once" within three years, and procure an able and orthordox 
minister amongst them. 

•• That this is a true copy taken and compared witli the original records, Attest 

Edward Rawson, Secretary." 

" In May, 1674, the new plantation was sun-eyed liy Jonatlian Danforth, and its boundaries are 
thus descrilied ": t 

" It lieth upon both sides Merrimac River on the Nashaway River. It is bounded on the South 
by Chelmsford, by Groton line, and ]5artly by country land. The \Ve.sterly line runs due North until 
you come to Souhegau River to a hill called dram cup hill to a great pine near to ye said River at the 
N. \V. corner of Charlestown School farm; bounded by Souhegan River on the North; and on the 
East side Merrimac it begins at a great stone which was supposed to be near the North East corner of 
Mr. Brenton's land ; and from thence it runs Sou-south east six miles to a pine tree marked :F: stand- 
ing witliin sight of Beaver Brook ; thence it runs two degrees West of South four miles and a quarter 
which reached to the south side of Henry Kimble's farm at Jeremie's Hill ; thence from ye South 
east angell of said farm it runs two degrees and a quarter westward of the south near to the head of 
the Long Pond which lieth at \e head of Edward Colburn's farm. — And thus it is bounded by ye said 
Pond and the head of said Colburn's farm; taking in Captain Scarlet's farm so as to close again ; all 
which is sufficiently bounded and described. Dunstable, 3d. mo. (May) 1674. "t 

The township of Dunstable embraced a very large tract, probably more than /r.w hundred square 
miles, including the towns of Nashua, Nashville, Hudson. Hollis, Dunstable and Tyngsborough, 
besides portions of the towns of Andierst, Milford, Merrimack, Litchfield, Londonderrv, Pelham, Brook- 
line, Pepperell and Townsend, and formed a part of the county of Middlesex. At this late dav it is 
extremely difficult to define its boundaries accurately, but by a perambulation of lines made in 1734, 
an approximation may be made. The north eastern corner was a very large and high rock now stand- 
ing about three miles north ea.sterly of the mouth of the Souhegan river in Londonderry. The south 
east corner was " at the corner of Methuen and Dracut," "in sight of Beaver brook." The north west 
corner was at " dram cup hill " on the Souhegan, in the westerly part of Milford, and the westerly line 
which ran 'Uiue South." pa.ssed "nearthe west end of ^luscatanapus Pond," in Brookline.H It extended 
ten or twelve miles west of Merrimack river, and from three to five miles east of it, and its average 
length, north and south, was from twelve to fourteen miles. The present township of Nashua occupies 
very nearly the centre of the original township. 

In 1674, because there was " very little medo left except what is already granted to the ffarmes," 
the easterly line of the township was extended to Beaver brook, by an additional grant from the Gen- 
eral Court, and the town was called Dunstable. It received its name in compliment to Mrs. Marj- 
Tyng, wife of Hon. Edward Tyng. one of the magistrates of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
who came from Dunstable, England," about 1630, and whose son Jonathan became posses.sor of a laro-e 
tract of land in what is now the town of Tyngsborough. The old Ivnglish town, says Nason, from 
which not only the Tyng family but other early settlers came, is ]ileasantl\' situated at the base of 
Chiltern Hills in Bedfordshire, eighteen miles .south-southeast of Bedford, and ten miles east-northeast 
of the Boxmore station of the I^ondon <!<: Northwestern railway. It liad in 1851, 3,589 inhabitants 
and with its green fields and neatl\' trimmed hedge-rows, its ancient stone church and brick dwelling 

*The meaning of this is obscure : perhaps it is that the number of settlers necessary to make or " finish " a settle- 
ment shall be procured within three years. 

tTown and Proprietary Records, Page i. 

{Before A. D. 1751, the year began March 25th, and the mouths were often numbered thus: March, or first month; 
April, second mouth; May, third month, &c. In 1751 they began to reckou the year from the first of January. .\t 
that time, in consequence of having reckoned only 365 days to a year, eleven days had been gained, which were then 
struck out of the calendar. Dates prior to 1751 are called Old style; subseeiuent. New style. 

llThis pond is situated near the meeting-house, and is still called "Tanapus Pond." Musca-tanapus signifies 
Bear pond. ^Mass. Records. Towns. 1734. Page 63. 



12 HISTORY OF NASHC'A, X. H. 

houses, makes a very picturesque appearance. Henry I founded here a priory of black canons, which 
now forms a part of the ancient church. 

The name Dunstable probably came from "dun," a hilly place, and " staple," a mart or emporium. 
[See other reasons elsewhere.] The town is celebrated for the manufacture of straw plat bonnets and 
hats, and a certain kind of straw braid in Massacliusetts bore the name of " Dunstaple." 

The ancient Norman kings had a place in this town, and here Edward I erected a cross to mark 
the spot where the body of his deceased queen rested on its way to sepulture in Westminster Abbey. 
The town is also noted as the place where Archbishop Cranmer, in 1553, pronounced the sentence of 
divorce between Henry VIII and Katharine of Aragon, As the parish register in early times was not 
well kept, it furnished nothing in respect to the families which emigrated to America, yet the present 
citizens of old English Dunstable express a kindly interest in the welfare of its namesake in New 
England. 

Among the original proprietors we find the names of man}' of the leading men in the colony, 
.some of whom, with the children and friends of others, removed here and took up their abode at an 
early period. Of this number we find Governor Dudley, who married a daughter of Hon. Edward Tyng 
of this town. Rev. Thomas Weld, who was the finst minister, and married another daughter; Thomas 
Brattle, Peter Bulkely, Hezekiah Usher, Elisha Hutchinson, Francis Cook and others who were 
Assistants and Magi-strates. Many of the first settlers belonged to Boston and its vicinity, a circum- 
.stance which gave strength and influence to the infant plantation. 

At what time and h\ whom Dunstable was first settled is uncertain, but it must have been 
considerably earlier than the date of the charter in 1673. In the charter, farms are mentioned as 
then existing, and some of " the farmers " were among the petitioners. Of this number were Scarlett, 
Wheeler, and others. In 1675, orchards are mentioned as then in existence, which must have been the 
growth of years. In 1674, " tlic house of Lt. ]\'hcclcr" is designated as a place of holding a meeting of 
the proprietors, and we have some rea.son to suppose that he ma}' have been the earliest settler.* 
Wheeler and Brenton were fur traders among the Indians. In 1657 the trade with the Indians was 
regulated by the General Court, and the exclusive right of this trade upon Merrimack river was sold 
to " Maj. (Simon) Willard, Mr. (William) Brenton, Ensign (Thomas) Wheeler, and Thomas Hench- 
man," for £,2^. The sale bears the date July i, 1657.! 

For the purpose of trafficking with the Indians more con^-eniently , it was cu,stomary to establish 
trading houses beyond the settlements, and at places to which they could easily resort. It is not 
impossible that Wheeler may have resided here for such a purjaose at an earl\- date after his grant, as 
Henchman resided a little farther south in Chelmsford. About 1665, John Cromwell, an Indian trader 
also, resided at Tj-ngsborongh, but soon after removed to Merrimack, where he built a trading house, 
about two miles above the mouth of Pennichuck brook, at the falls which now bear his name.t Ac- 
cording to the custom of the time, it is said that he used his foot as a pound 'u'cii^ht in the purchase of 
furs, until the Indians, beginning to suspect him of cheating them, drove him away and burned his 
house, the cellar of which still is or was recently visible. 

(Rev. Nathaniel Prentice, in his account of Tyngsborough, October, 1S15, says that the present 
owner of the place was ploughing near the spot and found his plough moving over a flat stone which 
gave a hollow sound. On removing the earth and stone, he discovered a hole, stoned, about six 
inches in diameter, from which he took a sum of money.) 

It is .stated by Farmer,! whose authority is unquestionable, that "the ancient settlement" was 
within the limits of Nashua, and as grants of land were made in 1659, and farms existed here before 
1673, and as Chelmsford was settled in 1655, we may reasonably conclude that some, who stood " in 

*Lt. Wheeler left town in Phillip's War, 1675, and did not return. His father, Capt. Thomas Wheeler of Groton, 
the noted Indian fighter, for a time resided with him. — 2 N. H. Hist. Coll. 5. 

tMass. Assembly Records, 1657, page 293. The trade of " Nashuway river" was sold at the same time for ^8. 

}The Indian name of Cromwell's Falls was Nesenkeag, and, as was generally the case, as at Naticook, Amoskeag, 
&c., the land for some distance around received the same name. 

IIBelknap, 117, note by Farmer, and his manuscript records. In his "Catechism of the History of New Hamp- 
shire, he says : — " This town had been settled several years before the date of the charter." Page 23. 



///STOA')- or XASHUA, X. //. 



•3 



need of accommodations," found their way to the rich inter\-als upon our rivers, at a period not much 
later than the date of the grants. 

It has often been remarked that, in the settlement of New England, we may discover the hand 
of an overruling Providence ; the Plague, which swept off the Indian tribes in and around Pl\niouth 
and Piscataqua, in 1612 and 1613, prepared the way for the coming of the forefathers, and similar 
providential events occurred as population moved westward. The valleys of the Merrimack and the 
Nashua were inhabitated by numerous small tribes, or branches of tribes of Indians, who lived in 
villages containing one hundred or two hundred souls, and subsisted chiefly by fishing and hunting. 
The Nashaways had their head quarters at Lancaster ; the Nashobas at Littleton ; the Pawtuckets at 
Pawtucket falls : the Wamesits at Wamesit falls, at the mouth of Concord river ; the Naticooks in 
this vicinity: and the Penacooks around Penacook, now Concord, N. H. They were all, however, 
subject to Passaconawa>'. 

The last resident Indian of Old Dunstable bore the name of Philip Antony. His hut was upon 
the farm in the .south part of the town now owned by Willard B. Cunuuings, a farm of historic interest 
inasmuch as the title for a hundred and fifty years was in the venerable Simon Roby and his de- 
scendants. It was the birthplace of our honored citizens, Luther A. and Noah W., who was my escort, 
and it was with all the enthusiasm of youth that he, although in his eightieth year, led the way fifty 
rods to the rear of Mr. Cummings' house, and pointed out the .spot where dwelt this last of his race. 
It was just the place for such a home. From the little hilltop he could greet the King of Day as he 
rose above the height of "Long Hill" and bid him "good-night" as he sank behind the gilded 
west that stood beyond the valley of the charming Salmon brook. vStanding upon such a spot and 
amid present surroundings, the words of Charles Sprague come home to us with a touch of sadness : 

" Here lived and loved another race of beings. Beneath the same sun that rolls over j-our heads 
the Indian hunter pursued the panting deer ; gazing on the same moon that smiles for you the Indian 
lover wooed his dusky mate. Across the ocean came a Pilgrim bark bearing the .seeds of life and 
death. The former were sown for you — the latter sprang up in the path of the simple native." 

The Mohawks, or Maquas, a fierce and savage tribe from New York, were the hereditary 
enemies of them all. The Indian tribes which dwelt nearest to the English settlements, and especially 
the Pawtuckets and Wamesits, from their weakness, and their fears of both the Mohawks and the 
English, craved the friendship and protection of the latter. They served as guides and .sentinels for 
the exposed frontiers, and were often of great .service. The Penacooks, however, were a more bold, 
warlike and dangerous race, who refused all attempts to Christianize them, although their dread of 
the English was generally sufficient to keep them from open hostilitv. 

In the spring of 1669, a portion of the Penacooks, fearing an attack from the Mohawks, moved 
down the Merrimack to the Pawtucket, and built a fort there for their protection. Their neighbor- 
hood was a cause of alarm to the settlers, some of whom shut themselves up in the garrisons; but in 
the succeeding autumn they joined in an expedition against the Mohawks, by whom they were over- 
powered and almost entirely destroyed.* 

The greater part of the Indians in this vicinity, especially the more turbulent and dangerous, to 
the number of six or seven hundred, united in this expedition, and nearly the whole of them perished 
with more than fiftj- chiefs. The remnant, dispirited and powerless united with the Wamesits, and 
became "praying Indians." 

In 1660, not long before Passaconawaj-'s death, at a great feast and dance, he made his farewell 
speech to his people," which is given in full in Drake's Book of Indians, III, 94, and is worthy of a 
space in this volume. He said : — 

" I am now going the way of all flesh, or am ready to die, and I am not likely to see your meet 
together any more. I will now leave this word of counsel with you, that yon may take heed how 
you quarrel with the English ; for though you ma\' do them nuicli mi.schief, yet assuredly you will all 
be destroyed and rooted off the earth if you do : for I was as much an enemy to the English at their 
first coming into these parts as anyone whatsoever and did try all ways and means possible to have 
them destroyed, at least to have prevented them settling down here, but I could no way affect it : 
therefore I advise you never to contend with the English or make war with them." 

♦Book of Ihf Indians. 45. Allen's History of Chelmsford. 



14 HISTORY OF XASHCA. \. If. 

Mr. Whittier in his poem. " The Bridal of Penacook," thus alludes to the Great .Sachem : — 

"For that chief had magic skill, 
And a Panisee's dark will 
Over powers good and ill. 

Powers which bless and powers which ban. 
Wizard lord of Pennacook ! 
Chiefs upon their war-paths shook 
When they met the steady look 

Of that wise dark man." 

Wanualancet, his second son. succeeded him, after the eldest son with the more restless part of 
the tribe had removed into Maine and was always after a friend to the whites. He resided generally 
at Wamesit falls, and was proprietor, with his tribe, of all the lands in this vicinity. About 1663, 
the eldest son of Passaconaway was thrown into jail for a debt of ^"45, due to John Tinker by one of 
his tribe, and which he had promised verbally would be paid. To relieve him from his imprisonment 
his brother Wannalancet and others who owned Wicasuck Island* sold it and paid the debt. 

Soon after, the General Court granted him one hundred acres of land "on a great hill about 
twelve miles west of Chelmsford," and probably in Pepperell, because he had " a great many children 
and no planting grounds." In 1665, he petitioned to the General Court that this island might be 
restored to him and his brethren, the original owners, and the original petition, signed by him with 
the others, in a fair, bold hand, is now on file at the secretary's office. His request was granted and 
the island purchased and restored by the colony. t 

About 1675 during the war with King Philip, he left W'amesit, and resided in Canada and various 
other places, lest he .should be drawn into the contest. During these wanderings he warned the 
whites of many intended attacks and averted others. When Wannalancet returned to Pawtucket, 
after the death of Philip, he called upon Re\'. Mr. Fiske of Chelmsford, and inquired what disasters 
had befallen the town during the war. Mr. Fiske replied that they had been highly favored, for 
which he desired " to thank Grod." " Me next," said the shrewd Sagamore, who claimed his share of 
the merit. Thus providentially was all this region freed from hostile Indians, and tlie way opened 
for the coming of our fathers in comparative safety. 

The valleys of the Naticook, of Salmon brook and the Nashua, (or Watananock, as it is called in 
the Court records), especiall}' near the mouths, were favorite resorts and abodes of the Indians. The 
Indian was the child of nature and gazed upon her charms with filial admiration. To him the moun- 
tains were " God's altars," and he looked up to their cloud-capped summits with awe, as the dwelling- 
place of the " Great .Spirit." The chiefs who dwelt in these valleys did not generally live in a style 
of crreater magnificence than their subjects, though they enjoyed greater abundance. Their confed- 
eracy was a great democracy, where danger, conflict, toil and privation were shared alike by all. 
Whittier in his " Bridal of Penacook " has given us a graphic picture of a wedding and dance given 
by Passaconaway on the occasion of the marriage of his daughter Weetamoo, to Winnepurkit, sachem 
of Saugus, Maine. 

He has most beautifully and happily introduced the sweet and flowing Indian names which 
abound along the Merrimack and its tributaries, and the whole scene is delightful as a specimen of 
Indian domestic life. For this reason, and as a portion of the luxuries were furnished by our own 
streams and hillsides, it is thought that its insertion here will not lie inappropriate: — 

THE BASHABA'St FEAST. 

With pipes of peace and bows unstrung, 
Glowing with paint came old and young. 
In wampum and furs and feathers arrayed, 
To the dance and feast Bashaba made. 

♦Wicasuck is the small island in the Merrimack river, near Wicasee falls, in Tjmgsborough. 

tAssembly Records, Mass., 1665, page 106. 

{The name given to two or three principal chiefs. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, X. //. ,5 

liinl of the air and beast of the field, 
All which the woods and waters yield, 
On dishes of birch and hemlock piled, 
Garnished and graced that banqnet wild. 

.Steaks of the brown bear, fat and large. 
From the rocky slopes of the Kearsarge, 
Delicate trout from Babboosuck brook, 
And Salmon speared in the Contoocook. 

Squirrels which fed where nuts fell thick. 
In the gravelly bed of the Otternic, 
And small wild hens in reed-snares caught. 
From the l)anks of Sondagardee brought. 

And, drawn from the great stone vase, which stands 
In the river scooped by a spirit's hands,* 
In white parched pile, or thick suppawn, 
Stood the birchen dishes of smoking corn. 

Thus bird of the air and beast of the field, 
All which the woods and waters yield. 
Furnished in that olden da\-, 
The bridal feast of the Bashaba. 

.\nd merrily when that feast was done. 

On the fire-lit green the dance begun ; 

With the squaws' shrill stave, and deeper hum 

Of old men beating the Indian drum. 

Painted and plumed, with scalp locks flowing. 
And red arms tossing, and black eyes glowing; 
Now in the light and now in the shade, 
Around the fires the dancers played. 

The step was quicker, the song more shrill, 
And the beat of the small drums louder still, 
Whenever within the circle drew, 
The Saugus Sachem and Weetamoo. 

Among the first settlers of IJunstaljle we find tlie names of Kev. Mr. Thomas Weld, Joseph 
Wheeler, John Blanchard, Jonathan Tyng, Cornelius Waldo, Samuel Warner, Obadiah Perrv, Samuel 
French, Robert Parris, Thomas Cnnimings, Isaac Cnmmings, Jo.sejih Has.sell, Christopher Temijle, 
John Goold, .Samuel Goold, John Sollendine, Christopher Reed, Thomas Lund, Daniel Waldo, Andrew- 
Cook, Samuel Whiting, John Lovewell, John Acres, John Waldo, William Beale, .Samuel Beale, 
John Cunnnings, Robert Usher, Henry Farwell, Robert Proctor, Joseph Lovewell, John Lovewell, Jr. 
The earliest compact settlements were made near the mouth of Salmon brook, between its mouth and 
the main road, and so down the Merrimack upon the spots deserted by the Indians. 

The land which lay between Salmon brook and the Merrimack was called "The Neck," and for 
greater security the " housne-lotts " (house lots) of the first settlers were laid out adjoining each 
other, and " within the neck." The lots which la\- nearest Salmon brook ran from Salmon brook to 
the Merrimack, and were generalh" from thirty to forty rods in width upon each stream. After the 
first six or eight lots, the we.st line of the lots was bounded upon " Long Hill." In the rear of the 
school house in the IiaYbor district in Nashua, and the north and east edges of the mill pond, several 
cellar holes are .still visible, and within a few j'ears an ancient well was open. A]iple trees are there 
standing, hollow, .splintered, covered with mo.ss and almost entireh- decayed, bearing marks of verv 
great antiquity. The early .settlers came from the .southeastern jiart of Kngland. where cider and 

♦There are rocks in the river at the falls of .\nioskeag, in the cavities of which, tradition says, the Indians for- 
merlv stored and concealed their corn. 



i6 . HISTORY OF X.ASHrj. X. H. 

perr}- were manufactured in great quantities, and they brought with them the same tastes and habits. 
Orchards are spoken of in our town records as earh- as 1675, and these shattered relics of an age that 
is past may possibl}' have been the original stock, or at least their immediate descendants. 

About fifty rods northea.st of the school house, near a small cluster of oaks, stood the " Old Fort," 
or garrison, in which the inhabitants dwelt in seasons of imminent danger, and to which they often 
retired at night. 

As the school house used by Mr. Fo.x as a landmark to fi-x the location of the "Old Fort" was 
removed many years ago, it is well to mark the spot by the pre.sent surroundings so that any one 
curious to know may go directlj- to it. 

When Bowers street, which runs from Main to Arlington street, was laid out it was found to pass 
over the cellar holes where the fort stood. Dearborn street and Harbor avenue run at right angles, 
and about thirty-three rods east of Dearborn and twenty west from the avenue is the spot, being 
seventy-five rods east from Main street. 

It was under the slope of the hill. The fill for the street covered about ten feet of the cellar hole 
and the remainder is filled and is a part of the lot occupied by the coal company north side of the 
Acton railroad. It would be very appropriate for the city to erect a stone monument to mark the 
spot where stood the only safe retreat of the early settlers in days of peril from a merciless foe. 

This tract of land was bought by Mr. Elbridge G. Reed in 1848, and he filled the cellar hole in 
1850 and planted a walnut tree to mark the spot, but the tree was removed when the .street was laid out. 

There was a well in the fort which was open until within a few years. South of this spot, on the 
north bank of Salmon brook, and just in the rear of the house of Miss Allds, were the houses of 
Hassell, Temple and Perry, the cellar holes of which are still visible. The field adjoining was owned 
by Perry and is still known as the " Perry Field." 

All traces of these cellars disappeared many years ago. The present owner has cultivated this 
field for fifteen years and has had his attention called to this item of history, but there was nothing 
visible to indicate their location when he bought the property, and the name of the " Perry Field " is 
not heard. 

After the charter was obtained in 1673, the inhabitants increased rapidly. The proprietors made 
liberal grants to actual settlers, and upon the following conditions, which have been selected from their 
articles of agreement drawn up Oct. 15, 1673 : 

"Every one yt* is received (as an inhabitant,) shall have 10 acres for his person, and one acre 
more added thereto for every /,'20 estate, and none shall have above 30 acres in yr house lotts, nor 
none under 10 acres, and yt all after divisions of land shall be proportioned according to their home 
lotts, and so shall all yr public charges be, both as to church and town. 

"All ye inhabitants yt are received into this town shall make impro\-ements of ye lotts yt they 
take up, by building upon them, by fencing and by breaking up land, by the time prefixed by the 
General Court, wh. is by Oct. 1676, and they .shall live, each inhabitant upon his own lott, or else put 
such inhabitant upon it as the town accepts. 

" To the intent yt we may live in love and peace together we do agree, yt whatever fence we do 
make, either about cornfields, orchards or gardens, shall be sufficient four rail fence, or yt which is 
equivalent, whether hedge, ditch or stone wall, or of loggs, and if any person sustain damage through 
the deficiency of their own fences not being according to order, he shall bear his own damage. — 
And if any man's cattle be unruly he shall do his best endeavor to restrain them from doing himself 
or his neighbour (any harm)." 

These conditions, which evince much foresight, comb-.ned with the local advantages, were readily 
accepted, for May irth, 1674, a meeting was holden at "the house of Lt. Joseph Wheeler," and a 
written agreement made between the proprietors and settlers. In this agreement it is provided, that 
"the meeting-house which is to be erected shall stand between Salmon brook and the house of L,t. 
Wheeler, as convenient as may be for the accommodation of both." As a meeting house in those 
peiilous times, when men toiled and worshipped with their rifles by their side, would not be very likely 
to be erected beyond the settlement, we may reasonablj- suppose that the settlement at Salmon brook 
had already commenced, and that at that date there were a considerable number of inhabitants. 

*T tin-\rp nrp'Cf^rx-prl flip rtrio-inpl mipllintr in wln'rli vr. vt. ve. are Written for their, that and the. 



///STOAT O/^ XAS/fCA, N. //. 17 

CHAPTER III. 

Civil, .\fiaik.s. Town- .Mi:i;tin-g.s. Imkst Meeting-House. Rev. Tho.m.\.s W'Ki.n, First 
Mini.sti:k. His Setti.kment. Higiil.vnd F.\km. Other Matter.s of Interest 
Pert.\.ining to It. Bobbi.v F.vctory. Baldwin Apple. Public Sentiment. 
Great Comet. Di.atii ok IIo.v. Kdward Tvxg. Town Regul.vtions. Mine Islands. 
Highway i'ko.m (Ikoton. Thirty Acre Rights. Xamks oi- the Proprietors. 
Ta.\i:s. 

WV, M.W iKiw turn to the civil affairs of the town ami to a period when peace brought 
with it its attendant blessings — security and prosperity. The settlerno longer feared 
an ambuscade in ever\- thicket, nor listened in the night watches for the prowling foot- 
steps of a foe. England and F'rance, Charles II. and Louis XIV., were at war no 
longer. The " Treaty of Ximeguen,"* strange though it be, was the ]>rotection of Dunstable. The 
deserted cabin was again tenanted, the half cleared field was cleared and tilled, and new cabins .sent 
up their smokes all along our rich intervals. 

Town meetings were holden in Dunstalile as early as 1675. and town ofTicers were then chosen, for 
in 1682 we find the town voting " yt Joseph Parker have 20 shillings allowed him for his seven years' 
services as Constable. "t No records, however, of any meeting are jiresened of an earlier date than 
Xo\-ember 2S, 1677. This was a meeting of the proprietors as well as the settlers, and was holden at 
Wobuni, at which jdace the meetings for the choice of town officers were held for many years, and 
occasionally as late as 1711. The record is as follows : — t 

" Xov. 28, 1677. At a Town meeting held at Woljurn. 

"Capt. Thomas Brattle, Cajit. (lilisha) Hutchinson, Capt. (James) Parker, Mr. Jonathan 
Tinge, and Abraham Parker were chosen Selectmen for the Town of Dunstable for the year ensuinge, 
and to stand as such till new be chosen. S 

" It was also agreed upon and voted yt as soon as may be, a minister be settled in the town of 
Dunstable. The time and person to be left to the .Selectmen ; his pay to be /// iiioiirv, or if in other 
pay the rate being to be made as mone\' to add a third ])art more. 

" Likewise yt all public charges relating to the minister and other occasions is always to be levied 
upon allotments, and every man engages his accommodations, (j)ledges his farm,) to answer and 
perform the same. 

" It was also voted that the minister the first }ear shall have fifty pounds, (e(pial to about S,^oo.oo 
now, ) and the overplus of the ffarmes, and never to be abated." 

Then follows a vote extending the time for fjuilding the meeting-house and settling a minister, 
which was a condition of the grant in 1673, but which had not been complied with, for the sjiace of 
three years longer, for the purpose of saving the forfeited rights of the settlers. They intended, 
nex'ertheless, to build at once, for it was " left with Mr. Jonathan '1\\ ng. Captain Parker and Abraham 
Parker to agree with John .Sollendine, (who was the first house and niill-wright in town,) to secure 
and finish said house," which had been commenced before the desertion of the settlement in 1675. 

.Se\'eral persons were also "admitted as inhabitants," and it was \'oted " yX. the selectmen have 
power to add other inhabitants, provided that with the ])resent they exceed not the number of tit;/i/v 
families." 

Before the Rexolntion of 16S9. no person coidd \ote or be elected to any office until he had 
been admitted a I''reeman of the Commonwealth. This might be done b\' the General .\sseml)ly or 

*July 31, 1678. 

tThe constable was the collector of taxes also, and the compensation for all his services was abont fifty cents per 
year. 

JKor this and all other similar references, examine Dnnstablc Records of the date affixed. 

JiHrattlc was of lioston, Hutchinson of Woburn, James Parker of Groton, Tynj; of Dunstable, and .\braliam Par- 
ker of Chelmsforil. The laUer resided soon after in this town and is the ancestor of Edmund Parker, Esq., Judj^e of 
Probate. 



1 8 HISrORY OF XASHi'A. X. H. 

the comity court, but only upon evidence of his being a member in good standing of some 
Congregational church. Before voting every person was required to take " the Freeman's Oath." 

Hoping that it may be of value to the present generation and such as may come after it to be 
reminded of the duties and responsibilities covenanted and entered into by such as became citizens 
and were clothed with the right of suffrage, the "Freeman's Oath," as found in History of New 
England, Palfrey, vol. i., p. 377, is here inserted. It may kindle afresh the fires of loyalty and 
patriotism that have apparently gone out upon many a hearthstone and stimulate to higher manhood. 

" I, A. B., being, by God's providence, an inhabitant and freeman within the jurisdiction of this 
commonwealth, do freely acknowledge my.self to be subject to the govennnent thereof, and therefore 
here .swear bv the great and dreadful name of the everliving God, that I will be true and faithful to 
the same, and will accordingly yield assistance and support thereunto, with my person and estate, as 
in equity I am bound, and will also truly endeavor to maintain and preserve all the liberties and 
privileges thereof, submitting myself to the wholesome laws and orders made and established by the 
same ; and further, that I will not plot nor practice any evil against it, nor consent to any that shall 
do so, but will timely discover and reveal the same to lawful authority now here established, for the 
speedy preventing thereof. Moreover, I do solemnly bind myself, in the sight of God, that, when I 
shall l)e called to give my voice touching an\- such matter of this state wherein freemen are to deal, I 
will give my vote and suffrage as I .shall judge in mine own conscience may best conduce and tend to 
the public weal of the body, without respect of persons, or favor of any man. So help me God, in 
the Lord Jesus Christ." 

This meeting house was fini.shed in 1678, and w^as probably built of logs. The precise spot where 
it stood is not known, but probably it was not far distant from the settlement at Salmon Ijrook. As 
the settlement increased a new meeting house was erected near the old burx'ing ground in the south 
part of Nashua. In the journal of a scout, in 1724, it is said to have stood about nine miles distant 
from Pennichuck pond. No other church except those which succeeded this upon the same .spot, was 
erected in the southern part of New Hamp.shire for more than forty years, and its minister, like 
another John the Baptist, was " the voice of one crying in the wilderness." 

Tradition fixes the location of this house a short distance north of the state line upon the roatl 
north of the residence of Alfred Kendall, leading from the main road westerly 1)\- the Danforth place, 
and thence on to the village of Dunstable, and this agrees ^■ery well with the above and other 
references to it, although not as definite as this. 

April 22, 1679, William Tyng, son of Jonathan Tyng, was born in this town. This is the first 
birth which is found upon the records of the town. April, 1680, Sarah, daughter of John Sollendine 
was born and appears under the caption " Lambs born in Dunstable." It is probable that other births 
occurred at a much earlier date, since it is known that there were man)' inhabitants for years previous, 
and in 16S0 "30 families were settled there and a learned orthodox minister ordained among them."* 

Before 1679, a lot of land upon Salmon brook was granted by the town, and known as " the mill 
lot," and a saw mill erected. Where it .stood is not known, but it is not improbable that it was on the 
spot where the Webb mill," near the house of J. Bowers, Esq., now stands, since it is known that a 
mill stood there at a very early period, and it would probably be located as near the settlement as 
possible. There was originally a beaver dam at that place, and it required but little labor to prepare 
the site for the mill. Many years ago a mill crank was dug up near the spot, which must have come 
from its ruins. 

As early as May i, 1679, and perhaps before that time. Rev. Thomas Weld was employed here as a 
minister. In the settlement of New England, religion was at the very foundation. The means of 
religious instruction e\-er kept pace with the spread of population, and "he who counted religion as 
twelve, and the world as thirteen, had not the spirit of a true New England man." In the very charter, 
therefore, it was provided by the General Court, that the grantees were to "procure and maintain an 
able and orthodox minister amongst them," and to build a meeting house "within three >ears." This 
condition could not be complied with on account of Philip's war, which compelled them to desert the 
settlement, yet, as we have seen, at the first town meeting which was holden after its resettlement, the 
Jirst vote wsLS for the choice of selectmen, and the /icxt :i provision for the ministry and a place for 

♦Petition in two Province Papers — Towns — 253, in office of N. H. Secretary of State. 



niSTOKY or XASUCA, N. H. 19 

jniblic \v(-r,sliip, Uic scluctiiiL-ii just chosen lnjiiii; appointed agents to carry the vote into effect. A 
" Ihirty acre right," as it was called, entitling;- the owner to about six hundred acres on the subsequent 
dixisions of the common lands, was granted (or a " ministerial lot," as a farther encouragement to the 
ministry. Upon this Mr. Weld resided, and it is probably a part of the Fletcher farm now owned by 
John Little. 

It would be quite difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain the exact bounds of the lots set off to 
these early settlers after the lapse of .so many years. There has been no doubt, however, but that Mr. 
Weld's settlement embraced the farms adjoining the abo\e mentioned, owned for a generation by the 
late John Harwood and sold by him to Hon. \'. C. Oilman in 1872, who added to and greatly im- 
proved the buildings and the farm generally. As it extended westerly from the Merrimack ri\-er to 
and included a portion of the highest range of land between Nashua and I<owell, he gave it the name 
of Highland Farm, by which name it has since been known. 

As evidence that Rev. Mr. Weld once owned and cuUi\-ated these acres, it may be mentioned 
that in widening the street leading to the station on the Nashua <& l/)well railway known as "Littles," 
now as South Nashua, a .stone was turned up having the letters " T. W." roughly cut upon its quite 
smooth surface, and beneath it was an old iron padlock and a small lead hatchet such as country 
school boys of fifty or seventy-five years ago were accu.stonied to run in molds and use for ruling their 
letter paper. What the significance of these articles was is left to conjecture ; but, in view of the 
great perils through which they had apparently jiassed, the lo.sses of property and of life by not a few 
of their number, until brighter days seemed to have dawned, nuw not the lock have symbolized 
security, and the buried hatchet peace ? 

The farm has a history full of interest. ?*Ir. Harwood Ijought it at the assignees' sale of Josephus 
and luhvin 15akhvin in 1S37. The assignees were Stephen Kendrick, Thomas Chase and Charles J. 
F'ox. It was upon the identical spot where now .stands the cattle barn, that the Baldwin's bobbin 
factory .stood until destroxed by fire. W'hen Mr. Gilman bought the farm the barn stood on the east 
side of the highwax' and ojiposite the dwelling house. It obstructed the view of the railwaj- .station 
and the fine view bexond the river, and he employed Mr. David Stevens to remove it to where it now 
stands, but the most singular part of it xvas that, after it was placed in what xvas adjudged to be the 
most desirable spot upon the side of the hill, the work of excax'ation tor a cellar commenced, and, to 
the great surprise to the oxvner, he uncovered the foundation wall of the former bobbin factory, of 
which he knew nothing at the time, but subsequently learned its history, and of its destruction l)y 
fire. The cellar xvas filleil and all indications of its former occujiation renioxed by cultivation. 
Instead of rebuilding they came to the village as will appear elsewhere. 

There is another interesting fact connected with this farm relating to the lialdwin apple. In 1873 
a claim was made that this apple originated in Maine. This led to the publication of its history, 
which seems to be fully established. Mr. Gilman found upon investigation that the apple xvas 
discox-ered in the present toxvn of Wilmington in 1790, by the engineers when surveying for the Mid- 
dlesex canal. Loami lialdwin, xvho lived upon this farm, had charge of the corps of engineers in 
connection with Samuel Thompson, Esq. The apple had such merits as to induce him to take .scions 
and place them in a tree upon this farm. That tree stood upon the lot east of the highwax' and nearly 
opposite the house. It xvas in an adx-anced stale of decay xvhen Mr. (jilman bought the farm and 
soon after yielded up its historic fame. Colonel Baldwin gave it wide dissemination, it having been 
given his name. Mr. Gilman published in the .Wts/iKa Telegraph this claim for the origin of the apple, 
xvhich was supported l)y the late Judge Geo. Y. vSawyer, who had learned the story of the discox'ery 
xvhen he xvas a resident of Wakefield, Mass., and well remend)ereil the notoriety it very .soon 
attained. 

As an illustration of the character and manners of the earlx' inhabitants of the town, the laxx's of 
the colony at this period, as an exponent of public opinion, form ])erhaps the best ^criterion. In 165 1 
" </(?«c/«s,'- at -arddings" was forbidden, and in 1660. " William Walker icas imprisoned a month for 
ecurting a maid leitlioitt the leave of her parents." In 1675. becau.se " there is manifest pride appearing 
in our streets," the wearing of "long hair or perixeigs," and also ''superstitious ridands," used to tie 
up and decorate the hair, were forbidden under severe penalties. Men, too, were forbidden to "keep 
Christmas " because it was a I'oiiish custom. In 1677, an act was passed to prevent " the profaneness" 
of "turning the luick upon the public xeorship before it is finished, and the blessing pronounced." Towns 



20 ///S7VA'}- OF X.ISHr.l, X. II. 

were directed to erect "a m;rc' near the meeting house, and in this all offenders against the sanctity 
of the Sabbath were confined. 

At the same time children were directed to be placed in a particular part of the meeting house, 
apart by themselves, and tythingmen were ordered to be chosen, whose duty it should be to take care 
of them. So strict were they in their obsen-ance of the Sabbath, that " John Atherton "* a soldier of 
Col. Tyng's company, was fined by him "-forty shillings " for "wetting a piece of an old hat to put into 
his shoes," which chafed his feet upon the march, and those who neglected to attend meeting for three 
months were pul)licly whipped. Kven in Har\-ard College students were -aliipped for grave offences 
in the chapel, in presence of students and professors, and prayers were had before and after the in- 
fliction of the punishment. As the settlers of Dunstable are described in the petition as "of sober 
and orderly conversation," we may suppose that these laws and cu.stoms were rigidlv obser\-ed. 

We ought not to wonder at the seeming au.sterity of the Puritans : still less should we blame or 
ridicule, for to them does New England owe her peculiar elevation and privileges. Scouted at by the 
licentious courtiers, whether Episcopalian or Catholic, for their strictness and formalit\-, nicknamed 
" Crop-ears," ridiculed for their poverty and want of education, they naturally clung tenaciouslv to 
those peculiarities for which they had suffered, and prized them most dearly. As naturally did they 
dislike all which savored of the offensive worship or customs of their persecutors, and strive 
sedulously to differ from them. 

They would have no proud " Churches f for " the Church of Christ is a living Temple," so in 
their plain, unsteepled, Ijarn-like " Meeting Houses " the>' worshipped God with a prouder humility. 
The Establishment was the mystic " Babylon," and all its forms, rituals and ta.stes of course anti- 
Christian. No band or surplice added dignity to the minister, for he was but the equal, nav, the 
servant of all. Long hair or a wig was an abomination, and a crime against all laws human and 
divine. No sound of bells summoned them to worship, and no organ lifted their pravers and praises 
to Heaven upon the wings of music. They placed no shrub or flower over the graves of the dead, but 
instead the plain slab with quaint carving of death's head or cross bones, or hourglass, and solemn 
inscription. All ornament was a vain .show and lieauty a Delilah. 

They believed their wilderness homes to be " the New Jerusalem," and, taking the 15ible as their 
standard, labored in all things ontwardh" and inwardly to be "a peculiar people." And the\- were so. 
They did really believe in God and religion, and they strove to practice what they believed at any 
sacrifice. The world has seen few such men, and it will be well for New liugland if she forget not 
iha principle, the real, living Faith, which inspired and exalted the Puritans. 

No records exist of any meeting from November, 1677, to April, 1680, when Joseph Cummings, 
Jr., was chosen a selectman in the place of Captain Hutchin.son ; Joseph Parker, Jr., constable; 
"Captain Parker, Robert Paris, Joseph Parker and John Solleiidine a committee to assign lotts." At 
a subsequent meeting they also " chose the.se men to run the line between Grotou and us." In the 
spring of this year lands were improved upon the north side of the Nashua. 

In November, 1680, a great comet appeared at which, says Holmes, " the people were greatly sur- 
prised and terrified."! It continued to be visible until February, 1681, and was " the largest that had 
ever been seen." vSo great and general was the alarm excited, that a "general fast" was appointed 
by the governor and council, and one reason a.ssigned in the ])roclamation was, " that aivfiil, porten- 
tous, blazing star, usually foreboding some calamity to the beholders thereof'." This fast was oljserved 
with great strictness. We may smile at the ignorant and superstitious terror of even the dignitaries 
and wise men of the land in those days, but our smile mu.st be checked a little when we remember the 
alarm excited in 1833, in our own community by a similar cause. 

June 14, 16S1, "Jona. Blan.sher [Blanchard] and Thomas Lun [Lund] were chosen fence fewers 
[viewers,] and an order was passed commanding all persons ' to take care of and yook yr. hogs on 
peuilty of paing double damiges.' " 

December 28, 1681, died Hon. Edward Tyng, aged 81. Where he settled is unknown, l)ut prob- 
ably not far from the " Haunted House," so called, in Tyngsljorough. He was born in Dunstalile in 
England in 1600, settled in Boston as a merchant, 1639, was representative 1661 and 1662, assistant 

*He was of Lancaster, Mass. 
tHolmes' Annals, 451. 



///svoA')- ()/■' .WIS///: I. X. //. 21 

from 1668 to iTiSi, and colonel of the Suffolk regiment. It appears that he was elected major-general 
after Leverett, Imt it is not known that he sen-ed in that office. He removed to Dunstable in 1679. 

He left si.x children ■.—Jonatluui, who settled in this town (see notice :) Eduard, who was one of 
Sir Edmund Andros's council, 1687, and Governor of Annapolis, (see notice :) //<7;z;/<7//, who married 
Habijah vSavage, (son of the celebrated Major Thomas vSavage, commander-in-chief in Philip's war,) 
who afterward married Rev. Thomas Weld, and resided here : /uiiiicc, wife of Rev. Samuel Willard, 
pastor of the Old South church, Boston, and vice president of Harvard college : Rebecca, wife of Gov- 
ernor Dudley : and another daughter who married a vSearle. He was buried in the family tomb in 
Tyngsborough, and a monument with an inscription points out the spot.* 

In 16S2, the inhabitants seemed to have increased considerably, and the settlement to have ac- 
(piired a firm footing. The records assume a new form, and become more numerous and town-like. — 
"Captain Brattle, Captain Parker, Mr. Tinge, Sargeant John Cummings, and Robert Parris, were 
chose selectmen." Provision was made for the collection of taxes, by ordering that the allotments of 
such as neglect or refuse to pay their taxes, should " be sould at an outcry on the next public meeting 
day after such neglect or refus." Even at this early day there were some, to whom " religion was as 
twelve and the world as thirteen," or even more.t Trespasses were committed upon the common 
lands, and the town found it necessary to order that " every man that felleth any wood or tre in the 
cmnon shall pay y/iT sldllings for such offence." The cattle, also, seem to have become equally 
unruly, for it was found necessary to heighten their fences to a " saflfisient five raile or equi\alent." 

May 8, 1682, " at a selectmen's meeting, it was ordered that the hogs of Dunstable of three months 
ould and u]nvard, be soficiently yoked and rung at or Ijefore the twentieth of the present month, and 
John Ackers be appointed and Imployed to pound, youke and Ringe such hogs ; and for so doing it is 
ordered that the owner of every such hog shal pay to the said Swinxard twelv penc, and John Acres 
is appointed IIOGE Const.mslk to se this order exsicuted." So early was the necessity for this ancient 
and respectable oflfice recognized by our wise forefathers, and the trust committed to one who was 
qualified to " e.xsicute " it. 

August 28, 1682, " Mine Islands" were laid out to Hezekiah I'sher.l The islands at the foot of 
"Mine Falls" had acquired this name already, on account of mines which were supposed to exist 
there. The rumor was that they had been long worked by the Indians, who obtained from them their 
supply of lead. The banks of the Nashua, Souhegau and the Merrimack had been carefully explored, 
and " Mr. Baden, an ingenious miner and assayer, was sent over to New England for this purpose. 
Lead ore was found, but not plent}-, and so intermixed with rock and spar as to be not worth working. "§ 

Usher was an original proprietor, a man of wealth and enterprise, and uncle of John Usher, lieu- 
tenant governor of New Hampshire in 1692. He seems to have been a speculator, and to have imbibed 
the extravagant ideas then prevalent among that class of emigrants, respecting the great mineral 
wealth of New England. They had read of Mexico and Peru. They had li.stened to the Indians as 
they told of " the Great Carbuncle," which dazzled the eyes of the beholder, upon the summit of the 
White or " Crystal Hills," where no human foot had ever trodden or dared to tread, and the Great 
Spirit had his home. Visions of gold and silver, hing hidden in the bowels of the hills in untold 
(juantities, floated before their distempered fancies b\' night and b\' day. Every sparkling rock, every 
discolored spot of earth was to them an El Dorado, and such, without doubt, were our own .?//><• 
Islands in the eyes of U.sher. 

He made excavations there and found lead and iron, it is said, in small (|uantitics, but the enter- 
prise proved a profitless one and was abandoned. This was probably not long after the>- were granted 
to him as we find that May 15, 1686, Mason, the proprietor of New Hampshire, "farmed out to Hez. 
Usher, and his Heirs all tlie iiiines, minerals, and ores within the limits of New Hampshire, for the 

•Farmer's Genealogical Register, to wliitii I am largely inilclited in this way. 

tHigginson's Klection sermon, 1663. 

} Usher was something of a wit. The converteil Indians were coninionly called "praying Indians," Init Usher, 
having heard of some outrage said to have been committed by thorn, called them ••in-iijitiii liuliiiiis." In 16.S5, he was 
hunting for mines in Deerfield. — Mass. Records, 4685, page 485. 

§2 Douglass' Summary, 108. 5 N. H, Hist. Coll. 88. Lead ore, containing a minute proportion of silver, has been 
discovered at Mine P'alls by Dr. Jackson, in his geological survey of the State. 



22 HISTORY OF NASHTA, X. H. 

term of one thousaiul years, reserving to himself one foiiiih of tlie royal ores, and one scrcnlcciiih of 
all the leaser metals."* Of such a character and extent, however, were his explorations at these 
islands, that they were familiarly called " ihc J/iiics" in all letters, records and journals of scouting 
parties for half a century afterwards. t 

Although this was a period of peace, and the Indians were committing no depredations, there 
was danger Iron'i roving and lawless parties, and a small mounted guard was deemed expedient. 
Daniel Waldo and John Waldo were employed for this purpose. t 

December 3, 1682, the town "let out to goodman Akers to cut ten lords of wood for tico 
shilliiigs a rord, country pay, and Sargt. Cummings is to cart the same for two shillinirs a cord, same 
paj-e." This was probably for the minister, Mr. Weld, who was married not long previous, and from 
it we may learn something of prices in those days. — Corn was worth about t'tco stullinos per bu.shel in 
1683, and the relative price of labor and pro\-isions was nearly the same as at present. 

At the same time a committee was appointed, consisting of John Parker, Robert Paris, and John 
Sollendine, to "lay out a Highway from Groton Meeting House to Dunstable Meeting House." The 
main river road, down the Merrimack, had been laid out long previously, and bridges built over the 
small streams. This road passed ea.sterly of the present road, crossing Salmon brook at the bridge 
near Miss Allds' house : thence running northerly near the old Allds' road below Judge Parker's 
house, and crossing the Nashua at a ford way near its mouth, not far from the Concord railroad bridge. 

Judge Edmund Parker was at this time of writing agent of the Jackson Company and occupied 
the house built by the company for the use of the agent. Subsequentl_\' while occupied by Agent 
Benj. Saunders it was externally moderni/.ed and is an attracti\-e residence, now occupied b\- Mr. 
Charles H. Webster, a clerk of the company. 

The proprietorship of the township was divided into " thirty acre rights," as they were termed, 
or /lOHse lots of that size, with the privilege of an equal share in all subse(iuent divisions of the com- 
mon lands in the township. Of these there were about ei<;//ty. and the proportion of each such right 
was about six hundred acres. The market value of these lands at this period may be estimated from 
the fact, that the proprietors, being indebted to Mr. Tyng in the sum of ,^23, (about $75.00,) they 
gave him three " thirty acre rights," or about 1800 aci'es, in full discharge of his claim. § 

Of these proprietors, according to a certificate of the selectmen dated November 30, 1682, ticenty- 
owc persons resided out of town in Boston, Salem, Marblehead, Cambridge and Chelmsford, and /<)«;•- 
teen in Dun.stable, viz: "Jona. Tyng, widow Mary Tyng, John Cummings, senior, Thomas Cum- 
mings, John Blanchard, Abraham Parker, Joseph Wright, Samuel Warner, Jo.seph Parker, .senior, 
John .Sollendine, Obadiah Perry, Thomas Lund, Joseph Hassell, and John Acres." Most of the 
inhabitants were not proprietors. 

October 9, 1682, "a twenty acre right" was granted to Rev. Mr, Weld as an additional encour- 
agement to the ministry. At the same time a tax was imposed of " twent_v shillings in moiu'" upon 
every thirty acre right, " toward the building of a meeting-house, which is to be built within one year 
after the date hereof, according to the dimensions of the meeting-house at Groton." A committee 
was chosen, ahso, to collect contributions for this purpose, "of such as have ffarmes within the 
town," and " to agree with a purson or pursons for the doing of said work." This meeting-house, the 
second in town, was built probably in 1683, of a larger size and better finish, to accommodate the 
increasing wants of the inhabitants, and must have cost three or four hundred dollars. 

" Money," as specie was called at that day, was difficult to be obtained as in all new settlements, 
and possessed a comparati\'e value far superior to that of produce or "country pay." It is recorded 
that " Mr. Weld is not willing to accept of one-third advance from those that pay him in money as 
proposed, but accepts to have double the sum of such as pay not in money." 

" In 16S3, Major Bulkley, (Hon. Peter Bulkley of Concord, one of the council,) Cajitain Hutch- 
inson, Mr. Tinge, Jno. Blanchard, Sargeant Cummings and Robert Parris were chosen selectmen for 

*i Belknap 116. Royal ores were gold auil silver. These were reserved to the Crown. 

tSee original journals of Fairbanks, Blanchard, and others, 1700 to 1725 in "Journals of Scouts." Mass. Records. 
JTliej- were inliabitants of the town, and sons of Dca. Cornelius Waldo, the ancestor of nearly all the Waldos in 
New England. Farmer's Genealogical Register. 

§These rights include the greater part of the town of Tyngsborougli, and are still in possession of the family. 



///S/i^A')- (>/■■ X.IS/// I. X. If. 27, 

the year ensuiiii;e. Jolm Solk-iidine was chosen c()nstal)lc, Chi-i>lo])her Temple and Audio Cooke war 
chosen veioers of fenses, Saml Warner and John Ciinuniiigs war choes Sen'aires of Hyways." 

The taxes iqion each "thirty acre right" for the four years together, from 1679 to 16.S;,, were 
ahont thirty-six sliillings. 

John Cnniniings seems to have been town clerk for many years previous to 17CO, although there 
is no record of any choice. For several years after 16S;, the town officers were nearl>- the same as in 
the years preceding, whose names have been recorded. Many of their posterity .still dwell here, and 
it was thought it might not be unintere.sting to know who in its days of weakness and peril and 
suffering were the " fathers of the town." 

We have .seen how "zealously affected" the proprietors of Dunstalile were toward building a 
meeting-house and settling a minister in 1677. Religious motives, however, were not the only ones 
which actuated them, since their pecuniary interests were benefited thereby. By an agreement dated 
May 21, 16S4, .setting forth their desire for the " increase and flourishing of said plantation, one diirf 
means 'tchcrcoj , iindrr God, is llic settling a pious and able minister thereof," they therefore bound them- 
selves to pay 15.V. annually on each thirty acre right for this i)urpose, till the inhabitants can pay ^'50 
per annum. 

In the summer of 16.S5 the inhabitants were thrown into a new alarm by the su.spiciou.s move- 
ment of the Penacook Indians and man}- retired to the garrisons. The alarm was soon, however, 
discovered to be unnecessary, the Penacooks themselves, fearing an attack from the Mohawks, and 
taking precautions against it.* Such was the life of the early settler even in time of peace. The 
inhabitants generally lived in garrisons or fortified houses, and scouts were abroad constantly to detect 
the approach of the lurking foe. The farmer tilled his fields with his arms ready for .self defence, and 
as the lonely wife heard the frequent storj^ of massacre and captivity, her ear detected, with Irembling 
apprehension, in e\-er\- unusual sound, the footsteps of the " Indian cncm\-." 

*i lielknap, 115. 



///sTok-y OF XASi/r.i. x. //. 25 

CHAPTER IV. 

Nkw Mkktixc-Housk Brii/r. Ordination ok Mr. Wki.d. Church Formkd. N.vme.s of 
Mk:mber.s. Covex.v.nt. Otiikk Ciukchks in Nkw H.v.mi'.shikk. Ixin.vxs Siii.i. Their 
Laxd.s and Kkmovk krom Tin; \'icinity. Bridge Buii.t over Concord River .\r 
Bii.i.KKicA. Dor, Wiiii'i i.:k .\i'1'()inti;i). Important Meeting of Delegates in Boston. 
First Tvthingmax Chosex. Indiax Rav.vges in Eastern Part. Representatives 
OF THE Town. Settlers Forfeit Rights rv Remov.vl. State T.v.x Ab.\ted .vnd 
Grant for Sxppokt of Mini.strv Made. Mrs. Hannah Duston taken Captive at 
Havkkiiii.l, Mass. Kn,i.i:i) IIkr Captors and RirrrRNiCD. Monument to Her Me.m- 
orv. Frequent Alarms 1'ki:vent Growth of Settlement. Grist Mill at Mouth 
OF Stony Brook. Rkv. Mk. Weld's Compensation. Meeting-House Gl.vzed. Llst 
of Inhabitants. .\ii) Aski;i) to Support the Ministry. Death of Rev. Mr. Weld. 
Biographical Sketch. Monument to His Memory. 

Ul' TO this period .Mr. Weld had been preaching here hut liad never been ordained. In 
1684, however, a new meeting-house was erected, and having consented to settle, he was 
ordained, December i6, 1685. At the same time a church was formed, consisting of seven 
male members, viz: Jonathan Tyng, John Cummings, senior, John Blanchard, Cornelius 
Waldo, Samuel Warner, Obadiah Perry and Samuel French. John Blanchard and Cornelius 
Waldo were chosen the first deacons. 

The following is the Covenant which was adopted in the neighboring churches at that period, and 
which undoubtedly was adopted here. It is sub.stantially the same as that which was framed for the 
l'"irst Church in Salem, bj' the associated churches of the colony, in 1629, and ])romulgated by the 
General Assembly in 1680, for the use of the colony.* 

"We covenant with our Lord and with one another, and we do bind ourselves in the presence of 
(jod, to walk together in all his ways according as he is pleased to reveal himself unto us, in his 
blessed word of truth, and do explicitly profess to walk as followeth, through the power and grace of 
our Lord Jesus Christ. 

"We avouch the Lord to be our God. and ourselves to be his people in the truth and simplicity 
of our spirits. 

"We give ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ and the word of His grace for teaching, ruling and 
sanctifying of us in the matters of worship and conversation, resolving to cleave unto him alone for 
life and glory, and to reject all contrary ways, canons, and constitutions of men in his worship. 

"We promise to walk with our brethren with all watchfulness and tenderness, avoiding jealous- 
ies, suspicions, backbitings, censurings, provocations, secret risings of spirit against them; but in all 
cases to follow the rule of our Lord Jesus Christ to bear and forbear, to give and forgive, as He hath 
taught ns. 

" In ])ublic or in priv-ate we will willingly do nothing to the offence of the church: but will be 
willing to take advice for ourselves and ours as occasion ma)- be presented. 

" We will not in the congregation be forward either to shew our own gifts and parts in speaking, 
or scrupling, or there discover the weakness and failings of our brethren, but attend an orderly call 
thereto, knowing how much the Lord may be dishonored, and His Gospel ami the profession of it 
slighted, by our distempers and weakness in public. 

"We bind ourselves to study the advancement of the Gospel in all truth and peace, both in 
regard to those that are within and without ; no ways slighting our sister churches, but using their 
counsels as need .shall be; not laying a .stumbling block before any, no, not the Indians, whose good 
we desire to promote ; and so to converse that we may avoid the very appearance of evil. 

"We do hereby promise to carry ourselves in all lawful obedience to those that are over us in 

♦Mass. .Xsscnibly Records. 1680, page 281. .•Mien's Cliohiisford, 108. 



26 HISTORY OF NASHUA, X. H. 

Church or Comnioinvealth, knowing how well pleasing it will be to the Lord, that they should have 
encouragement in their jilaces, by our not grie\-ing their sjiirits through our irregularities. 

" We resolve to approve ourselves to the Lord in our particular callings, shunning idleness as 
the bane of any state, nor will we deal hardly or oppressively with any, wherein we are the Liird's 
stewards. 

" Promising also unto our best ability to teach our children the knowledge of God, and of His 
holy will, that they ma\- serve \\\m also ; and all this not by any strength of our own, but b\- the Lord 
Jesus Chri,st, whose blood we desire may sprinkle this our Covenant made in His name." 

At this date there were but four churches and four ministers within the present limits of New 
Hamp.shire.* It was during this year that Cranfield, the royal Governor of the state, issued his 
arbitrary decree against the Congregational Clergy, ordering their " dues to be witheld," and threat- 
ening them "with six months' imprisonment for not administering the sacraments according to the 
Church of England." — But this decree did not affect Dunstalde, which was still supposed to lie 
within the bounds of Massachu.setts. 

In i6S6 the Indians at Wamesit and Naticook sold all the lands within the limits of Dunstalile to 
Jonathan Tyng and others, together with all their possessions in this neighborhood, and nearl_\- all 
of them removed from the vicinity. t How much was paid for this purchase of Dunstable, or rather 
release of their claims, is unknown, but probably about ^20, as we find that this sum was assessed 
upon the proprietors soon after, for the purpose of "paying for lands bought of the Indians. " + 

In 1687 the town raised £1 \2s. T,d. towards our proportion of the expense of "building the 
great bridge" over the Concord river at Billerica. This was done by order of the General Assen.bly, 
and for many years afterwards, it was rebuilt and kept in repair from time to time, as occasion 
required, by the joint contributions of Dunstable, Dracut, Groton, Chelmsford and Billerica the 
towns most immediately benefited. 

May 21, 1688, "Samuel Goold is chosen dog whippek for the meeting house." What were 
the duties of this functionary we are not informed, except .so far as is implied in the name.S It 
stands alone without precedent or imitation. The choice is recorded with all gravity among other 
dignitaries of the town, and the office was doubtless in those days a serious and real one, and no 
sinecure, unless we ,suspect our grave forefathers of a practical joke. 

In 1688, owing to the revolution in England, by which James II. was deprived of his throne, and 
which was followed immediately by a revolution in New England, Sir Edmond Andros, the royal 
Governor, was deposed, and a popular government, founded upon the ancient charters, instituted. 

The different towns in the colony were invited to choose delegates to meet in convention at Bos- 
ton and assume the government. This convention met accordingly in May, 1689, almost every town 
being represented. Dunstable was among the number. In May, 1689, John Waldo was a delegate 
from this town ; in June, 1689, Cornelius Waldo; and in December, 1689, Robert Paris. || This was 
a popular assertion of "inalienable rights," and a foreboding and precedent of the revolution in 1776. 

In 1690 Christopher Reed was chosen Tythingman, the earliest records of the choice of such an 
officer in the town. 

During this year it is not known that any attack was made by the Indians upon this town, 
although they ravaged the settlements from Salmon I'alls to Amesbnry. burning a great number of 
houses, and killing and capturing nearly two hundred persons.** Two companies of scouts, consisting 
of seventy men each, under the connnand of Capt. Thomas Chandler and Lieut. Simon Davis, were 
ranging the wilderness constantly for the prevention of damage to the frontiers. In June, 1692, 
Mr. Jonathan Tyng and Major Thomas Henchman were representatives of Dunstable. it With the 

•Portsmouth, Dover, Exeter, and Hampton, all organized in 163S. 
tAllen's Chelm.sford, 151. i Belknap. 
{Proprietary Records of Dunstable. 

§That surh an officer was a necessary one we may infer from the f.ict. that in Beverly a fine of sixpence was 
imposed on every person whose dog came into the meeting-house during divine service. — Stone's History of Beverly. 
IMass. Records, 1689, page 81, 89. 
**i Belknap 132, 144. 
ttMass. Legislative Records. 1692, page 219. 



///STOA')- ()/■ x.is//f:i, X. //. 27 

exceptidii of llu- years 1689 and 1692. no oilier mention is made of representatives from this town for 
many years. At this time no one was allowed the right of suffrage who did not possess a freehold 
estate of the valne of forty shillings per annum, or personal property of the value of /■20. 

In March, 1694, a law was enacted by the (leneral Court, "that every settler who deserted a town 
for fear of tlie Indians, should forfeit all his rights therein." vSo general had the alarm become that 
this severe and unusual statute was necessary. Yet neither the .statute, nor the natural courage of the 
settlers, which had never failed, was sufficient to withstand the protracted and incessant peril which 
menaced Dunstable, and in 1696 the selectmen affirmed, that "near two-thirds of the inhabitants 
have removed themselves with their rateable estates out of the town." The town, harassed and poor, 
prayed an abatement of ^50, part of their state tax, due by those who had left town, and this recpiest 
was granted accordingly.* Troops were kept here for the protection of the settlers who remained, and 
all the garrisons were placed under the supervision of Jonathan Tyng, who had previou.slv been 
named in the Royal Charter as one of the Royal Council of the province. 

In consequence of this desertion of so large a portion of the inhabitants, the su])i)ort of the min- 
istry became very burdensome. In June, 1696, the General Court granted "^^30 for the support of the 
ministry at the Garrison in Dunstable for the year ensuing."! In June, 1697, ^20 were allowed, and 
in 1698, ^12 per annum for two years ensuing, and for the same purpose. 

In 1^197, the celebrated Mrs. Duston was captured at Haverhill, Mass., and escaped by killing 
lier captors, ten in number, at the mouth of the Contoocook river in Concord, N. H. This was 
considered as one of the most remarkable and heroic exploits on record. 

Robert B. Caverley, Esq., of Lowell, became deeply interested in the history of these times about 
twenty-five years ago, and collected much matter of interest relative to this and other events that 
transpired in the valley of the Merrimack, which he embodied in form of an epic poem. "Heroism." 
he says, "is a divine attribute. Patriotism approves and honors it. Humanit}' fervently and 
ambitiously inclines to cherish it. To make a record of its achievements becomes the pleasure as well 
as the duty of a generous people." 

Hannah Duston was born in Haverhill, Mass., December 23, 1657. She was the daughter of 
Michael and Hannah Webster Emerson; married Thomas Duston, December 3, 1677, and, up to the 
date of her captivity, had become the mother of twelve children, the j'oungest being but a week old 
at the time she was taken captive at Haverhill, March 15, 1697. 

Mary Neff, a widow, lived in the famih-. The Indians were especially active at this time all 
through this region. They had taken captive, at Worcester, a lad of fourteen summers, named Sam- 
uel Leonardson. In making their attack on the village of Haverhill, they divided their tribes so that 
on that da}' the}' took and carried away thirteen captives, burned nine dwelling houses and killed 
twenty-seven of its inhabitants. 

When Thomas Duston, the husband and father, first saw the Indians he seized his gun and 
gathered all the children except the baby and made their escape. In the meantime the Indians at 
the homestead had seized Mrs. Duston, Mar}-, and the infant, forced the child from Mary's arms and 
killed it again.st an apple tree, pillaged and set fire to the house, and drove the captives away into the 
wilderness. Slowly they made their way up the Merrimack until, at the end of fifteen days, they 
reached the Indian camp on the island at the mouth of the Contoocook river. This island con- 
tained about two acres and afforded excellent security for their cam]). Nearly exhausted by the 
journey and the e.\])osure, for the snows of winter had not entirel}- disa])peared, and Mrs. Du.ston had 
but one shoe when the camp was reached, the reader will be prepared to judge whether the act that 
was .so soon to be committed was justifiable. 

Before reaching the camp the Indians had divided, one ])art, who held Hannah Bradley captive, 
proceeded further on the journey north, while Mrs. Duston, Mary Neff and the boy were taken by the 
other party to the island. The three captives took counsel together and resolved to free themselves 
from their cruel captors. On that night, March 30, 1697, the camp fires blazed pleasantly, and the 
fatigues of the journey had made good preparation.s for sound sleep. 

The captives ])atientl\- awaited the midnight hour, and then cautioush' and noiselessly, obtaining 

*Mass. Asseiiil>ly Records, 1696. 

tMass. Lesi.sl;uivc Kccoicis. 46;;, 562. 609. 



28 HISTORY OF XASHl'A, X. //. 

the tomahawks, they moved in concerted action and struck the deadlj' blow. Only one old squaw, 
who was covered with wounds, and an Indian boy were spared. Ten were slain. Upon the consum- 
mation of such a deed thej' left in haste, but had not proceeded far when the thought of Ijearing away 
with them the evidences of their courage and skill induced them to return and take the scalps of their 
silent enemies, together with a .selected gun and tomahawk. Scuttling all but one of the canoes, they 
floated down the Merrimack and spent the first night of their regained liberty at the house of our own 
John Lovewell, father of the "worthy Capt. Lovewell," which .stood on the north side of vSalmon 
Brook, not far from where the factory of the Nashua Boot and Shoe Compauj- now stands. 

For one hundred and seventy-five j-ears this heroic act was entrusted to tradition and peri.shable 
records, until, in 1S72, an interest in it was developed and a deed of the island was obtained of the 
owners, John C. Gage and Calvin Gage, by a committee consisting of the late Dr. Bouton, E. S. 
Nutter and Robert B. Caverly. The deed was a gift from the Messrs. Gage. 

Thereupon the committee issued a circular call under date of January 23, 1S73, appealing "To 
the benevolent sons of New Hampshire, and to whom it may concern." for the sum of six thousand 
dollars with which to erect a monument to the memory of Hannah Duston upon the ishmd already 
secured. The appeal met with the desired response and the sum was secured. Among the con- 
tributors in Nashua appear the names of Edward Spalding, M. I)., Josiah G. Graves, M. D., T. H. 
Wood, H. W. Gilman, Dr. C. G. A. Eayres, B. B. & F. P. Whittemore, Moore & Langley, and Myron 
Ta^dor. William Andrews of Lowell, Mass., was sculptor: Andrew Orsolini of Carrara, Italy, John 
Murray of Aberdeen, Scotland, and Charles H. Andrews of Lowell, Mass., arti,sts; Porter E. 
Blauchard of Concord, N. H., builder. The monument is of Concord granite, surmounted with a 
female figure, which .speaks, though from mute lips, the most thrilling and heroic story of those 
most trying and perilous years. Thousands look upon it as they pess upon the trains and realize 
anew the cost of what we now have and enjoy. The exercises of dedication were held upon the 
island where it stands, June 17, 1874. 

Robert B. Caverly of Lowell delivered the principal address. Manj' distinguished persons were 
present and made brief addresses ; among them were Rev. Elias Nason, Rev. Smith Baker, Rev. Geo. 
T. Flanders, Rev. T. W. Savage, Gen. B. F. Butler, Dr. J. C. Ayer, Hon. Geo. W. Nesmith, 
ex-Govs. Onslow Stearns and E. A. Straw, John H. George, Esq., Hon. Natt Head, Gen. S. G. 
Griffin, Samuel B. Page, E. C. Bailey, Esq., Dana B. Gove, David O. Allen and Nathan W. Frye. 

The inscriptions on the monument are as follows : — 



WE.ST SIDE. 

Herouni Gesta 

Fides Justitia. 

Hannah Duston 

Mary Neff 

Samuel Leouardson 

March 30, 1697. 

Midnight. 



EA.ST SIDE. 

March 

15 1697 30 

The Warwlioop — Tonialiawk — Fagot 

and 

Infanticides 

were at Haverhill. 

The -\shes of the Camp-fires 

at Night 

And ten of the tribe 

are here. 



HISTORY OF X.lS/fC.i, X. If. 



29 



SOUTH SIDE 



witnesses 
B. V. Prescott 
Isaac K. Gage 



Status. 

1874 

Know ye that we with many plant it ; 

In trust to the State we give and grant it. 

That tlie tide of Time may never cant it 

Nor mar, nor sever. 
That Pilgrims here may liecd the mothers. 
That Truth and Faith and all the Others 
With banners high in glorious colors 

Mav stand forever. 



Xath. liouton (S) 

Kliph. S. Nutter (S) 
Robert B. Caverly (S) 







NORTH .SIDK 






Donors. 


Jiilm S. liriiun 


(F) 




John Proctor 


(A) 




Jonas B. .A.iken 


(Fr) 




Almon Harris 


(F) 




Kdward K. Knowlton 


(C) 




Artemus L. Brooks 


(L) 




George W. Nesmith 


(Fr) 




Josiah G. Graves 


(N) 




Onslow Stearns 


(C) 




Benj. F. Butler 


(L) 





Morris Knowles 
Walter .\iken 
Edward Spalding 
Henry F. and I). A 
Joseph Stickney 
John C. Gage 
George A. Pillsbury 
James C. Ayer 
Calvin Gage 



(I.a) 
(Fr) 

(N) 
Brown (F j 
(Cj 
(F) 
(C) 
(I.) 
(F) 



Mrs. Jefferson Bancroft (I,) 
Family and Elliz. Rogers (I.,) 
and 
many many others. 

Altli()ti.i;li Dinistubk- suffered little dvirin.t;" the war from actual injuries, _\'et the cnntimial e.x])(isnre 
to the tomahawk and .scalping knife, and the frequent alarms, prevented its growth. .Such was its 
effect, indeed, that though as early as 1680 there were thirly families or more in the town ; in 1701 the 
number did not exceed twentj'-five families.* The .settlement had more than once been nearly deserted 
and very few improvements were made. -\ saw mill had been erected at the earliest settlement, and 
others followed at " Mine falls" and on Salmon brook, but no gri.st mill had beeu built, the inhabi- 
tants resorting to Chelmsford. In 1695 Daniel Waldo set up a grist mill at the mouth of Stony brook, 
several miles down the Merrimack, and was " to grind the corn and mall of the inlialiitants of Chelms- 
ford, except on the fourth day of each zvcek -cchich is appropriated to the use of Dunstable." He agreed to 
grind " according to turn as much as may be."t 

Oct. 4, 1697, every inhabitant was ordered " to bring- half a cord of rcood to Mr. Weld by the first 
of November, or forfeit /rrc shillings for each neglect." This was in addition to his salary. 

As silver was then worth ten shillings a:i ounce, five shillings would be ee^ual to half an ounce of 
silver, or fifty cents of our currency. This would make the value of wood about a dollar a cord. 

In 1698 the town joined with other towns in rebuilding ]5illerica bridge, and raised for that 
purpose and other town expenses, £6 -js. Of course it could not have been a very splendid or 
expensive structure. 

June 29, 1699, it was voted that John Sollendiue " build a snllicient cross bridge over Salmon 
brook, near Mr. Thos. Clark's ffarni hou.se. provided that the cost thereof do not exceed the sum ^ forty 
SHILLINGS." The town was to pay one-half and Mr. Clark the other. The bridge was to be -warranted 
" to stand a twelvemonth, and if the water carry it away he is to rebuild it at his own cost." 

In 1699 the ■• woodrate " was increased and assessed according to the ability of the inhabitants, 
who were reciuired to furnish him iiiiieteeii cords. The " minister rate " assessed upon the jiroprietors 



'Petition 1701 supra. 
t.\lltn's Chelmsford, 30. 



30 HIS7\^R)- OF X.ISHC.l. X. H. 

of Dunstaljle, including inhabitants, was /, 17 2S. 2d. (perhaps S50.00,) and was probablx' the amount 
of his salary. 

It is a singular and instructive fact, and one that might lead to useful reflections, that Mr. Weld 
was assessed, like any other inhabitant both to the wood-rate and minister's rate, — to the former one 
cord and to the latter eleven shillings. I had supposed that the respect paid the pastor in those 
days was so great as to exempt him from all such burdens, but it seems that the principle of equality 
was carried into rigorous practice. Nor did the "minister" receive any title except that of Mr., not 
even that of Rev., for this was an " inno\-ation of vanity" upon puritan sini])licit\' of a much later 
date. I). D. and vS. T. D., and such like, are quite of modern introduction. It should be remembered, 
however, that even the title Mr. was not in 1699 applied to " common people." 

The following is a list of all the inhabitants who were heads of families and contributed to the 
wood-rate in 1699. The number of inhabitants did not probably exceed one hundred and twenty-five : 

" Maj. Jonathan T^-ng, John Sollendine, 

Mr. Thomas Weld, Robert l'.sher, 

Robert Parris, Nath'l Cnnunings, 

Nathaniel Blanchard, Aliraham Cummings, 

Joseph Blanchard, J<ihn Cummings, 

Thomas Cununings, John Lovewell, 

Thomas Blanchard, Joseph Hassell, 

Mr. Samuel Searle, Mr. Samuel Whiting, 

Samuel Ffrench, William Harwood, 

Tho's Lunn, [Lund,] Daniel Cialeusha." 

In 17C0 the town voted that the_v would " g/asc tliv iiiccfiiig-hoiisc," which was done accordingly, 
at a cost of /,"i !.•.■. 6(/. Probably it had ne\'er been glazed before and from this we may learn the 
narrow means of the settlers, and how different were the rude houses in which the>- worshipped from 
the costly edifices which now occupy their places. The windows could ha\'e been neither very large 
nor very numerous. 

In 1 701 the selectmen of the town prayed the general court for further assistance in the support 
of the ministry and set forth, as was customary, their condition and sufferings at considerable length. 
As showing the situation of the town at this period and the customs of the times, the petition is 
inserted entire.* 

"To his Maje.sty's most Honorable Council and Representati\-es in the Great and General Court 
now assembled in Boston by adjournment. 

"The petition of the Selectmen of Dunstable in behalf of the inliabitants there settled. Humbly 
Sheweth ; — that whereas the wise God, (who settleth the bounds of all our Habitations,) hath 
disposed ours, but an handful of his people, not exceeding the number of hccnty-ftvt faiiii/icx, in an 
outside plantation of this wilderness, which was much depopulated in the late war, and two thirJ 
parts of them, though living upon husl.iandry, >et being but new beginners, and their crops of grain 
much failing of wonted increase, are in such low circumstances, as to be necessitated to Ijuy their 
bread corn out of town for the support of their own families, whence it comes to pass that they are 
capable of doing very little or nothing towards the maintenance of a minister here settled : and our 
Non-resident Proprietors being far dispersed asunder, some in England, and some in several remote 
places of this country, and making no improvement of their interest here, most of them for divers 
years past have afforded nothing of assistance to us in so pious a work : there having also in some 
years past been some considerable allowance for our help herein out of the Public Treasury, (for which 
we return our thankful acknowleilgments, ) the continuance whereof was ne\'er more needful than at 
this time : 

"These things being duly considered we think it needful liereby to appl\' ourselves to your Honors. 
Humbly to request the grant of such an annual Pension out of the Country Treasury, for the support 
of the mini.stry in this place, as to yourseh'es may seem most needful, until our better circumstances 
maj' render the same needless. 

*Mass. Ecclesiastical Records, 1701. 



HIS TORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 31 

■ Moreover having been lately iiifonned by a representative from a iieij^liboriny; town, that Dunsta- 
1)1l's proportion in the Country rate nc\vl\ Linitted was £6, coming from the multiplication of 20s. six 
times, but finding by the printed paper lately come to us that we, /he sma/lfsl lo-u'ii in the Province, are 
assessed £s), being ^'3 beyond Stow which we deem in respect of the number of inhabitants may 
exceed us at least one third part : We humbly hereupon desire that the original assessment may be 
revised, and if there be any mistake found in the proportion assigned to us, (as we judge there may 
1 e.) that it may be rectified ; and we shall remain your Honors' Humble Servants, 

ever to pray for you. 

Joseph Harwell, 

Robert Parris, 

William Tyng." 
Dunstable, July 28, 1701. 

In answer to this petition the sum of £\2 was allowed from the treasury in September, 1701. 

June 9, 1702, died Rev. Thomas W'eld, first minister of the town, aged 50 years. A tradition has 
lung been current that he was killed liy the Indians in an attack njjon his garrison.* Rut this must 
be a mistake, for " In the year 1702," says I'enhallow, who lived at this time and wrote the history of 
the war, "the whole l)ody of the Indians was in a tolerable good frame and temj)er," and there is no 
mention of an\- attack until .Vugust, 1703.! 

Mr. Weld was a native of Ro.\bury, Mass., and grandson of Rev. Thomas Weld, the first minister 
of Roxburw who came from England in 1632, and was one of the most distinguished among the 
eminent men of that daw He was one of the three who made the famous first "translation of the 
Psalms into metre for the use of the churches of New England," which has been the occasion of 
no little merriment ; the translators being selected, not because they possessed an>- poetic genius 
wl'.atever, l)Ut because they were the most pious and godly men." 

Mr. Weld graduated at Harvard College in 1671, and probably studied divinitx' with his uncle, 
Ke\'. .Samuel Danforth, a celebrated minister, and came to Dunstable in i67,S or 1679. Nov. 9, 1681, 
he married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. John Wilson of Medfield, son ol the first mini.ster of Boston 
and l)oth of them ver\- eminent men. She died July 29, 1687, aged 31, and is buried in the old 
bur\ing ground near the southerly line of Nashua, where a large horizontal slab of granite records 
her death. Some years afterwards he married widow Hannah Savage, daughter of Hon. Edward 
Tyng, who was admitted an inhabitant in 1677. She surx'ived him man>- years and dieil at the house 
of their .son. Rev. Habijah Weld, in Attleborough, Mass., in 1731.+ 

Hut little is known respecting the character of Mr. Weld. He was much belo\-ed by his peoj)le, 
and is said b>- Farmer to ha\'e been a distinguished man.S Alden says that Mr. Weld "was esteemed 
in his day a man of great piety, an exemplary Christian and a \'ery respectable clergyman." || He is 
sup]>osed to be the author of the verses in Mather's Magnalia, u]ion the death ol his uncle, Re\'. 
vSamuel Danfoith, who died in 1674.** He is tjuried beside his wife and over his grave is a granite 
slab similar to that of his wife btit without any inscription. 

In 1876 the people of the First church, joined by a few citizens, raised a sum of mone>- sufficient 
to erect a suitable monument to the memory of their first j^astor, Rev. .Mr. Welti, to take the place of 
the granite slab. Indeed it was looked upon as a long-neglected duty, so long as to suggest a rebuke 
and that ga\'e great force and prompt response to the a])i)eal. The needed amount was soon in hand 
and the work begun. It was completed and put in place with ajipropriate ceremony. It is of granite, 
massive and substantial, ii" 

*X. H. Gazeteev, Dunstable. 

+ r'eiiliallow's Indian War. i N. H. Hist. Coll. 20, 23. 

fX. II. Historical Collections, 57 — 64. Tarnier's Genealogical Register. AUlcn's Kpita])]! : Dr. .Mden was a 
descendant of Jlr. Weld. 
^Historical Catecliisni. 
It Alden's Collections, in. 
♦•Mather's Magnalia. 
ttSee chapter on cemeteries on succeeding pages. 



32 HIS TOR}- OF XAS//rA, X. H. 

In March, 1704, the town was again compelled to seek aid from the Colonial Treasury for the 
support of the ministry and for defence against its enemy, and presented the following moving 
petition. Upon the consideration of the petition the sum of ^,'20 was granted to the town for these 
purposes.* 

" To the General Court in session, 8 March i703.t 
The most humble Petition of the inhabitants of the town of Dunstable in the 
County of Middlesex, Shewcth : 

" That whereas your distressed Petitioners, through the calamities of the several Indian rebellions 
and depredations, are much reduced in our estates, and lessened in our numbers, (notwithstanding 
the addition of many desirable families when there was a prospect of a settled peace,) so that we are 
not capable wholly to support the ministry of the Gospel, after which Ark of God's presence our 
souls lament, and the want of which, more than all other great hardships, and hazards, doth dis- 
courage us, and threaten the ruin of this desirable plantation, but the enjoyment of such a rich mercy 
will animate us still to stand, (as we have long done,) in the front of danger : 

"Inasmuch also as his Excellency, in his great wisdom and providence for the .security of this 
eminently frontier place, and of this part of the Province so much exposed to the invasion of the 
bloody salvages, hath been pleased to post a considerable force of soldiers here, the great advantage 
whereof hath been experienced in these parts, but they can never hear a sermon without travelling 
more than t'lcclvc miles from their principal post, which is to them no small discouragement : t 

" We are therefore humbly bold to lay before the wise and compassionate consideration of this 
Great and General Assembly the sorrowful circumstances of her Majesty's good subjects in said town, 
and do most humbly implore that such a supply may be ordered, out of the Treasury of the Province, 
towards the support of the ministry in Dun.stable, as to your great wisdom and candor shall appear 
meet, we being found, (as we are in duty bound,) to contribute to such a service for our souls to the 
uttermo.st of our ability, and much beyond the proportion of others in greater congregations for the 
ordinances of God's worship among themselves ; — And your poor Petitioners are the more encouraged 
thus to pray in hope, since their former applications of this kind have ever been compassionately 
regarded and bountifully answered by former Great and General Assemblies of this Province." 

" Your obedient and humble servants, 

vSamuel Whiting, ^ Selectmen 
William Tvng, - in behalf 

Joseph Blanchakd, \ of the Town." 

In 1704 a block house was erected somewhere in town by Colonel Tyng, b\- the direction and at 
the expense of the colony, but the place of its location is not designated. § 

It may be a matter of some interest and curiosity, as illustrating the manners and customs of the 
times, to insert the following account of the expenses of the funeral of James Blanchard, who died in 
1704. He was a farmer in tolerable circumstances. 

"Paid for a winding sheet. 
Paid for a coffin. 
Paid for digging grave. 
Paid for the use of the pall, 
Paid for gloves, (to distribute at the funeral, ) 
Paid for wine, .segars, and spice, (at the funeral,! 
Paid for the Doctor, 
Paid for attendance, expenses, &c. 



*Mass. Ecclesiastical Records, 1704, page 191. 
+This was 8th. March, 1703-4, or 1704. 

JThis garrison was at Salmon brook, and the nearest meeting-house, (except in town,) was at Chelmsford, then 
twelve miles distant. 

§Mass. Military Records, 1704. 



£0- 


-iS.f. 


—od. 


' 


' 10 


" 


' 


' 7 


" 6 


' 


' 5 


" 


I ' 


' I 


" 


I ' 


' 5 


" 9 


' 


' 14 


" 9 


I ' 


' 17 


5 


£(>' 


' 19 


" 5 ' 



II/S7'(>k')' <>/■' .V.IS7/r.l, X. If. ,3 

CHAI^riil^ V. 

Town Uiccokds Lmpickfhct. Grant i'ok Sii'I'okt (ji- Tin-; Mi> istkv. Ri-:v. Samtki, IItnt. 
His Pktitiiix. Ricv. Samuki, Pakkis. Mketing House Rkpaikhd. Rkv. Amks 
Ciii;i:vKK. v^Ai.ARv. Rkv. Mk. Tki:at. Paksonagh. Rev. Joxa. Piekpoxt. Rev. 
Mk. C()Ki-ix. Rev. Mk. Pki;ntici:. His Makkiaoe. Salary. Death ok Rev. Mr. 
Pkivntici:. Hi.s Gr.wi;. 

F()R many N'tars altt-r Uil- ik-atli ul Re\-. .Mr. XW-ld the L-cclcsia.stical aflair.s' of the lown are 
iinohx'd in much ohscurity. No ininistL-r was settled liere duriiii;' the war, and no records 
remain of the proceedings of the town until 17 10. Yet during this long struggle, although 
the settlement was nearly deserted, the public services of the church were not neglected in 
their distress and care for self-preservation. In June, 1705, the General Court granted ^26 to the 
town for the support of the ministry for the year ensuing. t Who was the minister at this period is 
not known certainly, but probably it was Rev. Samuel Hunt, as in September, 1706, he was desired 
by the Governor and Council to coni/nuc at Dunstable by the following order: — + 

" Boston Sept. 4th, 1706. I am ordered by his Excellency the Governor and Council to acquaint 
\ (111 that your .service as minister at Dunstable is acceptable to them and desire a continuance thereof, 
and the\' will endea\'or to promote yr. encouragement !)>• the General Assemblv as formerly, and hope 
the\- will be prevailed with to make it better: I am, sir. 

3'our humble serx'ant, 

Is.aac Ai)Dix(;to.v, vSec'y." 
" Mr. Samuel Hunt, Clerk." 

Mr. Hunt continued his ministry at Dunstalile until the spring of 1707, when he was ordered to 
accompany the expedition against Port Royal as chaiilain of the forces, as appears l)y the following 
petition, j! upon which the sum of £ii^ was allowed : 

" The petition of Samuel Hunt, Clerk, sheweth : 

" That your petitioner has served as minister at Dunstable ever since the fourth of Sept., 1706, 
having received a signification from this Honorable Board, under the hand of Mr. .Secretary Addiiig- 
ton, that the same was desired by your Excellency and Honorables ; intimating withal that your 
petitioner should have the same encouragement as formerly, (or better,) which your petitioner under- 
stood to be the same as he had at Casco Bay, which was /,"52 per annum and his Ijoard. And on the 
23d of April last past, yr. petitioner w^as dismissed from that service in order to go to Port Royal, 
when he had served thirt>--three weeks at Dunstable aforesaid, for which your petitioner has not yet 
received any salary — and yr. petitioner ])rays that the same may be allowed as aforesaid. 

" Dec. 5, 1707." Samuel HiTx'r." 

As early as the first of October, 170S, Rev. vSamuel Parris commenced preaching in Dunstal)le, 
and the (icneral Court granted him ^20 per annum for three years or more toward his support. || He 
remained here until the winter of 171 1 or the spring of 1712, but how much longer is unknown. Mr. 
Parris was previously settled at vSalem village, (or Danvers, ) and in his society and in his family, it 
is said, commenced the famous " Salem Witchcraft " delusion of 169 1, which led to the death of so 
many innocent persons, and which filled New liiigland with alarm, sorrow and shame.** 

" Sept. 12, 171 1. [It was] agreed upon to repayr the meetiirg-honse, it being left to the seleclnicn 
to let out the work and take care for the boards and nails." 

After Mr. Parris left Dunstable public worship still continued and the pul])it was supi)lied 

*Tliis subject finds a separate place and extended treatment elsewhere in this volume, nevertheless, by reason of 
the coiuiection in which it stands it may be found acceptable. 
+ Mass. Kcclesiastical Records, 1705. 

tMass. Ecclesiastical Records, 1707, pa^e 239. .Mr. Hunt graduated at Harvard College, 1700. 
§Mass. Ecclesiastical Records, 1707, Jjajfe 239. 
IMass. Kcclesiastical Records, 1709, 1710, 1711. 

**Uphanrs Lectures ou the .Salem Witchcraft. Mr. Tarris died in Sudbury, Mass. 

3 



34 ///STCiR)' OF XASHl'A. X. //. 

constantly, for in June, 1712, the General Court granted "/^lo to Dunstable lor the support of the 
ministry the last half year," and in June, 1713, / 10 more "for the year past." This is the la.st 
record of any assistance granted to the town by the colony. With the return of peace, prosperity 
smiled upon the settlement. New settlers thronged in, farms were extended and the inhabitants were 
enabled to bear their own burdens. 

In 1713 Rev. Ames Cheever, who graduated at Harvard in 1707, was preaching in Dunstable. 
No\-. 20th, 1713. it was voted, "that the resident proprietors of Dunstable pay Mr. Cheever £i^o a 
year." How much earlier Mr. Cheever commenced his labors is uncertain, but he continued preach- 
ing here until June, 1715, at which time he received a call. "At a general town meeting of the 
inhabitants legall\- warned at Dunstable, on June the 6th, 1715, Then \-oted and agreed that Joseph 
Blanchard is to pa\" to Mr. Cheever his money that is due him, and upon discoursing with him, if he 
seems to incline to settle with us, then to declare to him, that the town at a meeting voted that they 
would readilj' consent that he should come and settle with us, and have the same encouragements as 
to sctllcDU'iit and salaiy as was voted him at our last meeting concerning him. Also, voted that Joseph 
Blanchard shall deliver a letter to Mr. Short, (Rev. Matthew, who graduated at Harvard, 1707,) or 
some other minister, to come and preach with us for some time." 

In those days ministers were settled for life, and it was customary for the town to give them a 
ministerial farm, or a certain sum of money by way of deficit, which was called a scfl/cniciit. He 
received an annual salary in addition. This settlement was usually, in a town like Dunstable, from 
^80 to ^ico in value, while the salary ranged from /^5o to £.100 per annum. 

Mr. Cheever, however, did not accept the call to settle, and soon after a Mr. Treat was preaching 
here. "Nov. 2d, 1715, it was voted for to desier Mr. Treat to continue with us sum time longer, and 
to give him as before, which was twenty shillings a Sabbath. Also, voted that Sarg't Cumings 
should be looking out for a minister in order for settlement." 

"Jan. i6th, 1717, x'oted that Henry Farwell and Sarg't Cuniniings are to endever to get a minister 
as soon as they can, and to .see after Mr. Weld's place (the old parsonage,) to by it if it be to be had. 
Also, Joseph French is to entertain the minister." French lived at the first house on the main road 
northerly of the state line. 

" ist Ma3% 1717, voted that there be a day of fast kept sum time this in.stant May. Voted that ye 
15th day of this instant May, be the day appointed to be kept as a day of Fast. At the same time 
Decon Cumings was chosen for to discourse Mr. Stoder (Rev. Samson Stoddard of Chelmsford,) 
concerning the Fast." This was a fa.st ordained by Governor Sliute,* and was, probably, inconse- 
quence of the alarming threats and depredations which were made at this time by some of the Indian 
tribes against the frontier settlements.! 

"Sept. 26th, 1717, voted that the Rev. Jona. Parepoiut ( Peirpont of Reading, Mass., graduate 
Harvard, 17 14,) .should have a call in order for settlement. Also, voted that the minister should have 
;^8o a year salary, and one hundred -poundi for his settlement. Voted that Major Eleazer Tyng and 
Ensign Farwell should acquaint Rev. Mr. Pairpont with what is voted at this meeting." 

This call was equally unsuccessful with the former, and "Sept. 2d, 1718, cho.se a committee to go 
to discourse with Mr. Coffin, (Enoch, graduate Harvard, 1714,) in order for a settlement." It is 
•Stated by Mr. Farmer, so noted for his accuracy, that the Rev. Mr. Prentice was settled here this \ear. 
This is a mistake, and the same error occurs in all other notices of Dunstable.! 

"Dec. i.st, 1718, voted that the Rev. Enoch Coffin should have ^80 a >"ear salary In rnonev. 
Also, voted to give him lan;l which cost the town /^So, an:l ten acres of meadow for his settlement ; 
and also two hundred acres of the common lands." Both the church and the town unanimously 
agreed " to give Rev. Mr. Enoch Coffin a call to be our settled minister." 

It would seem that Mr. Coffin accepted the call, for May i8th. 1719, "a committee was chosen 
with Mr. Coffin to layout his meadows," which were offered him in case of settlement and during 
this year, in the records of land laid out, he is st\led the present minister of said town. .Something, 
however, occurred to prevent his legal ordination at that time, as nearly a year after, March 7th. 1720, 

'Belknap, 186. 

tPenhallow. i N. H. Hist. Coll., 89. 

Jl N. U. Hist. Coll. 150, 5. 109, Rev. Mr. .Sperry's Sketch. 



iiisn^Rv ()/■■ \.is//r.i, X. //. 35 

:i oiiuiuiUcc was chiiscii "logo to our iiL-ighljonug- niiiiislers, and to discourse thciii all in order for 
the ordination o( Rev. Mr. Collin." lUit he wa.s not .settled at all, for May 20th, 1720, " a conuuity 
was chosen to compound niatter.s with Mr. Cofhii concerning the town's settlement nionev, and Mr. 
Coffin's offer to the town concerning his place." 

Mr. Coffin resided here for some time with his family, and Nov. 5th, 1719, a daughter, Mehitabel, 
was horn. He left town June, 1720, and returned to his native i)lace, Xewbury, Ma.ss. He after- 
wards went as chajjlain with the first band of settlers to Concord, X. H., and settled there May, 1726, 
where he died August 17th, 1727, aged thirty-two.* 

The ecclesiastical affairs of the town were for nuui\' years in\-ol\ed in .so much confusion and 
(liilicultN-, as almost to warrant the facetious remark of Colonel Ta>lor to Governor Burnet. The 
governor, who was no friend to long graces before meals, on his first journey from New York to take 
upon him the government of iMassachusetts and New Hampshire, enquired of Colonel Taylor when 
the graces would shorten. He replied, " The graces will increase in length until you come to Boston; 
after that they will shorten until you come to your government of New Hain])shire, when vour 
excellency will find no grace at all. t 

In June, 1720, Rev. Nathaniel Prentice began to ])reach here. August 20, 1720, the town gave 
Mr. Prentice a call with the offer of /,'ico settlement and /,'8o a year salary; but warned by their 
premature grants of land to Mr. Coffin before ordination, they prudently inserted a proviso, that he 
was " not to enter upon said X80 salarv till afhr he is our ordained minister." 

Mr. Prentice accepted the call, and was probably ordained during the fall of 1720. He probably 
claimed a larger salary, as Nov. 13, 1720, it was voted, "That when Mr. Prentice comes to keep 
house and have a family, and stands in need of a larger sup]il>-, then to ad Reasonable Aditions to his 
.salary, if our abilities will afford it." They also voted, Dec. Sth, 1720, "That Mr. Prentice after 
marriage should ha\-e a sufficioit supply of xcood, or tcti pounds of passable moncv in lao tlwrcof year/ v." 
He was .soon after married to Mary Tyng of Dunstable, and died here, according to Mr. Farmer, P'el). 
27th, 1737.} He was buried, it is said, in the old south bur\-ing ground, beside his children, but 
there is no monument or inscription to mark the place of his interment. 

Of the character and talents of Mr. Prentice, we have little information. "It is said of him," 
sa>'S Mr. vSperry, "that he was a man of wit and a good sermoni/.er." That he was popular we may 
conjecture from the fact that the people here were contented under his preaching for so many years, 
and additions from time to time after his settlen\ent, were made to his salary. In 1730, and perhaps 
earlier, ,690 were rai.sed for him : in 1731, the noii rcsidiiit taxes added; in 1732 he received ^105 and 
the non resident taxes ; and in 1733 the same. The town also voted to build a new meeting-house near 
the old one. The value of money, in comparison with other articles, however, had then depreciated 
so much, in consequence of the emission of large quantities of paper money by the colony, that perhaps 
his compensation at this time was worth little more than his original salary. This, though it may 
seem to us a small sum, \_,C?>o, or $270.00], was no mean salary in these days, when the colou\- gave 
the Governor but /, 100 a year, and when Portsmouth, the capital, and which had been settleil a 
century, gave its minister a salary of only ^130. § 

January lyth, 1724, died Hon. Jonathan Tyng, aged Si. He was the oldest son of Hon. Ivdward 
Tyng, and was born Dec. 15th, 1642, He was one of the original proprietors of the town, and the 
earliest permanent sctflcr, having remained here alone during Philip's war, when every other person 
h;id deserted the settlement for fear of the hulians. That he was a man of much energy and decision 
"I character we ma\- judge from this fact. That he was a man of probity and of considerable 
distinction at an earl\- period, we ma\- infer from his appointment as guardian o\'er the Wamesit 
Indians in 1676, and from the numerous other important trusts confided to him from time to time by 
the colony. 

In 16.S7, he was a])])uiuted (as well as his lirother, Ivdwartl 'l\\ng') in the royal commission 
of James II. as one of >Sir Ivdmuiul Andros's Council. In 1*192 he was chosen representative of 

♦N. II. Hist. Coll., 160. 

1 1 Ik-lkiiap, 22.5 : luite. 

*Otliers say in 17,15. 

SAdams' Annals of I'orlsnuiuUi. 



36 NISrORV OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Dunstable, and lor nian>- ^-ears as selectman, and otherwise was much engaged in the ]nil)lic bu.siness 
of the town. For many years during the wars of 1703, he was colonel of the upper Middlesex regi- 
ment, and was entrusted with the care of all the garrisons within its bounds. 

Colonel Tyng married Sarah, daughter of Hezekiah Usher, who died in 1714. After her death 
he married Judith Fox of Woburn, who died June 5tli, 1736, aged 99. His children were : \,fohii, 
graduate of Han-ard College, 1691, who was killed by the Indians in 1710; 2, WHUcdu, born 22d April, 
1679, the first child born in the town; 3, Elcazar, graduate of Harwird College, 171 2; 4, Marv, who 
married Rev. Nathaniel Prentice, minister of the town; and others who died at an earh- age. 

*Edward Tyng was appointed Ciovcrnor of Annapolis, but sailing for it, was taken prisoner and carried into 
France, where he died. His children were: — i, /idicard, a brave naval commander, born 16S3 ami died at Boston 
Sept. Sth, 1755. 2, Jonathan, who died young. 3, Maiy. who married Rev. John Fox of Woburn. 4, Elizabeth. 
who married a brother of Dr. Franklin. Edward Tyng was a I^ieutenant in the great Xarraganset swamp fight, Dec. 
i;th, 1675, and commanded the company after Captain Davenport was killed. 



///STOR] OF N.lSI/[rA, ,V. //. ^^ 

CHAPTER VI. 

('.KowTii (II- Towx. Nivi-.n oi' Aid. Bii.l.s oi- Cki;i)IT Ls.srKi). F.\k\vkll .vnd ]'>i,.\xcii.\R]), 
Tkxstkk.s i-ok Town's .Shakh. Siccond Ls.snc. Ricv. Mr. Pkf.ntich Rkceive.s It. 
Dhpki;ci.\tiox in Xai.tic. No Rkprr,si-:.\tativic Chosf;n. Rkcord.s. Tiik Mkktino 
Hou.sH. Pews ICkkctjcd. FrK.sr T'at-pek. C.KAxn Jfrymen Chosen liv Town. Tvtii- 
iNGMAx Chosen. Bridge at P.ii.i.icrica. X'otixc, dy B.\lu)T. Ctstoms oe tiiic 

TiMICS. FjCRRV-l'.OAT. ]v\KTIIorAKlC. I \ X K EE IMCRS LiCEXSED. BoOM ACRO.SS THE MER- 
RI.MACK. JrRISl'KUDENCE. TaXES. EDUCATION. LAWS RlCEATIXG To Pf. I) II-l'ICULTY 

OF OnsicRvixCr Them. Town Indicted. vSmael Amoixt Raised. Fell Into Xec.i.ect. 
Varioes DisiTTics. New Settlements. Nottinohaji, {Hedson.) Merrimack. Litch- 
field. Vote to Biild New ^Meeting House. Hoi.lis. Townsexd. State Linf; 
Fixed. Ri:\-. Mr. Swax Settled. "New Lights." Mi';i':ting Horsi-: Blilt. 

TIUv scUk-iiit-nt of the town which had been so niiich and so long- retarded, — which for for/v 
years had scarcely advanced at all. now increased rapidly. But the inhabitants were extreme!)- 
l)Oor. In addition to the heavy public taxes occasioned by the long and expensive Indian 
wars, they had suffered much from the incursions of the enemy — from the loss of the ransoms 
paid for the release of their capti\-e friends, and from the obstruction of all regular emplo\-ment. 

In consideration of the universal scarcity of money, the General Assembh- of Massachusetts 
issued bills of credit in 1721 to the amount of ^'50,000 to be distributed among the several towns in 
proportion to the public taxes. They answered the purpose of money for the time. Nov. 7, 1721, 
Lieut. Henry Farwell and Joseph Blanchard were appointed tru.stees to receive and loan out "the 
share" of this town, in such sums that "no man .shall have more than five pounds and no man less 
than three jiounds," and "shall \iAy five per cent . interest for the use of the same to the town." 

In 1727 the General Assembly, finding this mode of making money popular, issued ^60,000 n-iore. 
The share belonging to this town was received and loaned to Rev. Mr. Prentice, to be applied in 
jiayment of his future salary as it should Ijeconie due. Thus early and easily did men disco\-er and 
adopt the practice of throwing their debts upon posterit}-. The consequence of these issues was a 
ruinotis depreciation in their value — a nominal rise in the value of ever\- species of property, 
speculation, and at last uni\-ersal distress. In 1750 the bills were worth but twelve per cent. 

The general poverty of the inhabitants maj' also be inferred from the fact that yio representative 
was sent to the General Assembly, although directed so to do, the town voting regularly from 1693 to 
1733 " not to send." Whenever the interests of the town were in danger, however, a special agent 
was sent to see that the)' were protected. As an illustration of the feelings and peculiarities of those 
times it may be added, that, F'ebruarx- i, 1731, it was " voted notto choose any jierson as representative, 
deeming ourselves not obliged by Lav.'" But in order to be certain as to their riglits and duties, the 
next \-ear they took legal advice upon this subject and again voted " not to send, finding the town not 
obliged by l.a'a-y At that time the rejiresentative received no compensation for attendance, but his 
expenses were paid b>- the town. In 17 iS the compensation was fixed by statute at three shillings ■pQV 
day. At one period the General Assembly hired an inn-keeper to board all of the members at a stipu- 
lated price ])er day, including wine, " but not to exceed one cup of sack each." This was done not 
iinl\- for econoni\-, but for the greater despatch of business. 

I'or nianv years little occurred here which would be of general interest. The records are chiefly 
valuable as serving to show the contrast between the past and the ])resent, and the slow and painful 
steps by which towns arrive at maturity. Some memoranda of this ])eriod, therefore, may serve to 
amuse and jierhaps instruct the curious reader. 

In 1716 a committee was appointed by the town to lay out a road to Dracut, and "to state the 
Country road from Capt. Tyng's to Xashaway ri\-er." Its width was declared to be "four rods." 

"Sept. 2, 171S, voted, thai John Lovewell, .Sr., and his son John, [the hero of Pe(|uawkett,] 
should hav liberty to bild a dam in the higliway over Salmon brook, not to inconnnodate the 



38 HISTORY OF A'ASHl'A, X. //. 

liigluvay." This was at the little bridge near the house of Miss Allds, wheie the mud sills are still 
visible and the " /lio/nraj" was the " Country road " just mentioned. 

"March 31, 1719. Joseph French was ti/osa! to make coffins where there be need for the year 
ensuing." Friendly Indians still lived here, and this singular vote may have referred to them, as we 
find a charge made by him not long after, " for Jacob Indian's coffin T.v." 

The selectmen and other persons in the employment of the town at this period charged 5.?. per 
dav for their services. 

The humble meeting-house which had served for the worship of all the inhabitants, since no 
division into sects existed, was a rude, one story, unsteepled edifice, and would show but poorly beside 
the erections of the present day. It was divided by an aisle in the center, with rows of benches on 
either side, one of which was appropriated for the use of the women, and the other for the use of the 
men. Such a sepai'ation was not unfrequent in these primitive days.* 

But even among our grave and simple forefathers, lu.xury and ambition crept in. March 2, 1720, 
it was " Voted that Lieutenant Henry Farwell and Josejili lilanchard should hav the libety to erect 
for themselves two Pewes on there own charge at the we.st end of the Meeting House." The example 
was contagious, so dangerous is a precedent. If Lieutenant Farwell and Captain Blanchard could 
afford "Pewes," why might not others? May 18, 1720, it was "Voted that there be four Pewes 
erected in our Meeting House ; one on the back side of the lowermost seats, and one seat to lie taken 
up; Sargeant Colburn, one pew ; vSargeaiit Perham, one pew ; Nathaniel Cummings, one pew ; Oliver 
Farwell, one pew." 

The first pauper in town appears to have been Joseph Hassell, a son probably of him who was 
slain by the Indians in 169 1. He was supported by the town, which appointed a person " to take 
care of" him in 1722 or 1723. 

In i723Cirand Jurymen were chosen by the town at the annual meeting bj' ballot. This was 
probably done as a precaution against the encroachments of the officers of the crown, and as a 
safeo-uard of popular rights. One trilnmal was secure from ro3-al influence, and no individual could 
be unjustly condemned. This mode of choice continued till after the revolution, and was a source of 
o-reat annoyance to the enemies of America, who complained that the towns chose the most active 
opponents of England for their grand jurors, so that those guilty of political offences could not be 
indicted. + 

In 1723 the choice of a tything man, Thomas Blanchard, is recorded. The town raised ^20 
[about $70] to defray all town expenses, and the collector had " 3 pence in the pound [ij^ per cent.] 
for gathering all town rates for ye year." 

In 1724 the town was again called upon to assist in keeping "the great bridge in Billerica in 
good repare," and chose Henry Farwell "to jine with the committy appinted " for that purpose. 
In 1729 they united with Dracut, Chelmsford and Billerica in further repairs, and in 1731 expended 
£t, \os. for the same purpose. This bridge was over the Concord river on the main road to Boston, 
and of great importance. 

The method of voting for all the more important officers was " by ballot," while others of less 
importance were chosen " by holding up of ye hands." So early did our forefathers recognize that 
truh' republican principle and safeguard of popular rights, the secret ballot. 

In those days offices were not onl\- places of lionor and profit, but also of good cheer. Those 

*The followinji is a desonptiou of the early meeting houses as drawn up by Rev. I,eonar(l Bacon of New 
Haven : — " Immedialeh' before the pulpit, and facing the Congregation, was an elevated seat for the ruling elder, and 
before that, somewhat lower, was a seat for the Deacons behind the Communion Table. On the floor of the house 
there were neither pews nor slips, but plain seats. On each side of what we maj- call the centre aisle were nine seats 
of siifficient length to accommodate five or six persons. On each side of the pulpit at the end were five cross seats, 
and another shorter than the five, .\long each wall of the house, between the cross seats and the si<le door, 
six seats. 

"The men and women were seated separately, on opposite sides of the house, and every one according to his office, 
or his age, or his rank in .society, and his place was assigned by a committee appointed for that purpose. The 
children and j-oung people at the fir.st .seating seem to have been left to find their own places, away from their parents, 
in that part of the house w'hich was not occupied with seats prepared at the town's expense." 

tGovernor Hutchinson's Letters. 



///syoA')- ()/■• x.is/f(rA, n. ir. 



39 



were glorious times tor dignitaries. Ainniis; the accoiinls presented for acceptance, and whicli were 
allowed and paid li\- the town without scruple, we find the following: 

"Town of Dunstable to Samuel French, Dr. 
1726. To dining the .Selectmen 6 meals. ...... /"o 6.v. od. 

[w ilnnii wwiX ivdi I had at Mr. William Iaww-a for llie Sticctmcu , o 12 6." 

We are accustomed to look hack upon that early period as an age of primitive siniplicit\- and 
\-irtne. Vet what would be said of such an account in these temperance days? But their faults 
were onl\ those of rude and hard\- pioneers, and of the age, and we would institute no comparison. 
They laid a noble foundation for our re]iublic. " Ivvery man who wxs foiiy years old," says Belknap, 
"had seen twenty years of war." vSnch continual dangers and hardships, although affording no 
good school for culti\'ation and refir.ement, lurnished a race of hardy soldiers and sterling patriots for 
the " times that tried men's souls." 

In March, 1727, the town raised "eight pounds for building a boat." and it was directed "that 
Captain Blanchard shoidd return the boat within the year to the town." This was j)robabl\' for a 
ferry-boat over the Merrimack at the I51aiichard farm, [now Little's] as Hudson was then included in 
Dunstable, and a few settlers had located themselves on that side of the river. No bridge existed for 
a centnr\- after. 

October 29 and 30, 1727, at night, a .shock of an earthquake was felt here. It affected chiefly 
"the towns upon the Merrimack." "The shock was very loud and was attended with a terrible 
noise like thunder. The hou.ses trembled as if they were falling. Divers chimneys were cracked, 
and some had their tops broken off. Flashes of light broke out of the earth, and the earth broke 
open." The .shocks lasted until February, 1728.* 

At this time tavcrners were licensed by the count>- court. In the fall of 1727, Captain Joseph 
Blanchard, who had been the inn-keeper of the town for many years, died, and as the court was not 
in session in December, 1727, Henry Farwell, Jr., petitioned the general as.sembly for a license, which 
was granted.! 

In 1728 a boom was built across Merrimack river by the town. 

Among the early settlers of New England the principles of jurisprudence were but little known, 
and there were few lawyers. The jurisdiction of courts of law was limited, and as man}- of the 
judges had received no preparatory legal education to fit them for the bench, but were taken directly 
from the counting room or camp, all settled rules of law were of course unknown and disregarded. 
The people, therefore, in all cases of difficult}- applied at once to the general assembly, who assumed 
and exercised jurisdiction in imitation of the English parliament, as a court of errors and of chancery 
in all cases whatsoever, where their assistance was needed for the purposes of justice. 

A connnittee having been appointed by the town to purchase the ministerial farm of Rev. Mr. 
Coffin as a parsonage for Mr. Prentice, and refusing to convey it as directed, the town applied to the 
general court of Massachusetts by a "petition for some redress, if it maj- be obtained, touching the 
premises." This was not done, however, without a division, and several persons entered their dcsciit 
[dissent] or protest against the proceeding. 

The amount of taxes raised from 1726 to 1733, for the general expenses of the town, including the 
support of the ministry, varied from $250 to $400 per year. 

The subject of education was one of deep interest to the early settlers of New England. To them 
must be awarded the enviable distinction of their being the first to lay down the noble principle, that 
"every child should be taught to read and write," and the first to establish common schools to carr\- it 
into effect. It was ever the custom, and became the law in Puritan New England as early as 1642, 
that "none of the brethren should suffer so much barbarism in their families, as not to teach their 
children and apprentices so much learning, as may enable them perfectly to read the English lan- 
guage." A fine of 20 shillings was imposed for every neglect, and, if after reproof by the selectmen, 
they still neglected this duty the children were to be taken from them and bound out, males until 21 _ 
and females until 18 years of age. 

In 1646 it was enacted that "if an\- child above 16 years old, and of snfiicicnt understar.ding. shall 

*4 N. II. Hist. Coll., 93. 

t Mass. .*\ssciiil)ly Records. 1727. 



40 



H/SrOJ^)' OF .\'ASH[/.I, X. //. 



curse or smite his natural father or mother, lie shall be Pi"'r to death, i'Nle.s.s // can be sii/ficicnllv 
/cslificd thai tin- />arci//s have been vp:ry unchristiaxi.v NEGLIGENT in the Education of .such 
CHILDKKN." This was the Mosaic law, but with an important and characteristic qualification. 

" To the end that learning ma)* not be buried in the graves of our forefathers," it was ordered in 
1647, " that every township, after the Lord liath increased them to the number of /i//v house-holders, 
.shall appoint one to teach all the children to read and 'lOritc : And when an>' town shall increase to the 
number of one hundred laniilies they shall set up a grammar school, the master whereof being able to 
instruct j'outh so far as they may bs fitted for the university." These provisions, furni.shing the best 
academic education to every child gratuitously, go far beyond the present school laws, and we might 
do well to retrace our steps. For non-compliance the towns were liable to indictment, and a fine was 
imposed for the benefit of the school in the next town. 

One reason which determined the Puritans upon a removal from Leyden was, "that the place 
being of great licentiousness and liberty to children, they could not educate them : nor could they give 
them due correction without reproof or reproach from their neighbors." Their ideas of government, 
family and national, were all derived from the Mosaic code, and as was said of the Connecticut settlers, 
they "agreed to take the laws of God for their guide until they had time to make better." 

But deeply as the settlers felt the importance of education, it was no easy matter in a frontier town 
whei"e a fierce Indian war was raging, when the inhabitants dwelt in garrisons and the settlement was 
every day liable to an attack, to e.stablisli common schools. The dense forest, where the quiet of the 
school room might be broken at any time b)' the yell of the savage, was no fitting time or place for 
helpless children ; still at home education was not neglected, as the state of our ancient records every- 
where attests. vSo much were the inhabitants scattered that no school was kept in town until 1730. 
In that year, it seems, the town having increased to the requisite number of ''fifty house-holders," and 
having neglected to provide a teacher according to law, had been indicted by the grand jury. Nov. 3, 
1730, it was according!}- voted, that " it be left with the selectmen to provide and agree with a person 
to keep a writing school in the town directly" ; and that " the sum of Ten pounds be granted and raised 
for defraying the charges in the last mentioned concern and other Toien charges." How liberal this 
provision was we may judge from the fact that the same sum, and even more, had been annually raised 
for town charges alone, and that Dunstable then included the greater part of HoUis and Hudson 
within its limits. 

How many inhabitants the town then contained we are unable to ascertain. If there were fifty 
house-holders or families, the number was probably about tivo hundred and fifty. How slow was the 
increase and how disastrous mu.st have been the effect of the long Indian wars, we may conjecture 
when we remember that as far back as 1680, there were thirty families, or nearly one hundred and 
fifty inliabitants, most of whom were settled within the present limits of Nashua. 

After this indictment, however, had been arranged, it appears that the town relapsed into its 
ancient neglect and no further notice was taken of it. No record of any vote to raise money for the 
support of schools, or to choose any school committee, or to build any school-house, or any allusion to 
the subject of schools is found for many years. The town was too much distracted at this period, 
perhaps, by exciting religious and sectional questions, to attend to or agree upon any general plan 
of education. The inhabitants of Hollis and Hudson were desirous of being erected into separate 
townships. Then came the question of erecting " a decent meeting-house," and similar divisions 
ensued. 

The controversies about the boundary line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts, which 
finally di\-ided Dunstable nearly in the middle, leaving one-half of the territory within the jurisdiction 
of Massachusetts, and transferring the northern portion, with a large majority of the inhaliitanls, to 
New Hampshire, gave rise to an excitement still more intense and protracted. Then followed a suc- 
cession of sectarian disputes about the Orthodox and .VeTc /.inhts, Congregationalists and Presbyterians, 
all of which were discussed and decided in town meetings. These, and similar controversies, with their 
consequent victories and defeats, protests and reconsiderations must have occupied their time sufficiently 
to prevent their union upon an\' subject, where there might be conflicting interests or prejudices. 

After Lovewell's war, so great was the security felt b}' the settlers, that the}- plunged boldI>- into 
the wilderness in every direction. In July, 1729, the lands lying three miles north and south on 
Merrimack river, extending three miles east and four miles west of it, and bounded southerl}- by the 



ff/STOA'Y or A'.IS//r,l, X. //. 



41 



,Soulic!;aii, [now Ihe nortlicrlx jiart of Mciriinack] were granted to Joseph Blanchard and others. Kveii 
as early as May, 1726, a settlement was conunenced at Concord. In Dunstal)le the outlands were taken 
up, and soon the wilderness was alive with population. So nnnierous had they Ijeconie that "for 
greater convenience ol public worship," lhe\- desired on cver\- hand to be erected into townships. 

In 1731 the inhabitants on the east side of the Merrimack petitioned the town to be set off, which 
was granted to take effect "whenever the General Court should think it advisable." Leave was 
obtained accordini;l\- from the asscnd)l\- of Massachusetts, and the new township was called Xo/lhii^. 
ham. On the establishment of the boundary line it fell within the .state of New Hampshire, obtained 
a new charter in 1746, and changetl its name to Nottingham- West, there being alreadv a Nottin<>-hain 
in the eastern section of tlie .state. 

In 1732 the inhabitants on the northerly side of Nashua river petitioned to be set off also with 
Brenton's farm, but Ihe petition was not granted by tlic town. In 1733, however, part of the town 
lying west of Merrimack river was incorporated b\- the general a.s.sembly into a township by the name 
of Rnmford, but soon after was called Merrimack. 

Jnl\- 3, i7,U- Litchfield w^as incorporated. In the petition for incorporation, dated May, 1734, and 
signed by "Aqnila I'nderwood for the Town," it is stated, as a rea.son for the grant, that they have 
"supported a minister for some time." 

While the jealousies and divisions, to which reference has been made, were existing in such 
strength, "the old meeting house," it seems, had grown so old and out of repair, as not to be "dectiit." 
Upon a \'ote taken in 1732 whether the lown "would Iniild a decent meeting house or rectify and 
mend the old one," it was decided not to ""rectify" but to build. After quarrelling a year and 
holding various meetings, it was voted to build it "about 4 rods westward of where the meetino- house 
now stands," upon which 19 perstnis, chiefly from that part of the town now hing in Massachu.setts 
entered their dissent of record against the location. 

In 1736 Hollis was set off from Dunstable b}" the name of ""tlie lecst parish of Diiiislab/e;" but after 
the cstabli-shment of the boundary line, it received a new act of incorporation from the state of New 
Hampshire, by the name of Hollis. Its Indian name was Nissitisset. In the mean time settlements 
were extending rapidly all around, and the forest was bow-ing before the onward tread of civilization. 
In 1734 Amherst w-as settled, and in 1736 a bridge was built across Souhegan river, then the northerly 
boundary of Dunstable, and a road laid out and built "from the bridge to Dun.stable meeting house." 

In 1732 Townsend was incorporated, taking in the southerlj- part of thetow-n, including Pepperell. 
Thus township after township had become parcelled out from the original bodv of "old Dun.stable," 
until in 1740 the broad and goodly plantation was reduced to that portion only which is now embraced 
within the limits of Nashua and Nashville, Tyngsborough and Dunstable. At length, after a long 
and violent controversy, and against the wishes of the inhabitants, the boundary line between New- 
Hampshire and Massachusetts was established in 1741, severing Dunstable ver}^ nearly in the middle, 
and leaving the present towns of Nashua and Nashville within the limits of New Hampshire. With 
the exception of a small section set off to Hollis, this portion retains the territory which it had in 
1741, au/1 contains by computation, about 18,878 acre.s. 

After the death of Rev. Mr. Prentice, Rev. Josiah Swan received a call to settle over the church 
and town. He accepted the call, and was ordained Dec. 27, 1738. Mr. Swan is said to have been a 
native of Dunstable, and graduated at Harvard in 1733. In 1739 he married Jane [Mr. vS])erry says 
erroneously J\aehael,'\ Blanchard, daughter of Joseph Blanchard, Esq., of this town. In 1741, how- 
ever, on the division of the town by the new boundary, it became more difficult to support a minister. 
Not long afterwards the .sect then called 'Weic /.iohts." but since known as Methodists, a])])cared, and 
a division in his society ensued. The churches were "infected with lay exhorters, and some ministers 
who have left their parishes and charges and undertaken to play the bishop in another man's 
diocese," as the regular clergy complained, and "distracted by such persons exhorting and preaching 
in private houses without the consent of the stated pastor." ' 

We have seen that the question of building a new meeting house was discu.ssed as far back as 
1732. and a \ote taken fixing its hjcation. In November, 1734, John Kendall and others remonstrated 

•Allen's Chi-'liiisforcl, 116. 



42 N/STOin' OF NASHirA, N. H. 

to the general assenibh- against its location, and asked for a committee.' The records of the 
town from 1733 to 1746 are lost, but it is known that the vote was inoperative and the house not built 
until 1738, when Mr. Swan was settled. It stood near the old burying ground not far from the state 
line, having been built for the accommodation of the original township. Immediately after the 
division of the town, it became necessary to erect a new meeting house in a more central situation. 
But so diverse were the interests and the feelings of our then widely scattered population, that no 
location was satisfactory. June 20, 1746, the town voted "that \\vt place of preaching the oospcl this 
sunnner be at Ephraim Lund' x barn." After sundry votes, protests and reconsiderations, committees, 
reports and compromises, the town voted to accept the proposal of Jona. Lovevvell and others to build 
the meeting house on their own account, and to have the liberty of selling all the wall pews for their 
own benefit. 

The House was Intilt accordingly in the autumn of 1747, ''on a spot of rising ground about six- 
rods 'd'cst of the main road," which is a few rods northerly of the present South meeting-house. It 
was about twenty-eight feet by forty; had a small gallery, and was divided like the old one into the 
"men's side" and the "women's side." 

^Ecclesiastical Records, 1734, page 70. 



ff/STOh'V (V- A'.IS//(',l. X. //. 43 

CHAPTER Vll. 

I.\c<M^i'tiK ATiiix MY Xi:\\ II \:\ii'SinKi;. C.khat Road to TvNcsiiOKorcii. Ri':\'. Mr. Swan 
DiS-MissiU). Ani:ci>()T)': oi' Him. No Sciiooi.iiorsic in Town. Indian Hostilities. 
Soi.niiCKS I:MrKHSSKi) Into .Skkvick. Fauwiu-I. and T.wi.ok Camtked and Taken 
To Canada. Re\'. Mr. Bird vSi"rTi,i:D. Divisions in tid-: Ciurch. Proceedings 
Declared Tllecal. Mr. P.ikd Li:.\ves DrNSTAiu.ic. "One Pine Hill" Controversy. 
Fill Acccji-nt hv Jmcic \\'okci:sti:r. Schools Ri-:srMi';D. P.ridge Over the NAsnr.v. 
Lottery Proposed to Raise Money. Not Granted. Funds Raised by Suuscription. 
De.a^th of John Lovlwicll. .Sketch of His lyiFi:. His Great Age. Rev. Mr. 
Adams Preached Two Years. New Meeting-House Built. 

APRIL 4, 1746, the town was first incorporated bj^ the State of New Hampshire, having 
previous!}- acted under their charter, obtained from the General Court of Massachusetts, in 
1673. It retained the ancient name of Dunstable. In 1746 the great road to Tjaigsborough 
was started anew and recorded. There would seem to have been but few houses upon this 
road at that time. The following are all that are mentioned: — Capt. Joseph French's house was 
eight rods north of the state line; Col. Joseph Blanchard's house, 300 rods north of the state line and 
29 rods south of "Cummings's brook ;" Cyrus Baldwin's near Colonel Blanchard's; John Searles' house 
66 rods north of Cummings's brook; Henry Adams's 80 rods north of Searles' house; the old ditch 
which led to the Fort was 90 rods north of Adams's house ; Thomas Harwood's house was 90 rods 
north of the old ditch ; no other house mentioned between Harwood's and Nashua river, excepting 
Jonathan Lovewell's, which was 2.S3 rods .south of the river, or at the Harbor, south of Salmon brook. 

About this time the difficulties with Mr. Swan having increased, he was dismissed. He did not 
leave town, however, immediately, for we find his name recorded the next year as having voted 
again.st a successor. He settled in full with the town March 2, 1747. He did not remain here long, 
but returned to Lancaster, Ma.ss., his former place of residence. Here he was engaged in the tuition 
of a school, which had been his occupation previous to his entrance upon the ministry, and became a 
" famous teacher." He remained at Lancaster until about 1760, when he removed to Walpole, where 
he died.* 

Of his character little is known and a single anecdote has reached us. From this, however, from 
his dealings with the town in regard to his salary, and from the amount of his taxes, for he owned a 
farm, we may infer that he amassed some property, and was a prudent, stirring, thrifty, but not over 
spiritual man. One Sabbath morning it is said, during the latter part of his ministry, while old Mr. 
Lovewell was alive, he forget the day and ordered his hired men to their work. They objected, telling 
him it was Sunday. He would not believe it, but finally, says he, "if it is Sunday we shall soon see 
old father Lovewell coming up the hill ;" and sure enough, punctual as the clock to the hour, the old 
man, then more than a hundred years of age, but who never missed a Sunday, was seen making his 
way to church and Mr. Swan was convinced of his mistake. 

At this time there was neither school nor schoolhouse in town. Sept. 29, 1746, it was voted that 
" Jona. Lovewell be desired to hire a school ma.ster until the next March for this town, upon the co.st 
and charge of the town." Two dwelling houses, one in the northern and one in the southern portions 
of the town, were designated, in which the school should be kept, "if they could be obtained." But 
one teacher was employed and he was to keep school halt of the time at each place. The number of 
inhabitants was probably about four hundred. 

During this year the Indians committed much havoc in the frontier towns around and above us. 
Many settlements above us were nearly or cjuite deserted. "The defenceless state they were in 
obliged them all, namely, Peterborough, Salem, Canada, [Lyndeborough,] New Boston and Hills- 
borough, [so called,] entirely to draw off, as well as the forts on the Connecticut river. t In the 

*\Villar(l',s History of Lancaster, citiiit; 2 Mass. Ilisl. ColL. 55. 
*rroviiicc Records, 1747. 5 N. H. Hist. ColL, 253. 



44 mSTOR)' (IF X.iSHrA, jV. H. 

winter of 1745 and 1746 scouts were furnished by this state and Massachusetts for the protection of 
those towns. 

In May, 1747, the inhabitants of Souhegan West, [Amherst,] and Monson, [a town formerly 
lying- between Amherst and Hollis, afterwards divided and annexed to those towns,] petitioned 
Governor Wentworth for a guard, being "in imminent danger." The petition was granted and his 
" Excellency was desired to give orders for ftviWiAAWg or impressing fifteen good and efficient men, to 
scout and guard, under proper officers, said vSouhegan West and Monson, till the twentieth day of 
October next, if need be, and that said men be shifted once a month." 

It was about this time, probably, that Jonathan Farwell and Taylor were taken captive by the 
Indians, while hunting in the south part of this town. They were carried to Canada and .sold to the 
French, where they remained in captivity three years; l;)ut finally succeeded in obtaining their release 
and returned to their friends. A daughter of Farwell, Mrs. Rachael Harris, a granddaughter also of 
Noah Johnson, one of Lovewell's men, is .still living [1840] in this town. 

After the dismi,ssion of Mr. Swan in May, 1747, Rev. Samuel Bird preached here. August 31, 
1747, he received a call to settle and was soon after ordained. By the terms of his contract he was to 
have "one hundred choices of coined silver, Troy weight, sterling alloy, or the full value thereof in 
bills of public credit," or about one hundred dollars, yearly, for his salary, provided, " tliai lie preaeli 
a lecture once in three months at least in this toien," and "visit and catechise the people." At this 
choice there was much dissatisfaction, and the town was nearly equally divided. 

Mr. Bird was a " New Light," and his ordination was a triumph. His friends, however, at the 
head of whom was Jonathan Lovewell, stood by him, and by them the new meeting-house, before 
mentioned, was erected. His opponents, at the head of whom was Colonel Blanchard, complained of 
the inju.stice of being compelled to pay Mr. Bird, and all who were dissatisfied were freely excu.sed. 
But the quarrel was sectarian and could not be appeased. A division in the church ensued, and a 
new church was organized, which worshipped in the old meeting-house, in conjunction with members 
from Tyngsborough and Dunstable. Lovewell and Blanchard were both distinguished men and had 
been much in public life. The question soon assumed a party shape and laid the foundation of 
political differences, which after the lapse of a century are not entirely forgotten or obliterated. 

It was soon discovered by Blanchard that neither b}- the new charter of the town, nor by any 
existing law of the state was there any provision for calling the first meeting of the town, after its 
recent incorporation bj- New Hampshire. Massachusetts having no legal jurisdiction over the town, 
any organization under its old charter was illegal and void. He, therefore, petitioned the legislature 
of New Hampshire that an investigation might be had into the authorit>- and proceedings of the town 
meeting, which gave Mr. Bird a call, and that all its transactions should be set aside as contrary 
to law. 

An investigation was held accordingly. Much evidence was introduced, and long and learned 
arguments made on both sides. The petitioners contended that they paid tvo-thiids of the taxes, and 
Mr. Bird's friends rejoined that they had a majority of the voters. Finally, it was decided that the 
meeting was illegal — all its proceedings were set aside, and a .special act was passed providing for the 
call of a new meeting, and the leading organization of the town.ship under its new charter. This 
was in 174.S.* 

After this decision, and the triumph of Blanchard, Mr. Bird left town, and .settled in New Haven, 
Conn., but afterwards became chaplain in the army, in the French war of 1755. At what period he 
left Dunstable is uncertain. Mr. Farmer says it was in i75i,t Init it was probably earlier. His name 
is not mentioned in the town records after 174S, nor was any money raised for the support of 
preaching liy the town. In Janurry, 1751, Jonathan Lovewell was at length cho.sen a connnittee to 
hire preaching, and in March, 1751, it was voted that the preaching should then again 1)C held at the 
new meeting howse, formerly occupied by Mr. Bird. 

How .strong was the feeling about the settlement of Mr. Bird, and how l)itter the ho.stilit}' 
between his friends and his opponents, we may judge from sundry remarks contained in a petition of 
the inhabitants of Fine Hill to be set off to Hollis. The petition was dated June, 1763. "Soon after 

♦Original papers in the ofiice of .Secretary of .State, at Concord. Province Papers, Dunstable, 
ti N. H. Hist. Coll., 150. 



///SrORV OF XAS//f'A, N. 11. 45 

Dunslabk- was incorporated," says Uie petition, "theyi;()t into parties about the settlement of Mr. 
liird. Kach courted Pine Hill's assistance, promising to vote them off to Hollis as .soon as the matter 
was settled. And s(j Pine Hill was fed with sugar plums for a number of years, till at length 
Dunstable cast off the mask and now appears in their true colours." After alluding to the objections 
raised by Dunstable, they add: — "Their apprehension must arise from some other quarter. They 
wi.sh to keep us as a whip for one party or the other to drive out every mhtisler that conies there, for they 
arc ahvaj's divided 7cith respect to these things.'"* 

It is not difficult to see, that, when the sentiment of dismemberment of the old township opened 
the door, dissatisfaction improved the opportunity to walk in beside it. Reasons were easily fountl. 
The distance to the meeting-house seemed greater than e\-er before; the burdens of maintaining the 
ministry grew with each year; other portions of the town were far better acconnnodated ; the 
orthodoxy of the minister was not beyond question. What now appeared grievances in the light in 
which lhe\- saw them, heretofore were but the murmurings of pride or selfishness devoutly suppressed 
by the " love of thy neighbor as thyself." The unaniniit\- that formerly characterized their action in 
spiritual matters was absent in the .settlement of Rev. Mr. Bird. The Pine Hill controversv is fully 
set forth in the follnwing: — 

"DISINTEGRATION." 

"The legislative dismemberment and mutilations of the body politic of the town of Dunstalile 
l)egan in 1722, when its northeast extremity was cut off to fill up a corner of the town of Tondonderry. 
The next, in 1731, when a small slice of about eighty acres was taken from near its southwest corner 
to piece out a side of Tow-nsend. In the year 1732 all the remainder of the old town, on the east side 
of the Merrimack, extending from the north end of I^itchfield to Chelmsford, was incorporated into a 
new town called Nottingham. In the year 1734, the north part of the then new town of Nottingham 
and a part of the present town at the Merrimack, south of the Souhegan, at the junction of that river 
with the Merrimack, were incorporated into the present town of Litchfield. 

"In 1739 that part of Dunstable Ij'ing west of the present east line of Ilollis and the Nashua 
river was incorporated as a parish, known by the name of the West Parish of Dunstable. 

"The incorporation of West Dunstable was the last legislative act of the (General Court of 
Massachusetts affecting that part of the old town now in New Hampshire. 

" The boundaries of the towns into which the pari.sh of West Dunstable was divided do not ai)pear 
to have been satisfactory to any part of its early settlers. The boundary line between Hollis and the 
new town of Dunstable, as established along Flint's brook and pond, and Muddy brook, soon became 
the occasion of a long, persi.stent and bitter controversy. The story of this controversy may be best 
told by extracts from the original documents relating to it still to lie found in the office of the Secretary 
of State at Concord. Before, and at the time of tlie.se acts of incorporation into towns, there was a 
settlement of very worthy people, consisting of about fifteen families, near the east side of West Dun- 
stable, and east of the new town line, known as 'One Pine Hill.' This settlement had coustituted au 
important part of the religious society of West I3unstable. The settlers there had aided in the settle- 
ment and support of Mr. Emerson, in tlie building of the new meeting house, in fixing the site of it 
and their Inirial ground, and in the la\ing out and making the public roads. In this settlement, 
among other worthy citizens, were William Cummings and Thomas Patch, two of the deacons in the 
church of West Dunstable ; also the brothers, David and Samuel Plobart, the first di.stinguished for his 
gallantry as a colonel of a New Hampshire regiment at the battle of Bennington, and the latter as the 
first register of deeds of the county of Hillsborough, and a niendjer of the New IIami>.shire Committee 
of Safety in the war of the Revolution. Much to their vexation and disappointment, and also to the 
chagrin of the people in Hollis, these settlers on One Pine Hill found themselves on the wrong side of 
the town line and cut off from their former civil, social and church relations with the settlers of West 
I)unstal)le. The only meeting hou.se in Dunstable, originally built for the accommodation of .settlers 
south of the new jiroN'ince line, as well as of those north of it, was from seven to eight miles distant 
from the settlers on One Pine Hill, while that in Hollis was less than half that di.stance. What was a 
matter t<v them of still more inqjortance, the religious society in Hollis was well united with their 

*I)uiislal)K- Papers, ill ollice of Secretary of .State, Coucord. 



46 



HISTORY OF XASHi'A, N. H. 



popular and acceptable minister, whose orthodoxy was without taint, while the society in Dunstable 
was distracted with bitter, chronic dissensions, niainh- on account of the alleged heres}- of their 
pastor, the Rev. William Bird, who was charged with being a New Light and follower of Rev. George 
Whitefield. 

"In these troubles of their neighbors, and late fellow parishioners, the sympathies of the people of 
Mollis were strongly with the settlers at One Pine Hill. The first reference we find in this matter in 
the HoUis records is in the proceedings of a town meeting, Oct. 26, 1747, at which the town 'Voted to 
request of Dunstable the People of One Pine Hill with their Lands to be .set off to Hollis, and chose 
Capt. Peter Powers, Thomas Dinsmoreand Samuel Cummings to assist in that affair, and Rais Bounds 
between the Towns.' This request of the people of Hollis was not hospitably entertained by their 
neighbors of Dunstable. 

"No further reference to this subject is to be found in the Hollis records till the annual town 
meeting in 1756, when the town 'Voted to joyn with the One Pine Hill People, so called, to get them 
set off from Dun.stable to be annexed to Holies.' Again, in 1759, the town 'voted ^50 O. T. for the 
assistance of the People on the westerly side of Dunstable in their Petition to be annexed to Holies ;' 
and lastly, at the March Meeting in 1764, 'Voted to give the People of One Pine Hill, so called, 
/'200 O. T. towards expenses in Getting off from Dunstable.' 

"We again recur to the documents already referred to, pertaining to this controversy, to be found 
at Concord. It will l_)e seen from these papers that the people of One Pine Hill, aided more or less by 
their allies in Hollis, were in almost constant rebellion against the ecclesiastical and civil authorities 
of their own town, for it appears from the town records of Dunstable, that the settlers on One Pine 
Hill, very .soon after they found themselves, against their wi.shes, inhabitants of that town, jietitioned 
the people of Dunstal.)le for their consent to be set off to Hollis. This petition on the part of the 
people of One Pine Hill was refused by the Dunstable town meetings. 

"The oldest of the documents above referred to, as found in the office of the Secretary of State at 
Concord, is a petition to the Governor and Council in the spring of 1756, signed by fifteen of the 
settlers on the west side of Dunstable, and the selectmen of Hollis. In this petition these signers 
from Dunstable say to the Go\-ernor and Council : 

" 'That your Petitioners li\'e in the west side of Dunstable and so far from the Meeting-House, 
that it is almost impossible for us to attend the Publick Worship of God there, for some of us live 
7>2 miles and the nearest 5^2 miles from the Meeting-House, so that we Can't and Don't go to Meet- 
ing there * * * for they have set their Meeting-Hou.se to accommodate them Selves, and seem not 
in the lea.st to regard us only to get our Money. Our difficulties are so exceeding great that make 
us Dispair of ha\-ing any comfortable reviving Gospel Privileges unless we can obtain the aid of your 
Excellency and Honnors. 

" 'Wherefore, your Petitioners pray that your Excellency and Honnors would so far Compas- 
sionate our Circumstances as to Relieve us by setting us with our Land to Holies to which we once 
belonged and helped settel our mini.ster and now go to attend the Publick Worship of God. * * 
The furthest of us from Holies is not more than 3)2 or 4 miles, and the bigest part about 2'2 or 3 miles 
to which we can go with some degree of comfort. We therefore pray * that you would be 

pleased to annex us to Holies with about 2500 acres of Land which wee have described in a Plan, 
which will greatly relieve us, * * and help us to a Comforta1)Ie Injoyment of Gospel Privileges. 
* * And as in dut^• bound, &c. Signed. 



John Willoughbw 
Elnathan Blood, 
John Phelps, 
John Mooar, 
Benjamin Parker, 



Nicholas Youngman, 
Ger.shom Hobart, 
Jonathan Hobart, 
Amos Phillips, 
Samuel Holiart, 



David Holiart, 
Nehemiah Woods, 
William Cumings, 
Joseph Farley, 
Anna Patch, 



Samuel Cumings, 
Samuel Goodhue, 
Enoch Noyes, 



) 



Selectmen of Holies 



///S7'<vn' ()/■' .v.is//r.i. x. //. 47 

" Upon being notified of this petition, the people of Dnnstable proniptlx- met in town meeting and 
"Voted not to set off the land and inhabitants of One Pine Hill to Holies,' and appointed Colonel 
ISIanchard, with two others, a committee to oi)pose the petition. Colonel I51anchard at the time was a 
member of the New Hampshire Council, and made the answer to the petition on the part of Dunstable. 
In this answer he stated that 'About 1736, (9?) the old town of Dunstable was divided into two 
parishes. That what was then Holies & Monson with a part of Dunstable and Merrymac was the 
West parish and contained about 70,000 acres.' That they had an annual tax of 2d. per acre for four 
\ ears on the land of non-residents to build a meeting-house and support a minister, and an after tax 
of about the same amount. More than was needed for it, but they disposed of it all or divided it. 
That in 1741 the Province Line was run leaving -j of the Inhabitants and Estates of the East Parish 
in Massachu.setts. * * 

" ' On examination we find that Plolles * * is about eight miles in length P^ast and West and 
about four and a half miles North and South * * settled at each end. Some time after their 
incorporation Holies set up a Meeting-House with a part of the money we and others paid for that 
use, and sett it about a mile and a half from their East line Regardless of the complaints of the 
Inhabitants on the Westerly jiart, so that many of them are eight miles from their meeting, as they 
nuist tra\'il, much further than any in Dunstable are from our meeting-house. 

" ■ Wee are sencible that this vexatious Petition is stirred up and encouraged by Holies i)nrely to 
prevent Justice to their Western Inhabitants which they foresee will obtain unless they can Cloak it 
by Ruining Dun.stable. 

" ' What genius gave them front to nuitter out this Motley Petition it is Difficult to guess. 

" 'The Pretensions of Holies and the Petrs are totally groundless. Wherefore we j^ray that their 
Petition may be dismissed. 

Signed Joseph Blanchard, 1 

Zaccheus Lovewell, Agts. for Dunstable. ' 
Joseph I'rench, ) 

"I do not find in the records at Concord how- or when the above petition was disposed of. It is 
evident, however, that it was not granted. It was said in the answer of Dunstable to a like petition a 
few years later, that when it was found that Dunstable would answer it, the petitioners were afraid or 
ashamed to appear in its defence. In the fall of 1760 the settlers at One Pine Hill again petitioned 
Dunstable for permission to be set off to Hollis, at this time offering to pa}' to Dunstable /, 1500, O. 
T., for the pri\ilege. A town meeting was called in Dunstable to consider this offer, which was 
promptly rejected, the town voting at the same time 'not to change their Meeting-House Place.' 

" After this last defeat open ho.stilities were suspended till the spring of 1763, when the contest 
was renewed and a second petition presented to the General Court by Colonel Samuel Hobart as 
attorney for the .settlers at One Pine Hill. 

" In this petition Colonel Hobart says that 'about the year i747(?) {1746), a committee of five, 
two of them from Dunstable, was appointed by the Governor, &c., to view the Lands about Merrymac 
River to see in what manner it was Best to Bound them into the Incorporations, * * that this 
Committee went no Farther Westward than the Old Town of Dunstable. That a Committee came 
down from Holies, and desired this Committee to go and view the Situation at Holies and One Pine 
Hill, and urged it hard. But the Committee could not be prevailed on to go any further that wa\', 
( the opi)osition we judge being made bj' Dunstable) . * * vSoon after Dunstable was incorporated 
they got into Partys about Settling Mr. Bird. Each Party Courted Pine Hill's Assistance, promising 
to vote them off to Holies as soon as the matter was settled ; and so Pine Hill was fed with Sugar 
I'/iiiiis for a number of years, till at length Dunstable ca.st off the mask and now ai)pears in their True 
Colors. * * * » 

" ■ I'ndtr the Government of Massachusetts we belong to Holies and helpt Build a large Meeting- 
House and it was set to accommodate us, and helpt settle a minister not in the least Doubting but we 
should always belong there. * * 

" 'We have ever since attended the Public W'onship of God at Holies and paid our Taxes to the 
.Minister toiere. tho. in the meantime we have been called on to pay Ministerial Rates with Dunstable 
in full proportion, except some trifling abatement they made to us to keep us <piiet. We know of no 



48 I/ISrORV OF XASHC.l, .V. //. 

other Real objection that Dunstable has to our going off, but reducing them to too small a numljer to 
maintain the Gospel. But if their Inclination can be judged by their practice it can't be tho't that 
they have an\- inclination to settle a minister * * Dunstable as it lyes now consists of about ico 
Families. * * All we ask to be set off it but about twelve. * * So that their opposition must 
arise from some other quarter to keep us as whips to drive out every minister that comes among them, 
for they are always di^'ided and which side we take must carry the Day. ' 

"The Selectmen of Dunstable, on being notified of this Petition at once called a town meeting 
which voted to continue their defence and appointed a committee of three to answer the petition. 

"This answer begun with the assertion that this 'Complaint of the People of One Pine Hill was 
o-roundless and unreasonable. * * As to Dunstable Meeting-House which Petitioners complain of 
as being at so great a distance from them, it was owing to themselves — for many of them voted to 
have it where it is — and none of them against it. * * That they so acted and voted for fear it might 
be moved to a place more just and equal and so they be prevented from being set off to Holies. * * 
As in Times past so they are now stirred up by some Holies people to bring this petition in order to 
uphold the unjust Proceedings of Holies in setting their meeting-house where it is. * * And now 
Holies are endeavoring to have the south part of Monson annexed to them, and should that be don 
and also the Westerly half of Dunstable then their meeting-house where it now is will be aboute right. 
So could it now be obtained to breake up and ruin two towns it may hereafter be something of a cover 
to hide'the iniquity of Holies and help the private interests of some mercenary persons, but can't 
po.ssibly promote the Public Good nor help the Interest of these Towns. ' 

"The case was argued on both sides, and the evidence and arguments convinced the General 
Court that One Pine Hill with its inhabitants, ought no longer to remain a part of Dunstable. 
Accordingly, on the 13th of December, 1763, an act was passed, entitled, 'An Act Annexing One Pine 
Hill to Holies.' This act was prefaced by a preamble in which it was stated 'That .sundry inhabitants 
of Dunsstable had petitioned the General Assembly, stating that they were more conveniently situated 
to belong to Holies than to Dunstable — that Dunstable is large, rich and able to .spare them — which 
reasons and the arguments and objections having been duly weighed, and it appearing reasonable to 
grant the petition. * * Therefore, be it enacted, &c.' 

"Then follows a description of the part of Dunstable to be annexed to Hollis, in accordance with 
a survey and plan made by vSamuel Cumings, the surveyor for Hollis and now at Concord. In running 
this new east line of the town this sun^ey begun at the pine tree standing on the hill called One Pine 
Hill, thence .south i3'2 degrees we.st, 372 rods to Nashua river. The line was then run ncirtherl)-, 
beginning again at the same pine tree, one mile and 225 rods, thence westerly one mile and 2;-, rods to 
the northeast corner of Hollis as chartered in 1746, thus taking from Dunstable all that part of Hollis 
as it now is, east of Flint's brook and Muddy brook. 

"This once famous pine tree, thus made to mark the Ijoundary of the belligerent towns, and which 
gave its name to One Pine Hill is now no more. It is said to have been a tall, straight pitch pine, 
near a hundred feet high with no other tree of its species near it, standing solitary and alone on the 
sunnnit of the hill. In early times, being conspicuous in all directions for a long distance, it served as 
a beacon to mark a place of rendezvous for backwoodsmen and deer hunters, whose names in scores 
were cut in its bark from its roots many feet upward. 

"Thus at last ended by conquest the war between Dunstable and One Pine Hill and its ever faith- 
ful allies of Hollis, a war which had la.sted, with \aried fortune .nearly twice as long as the siege of 
Troy — more than twice as long as our war of the Revolutinn and, sad to tell, no Homer has yet sung 
its heroes — no Marshall told its history." — [Worcester's Hollis. 

In 1749, the \.o\\w" voted to hire a school for six mouths . " One teacher only was to be employed, 
and the school was to be kept \n four places in different parts of the town, alternately. Soon after this 
the French war commenced, which was very burdensome to the province, and exposed the frontiers to 
Indian attacks, and no other record of any school is found until 1761, when the town raised a small 
sum, "to hire schooling and houses for that end. " This was as the commencement of the difficulties 
with the mother country, and the importance of education began to be more sensibly felt. After this 
time money was raised for this purpose almost every year, but it was not until the Revolu.t^.n that the 
people were fully awakened. In 1772, Jose^Dh Dix was " the Schoolmaster, " and he continued to teach 



H/STORV OF XASHUA, X. H. 



49 



in t<.wn Inr iii;in\- \cars. In 1773 the town was dixided \uUi Jive school tli si rii/s, and scliool houses were 
fust erected. In 1777 each district received its proportion of money from the town, and hired its own 
teachers, which had been formerly done by the town. Females now bes^an occasionally to be employed. 
iMoni this periiid until 1790, about ^,'30, or $100 were raised ainiKa/ly for the support of schools, or 
twenty dollars to each district, h'rom this fact we ma.\- imaL;ine the advantages of education enjoyed 
1)\- our fathers at that period, and compare them with the privileges of children at the present day. 

The bridges over the Nashua have always been a source of much trouble and expense to the 
town. .\t what period, and where the first bridge was erected, can not be ascertained with certainty, 
but there was a bridge over the Nashua not far from the present one at Main street, previous to 1746, 
when the road was surveyed and recorded anew b\- the selectmen in very near its present location. 
In the spring of 1753 it was carried away by a freshet, and rebuilt the same summer at an expense of 
,{,'150. Before 1759 it was in a ruinous condition, and the town petitioned to the general court for 
"libert\' to raise a I.ollcry for re])airing the Bridge, or building a new one." The lottery was not 
granted, but a new bridge was built, part by subscription, and [KirtlN- by the town in 1764. It 
stood "a little above" the old bridge, but below the present. In the spring of 1775 it was again 
carried away by a freshet, but was rebuilt the same season in the same place. 

Between 1752 and 1756,* died John Lovewell, at the great age of one hundred and Iwenly rears, 
IJie oldest person who ever deceased in New Hampshire. He was one of the earliest settlers of 
Dunstable, after Philip's war, but of his history little is known. He came, it is said originally from 
Ivngland about 1660, and .settled .some years before 1690. It is not improbable that he came to this 
town from Weymouth, as a person of the same name, from that town, was in the great Narragansett 
swamj) fight, Dec. 19, 1675, and throughout Philip's war, under the famous Captain Church ; and the 
hand-writing of this person corresponds verj- closely with that of John Lovewell of Dunstable. t He 
is said, according to the tradition in the family, to have been an ensign in the army of Cromwell, and 
lo have left luigland on account of the restoration of Charles II. in 1660. This army of 30,000 men 
was raised in 1653, and Cromwell died in 165S. During the Indian difficulties, alxnit 17(0, it is said 
that he was often spared b}- the Indians in their incursions, because he had been kind to them in time 
of peace. J He is represented as being even then old and white haired, and for such scalps the French 
governor paid no bounty. The cellar of his house maj- still be seen on the north side of Salmon brook, 
just above the bridge, by the road side, and there for a long time, when very much advanced in years, 
he kept a small store. There, too, he had a mill, and his farm reached far to the south of Salmon 
brook. He must have been exceedingly vigorous, for as late as 1745, when more than one hundred 
years old, he was very constant in his attendance upon church, and after 1752 used to chase the boj^s 
out of his orchard with his cane. The children were, i. John, the hero of Pequawkett ; 2. 
Zaccheus, a colonel in the army; 3. Jonathan.*! 

In 1753 the town contained 109 polls, and one female slave. There wqxq four mills in town, anil 
the valuation was /,3795. 

In the fall of 1753 Rev. Benjamin Adams, (a graduate of Harvard college in 1738,) preached 
here for three months, and the greater portion of the time during the next two years. 

December 21, 1753, the town N'oted to build a new meeting-house "at the crotch oi the roads as 
near as can be with convenience near the hou.se where Jonathan Lovewell now dwells." This was the 
tavern stand now (1S46) owned by Jesse Gibson, about two miles below Nashua village, and the 
meeting-house was built upon the little triangular green in front of it. It was finished in 1754, and a 
part of the materials of tlie old meeting-house in the south part of the town, were u.sed in its 
construction. 

*Fariner's i\Ianusc-ript.s. 

tOri,iiinal I'apeis in Mass. Records, 1676, 1725. 

+ N. H. Hist. Coll., 136. Fanner's Historical Catechism, S,S. 

iil''roni a note in Mr. Fox's ni.anuscript. afterwards cros.sed ont by him, lie appears to have entertained doubts as to 
the extreme age of John Lovewell, bnt to have snbseqnently dismissed them. The following is the note referred to: 

" I am inclined to think that his age is somewhat overstated, and that the father and grandfather of Capt. John 
are confounded. In i6gi we find in the records of the town the names of John Lovewell and John Lovewell, Jr. The 
former probably came from Kngland — the latter was in Philip's War, and the person above described." 

This note w-as crossed out, and the following written, in connection with the reference to F'armer's manuscripts. 

" He was certainly alive in 1732, as appears by a deed in which he styles himself 'the original proprietor.' He 
nuist have been aged, however, since he did not write his name as usual, and his mark is faint. " 

It has been thought best to insert both the above notes. 



50 I /IS TOR]- or xAsi/r.A, X. ir. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Church Affairs. Rk\\ Mr. Sjiith. Prote.st. Notice of Colonel Bl-Vnchard. Rev. 
Jo.si.VH Cotton. Ecclesi.\.stic.\l Council. Compromise. Town Meeting ox Points 
OF Doctrine. Rev. Mr. Livermore. Rev. Mr. Fe.ssenden. Rev. Mr. Kidder 
Settled. Notice of Hur. Rev. Mr. Sperrv. Slaves Owned in Town. Customs 

\t FUNER-'^.LS. 

HOWEVER distracted and divided our predecessors may have been in relation to religious 
affairs, we may justly be proud of tliem for their unanimity in patriotism. Exposed for so 
many years to the dangers of a border warfare, every citizen was a soldier. The story of 
Indian atrocities, and French instigation had been handed down from father to son, and 
not a few had shared personally in the conflicts. To hold a commission was then a high honor, 
and an object worthy of any man's ambition, for it was o\\\y bestowed upon those who had given 
proofs of courage and capacity'. Every officer might be called at any moment into actual service. 
The militar>- spirit was fostered as a duty, and New England freedom, which placed in the hand of 
every child 'A. gun as well as a spclliiig-book, made necessarily of every child not less a marksman than 
a scholar. 

September 26, 1757, the town voted, "that some measures be taken to settle the Gospel in this 
town; " and four persons were selected to preach one month each, on probation. Nov. 7 they gave a 
call to Rev. Elias Smith, (a graduate of Harvard in 1753), but dilficulty ensued, and Dec. 16 the 
call was retracted.* It was a custom for those dissati.siied to enter their protest, and as a curiosity 
and a specimen, the following is inserted : 

" We, the subscribers, being freeholders in Dunstable, do for ourselves protest against the choice 
of Mr. Elias Smith for our minister, which they have essa^xd to choose for these reasons : first, 
because we are not of the persuasion lie preaches and indeavors to maintain : we are Presbyterians, 
and do adhere to the Westminister Confession of faith ; and do declare it to be the confession of our 
faith ; and that we are members of the Presbyterian Church in Londonderry — some 18 years — some 15 
years, and have partaken of Baptism, and of the Lord's supper as frequently as we could, they being 
the sealing ordinances, and that we cannot in conscience join in calling or paying Mr. Smith. 
Therefore we plead the libertj- of conscience that we may hear and pay where we can have the benefit. 

John Alld, Jeremiah Colburn." 

There was also a protest of David Hobart and others against his settlement, because, as they say, 
" Mr. Smith's preaching is contrary to our persuasion, and as we judge favors the Armenian scheme, 
which we judge tends to pervert the truths of the Gospel, and darken the counsels of God." 

April 7, 1758, died Colonel Joseph Blanchard, aged 53. He was born Feb. 11, 1704, and his 
grandfather. Deacon John Blanchard, was one of the first settlers of the town. His father. Captain 
Joseph Blanchard, was town clerk, selectman and proprietor's clerk for many years, a very active and 
useful citizen, and died in 1727. On the death of his father, although young, Joseph Blanchard was 
chosen proprietor's clerk, which oihce he held, with a slight inter\-al, during his life, and was 
constantly engaged in town business until his death. In early life he became distinguished as a 
surveyor of land, and was almost constantly employed in that capacity. In conjunction with Rev. Dr. 
Langdon of Portsmouth, he projected a map of New Hampshire, which was published after his 
death, in 1761, and inscribed to "Hon. Charles Townsend, his Majesty's Secretary of War." 

At this period no accurate maps of the State exi.sted, and to prepare one from the then scanty 
materials must have been a work of great magnitude. Surveys were to be made, and information 
collected from every quarter. Most of the labor, of course, fell on Colonel Blanchard. The greater 
part of our territory was then a wilderness, for our whole population scarcely exceeded 50,000, and 
the means of intercommunication were limited and difficult. But settlements were springing up 
rapidly, and the lands were becoming every day more and more valuable, and accurate information 

♦Perhaps the founder of the sect of Cliristiniis. 



ins 7v >A' ) ■ i >/■■ X. IS/// : i , x. //. 



51 



of the localities was inqiortaut. I'luier these circumstances the map was considered of great value, 
and as a token of their estimate of it, Mr. Townsend procured from the University of Glasgow, for 
Mr. Langdon, (Colonel P.lanchard ha\ing deceased), the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.* 

Tpon the dissolution of the connection between New Hampshire and Ma.ssachu.setts in 1741, and 
the accession of Benning Wentworth as governor, Mr. Blanchard received the appointment of 
coun-iellor of .state by mandamus from the Crown. This was an office of great dignity and authority, 
and, ne.Kt to that of governor, was the most honorable and responsible in the colonies in the gift of 
the king. This office he held for a nundier of years, and probably until his death. In 1749, on the 
death of Chief Justice Jaffrey, he was ai)pointed a judge of the superior court of judicature of the 
State, which office he held during life. 

When the old French war broke out in 1755, an expedition was ])lauued against Crown Point. 
New Hampshire raised a regiment of 500 men, and Mr. Blanchard was appointed colonel. Of this 
regiment, the famous /wr«;'<7-.s-, under the command of Rogers and vStark, formed a part. The 
regiment was stationed at Fort Ivdward, and returned home in the autumn of the same year. 

Colonel Blanchard married Rebecca Hubbard, [Hobart?] b\- whom he had twelve children. He 
died in this town and is buried in the Old South Burying Ground; his tombstone bears the following 
inscription: — " The Hon. Joseph Blanchard, Ksqr., deceased April the 7th, 175S, aged 53." 

Nov. 27, 175S, the town voted to give Rev. Jo.siah Cotton a call, and offered 178 milled dollars 
salary. Jan. 29, 1759, they added ^,"5 sterling, making his salary about $2co. The call was 
accepted, — the day of ordination appointed, and the churches invited to attend to assist in the 
services. But a quarrel ensued as usual, — the opposition prevailed, and Mr. Cotton was not 
ordained. Protests were entered at every meeting by the minority, as each party in turn prevailed. 

In 1759, in consequence of the divisions and the bitterness of feeling which e.Kisted, an 
ecclesiastical council was called to settle the difficulties. For many years there had been two churches 
and two meeting-houses, but no minister. After much trouble and effort, a compromise was made 
and an union effected. Mr. Bird's meeting-house was purchased by Jona. Lovewell, removed, and 
converted into a dwelling house, which is now [1S43] occupied by Jesse Bowers, Esq., and the two 
societies again became one. 

As the town at its public meetings settled and paid the minister, so it determined his creed, and 
we find accordingly, the following to us curious record. In 1761 a town meeting was called 
expressl}- " to see what doctrines the town would support ;" and it was voted, " that the Doctrines 
contained in the New England Confession of P'aith are the standing doctrines to be defended by 
this Town." 

July 19, 1762, an invitation was given to Mr. Jonathan Livermore to settle here. He was to 
receive ^100 for a settlement, and /^4o .sterling per annum salary, " if he will fulfil the duties of a 
Gospel minister agreeably to the Congregational persuasion, according to Cambridge Platform, and 
New England Confession of Faith." This proiu' so was adopted by a party vote, and was a renewal of 
the old sectarian difficulties of past years. Mr. Livermore would not accept and afterward settled in 
Wilton. 

During the next two years various preachers were heard, but not to general satisfaction. 
.Mtlxuigh nominally united there was still a variance at heart, and no attempt was made to settle a 
minister until August, 1764. A call was then given to Mr. Thomas Fessenden, (a graduate of 
Harvard college in 1750), and an offer of /,ioo settlement, and /,5o sterling salary. Against this call 
'///rr separate protests were entered by persons styling themselves " /brsptrtirioiisX or Presbyterians, 
because this mode of settlement was " contrary to the fundamental doctrines of Christianity," and 
"of our persuasion." Mr. F'essenden accei)ted the call, but such was the spirit of discord that he 
was never ordained. He left town very soon after for he commenced a suit at law against the town 
for the recovery of his salar>- before Ma\', 1765, and recovered judgment. 

P'or nearly twenty years the town had been without a settled minister. .Sept. 12, 1766, they gave 
a call to Mr. Joseph Kidder, (a graduate of Yale college in 1764), and offered him /,'i32 ds. Sd. [about 
$450] for a settlement, and a salary of ,^53 6s. Sfl'. lawful money, [or about S180]. Mr. Kidder 
accepted the imitation, and, more lortunate than his ])redecessors, succeeded in Iieing ordained March 

*i Ik-lknap. 312. 



52 



n/STOKY OF x.is/n\i, X. H. 



i8, 1767. After many years old difficulties revi^•ed and new ones arose. Parties were again formed, 
and in 1796, by a reference of all dispntes to a committee mutually chosen, the civil connection 
between Mr. Kidder and the town ceased. He was the last minister over the town. He continued 
his relation to the church, however, as before, and preached to his society- until his death, Sept. 6, 
1818. Nov. 3, 1813, Rev. Ebenezer P. Sperry was ordained as his colleague but was dismissed in 
April, 1819.* 

A picture of Dunstable as it was before the Revolution, and of the manners and customs, opinions 
and feelings, doings and sayings of the inhabitants, would be highh' interesting. To sketch such a 
picture would require the hand of a master, as well as materials, which can now hardly be obtained. 
A few facts and anecdotes must serve instead. 

Slavery was then considered neither illegal or immoral. .Several slaves were owned in this town ; 
one by Paul Clogstone. vShe was married to a free black named Castor Dickinson, and had several 
children born here, but before the Revolution he purchased the freedom of his wife and children. 
Slavery in New Hampshire was abolished by the Revolution. 

In those days it was customar}- to drink at all meetings, whether of joy or of sorrow. The idea 
which was long after in vogue — " to keep the spirits up, by pouring spirits down" — seems to have 
been then universally prevalent. Even at funerals it was observed, and in the eyes of man}- it was 
quite as important as the prayer. The mourners and frie'.uls formed themselves in a line, and an 
attendant, with a jug and glass, passed around and dealt out to each his or her portion of tlie .spirit ; 
and the due ob.servance of this ceremony was verj- rarely omitted. It is said that sometimes "one 
more thirsty than the rest," after having received one "portion," would slyly fall back from the line, 
under .some pretext or other, and re-appear in a lower place, in season to receive a second portion A' 

*Mr. Sperry is now [1843] or was recently Chaplain of the House of Correction, at South Boston. 
tThis is stated on the authority of Mrs. Kidder, wife of Rev. Mr. Kidder, an e\-e witness. 



JIISTURY Ol- XASllUA, N. 11. 53 

CHAPTER IX. 
Sackii-ici;s Madk i'ok Indkpkxdkxce. Coxvkxtiox kor Statk Coxstitutiox. Kki'ke- 

SKXTATIVKS. CoXVKXTIOX To AdOI'T CoXSTITUTIOX OK UxiTED SXATKS. DiKFKKEXT 

Opixioxs. \'ote ok the Town Acaixst it. Notice ok Hon. Jonathan Blanchard,— 
OK Ji'DGE Joxatiian I,( )\i:\vi:i,i,. 

WE CAN form 1nit a lamt iik-a ol llie sacrifices which were made for iiulependeiice. 
Beside perilling life in battle and submitting to privations of every description, so 
large a proportion of the able-bodied population were in the army that the fields were 
often left nntilled. Yet they gave both time and treasure to their country, without 
measure and without a nuirmur. "Our efforts are great," Mr. Adams said in 1780, " and we give this 
campaign more than half our property to defend the other. He who stays at home can not earn enough 
to pay him who takes the field."* The amount annually expended by the town during the war was 
se\-eral thousand dollars; — a heavy burden upon a po])ulation numbering in 1775 only 705. Yet 
this small number had diminished in 1783 to 578, showing a decrease of 127, or 18 per cent.; a fact 
which proves better than pages of description the amount of the exertions which were put forth and 
the sacrifices which were made, and the consequent paralysis of the energies and pi-osjjerit},- of the 
connnunity. 

In 17S1 another convention was holden at Concord for the purpose of forming a state constitution, 
and Jonathan Lovewell, Es(j., was chosen a delegate. But the same jealousy continued to exi.st as 
heretofore and the new constitution, which was our present one with slight modifications, was rejected 
by the town " unanimously." In December, 1782, Jonathan Blanchard, lisq., was chosen representa- 
li\e, antl it was again voted " not to receive the Rill of Rights and Plan of Government " as adopted, 
and the town chose Capt. Benjamin French, Joseph Whiting, Jonathan I^ovewell, Esq., and Col. Noah 
lyOvewell, a committee to state the reasons of rejection. 

March, 17S4, Capt. Benjamin French was chosen representative. 

March 6, 1786, Col. Noah Eovewell was chosen representative, and the town voted that "the 
selectmen with Jona. Blanchard, Esqr., Jonathan Eovewell, lis([r., Mr. Joseph Whiting and Deacon 
William Hunt be a committee lo ifivc instrttdious to f/ic Ripirsiii/atrM's." In 1787 the same proceedings 
were renewed. 

January 10, 1788, Deacon William Hunt was chosen a delegate to the convention, which met at 
IC.xeter in F'ebruary of the same year, to consider of and ado])t the constitutiini of the United States, 
which had recently been formed and sent out for the approval of the people. Throughout the country 
as well as in the convention which formed it, there was a great diversity of opinion respecting it and 
nuich opposition. It contained no bill of rights as it now does; as its opposers thought no limitation 
of powers. The states had long been sovereign and independent democracies and hesitated to gi\'e U]) 
any of their rights. The confederation had been inefficient from the want of central authority. 

Thus while .some belie\-ed that the constitution vested too nuich power in the General Government, 
which would eventually swallow up the several states, others feared that it possessed too little power 
to protect itself from the encroachments of the states ; and would soon share the fate of the old 
confederacy. There was danger on both sides : on the one side anarchy — on the other usurpation . It 
was an untried experiment and every little connnunity was divided. It was discussed in town meeting 
and the town voted " not to accept said Constitution," and chose a committee of nine to gi\'e their 
delegates instruction to o]ipo.se its adoption by the convention. This committee reported a list of 
objections, which were adopted by the town and forwarded to the convention. The Constitution, 
however, was adopted. It was a medium and a compromi.se, between the doubts of conflicting parties 
and the fears of l)oth have hapi)il\' proved vain. 

July 16, 1788, died Hon. Jonathan Blanchard, aged 50 years. He was the son of Col. Jo.sejih 
Blanchard, and was born .September 18, 1738. He had not the advantage of a collegiate education, 
but was earl\- initiated b\- his father into the active business of life. After the death of his father, 

*Mrs. .\dauis'.s Letters, 152. 



54 



rnsT(yj)' of x.isi/r.i, x. ii. 



which occurred in his 20th year, he was called upon to fill his place as proprietors' clerk and surveyor 
and was soon deeply engaged in the management of town affairs and other public business. 

When the events which preceded the revolution occurred, the people of New Hampshire were 
amono- the first to resist the usurpations of the Crown. When in 1685 Cranfield forbade the ministers 
to preach unless they would administer the communion to all who requested it in the Episcopal form, 
they refused obedience, denounced him from the pulpit and went to prison rather than yield. When 
the governor at a later day, levied a tax upon the lands of the people for his private advantage, the 
women resisted the collection and drove his officers from their houses with water, scalding hot. The 
''broad R," cut by some "prowling official," upon their choicest trees, thus devoting them to the 
Royal Navy without redress or compensation was a continued eye-sore. 

Early in 1775 the legislature of New Hampshire, first of all the states and evidently anticipating 
independence, sent a request to the Continental Congress, which met at Philadelphia, May 10, 1775, 
to advise them as to the organization of an independent government. Agreeably to their recommen- 
dation, given with much hesitation,* a convention met at Exeter and adopted a constitution, bearing 
date January 5, 1776. It was the earliest adopted by any colony, and was violenth' opposed by the 
more timid as a virtual declaration of independence. t It provided, as has before been mentioned, 
for a house of delegates and a council of twelve to be elected annually by the people and which were 
similar to our senate and house of representatives. No provision was made for a go\'ernor and the 
whole executive as well as legislative authority was placed in these two bodies. Of this council, 
Jonathan Blanchard was chosen a member in 1776, and continued such for three years. No better 
testimony to his worth could be given than the bestowal of such an office at such a period. 

In October, 1776, General Blanchard was sent by the legislature to recruit our regiments, which 
had been wasted by sickness, suffering and defeat at Ticonderoga. In 1777 he was appointed attorne}' 
general of the state, in conjunction with Col. Nathaniel Peabody and is said " to have discharged 
his duties in a manner satisfactory to the Government and advantageous to the people."! Januar}' 6, 
1778, he was appointed a member of the " Committee of Safety " for the state, an office of unlimited 
responsibility and power and which he held for a long period. § 

He was a delegate from this state in conjunction with Colonel Peabod}-, to the convention which 
met at New Haven, January, 1778, " to regulate prices," enforce the recommendations of Congress 
and relieve the distress of the people ; and he prepared a report to our legislature accordingly. || In 
17S4, soon after the adoption of our state constitution. General Blanchard was appointed Jxdge of 
Probate for the County of Hillsborough, an office which he held nearly or quite up to the time of 
his death. 

In 1787, during the confederation of the states, he was elected a delegate from the state to the 
Continental Congress. They were chosen annually, and whether he was again elected and died in 
office is uncertain.** Soon after the death of his father he was appointed agent by the Masonian 
proprietors to manage and dispose of all the unsettled lands within the state of New Hampshire. The 
territory of this state had been granted originally to Robert Mason, but after many years, finding that 
it yielded very little income and caused him much trouble he disposed of the land as far as it remained 
in his possession to a company of individuals who were called the Masonian proprietors. As their 
agent. General Blanchard conveyed most of the lands within the state, and this circum.stance caused 
that many of the original proprietors of a ver\' large number of towns resided here, and from this 
town were drawn many of their finst settlers. 

General Blanchard died in this town and is buried in the Old South l.)urying ground. He married 
Rebecca Farwell, who died August 20, iSii, and left fve children, one only of whom is now 
living. [1843]. 

In 1790, the population of the town was 632. 

*Mrs. Adams's Letters, 85. 2 Gordon's History, 150. 

ti Belknap. 

t3 Farmer's and Moore's Ilisl. Coll., 5. 

§2 N. H. Hist. Coll., 39. 

II3 Farmer's and Moore's Hist. Coll., 5. 

■ "I Belknap, 416. 



///.v /v )A' ) ■ ()/•" .WIS///: I. x. //. -- 

In i7yj (liud Joiuillian I,c,\e\\x-ll. Ivsq., aged 79. He was a l)n)llier of Ca])laiii Lovewell, "The 
Indian I'ii^hter, " and of Col. Zaccheiis IvOvewell, and was born in this town, May 14, 171-,. Karly in 
life he tnok an active part in town affairs, and became one of the proprietors of "conunon lands" in 
the township of Dunstable. For many years he was proprietors' clerk, and a magistrate under the 
crown. About the year 1746, under the preaching of Rev. Mr. Kirk, he became a convert to the 
doctrine of the " New Lights, " as the followers of Whitefield were then called, and soon after became 
a preacher. This probably, however, was of short duration, as he never left town, and in 1755, he 
was commis.sary of the New Hampshire regiment, .sent out against Crown Point, under the command 
of Col. Joseph Rlanchard. A gun taken from the French during that camjiaign, and brought home 
by him, is still in possession of the family. 

In the earliest stages of the Revolution, Mr. Lovewell was an ardent and efficient friend of liberty. 
In April, 1774, he was chosen agent of the town to petition the general court for leave to send a 
representative, a privilege which they had not hitherto enjoyed. In September, 1776, he was chosen 
a delegate to represent the town in the convention holden at Exeter, for the purpose of sending a 
delegate to the first continental congress, to be holden soon after at Philadelphia. These were the 
first steps towards independence. 

January 9, 1775, Mr. Lovewell was chosen a member of the " Committee of Inspection" for the 
town, to see that none of the inhabitants purchased or used British goods. February, 1776, he was 
chosen a member of the " Coiiunitlcc of Safety "" for that town, a situation of no little trust, and 
continued a member of almost every such revolutionary committee during the war. These com- 
mittees were of the highest utility in diffusing information, and in exciting and concentiating the 
efforts of the patriotic, and demanded men of great energy and decision. June 20, 1777, he was chosen 
a member of the '" Committee of Safely" for the state, and served in that capacity until January 5, 
1779, about which period the necessity for the exercise of their functions in a great measure ceased. 

April, 177.'";, he was chosen a member of the committee to ''assist'' the delegates from this town 
in the convention for framing a constitution for the state. In 1781, he was chosen a member of the 
conmiittee which formed our present State Constitution. After its adoption he was appointed a Judge 
of the court of common pleas for this County, which office he held for several years. He li\ed and 
died unmarried. 



56 



insroKV OF xashi'a, x. //. 



CHAPTER X. 



First Stage Coach. Boating on the Merrimack. Population in iSoo. Canal Boat 
Launched. Oration. Name of Nashua. Description of the Village. Po.st 
Office. Middlesex Canal. Gradual Increase. Dunstable Plains. Changes in 
Main Street. New Meeting-House Built. Rev. Mr. Sperry Ordained. Dams 
Across Nashua River. Census. Manufactures Contemplated. First Views. 
Nashua Manufacturing Company. Their Works. Boating Canal. Indian Head 
Company. Meeting-House on Olive Street I{rected. Hlstory of the Two 
Congregational Societies. New Bridge. Taylor's Falls Bridge. Unitarian 
Church. State of Nashua Manufacturing Company. Jackson Company. News- 
papers. Fir.st Baptist Church. Methodist Churches. Growth of the Village. 
Railroads. Bank. Steamboat. Univer.salist Church. Population. Second 
Baptlst Church. Name of the Town Changed. Freewill Baptist Church. 
First Christian Society. Protestant Episcopal Church. Machine Shop. Manu- 
facturing and Mi.'chanics' Association. Iron Foundry. Factory at Salmon 
Brook. Vote to Erect a Town House. Town of Nashville Organized. 
Contrast of the Past and Present. 



F 



■^ OR a number of years little occurred in the history of the town which would he of general 
interest. It was slowlv recovering from the effects of the war and its exhausting sacrifices. 
About 1795 the first stage coach was put upon this road and was an occasion of great public 
interest. It was a two horse covered vehicle, owned and driven b}- Mr. Joseph Wheat, and 
ran from Andierst to lioston and back again once a week. It stopped at Billerica over night, making 
the trip both ways in about four days. They had not then learned the advantages of changing 
horses, and the same team performed all the journey. People came from a distance of several miles 
to look at "///(• sfcigi', " and gazed upon it with the same feeling of wonder that they now do upon a 
locomotive engine. [1843]. 

About this time the locks and canal around Pawtucket falls were Ijuilt, and boa/iiii;; ujion the 
Merrimack began. At this time there were no dwellings where our village now stands, and but one 
or two at the Harbor. 

In 1800 the population of Dunstable had increased to S62. In the sjjring of 1803 a canal doa / \va.s 
Iniilt in the village by Robert Fletcher, Esq. It was a singular structure, having .sides five or six 
feet in height all around it, and doors, and was looked upon as a "wonder." It was the first canal 
boat ever built in this vicinity for the regular transportation of goods, and the fact was considered of 
as much importance to the infant \-inage as the opening of a railroad at the present day. It was 
launched on the Fourth of July, which was celebrated by a public meeting, and an oration b}- Daniel 
Abbot, Esq.* There was a great gathering of the people, and great rejoicing. Already was it a 
place of some trade, and the more sanguine .saw, in imagination, its trade and population doubled or 
even trebled. The landing was on the Merrimack near the mouth of the Nashua, and a store was there 
erected. The boat was christened "the Nashua," with much parade, and the village which had 
until then been called ''Indian /had." received the name of Nashua Village. t That ma>- lie 
considered the birlh-day of .Xasliiia, and forms an imjiortant epoch in its history. 

Let us endeavor to picture to ourselves Nashua \-illage as it appeared July 4th, 1803. A large, 
one story dwelling house stood on the site of the Indian Head Coffee House, and was kept as a 
tavern by Timothy Taylor, Esq. A large, one story store, owned and conducted b\' Robert Fletcher, 

*This oration was printed. 

tThis hame is found iu Winthrop's Journal, both in its present usual orthography and in other forms, as applied 
to an early settlement on the Nashua river, now Lancaster, Massachusetts. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, X. //. 57 

who resided in Amherst, stood wliere Keiidrick & Tuttle's store now (1S46) stands. Abbot and 
Fox's offiee was a dwelliiiij house occupied by "uncle" John Lund, his brother and sisters. A 
dwelling house, three stories in front and two in rear, had just been erected by Mr. Fletcher, but 
was then unfinished. It stood on the north-east corner of Main and p-ranklin streets, opposite the 
Baptist meeting-house, and here upon a temporary platform the oration was delivered. The Amherst 
and Concord roads with Main street, and a road down the northern bank of the Nashua to the boating 
house and ferries were all the highways then existing. 

At the Harbor the dwelling house of Gen. Noah Lovewell, now occupied by Hon. Jesse Bowers, 
with two other small houses on the south side of Salmon brook, were the only buildings. As the 
greater part of the inhabitants lived west and south of this, the meeting house was built on the little 
triangle in front of Silas Gibson's house. Here was the largest village in town, a tavern, ,store, 
shops and dwellings, and here resided the physician and lawyer, (Mr. Abbot.) But in September, 
1803, the " Old Tontine, " the long, low building at the head of Main street, in Nashville, was built, 
and soon after occupied by Mr. Abbot, (who removed here Dec. i, 1803;) Dr. Ellas Maynard, 
physician ; Dea. James Patterson, bookbinder, and a Mr. Clements, saddler. There was no dam 
across the Nashua, and its waters flowed far down its natural channel over its rocky bed. The 
" pi/gn'nis" who then settled here must have seen some light from the future breaking through the 
surrounding darkness, for there was not a building between Salmon brook and Nashua river, and a 
broad, unfenced, desolate, white-pine forest spread in every direction beyond. 

In 1803 a postoffice was first established in town, and General Noah Lo\-e\vcll ai)i)ointed 
])ostmaster. Previously letters for this town were received from the postoffice at Tyngsborough.* 

In 1804 a further impulse was given to the growth and business of the village by the com])letion 
and opening of the Middlesex canal. This opened a direct channel of communication with Boston, 
and rendered the place, as the head of navigation, one of considerable trade. Hitherto the principal 
markets of this region had been Haverhill and Newburyport. 

From this period the growth of the settlement was gradual but constant. The wliok- jjlain, upon 
which the village .stands, was covered with its nati\'e growth of pines, and was considered generally 
of but very little value. " Dunstable Plains " were often the subject of much merriment, and seemed to 
some the embodiment of the idea of poverty of soil. It is said that some wicked wag in our legislature 
once undertook to disparage our soil, declaring that "it would not support one chipping squirrel to the 
acre;" but this, as well as the story that a grasshopper was once seen perched upon the top of a dry 
nuillen stalk, with tears rolling down his cheeks looking in vain to discover one .stalk of green grass," 
is a grieveous slander, and a device of the enemy. 

The soil of our plains was, indeed, naturally saudy and barren and of little value for culli\ation 
when other and more desirable locations for tillage were scattered all around. From this circum- 
stance we ma)- believe the .statement to be quite credible that the rise of Main street from the bridge 
over Nashua river, to the present (1843) place of Messrs. Kendrick & Tuttle's store in Nashville, was 
" the -u'oisl hill between Amherst and Boston." We must remember, however, that a great change has 
taken place in its appearance and situation. The present bridge is raised some twenty or twenty-five 
feet above the old one, the water under the present bridge being not the natural stream, but a pond 

In 1648, "Others of the same town (Watertown) began also a plantation at Nashaway, some 15 miles N. \V. from 

SudViury. 

In 1644, " Many of \Vaterto\vn and other towns joined in the plantation of Nashaway, " S:c. — Winlhrop's Journal 
vol. ii., pages 152, 161. 

In a note in the passage last quoted, the editor, Hon. James Savage, .says : — "From our Col. Rec. ii., 57, I find 
' the petition of Mr. Nathaniel Norcross, Robert Chide, Stephen Day, John Fisher and others for a plantation at 
Nashawake is granted, provided that there shall be no more land allotted to the town, or particular men, 
(notwithstanding their purchase of land of the Indians,) than the General Court shall allow.' " 

In the following entries by Winthrop, in 1648, the name appears to have been spelt as usual at present: 

" This year a new way was found out to Connecticut, by Nashua, which avoided much of the hilly way." 

"The magistrates being informed at a court of assistants that four or five Indians who lived upon the spoil of 
their neighbours, had murdered some Indians of Nipnett, who were subject to this government, and robbt-d their 
wigwam, sent twenty men to Nashua, to enquire the truth of the matter." Journal, vol. ii., page 325. 

In t'r*^ Appendix to the same volume, page 394, the editor gives the former name of Lancaster as Nashoway. 

*See history of the postofTice in .\ppeudix. 



58 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

occasioned by the dam below at Indian Head, and many feet in depth. While the bridge has been 
raised many feet and the road filled in accordingly, the slope of the hill on either side of the river has 
been cut down and graded, so that the ascent now, in either direction, is comparatively slight. 

In 1812, the old meeting house, which stood in the little square in front of the Gibson tavern, 
and which had been standing there more than sixt}^ years, had become too old and dilapidated to 
answer the purposes of its erection. A new and more costly house was built accordingly, nearly half 
a mile northerly of the old one. This is the one now called "the Old South," and was dedicated 
November 4, 1S12, upon which occasion the sermon was preached b}' Rev. Humphrey Moore of 
Milford.* 

November 3, 1S13, Rev. Ebenezer P. Sperry was ordained as the colleague of Rev. Mr. Kidder. 
He remained in Dunstable until April, 1S19, when he was dismissed, and has been Chaplain of the 
House of Correction, at South Boston. During his ministr}-, September 6, 1S18, Rev. Mr. Kidder 
died, aged 77, on which occasion a discourse was delivered by Rev. H. Moore. t 

About 18 1 7 a dam was thrown across Na.shua river a few rods above Main street ; a grist mill 
erected at one end of it by Dea. James Patterson, and a saw mill at the other by Willard Marshall. 
Some time after, another dam was built near the spot where the present dam of the Jackson Compan}* 
stands and a mill erected. At this time the village had increased so much that it contained about a 
dozen or twenty houses, and being a central thoroughfare had become a place of considerable business. 
The population of the town was 1,142. 

In 1820 when the census was taken there were returned from Dunstable; — one meeting-house, 
nine school districts and school houses, six taverns, five stores, three saw mills, three grist mills, 
one clothing mill, one carding machine, two bark mills, three tanneries. 

Soon after 1820 public attention began to be turned towards manufactures. Many years 
previously Judge Tyng of Tyngsborough, in a conversation with George Sullivan, predicted that the 
valley of the Merrimack would be a great manufacturing region, and he pointed out the locations at 
Lowell, at Nashua and at Amoskeag.+ 

It was considered a visionary idea, but what was then prophecy is now lii.story. The erection of 
mills at Lowell awakened the minds of enterprising men and capitali.sts to the manufacturing advan- 
tages of other places. The leading citizens of the town seem to have been peculiarly far-sighted, 
public spirited and energetic, aiul the manufacturing capacities of Nashua river did not escape their 
notice. 

The idea which first suggested itself was that of Iniilding mills at Mine falls ; the water power 
was great and a saw mill had been erected there at a very early period, probably before 1700. It was 
not, however, for some time that the idea occurred to them of erecting the mills upon their present 
location and liuilding up a \-illage here by bringing the water from Mine falls by means of a canal. 
It was a great undertaking and of doubtful result, Imt a surve>- was made and its practicability 
ascertained. 

The few indi\-iduals who had conceived the idea, formed an association and in 1S22 and 1S23 
purchased the greater portion of the land in and around the village and up to the falls. In June, 
1823, a charter was granted to Daniel Abbot, Moses Tyler, Joseph Greeley and others, by the name of 
the " Nashua Manufacturing Companj^" with a right to increase their capital to one niillion dollars. 
The capital stock was at first fixed by them at $300,000: and was divided into three hundred shares of 
$1,000 each. Of these Daniel Webster took sixty shares; Daniel Abbot thirty .shares ; J., E. & A. 
Greeley thirty shares ; Augustus Peabody seventy-five shares ; Benj. F. French thirty shares ; P'oster 
& Kendrick thirty shares ; John Kendrick fifteen shares ; Moses Tyler thirty shares. 

In 1S24 a considerable portion of the stock was disposed of to capitalists and the works were 
commenced. The dam at Mine falls was built and the excavation of the canal began under the 
superintendence of Col. James F. Baldwin. This canal, which supplies the water for the factories of 
the Nashua Manufacturing Company, is about three miles in length, sixty feet wide and six feet deep, 

*This sermon was printed. 

tTliis discourse was also published, and appended to it is a short sketch of the Ecclesiastical Iiistory of the town, 
drawn up by Rev. Mr. .Sperry. 

fMy authority for this statement is his grand-daughter, Mrs. Brinley. 



HISTORY (U' X.lS//r-,l. X. If. 5g 

;uiil alTcirds a head and fall of alHUil lliiit\-Uiix-e fu'ct. Ira Gay, ICsci-, was also engaged as machinist, 
and Ciil. William Boardman as whcelw righl and engineer, and llie first factory was commenced. 
DLcemher 25, 1S24, the machine sliop was completed and went into operation. The works advanced. 
Mill Xo. I of the Nashua Corporation was erected and went into partial operation in December, 1S25. 
and into full operation in 1826. 

In December, 1824, a charter was obtained by the Nashua Manufacturing Company for the 
jnirpose of building " a canal with the necessary dams and locks" to connect the Nashua with the 
Merrimack. They were built in 1825, and opened for the transportation of goods in the spring of 1826. 
The lower dam acro.ss the Nashua was built at this time. The locks were of solid .stone, twenty-four 
feet high ; each lift being ten feet wide and eighty-two feet long. They were built under the superin- 
tendence of Colonel Baldwin and cost S2o,ooo. The canal dam co.st a further sum of ?io,ooo. This 
canal was of very great advantage to the rising village, which was now becoming the centre of 
business for the neighboring towns by affording such increased facilities for the transportation of goods 
and produce, and its beneficial effects were soon sensibly felt in the increase of trade and enterprise. 

In May, 1825, a portion of the lower water privilege, now occupied by the Jackson company, was 
.sold by the Nashua Manufacturing company to Charles C. Haven and others, who were incorporated 
by the name of the "Indian Head company," for the purpose of erecting woolen factories. Their 
works were commenced immediateh- aiul went into operation in 1826 under the agency of Mr. Haven. 

In the fall of 1824 and spring of 1S25 fifty new tenements or more had been erected and all was 
bu.stle and prosperity. In 1825 a new bridge was built over the Nashua river in Main .street in 
consequence of the raising of the water by the dam at Indian Head. Lots of land were selling at the 
rate of " about $1,000 per acre," according to the report of the directors for that year. 

In 1826 a charter was granted to several indi\'iduaLs by the name of the " Projirietors of Taylor's 
Falls bridge," for the purpose of building a bridge across the Merrimack. At this time the people 
crossed by a ferry, there being no bridge across the river between Lowell and Amoskeag. This bridge 
was com])leled and opened for puljlic travel the same year. It is thirt\-4hree rods in length and its 
total cost was about $12,000. It was no small undertaking in the then feeble state of the village and 
was deemed by many persons a hazardous in\-estment, but the prosperity of the place required it and 
success has rewarded the effort. 

In 1827 Mill No. 2 of the Nashua corporation was built and went into partial operation, and 
into full operation in 1828. Mill No. 3 was built in 1836. Mill No. i is one hundred and fifty-five 
feet long, forty-five feet wide and five stories high. It contains 6,784 si)indles and two hundred and 
twenty looms, manufacturing No. 14 .shirtings and drills. Mill No. 2 is one hundred and fiftj'-five 
feet long, forty-five feet wide and six stories high. It contains 12,170 .spindles and three hundred and 
fifteen looms, which manufacture No. 24 printing cloths and jeans. Mill No. 3 is one hundred and 
sixty feet long, fifty feet wide, and five stories high. It contains 6,400 spindles, and two hundred 
and five looms, and manufactures No. 14 sheetings. Mill No. 4 was built in 1844, and was put 
into operation in December of the same year. It is one hundred and ninety-eight feet long, fifty feet 
wide, and five stories high, and contains 6,720 spindles, and two hundred looms, manufacturing No. 
12 sheetings. The whole number of spindles in the four mills is 32,074, looms nine handred and 
forty. Number of female operatives eight hundred and thirty-five. Number of males two hundred 
and twentj'-five. These mills manufacture 11,500,000 yards of cloth per annum ; and use 8,000 bales 
of cotton, weighing 3,250,000 pounds, 150,000 pounds starch, 8,000 gallons sperm oil, $1250 worth 
leather, seven hundred cords of hard and pine wood, annually. There are forty-eight tenements 
lor overseers and boarding houses, and two brick houses for the agent and clerk. Thomas \V. Gillis, 
Ksq., is the agent; J. A. Baldwin, clerk. The capital is $800,000; the number of shares 1600, at 
$500 each. 

The sa\ings bank deposits in 1845 were $44,000, l)y three luindred and sixty-four depositors, 
three-fourths of whom are fenuiles. No interest is allowed on any sum exceeding $500, and the 
]irivileges of the bank are limited to individuals in the employ of the comixmy. The rate of 
interest is five per cent. On the first of June of every >ear interest is credited on all amounts and 
added to the j)rincipal, and interest cominited on the total sum from that date, — thus giving to those 
who permit their savings to remain in the hands of the company for any length of time, the 



6o 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, X. H. 



advantage of compouiul interest. The following table, arranged Oct. 13, 1845, shows the number 
of females employed in the Nashua Manufacturing company's mills and the proportion thereof who 
attend meeting are members of the Sabbath school, and are professors of religion: 







Number who 


Attend 


Members 




ber ^irls 


uttend 


Siibbath 


of 




Employed. 
214 


Meeting. 


School. 


Churches. 


No. I Mill, 


194 


116 


67 


No. 2 Mill, 


216 


206 


131 


82 


No. 3 Mill, 


192 


167 


88 


52 


No. 4 Mill, 


170 


151 


73 


43 


Cloth Room, 


8 


8 


3 


6 


Total, 


800 


726 


411 


250 



About 1S2.S the Indian Head company became embarrassed, and soon after the works stopped. 
The whole property was then disposed of to a new company, which was incorporated in 1830, by the 
name of the Jackson company. They took out the old machinery, and converted the establishment 
into a cotton manufactory. The capital stock of this company is $480,000. They have two mills, 
one hundred and fifty and one hundred and fifty-five feet in length, by forty-eight feet in width, and 
four stories high. These contain 11,588 spindles and three hundred and seventy-eight looms, and 
employ ninety males and three hundred and fifty females. The amount paid males per annum is 
$30,000, to females $60,000. They use 5,000 bales of cotton a year, averaging four hundred pounds 
each, from which they maiuifacture five and a half million yards of cloth of the following kinds: 
forty-six and thirty-seven inch sheetings, and thirty inch shirtings, all of Xo. 14 yarn. The value of 
wood per annum is $2,500; oil $3,700; starch $2,500; leather $1,000. The amount of deposits in 
the savings bank is $18,000, on which five percent, compound interest is allowed. The depositing 
is confined to operatives, and no interest is allowed on an>- sum over $500. The number of depositors 
is one hundred and fifty. The agent of the company is Edmund Parker, E.sq.: George F. Beck, 
clerk [1846]. 

From 1830 to 1837 the growth of the village was rapid and constant. The i)opulation of the 
village had nearly trebled in number. Trade and travel had increased proportionally. In the spring 
of 1835 the project was conceived of extending the Lowell railroad to Nashua. June 23, 1835, a 
charter for this purpo.se was granted by the legislature of New Hamp.shire; and by that of 
Massachusetts April 16, 1836. In 1836 the preparatory surveys were made and the location filed. 
Uriah A. Boydeu, Es([., was engaged as engineer. In May, 1837, the work upon the road was 
commenced, and Oct. 8, 1838, the Nashua & Lowell railroad was first opened for the transportation 
of passengers as far as the great elms near Judge Edmund Parker's house, where a temporary depot 
was erected. December 23, 1838, the bridge over the Nashua, and the depot near Main street, were 
completed, and the cars for the first time came up to the present terminus. The length of the road is 
about fourteen and a half miles, exclusive of double tracks, and its total cost about $380,000, or about 
$25,000 per mile, including fixtures and apparatus. 

June 27, 1835, the Concord railroad company was incorporated. This railroad was connnenced 
in the spring of 1841, under the direction of William S. Whitwell, Esq., as engineer, and finished to 
Concord, September i, 1842. Its length is thirty-four miles, 3048 feet. The net profits have been ten 
per cent, per annum from its commencement. The amount of capital is $800,000. The officers of 
the road are [1S46] : 

Addison Gilmore of Boston, president. 
Isaac Spalding of Nashua, treasurer. 
Ciiari.es H. Peaslee of Concord, clerk. 

June 19, 1835, the Nashua bank was incorporated, with a capital of $100,000, and went into 
operation soon after. 

In 1835 the steamboat Herald was also built, and placed upon the Merrimack in tlie summer of 
1836. It was intended to ply between Nashua and Lowell, but the shortness of the distance, the 
inconvenience of the landing places, and the necessity for the shifting of pa,ssengers and baggage, 
rendered the enterprise a failure. 



HISTORY OF X.lS/fC.l. X. ff. 6i 

111 April, i.S;/i, thf poimlalioii had im-rtascd to 5,065, of which luunher 2,105 were maks and 
2,960 feinalfS. 

January i, i.S;,;, the township hiid aside its ancient name ol Duu.stable, which it had worn from 
its infancy, througli i;(H)d and evil fortune a liundred and sixty years, under which it had witnessed 
two revolutions and formed a jwrtioii of a colony, a province and a sovereign state, — under which it 
luul passed through many wars and grown up from obscurity and poverty: and adopted in order to 
distinguish it from its neighbor "t'other Duu.stable," its present name, that of the river from which 
its pros])erity is chief!}- deri\-ed — Nashua. 

In 1S40, the First Chri.stian society was organized under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Robinson. 
The\ had no meeting-house. 

In 1.S45 a large machine shop built of brick, and slated, was erected by the Nashua company on 
the site of the old one. The main building is one hundred and fifty feet long, with an addition of one 
hundred and fifty-eight feet, used for a blacksmith shop, furnace, etc. The main building is occupied 
by shuttle and bobbin makers, locksmiths, gunsmiths, manufacturers of axes, hoes, ploughs, and by 
artisans in other branches. The whole number of workmen employed in the building is two hundred 
and eighteen. A portion of this building is occupied by the extensive establishment of Messrs. J. 
& v.. Baldwin for the mamifaclure of shuttles and bobbins, which gives emplovment to a number of 
workmen. 

The manufacturing Inisiness of the Nashua Lock companx' is also done here. This establishment, 
of which L. \V. Noyes and David P.aldwin are the proprietors, is employed in the mamifacture of 
mortise locks and latches for dwelling-house doors, and rose wood and brass knobs for the handles of 
the same. They usually ha\-e in their employment about forty men, and manufactured during the 
last year $35,000 worth of goods. These manufactures embrace 56,617 locks and latches and 35,000 
pairs of rose wood knobs. 

Another portion of this shop is occupied by Mr. John H. Gage for building turning engines, 
machines for planing iron, engines for cutting gears, scroll chucks and all other tools requisite to fill 
a large machine shop for building cotton and other machinery, and for doing railroad work. Mr. 
Gage now employs sixty-four workmen and does business to the amount of about $40,000 per annum. 

"The Nashua Manufacturing and Mechanics' Association" was chartered January 2, 1829, with 
liberty to have a capital to the extent of $30,000. This company was organized under the charter 
August, 1845. The present capital is $10,000, with two hundred shares at $50 each. The contem- 
plation is to erect a brick building one hundred feet long, two stories high, with two wings, each one 
hundred and fifty feet long and forty feet wide, one story, with an attic. The work in this shop is to 
be conducted by means of a steam engine of fifty horse power and is intended to embrace all kinds of 
mechanical work similar to the Nashua company's shop. One wing of the building is now com]ileted, 
and is occupied by Mr. Kdwin Chase for the manufacture of doors, window^ blinds and sashes. 

The officers of this association are : 

TiioiMAS CiiASK, president. 
Tiio:w.\s Ch.\.sk, L,. W. Novics, 

H.\kTI,ETT HoVT, LSR.VEI, IlrNT, Jk., 

J(iHN H. Gr.voi^;, directors. 
JoHX A. R.\LDWIN, treasurer. 
Fraxcis Winch, clerk. 

In the suiiiiiier of 1.S45 the Iron Foundr\- of ,S. >.\: C. Williams was erected. They manufacture, 
from pig iron, 4000 ]Kninds of castings per daw and consume in the same time 1300 pounds Lehigh 
coal and six feet of wood. Their arrangements are such that they can melt nine or ten tons of iron at 
a melting, or eighteen tons in twelve hours. They now emjiloy thirty men, and have room for twenty 
more. The amount of their business is not far from $40,000 a year. 

In 1845 Mr. Alanson Crane commenced a cotton manufacturing establishment on vSalmon brook 
at the Harbor. His mill is thirty by forty feet on the ground, two stories hi.gh, with an attic. When 
in lull o])eraticiii this mill will contain five hundred s])iiidles, for making cotton yarn of various 
nninbers and f|ualities. The yarn, when manufactured, is worked up into braids and cords of various 
de,scrii)tions : also twine for weavers' harnesses, knitting cotton, etc. The number of operatives 



62 HISTORY OF XASHUA, N. H. 

employed is twenty, (our males and sixteen females. Atiout $30,000 \vf)rth of goods are mannfactured 
annnally. A dyeliouse is cf)nnected with this establishment for dxeing braids, cords, )arn, etc. 
From a survey recently made it is estimated that tliere is sufficient water running in Salmon brook 
to ojierate 1500 spindles, and Mr. Crane contenqdates erecting another mill with about 1000 spindles 
and looms for the manufacture of cotton shirtings, sheetings and drillings. [1S46.] 

At the annual meeting of the town of Nashua, March, 1S42, it was voted to erect a town house. 

In 1842 the town of Nashua was divided, and a part of the territory, chiefly l\'ing north of the 
Nasliua ri\-er, received the name of Nashville. The following act of incorporation, passed Ijy the 
legislature, June 23, 1842, defines the limits of the new town : 

" ]?e it enacted by the senate and hou.se of representatives in general court con\-ened, — That 
all thai part of the town of Nashua, in the count\- of Hillsborough, hing westerly and northerh- of a 
line commencing upon the Nashua river at the east side of Holli.s, and running thence down said river 
to the bridge erected over said river by the Nashua and Lowell railroad companv ; thence from the 
southwest corner of said bridge eastwardly b>- said railroad to the Old h'erry road so called, thence bv 
said last mentioned road to the Merrimack river, be and the same is severed from the town of Nashua, 
and made a body politic and corporate, by the name of Nashville." 

The town was organized July 11, 1842. 

What a contrast our \-illages now (1846) present to tlieir condition but twenty-six years ago! 
Then there was one small religious society, without a minister; now there are ten, most of them in a 
nourishing condition, and enjoying the services of settled clergymen. Then there was one meeting- 
house ; now there are seven others, built at an expense of more than $45,000. It is a singular fact that 
for more than 100 years not a settled minister died in town. Then the receipts of the postoffice were 
about $250 \'earl\' and now they exceed $2,500. Then a single stage coach passed three times a week 
through the village. Now there are six daily lines, five tri-weekly lines, and two weeklies, besides 
extras and the railroad. Then two stores supplied the town and neighborhood. Now there are near 
a hundred, several of which are wholesale stores, with an aggregate trad*^ of more than half a million 
dollars. Then a canal boat dragging its "slow length along," and occupying days in its passage, 
laid our goods at the mouth of the Nashua ; now by the magical power of steam they are brought to 
our doors almost in as many hours. The little village of less than fifty souls has increased one 
hundred and fifty fold. By the wondrous alchemy of skill and enterprise, out of the waters of the 
Nashua and the sands of this pine barren, from some half dozen dwellings, have been raised up within 
these tw'ent3'-six years these thronged and beautiful villages of near seven thousand people. 

We ha^•c now traced this History through a period of nearly- two centuries. From its wilderness 
slate, by toil and privations, b.v bloodshed and sufferings, by enterprise and capital combined, has 
this place been brought to its present condition. Its prosperity must now^ depend upon its trade and 
manufactures, and for the increase of them every effort should be made. Its central position and its 
facilities of transportation are advantages which can not be too highh- appreciated. 

The multiplication of shops and stores, and the amount of their trade, are evidences of what 
has been accomplished by enterprise, and offer strong encouragements for the future. Other 
nianufaclures besides cotton are creeping in, thus far with great success and should be encouraged. 
The manufactures of shuttles and bobbins, locks, guns, ploughs, edge tools, machinery, iron, brass, 
and tin ware, carriages, saddlery, sashes, blinds, doors, hats, caps, boots and shoes, reeds, cigars, 
lurnilure, time-pieces, boxes, .stoves, and of patent leather, and book-binding, employ a large amount 
of cajiital and furnish employment to a large number of per.sons. 

When we consider the ease and cheajiness of communication with lioston, and the comjiarative 
lowness of the jiriec of land, of materials, and of board among ns, it is manifest that all kinds of 
manufactures may be greatly extended and multiplied, and to much advantage. If all will but labor 
permanently for this end, thus, and thus only, will the means of support be afforded to additional 
thousands, a market for all the neighborhood furnished, and the foundation be laid, broad and deep, 
and imnii)\-al)le, for the jiermanent iirosperit>' of Nashua and Nasln-ille. 



//'/s'/yiA')- (y- x.isfn\i, x. ir. 63 

CHAPT1£K XI. 

Iniian IIi:ai) Coi'i'-ici'; Hoi'sk. Wiii;i;i.\\ kicht .Snoi- oi- Jicssic Ckoshy. Kkn'drick and 
'rrrri.ic's Stoki:. Tin. " Toxtini:." Im.i;tciii:k Stkki:t. Watanaxock House. 
Thaykk'.s CoiKT. Storic ox Cokxek of Fraxklix vStrkkt, Now Whiting Building. 
First Hai'Tist Ciukch BriLnixo. Ckntrai, Buildixg. .Siiattuck's Block. Grrklky 
1)111, Dixc. Ci'XTKAL Hoi'si-:. "Boat Laxdinc." TmoTiiY Gay'.s Grocery Store. 
First Bkick Stoki- axd Dwiu.i.ixg Horsic in Towx. First Coxgreg.\tion.\l Church 
Buii.DixG. " Ti';x-F()oti-;ks." Piiii.i.ii's' Block. E.xyeks' Block. J.\coii Hall 
CoTTAGic. .\akox F. Sawyek Ilorsic. Atwood's Biii.dixg. Murg.atroyd .\.xd 
Barkek's Block. I'.xciiaxc,]-: lirn.Dixc. I'ishek's Block. Be.\som Block. Factory 
v'^TKEET. Hunt Biildixg. Washixgtox House. Noyrs Block. John G. Bluxt's 
Stoki;. Ckai'T's Pottekv. Rjcsidicxces oi' Forty Vi;ars Ac;o. 

IX a [)re\'ious cluqilcr Mr. I'*ox iu\-itcs Iiis readers to a retros])ecl covering a period of forty years — 
from 1803 to 1S43. The reader of to-da>' has lieen led alont; the highway of growth and change 
covering a period of more than fifty j'ears, and the half centur\- thns passed is vastly more than 
all the centuries that preceded it so far as relates to the hislor\- of Nashua. Taking our stand 
at the same jioint suggested in Mr. Fox's chapter, at the close (if iSys, many and important changes 
will be found on every hand. The first building mentioned by him was the Indian Head coffee house, 
a picture of which appears on another page, taken at a time when it may be said of it that it was in 
its highest state of prcsperity. The building he referred to as the Indian Head coffee house appears 
in this picture as the L, and with its imposing front and long easterly extension, was .sold and torn 
down in 1892 to give place to the elegant granite edifice of the First church, now covering the site. 
Thus closes the history of the widely known "tavern" kept by the genial and popular host, Moses 
Tyler. 

The lot next north of the Indian Head coffee house where the dwelling house of Charles W. 
I'.dwards now stands was occupied by the wheelwright .shop of Jesse Crosby, one of Nashua's highly 
respected and well-to-do citizens. At one time he gave the most of his attention to the manufacture 
of ploughs. In those days there were no manufactories covering acres of ground and putting 
thousands of this very useful implement upon the market every month, so that the man who wrought 
with his own hands at his own bench and supplied these useful implements was looked upon by the 
farmer as a benefactor to the farming community. 

There has been no striking changes in the next building referred to — the store of Kendrick & 
Tnttle, corner of Main and Amherst streets — it having been greatly improved and sold to John Keed 
about this time. It was a convenient location and within could always be found a stock of well 
selected goods and sold at reasonable prices, liy two honorable and worthy proprietors, vStephen 
Kendrick, who lixed in the house that stood where the fine brick residence of Dr. Samuel G. Dearborn 
now stands, and .Major George Tuttle, brother of the late Nelson Tuttle, who lived in the house now 
owned by Henrv .M. Bullard, 13 Concord street. The store is now occupied by Charles A. Nodding. 
Fpon the lot south stood, high uj) on the bank, a little back from the main .street, the low, long 
wooden structure that was known as the " T(jntine." It was a building of no little importance "in 
its day." Hon. vSolomon Sjialding boarded there, "with Mr. Jameson," until his present home on 
Orange street was completed. Hon. Daniel .Abbot is said to have occupied a part of it at the time of 
removing his office from the Harbor, and Mr. John Reed lived there for a lime, but the last years of 
its existence it ser\-ed as the house of the only Irish families in town, Patrick and John Donahue. 
Thev were brothers. Patrick came to town first and found constant employment with the weallh\- 
citizens of the town as gardener, in the season, and man of general utility at all times. His ohlest 
son read law and entered upon its practice in New York city, but on the death of the parents lost all 
connection frith his native town. 



f-^^. 







■7. \ 



^ u 



Q o 

z o 



/f/SrOK)- OF .XAS/KJA, X. H. 65 

Klctclier street was noted as the lumie of " Unele John I.uiul," Franklin Foster, Samuel Merrill 
and others. Mr. Foster erected the building on the corner of Main street, which he sold to the late 
Major Uunlap, who remodeled, added to, and fitted it for the headquarters of the garden and flower 
seed business of Dunlap & Sons. 

The next building south, now called the Watananock house, was owned by Rev. A. H. Thaj-er, 
and was occupied by Levi W. Hodge, saddler and harness maker, and D. W. Burns, wheelwright, ou 
the first floor. The second story was used by Ephraim Stetson, parlor organ maker. Mr. Stetson 
came to Nashua from Mont \'ernon. In the progress of his business he took J. D. Nutter as a partner 
and the firm of vStetson & Nutter entered the field of church organ manufacturers. The}- placed one 
in the Baptist church and one in the Olive street (now Pilgrim) church in this city, but lacked skill 
and capital to compete with the larger and well known older firms. The partnership was terminated 
by the death of Mr. Stetson and the business closed. Mr. Nutter removed to Montreal and engaged 
in banking and other financial enterprises, and died there some years since. 

Thayer's court was dedicated to residences and has so remained all these years. Here was located 
the home of Rev. Mr. Thayer, a highly esteemed Unitarian clergyman, liy which it came to be known 
as "Thayer's Court." The wooden building on the southeast, corner of Main, gave place to the 
brick dwelling erected and occupied b}' Ziba Gay. Mr. Gay was a machinist and carried on 
business in North Chelmsford, and the firm of Gay & Silver achieved a wide and honorable reputation. 
Mr. Gay died many years ago. The next building south was a "ten-footer" owned by Mr. Thayer, 
and was for many years occupied by J. P. Upton as a bakery. In course of time Mr. Upton, like so 
many business men, j-ielded to the temptation to a change and sold out and went into the livery stable 
business in the old stable that stood on the lot now occupied by Marsh & Howard's hack stable, but 
he was not successful. He was a noted surveyor of wood and the seller and buyer had no question on 
what "this load contains," if surveyed by "Jo. Upton." 

The next building was also owned by Mr. Thayer and had Herinon Dane for a tenant for main- 
years, and many were the auction sales held there. From thence to Franklin street Dr. J. G. Graves 
held undisputed title, but tenants were not very permanent. Luther Taggard occupied one store as a 
merchant tailor, after the dis.solution of the firm of Taggard & (Charles H.) Nutt. Daggett & Cross 
occupied the basement store on F'ranklin street for twenty-seven years, till the block was removed to 
give place to the present elegant Whiting building which covers the sites of the three last named 
properties. On the second floor the principal office was occupied by J. Hubbard Graves, brother 
to Dr. J. G. Graves, and usually designated as the ")'oung doctor," who was fast becoming a 
dangerous rival to the "old doctor." 

On the opposite corner of Franklin street stood the First Baptist church building, a wooden 
structure with stores on Main street and vestry rooms on Franklin .street, the auditorium being upon 
the second floor. One of the stores was occupied by Col. H. F. Courser, dry goods and woolens. 
John B. Chapman was a very popular salesman in his employ. This building was destroyed by fire 
in 1848. Upon the bank of the river at the north end of the bridge stood the "Central building," 
which was a building of not a little distinction. Rev. Andrew E. Thayer occupied one store for the 
sale of books and a circulating library. Mrs. Robert Moore, one of the most popular milliners in town, 
occupied one store. 

Upon the second floor could be found the home of the New Hampshire Telegraph with the editor 
and the well known printer, Samuel H. Noyes, and " Billy Crooker " in shirt sleeves at the case. An 
editor in those days was a combination, — editor, reporter, letter press and job printer. In the upper 
story was "Concert hall " Mr. L}'man Heath taught singing school for nearl}- a score of successive 
winters there. 

Between this building and the meeting-house, where the Wilton railway is now located, was the 
entrance to Front street. The grade was very sharp to the north shore of the river affording a good 
"coa.st" which the boys were not slow to improve. Shattuck's block stood on the north side of the 
street on the lot where the Dearborn block on Franklin street now stands with the difference that it is 
reversed. Shattuck's block stood on the south side of the lot fronting on F'ront street with the open 
space in the rear on Franklin street. The Central building was a victim to the same flames that 
destroyed the meeting-house and necessitated the removal of The Telegraph. It took up quarters on 
the second floor in the building that stood where the open space next the .station now is. After a 



66 HIS TOR )- or XASHL'A, X. H. 

time gas for lighting was introduced. Mr. Beerd was a wit and enjoyed a joke. He said in his 
paper that his job press stood where the shadow of the fly wheel fell on the floor; "and," said he, 
"you would be surprised to see that that .shadow had worn into the floor." Of course the curious 
came in to see the badly worn floor. They were graciously received, but said he, "what did I say?" 
"You said the shadow of the fly wheel had worn into the floor." "Oh, no, I said you would be 
surprised to see that it had worn into the floor, and so should I ! " 

Said one of the old citizens as he dropped in one day, " Our winters do not seem to be as long 
or as .severe as they used to be in old times, — how do you account for it, Beard?" "Possibly in this 
wa^•, I cannot account for it in any other. You know they have been extending a great nian\- 
railroads to the South — may not the great weight of iron have the effect to tip us up to the sun more 
than formerly ? " " Well." said he, " I had not thought of that, but I guess j'ou are right." 

Returning to the top of the hill, we find the same building still standing on the corner of Main 
and Lowell streets. Although several times tried by fire it remains an ancient landmark, awaiting 
the final order to give place to the new "Hunt Memorial Library Building." It was, in the early 
history of the town, the store of the brothers Joseph, Alfred and Ezekiel Greelej-. They were 
succeeded by George W. Perham in the Lowell street front, and Reed & Spalding in the basement 
on Main street, who in turn were succeeded by Reed & Lovejoy. The occupants since have been 
more numerous than permanent. The west store in the brick building (Greeley) was occupied by 
Hugh Jameson. His residence was situated on the lot now occupied by the elegant dwelling owned 
and occupied by Frank D. Laton, — the house erected by the late Colonel Thomas P. Pierce, Orange 
square. Mr. Jameson was a very polite and courteous man, and enjoyed his reputation. Like most 
of the traders in those daj'S he kept liquors, and sold large quantities of the much u,sed New 
England rum. The temperance question began to be agitated and the tramp of the "cold water 
arm>' " could be heard approaching, and it became necessary to be a little more guarded in the sale 
of these goods, which Mr. Jameson could not easily bring him.self to observe. On one occasion a boy 
came in with a coffee pot which he held out, saying, " Father sent me for a pint of rum." "A pint 
of rum in this coffee pot ? You go right home and tell your father that he cannot have any of 
Jameson's good rum in a coffee pot. Tell him to send a jug." 

The east store was occupied by John L. Pollard for the sale of ready-made clothing and 
gentlemen's furnishing goods. Mr. Pollard was the son of the noted hotel keeper on the Lowell 
road, near the State line. He was not brought up in business training and did not succeed. It was 
in the upper room of this building, known as Greeley's hall, that the first church worshipped while 
the church building was being erected south of the bridge. The building that stood on the corner of 
Clinton street was removed and stands next to the grain store of Henry Stearns. Before it gave place 
to the Laton block, the store was occupied by Robert Moore, watchmaker, town clerk of Nashville, 
etc. Beneath was the meat shop of Sumner Morgan, who later removed to the basement of the Town 
hall. There still stands on Clinton street the house, once the home of one of Nashua's honored 
citizens — Benjamin Burke, whose son, William A. Burke was for many years the popular and 
successful superintendent of the Lowell machine shop. 

Where the Laton house now stands the Central house was located, the L extending westerly and 
covering a part of the Laton block lot. It was a noted hostelry, scarcely second to the Indian Head 
Coffee house. When built it stood in the square fronting Main street, occupying a portion of the 
present "oval." Captain Phinehas Adams was the popular landlord at this time, he ga\'e it up for 
a few years, but returned to it and kept it until his death in May, 1842. Stephen Whittemore 
afterward became proprietor, and the house under him maintained much of its popularity. Several 
buildings stood in what is now Railroad square. Thomas G. Banks occupied one and sold paper 
hangings and made paper boxes. Thomas Tolman occupied another, and Philip O. Ames another for 
a liarber .shop, but they were all cleared off in 1S44 to 1846. The passenger station was a low, 
wooden building where Williams Hall and the Marshall grocery company are now located. We.st 
were the grocery stores of A. and N. McKean and Chase «& Shattuck, with Charles S. Perkins as 
principal salesman at the latter. 

In the corner building were P. B. Putney, confectioner, who afterward went to Manchester, 
Major Ignatius Bagley, meat and provisions, L. O. Fairljanks, barber. Offices above were occupied 



///.s/v'A')' (>/•■ .y.is//r.i. x. II. 67 

by Charles O. Athtrton, attonify at law, and 1'.. 1!. Whillc-UHji-L-, who had just entered upon the 
practice of law. 

South ol this building was a passageway or street running east from Main street to the "boat 
lauding," just as Front street on the opposite side of Main street ran west. Between this street and 
the river was the large wholesale and retail grocery store of Timothy Gay. Mr. Gay had a very large 
countrx- trade coming many miles down through Amherst, Francestown, Hillsboro' and thence on 
through to Windsor and other points in Vermont. Pork, butter, cheese, grain and other farm products 
were brought in on teams and exchanged for such supplies as the farmers required. The long 
procession of " Pod teams" on their way to town in the winter time was a sight never witnessed after 
the advent of the railroad. The upper story of the building was occupied as a furniture store. 
vSamuel W. Abbott was the proprietor. The building was destroyed at the conflagration of the Baptist 
meeting-house and the Central building. Not long after this Mr. Abbott removed to Montreal and 
was in business there until his death. 

The same building stands at the south end of the bridge to-day as then. It was owned by Enoch 
Webster and Mrs. Webster occupied one .store for millinery business. John Flagg kept groceries in 
the .store where C. W. Edwards now is. Mr. Klagg was succeeded by Hazeltine and L,ord. Mr. 
Webster came to his death by drowning in the river east of the house. The property was purchased 
by James A. Devereaux and at his decease, and, later, the decease of his widow, it passed by will to 
the Church of the Good Shepherd, the present owner. 

The next building south was the first brick store and dwelling in town. It was remodeled and 
improved by the addition of a French roof and extension on Pearson's avenue by V. C. Gilman. For 
many years the store was occupied by Thomas Benden, the first tailor in town. He came from 
Andierst. Subsequently E. vS. Goodnow, who came from Waltham, Mass., kept dry goods there, 
but the " Eastern land speculation" seized him and brought financial distress from which he never 
recovered. He removed to Massachusetts and at one time kept a hotel (Washington house) at 258 
Washington street, Boston. Eater the postoffice under Aaron P. Hughes was removed to it and 
remained until taken to the present quarters in Phillips' building. Between the avenue and Park 
street stood the First Congregational church, which was destroyed by fire in 1869 and rebuilt in 1870 
and occupied by' them until the completion of the new church, since which it has lieen sold to the Free 
Baptist societ}- and is now occupied by them. 

The north store was occupied by Coggin & Fisher, dealers in furniture and crockery, while E. C. 
Alexander sold dry goods in the south store until J. A. Wheat bought him out and continued for a few 
years until he removed to Long block opposite the Town hall. 

The .space between the church and Park street was covered by two "ten-footers." The first was 
at one time the law office of Benjamin Mark Farley of Hollis and his .son-in-law, Charles B. Fletcher. 
The other was one of the old school "03'.ster saloons." It was kept many years by Oliver H. Phillips 
and later by William Marshall, now in Boston, and still later by E. B. Burke, until these buildings 
gave place to a two story wooden building which was burned with the church building, after which 
the present " Phillips' block " was erected in 1870. 

Uj)on the corner of Main and Park streets stood Eayers' block, a two-stor^- wooden building in 
front, while in the rear it was but one story on account of the rise of the land. The northerlj' store 
was occupied by^ Miss Ridgway, later Mrs. Rodneys Dane, the .south half by her brother, Charles T., 
dealer in watches, jewelry, etc. Next was the hat store and manufactory of E. B. Hines. The late 
Hiram Campbell was at one time employed there. The third store hung out the sign of the " Good 
Samaritan," the first drug .store, and was owned by our present venerable citizen, Elias S. Russell. 
The south store was the book .store of Job Buffum. J. M. Fletcher was his clerk and sold books 
and wrote excellent poetry. This block was torn down and Nutt's Iilock was Iniilt on the lot in i860. 
George E. Wilder was contractor and builder. 

Next .south stood the picturesque cottage of Jacob Hall where Dr. McQuesten's block now stands. 
The cottage was on the ungraded elevation of those days, reached by steps from Main street. Here 
lived the genial family consi.sting of Mr. and Mrs. Hall, sons John and Luke, and daughter Eliza, a 
young lad)- of uncommon personal beauty, all of whom have passed away but the sons. 

Neighboring on the south and next the Town hall was the mansion of Attorney Aaron P\ Sawyer. 
These two residences were in marked contrast. The latter with its broad piazza and stately columns 



68 HISTORY OF NASHirj, N. H. 

suggested just such a home as it was. Mr. Sawyer came froui Mout Vernon to Nashua and was one 
of a group of eminent lawj-ers located here. Like Daniel Abbot he wore a rufHed shirt front and was 
a genial and entertaining talker. He was of medium stature with nervous and energetic step. His 
hair was as white as the driven snow. Presiding over the hou.sehold affairs was a wife of rare tact and 
ability. Always as pleasant as a morning in spring and untiring in her efforts to care for her family 
of children, consisting of Samuel L., who went to Missouri, Charlotte L., Aaron W., Flint H. and 
Catherine. All have joined the great majority but Charlotte, who married Hon. Aaron P. Hughes. 
Catherine married Mr. Taft of Worcester and so lost her identity with Nashua society in which she 
was a favorite. Aaron W. was honored with a seat upon the judges' bench and is well known by the 
present generation from whom he passed some years since. He will receive the extended notices 
elsewhere to which he is entitled. 

Returning to the bridge the first building on the west side of Main street was Atwood's building, 
owned by John Atwood. Jesse Wetherbee kept a boot and shoe store and manufactured to order. 
The postoffice was located next, on being removed from the Hunt building, corner of Factory street, 
then came the restaurant of George E. Burke. To-day Murgatroyd's and Barker's blocks occupy 
the site. 

Exchange building remains, although fire has assailed it on several occasions, the last time about 
ten years ago, which made it necessary to put on a new roof, which, with the added story, makes it a 
good looking block and desirable. In it was located the Nashua bank; W. H. Hauley, a portrait 
painter, had his studio there, also Don P. Wilson's dental rooms. Next south was a narrow wooden 
building. Colonel Banks removed from Railroad square to it, and continued nearly up to the time 
when the building was torn down. Edward A. Gallison painted and finished furniture for Coggin & 
Fisher in the second story. Standing next south was the stove and tinware store of Reuben Goodrich. 
The front was one story onh% with workshop in the rear. Upon the corner of Water street was the 
dwelling house of Mr. Goodrich, having a store in the front on Main street. W. R. Wilcox had a 
stock of books and stationery there, which he sold out to Copp Brothers before the war, prior to the 
clearing off of the entire lot to Exchange building, to give place to the Goodrich block of to-day. 
The dwelling was removed and now stands upon Walnut street, corner of Pleasant. Upon the 
opposite corner of Water street was the same building as to-daj-. William T. Martin had a clothing 
store in the corner, and Thomas Tolman had a mattress manufactory in the upper rooms. 

Where Fisher's brick block now stands were three "ten-footers," Hartshorn & Ames had a stove 
shop in one, Albert Lull, merchant tailor, another, and E. P. Hill, dry goods, being the one next the 
open lot on the rear of which stood the dwelling house of the owner of all to Water street, Mr. Aaron 
Fisher. He sold the dwelling to Jo.sephus Baldwin and removed further south on Main street, near 
the Worcester railroad. From the Fisher homestead property Long block stretched southerly to an 
open lot now covered by Beasom block. In the north end was the office and dwelling of Dr. Josiah 
Kittredge, next, office and dwelling of Dr. J. F. Whittle. Changes were made after Dr. Kittredge 
left and Drs. Tracy & Ayer had a drug store there, afterwards it was occupied by R. T. Smith for a 
bookstore. South was the store of B. D. Bingham, watchmaker, and J. A. Wheat, dry goods. 
Gustine Marshall kept a large stock of millinery in the next with N. W. Goddard, jeweler, for a 
neighbor, while Henry Parkinson, grocer, closed the list of occupants of the stores. 

Upon the corner of Main and Factor}' streets stood the large wooden building where Isaac 
Spalding conducted a large store of the usual general merchandise class. With good business sagacity 
he saw that Nashua was soon to overshadow the popular shire town of Amherst and he removed here. 
Charles H. Nutt who also came from Amherst succeeded him, who in turn sold out to Munroe & 
Taylor. There are a few citizens remaining who can recall the looks of this leading store. There 
was quite a large open lot north of the store on which were the customary mangers on posts to 
accommodate the farmers who drove in and usuall}- stopped long enough to ' ' bait ' ' their horses. 
Behind these mangers leaning against the low L to the store in the rear of the lot was a line of 
grindstones, great and .small. But a property so centrally located was not to remain unimproved. 
W. D. Beasom bought the property and it soon took on the form and proportions of the leading block 
of the town. The corner store was occupied bj' Beasom & Reed as a dry goods and carpet warehouse. 
The second floor was divided into offices which never lacked tenants. Upon the third floor was a hall 
and ante rooms which were in demand. Beacon Light Division, Sons of Temperance, occupied a 



///.S' /V 'A' ) " OF NASHtJA, X. II. 69 

jKirtion of it. The block was jri-eatl>- dainai^fd by fire in 1S70, but jmt to a severer test in 1SS6 and 
put beyond repair, but there was conii)eusation in the present elegant and substantial brick structure 
as the outcome of apparent misfortune. 

Factor}' street must not be passed withnut mention for upon it was done a large amount of 
business, indeed, there were more stores and trade than on Main street. Merrill & Kimball, Reed & 
.Shuler, Mark A. Adams, William vS. Anderson all had dry goods. Jonathan Hosmer, dry goods, 
clocks, and variety store. John Osborne, confectioner, and the only one of the list still living, is 
"doing business at the old stand." 

Passing to the opposite corner still stands the Hunt building. Joseph Wyniau made clocks and 
repaired watches on the first floor after the postoffice was removed to Atwood's building. Later 
White & Hill occupied it for a drug store. Mr. White took a lease of the building and raised it a 
story, and made two stores in front as appears to-day. The office of the Nashua Gazette had its 
editorial rooms on the second floor and composing and press rooms on the third floor until removed to 
Tuttle's building. 

This brings us to another distinguished hotel, the "Washington house," kept for some years 
l)y Thomas Chase, who sold out to John Gray. Like the Indian Head Coffee house it was built of 
wood, with piazza in front, with massive columns two stories in height, supporting the piazza roof. 
The main building was forty b\- thirty, with two stories, and high chambers in the roof. The L was 
two stories. The building was on the north end of the lot fronting on Main street, with a large open 
space on the south extending to the Universalist church building, being the lot now occupied by 
Noyes block. In the rear of the open yard stood the necessary stables to complete "accommodations 
for man and beast." In connection with it was the livery stable of Capt. S. F. Wright, and later of 
Charles H.Parker. The captain could always turn out a first-class team. " Tecumseh " and mate 
were an elegant pair of greys. Good sleighing brought out the competition in teams. Col. I. J. Fox 
on the north side turned out the " Blue Bird " and " four," but when the captain appeared with the 
"Gen. Taylor" and "six," with Charlie Parker on the box (or dasher) he "took the cake." Captain 
Wright shipped this beautiful sleigh to his brother in Chicago and its equal has not been owned in 
Nashua since. The sleighing parties of to-day cut no figure in comparison to those days. The 
"Lady," a magnificent sleigh, accommodating thirty to fort}-, owned by John Hadley of Lowell, 
usually came here two or three times a week. Hadley was an admirer of a docked tail, well set up, 
for livery teams and it was the new dress for every horse that became an inmate of his noted livery. 
"Bob Short" was the trusted jehu for the "Lady" turnout and no "charioteer" felt clothed with 
greater honor or responsibility than he on such occasions. 

Pearl street was the southern limit of trade. The only store upon it, east or west, was that of 
John Blunt on the corner of Chestnut. Mr. Blunt was a former resident of Amherst, but w-as moved 
by the same impulse that brought other business men from that once lively and prosperous town to 
Nashua in 1836. In due course of business his son, John G., became a partner and the firm of John 
Blunt & Son continued as one of the leading grocers and other lines of goods, giving special attention 
to the article of tea, of which the senior had come to be a recognized connoisseur. On retiring from 
business Mr. Blunt, Sr., returned to Amherst and died there. 

The firm name continued, Kdward O. Blunt, oldest son of John G., having taken an interest in 
the business with his father, and thus the .style of the house remains the same, although Mr. John G. 
Blunt died in 1883, honored and respected as an honest, upright man and valued citizen. 

On Main street south of Pearl were the residents of some of the early and most substantial 
citizens — John M. and Israel Hunt, Peter Clark, Thomas Chase, Bernard Whittemore, Paul Morrill, 
and at the Harbor, Hon. Jesse Bowers, whose house stood near Salmon brook, where the factory of the 
American Shearer company now stands, but it may still be seen east of the factory on the margin of 
the pond. Air. Bowers did quite a little at farming in those days and his cattle barn stood on the 
corner of Main and Lake streets, where the beautiful residence of Mrs. Benj. Saunders now stands, 
the yard having its sunny outlook to the south of it. 

On the east side of the .street was the pottery of Martin Crafts where the watch factory stood, and 
the watch factory had the Wa.shington house for its street front, having been removed to the lot when 
Xoves block was built. 



yo 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, X. H. 



Furthtr north was the substantial homestead of Neheniiah Hunt, occupied later by the late Judge 
Thomas Pearson, and now by his son G. Byron Pearson. 

Dr. Micah Eklredge lived in the house that stood where the house of Charles Holman now stands, 
and John Atwood and X. W. Goddard in the houses south. 

Noah Wyeth had a bakery between the Eldredge house and where the Episcopal church building 
now .stands. John D. Kimball lived where Mr. Runnells' house now stands. Mr. Kimball was a 
manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds, and had an extensive business in dressed lumber. He built a 
steam mill at the head of Franklin street, known as " Kimball's steam mill. " It shared the usual fate 
of such structures and was wiped out by flame and never rebuilt. 

Franklin street was regarded as the most select, and in some respects the most desiraljle in the 
town for residences. Dr. J. G. Graves, Rev. I). D. Pratt. Rev. Austin Richards, Rev. Jonathan 
McGee, afterwards Rev. M. Hale vSmith, Col. William Boardman, Francis Winch, Joel Carter, E. S. 
Russell, Charles T. Gill, John N. Barr, Walter McKean and other prominent business men lived there. 



///.S'/Wv')' Ol- XASIICA, X. //. 



APPENDIX I. 

GENEALOGY OF THE EAKLY SETTLERS OF OLD DUNSTABLE. 

THKRE is a natural desire in every ninii lo know something of his ancestry, and to the descendants 
of the early settlers of Dunstable it must be interesting to trace back their families to their 
origin. The nuiterials for this purpose exist, to a great extent, in the ancient records of marriages, 
births and deaths among the town papers, a large part of which were collected, compared and arranged 
by John Farmer, Esq. His deserved reputation as an anti(|uarian is a guarantee of its accuracy. The 
list is not generally brought down to a period later than i 750 ; to have extended it would have required 
too much time and s]iace. 



ACKK.s, JOHN.— lie w:is of Boston in 1656; settled in Dunst:ililc before 
ifxSo; und h;id children, Miiry, born M:iy 2(1, ifxSj, and Joanii;i, born 
Jan. 10, 16S4. 

ADAMS, THOMAS.— Horn 1075: died Feb. iS, i7|'i. ni^ed 71. \\\<- wife, 
Judy, born 16S0: died April 15, 1754, ajjed 74. Had ibildttn, 
l*hinch:is, born 172^ : tiled Dec. 4, 1747, aj^ed 2,1. 

BLAN'CHARD, DEA. JOHN.— One of the founders of the clr.nxli in 
16S5: freeman 1649; son of Thom.is Hlanchard, who came to New 
Kngland in the ship Jonathan in 16^9. Settled in Charlestown and 
died there May 21, 1654. He left children, Joseph and Thrnniis. 

BLAXCHAUD, CAPT. JOSEPH.— Son of preceding; married Abiah 
Hassell, daughter of Joseph Hassell, Sen,, May 25, 1696. She died 
Dee. S, 1746, aged 70. He died in 17J7. His children were, 1. Jiliza- 
hcth, born April 15, 1697: murried Jnna. Cuinmings; 2, Esther, born 
July ^4, 1699; 3. Hannah, horn Oct. 2S. 1701 ; 4, Joseph, born Feb. 1 1. 
1704; 5. Uachel, l>orn March 2,5, 1705: died in infancy; 6. Susanna, 
born March ^9, 1707; 7. Jane, born March 19. 1709: married Kev. 
Josiah Swan; S. Kaclicl. born March is, 171--: 9. Kleazer. born Dec. 

1, 1715: died Ajiril 29, 1717. 

nLAXCIIAKI). COL. JOSEPH.— Son iif Ihe precedin-; born Fel^. 11, 
1704; ni.inieil Kebccca Hubbard; died .April 7, 175S: she dieil April 
'7' '774- nis children were, i. Sarah, born 1726: died Nov. 30, 1726; 

2. Joseph, born April 2S, 1729; 3 and 4. Elea/.er and Susanna, born 
Nov. 15, 1730; Eleazer died March 19, 1753, aged 22; 5. Rebecca, born 
July 20, 1732; 6. Sarah, born Oct. 7, 1734; died in infancy; 7. Cath- 
erine, born Nov. 11, 1736; S. Jonathan, born Sept. iS, 173S: died July 

18, 17S8; 9. Sarah, born Aug. 2, 1740; 10. James, born Sept. 20, 1742: 
in army; 11. Augustus, born July 29, 1746: died at Milford, 1S09; 12. 
Caleb, born Aug. 15. 1749; 13. Hannah, born Oct. 21, 1751 : married 
Dr. Ebenczer Starr, of D., ApVil 21, 1776: died March 22, 1794. aged 42, 

lU.AXCHAKD. HON. JONATHAN. — Son of the preceding; born 
Sept iS, 173S; married Rebecca FarAvell of this town, who died Aug. 
20, iSii, aged 72. He died July 10, 17SS, aged 50. His children were, 
I. Rebecca, born May 4, 176'^): married Dr. Augustus Starr: died Oct. 

19, iSio, aged 45; 2. Grace, who married Frederick French, Esq.; 3. 
Sophia: married Oliver Farwell, and still living (1S46); 4. Charles, 
born March 14, 1776: died at Batavia, N. Y., March 16, iSii; 5. 
Abigail; married Dr. Joseph F. Eastman of HolHs, and still living 
C1S46). Eli/,a married Thomas French, Esq.: died 1S43. 

HLANCHARD, THOMAS.— Son of Dea. John; born about 1670: nnii- 

ried Tabitha ,-.who died Nov. 29, 1696; married Ruth Adams o^ 

Chelmsford, Oct. 4, i(x>S: died March 9, 1727. His children were, i. 

Abigail, born May 5, 1694; 2. John, Iiorn May 20, 1696; 3. TIu)mas, 

Iiorn Aug. 12, 1699: taken captive by the Indians in Septendier. 1724; 

4. William, borti 1701; 5. Ruth, born April 1, 1703. 
BEAXCH.NRD, THOMAS, Jk., and Elizabeth, his\vife.— Son ..f the 

preceding. Had a son Thomas, 3d, born Oct. 20. 1724, 
HI.ANCHARD, JOHN.— Son of Thomas, Sen., born Mav 20, i^x/S: 

wife's name, Mar\-. Had a son William. 
HLANCHARD, NATHANIEL, and Lydia. his wife.— Killetl by the 

Indians July 3, 1706. Had a son^ Nathaniel, 2d. Ihhii Sept. 12, 170^. 
HLANCHARD, WILLIAM. — Son of Thomas, Imrn 1701: married 

Deliverance, daughter of Samuel Searles. Had childnn. Olive, born 

Nov. 4, 1733; Nathaniel, born Dec. 25, 1735. 
HE.-VLE, WILLIAM.- Had children, Williinn. born M;n<Ii 12. 1^X5. 

and Elizabeth, born Nov. 16, i6S5. 
HE.ALE, SAMUEL. — Had children, Sannul. born July 3. 10S5. and 

Ivbenczer, born Jan. 30, 16SS. 



HAXCItOFT, LIEUT. TIMOTIIV.-Came from ; born in 17CX,: 

died Nov. 2t, 1772, aged 63. He had children. Colonel Ebenezer, 
Iiorn 1737 : an officer in the French and Revolutionary wars and in the 
battle of Bunker Hill: died Sept. 22, 1827, aged 90: Dea. Jonathan, 
born 1750: died July it, 1815, aged 65. 

COLHUHX. THOMAS. — Probably from Clielmsford and a son of 
Edward Colhurn; born about 1675; died Nov. 2, 1770, aged 96; his 
wife died Sept. 7, 1739. aged 59. His children were, i. Elizabeth, 
born Sept. 29, 1700; 2. Thomas, born April 2S. 1702: died April iS, 
1724; 3. Hannah, born Jan. 21, 1704; died March S, 171S; 4. Edward, 
born Dec. 14, 1705: died April iS, 1724; 5. a daughter, born Nov. aS, 
1707; 6. a son, born April, 1799; 7. Sarah; S. Bridget, born Aug. 20, 
1717; 9. Louisa, born 171S; 10. Rachel, born Sept. i.S, 1721. 

COLHURN, THOMAS, and Elizabeth, his wife.— Had a son Isaac, 
lunn Dec. 28, iSii. 

CUMMINGS, JOHN, SEN.^His wife was Sarah . who died Dec. 

7, 1700: he died Dec. l, 1700. His children were, John, Nathaniel, 
.Sarah, Thomas-, Abraham, Isaac, and Flbenezer. The two latter were 
either killed by the Indians or were drowned, as Ihcv "died Nov. 2, 
i(?SS," and were not buried for many days after. 

CUMMINGS, JOHN, JR.— Son of preceding; married Elizabeth , 

Sept. 13, 16S0. She was killed by the Indians, July 3, 1706. His 
children were, 1. John, born July 7, 16S2; 2. Samuel, born Oct 6, 16S4; 
3. Elizabeth, born Jan. 5, 16S7; 4* Anna, horn Sept. 14, 1698; 5. 
Lydia, born March 24, 1701 : died April, 1701 ; 6. William, born April 
24, 1702. 

CUMMINGS, NATHANIEL.— Son of John, Sen. His children were, 
1. John, born Jan. 14, 169S; 2. Nathaniel, born Sept. 8, 1699; 3. Elcazer, 
born Oct. 19, 1701 ; 4. Joseph, born May 26, 1704. 

CUMMINGS, ABRAHAM.— Son of John, Sen.— Had a son, Jnsiah, 
born July 12, 169S. 

CUMMINGS, THOMAS.— Son of John, Sen.; born in 1659: married 

Priscilla Warner, sister of Samuel VV., of D., Dec. 19, 16SS: died 

Tan. 20, 1723. His children were, i. Priscilla, born Oct. i, 16S9; 2. 

Mary, born April 25, 1692; 3, Anna, born Feb. 6, 1699; 4. Thomas, 

born April 10, 1701 ; 5. Jonathan, born July 3, 1703: married Elizabeth, 

daughter of Gipt. Joseph Blanchard; 6. Ephraim, born March 10, 

1706; 7, Samuel, born April 12, 170S. 
ClIMMINGS, DEA. WILLIAM. — Son of John, Jr.; born April 24, 

1702: married Sarah, daughter of Wdliam Harwood: died Sept 9. 

175S. His children were, 1. Sarah, born Nov. 10, 172S; 2. Ebenezer. 

born Jan. 29, 1730; 3. John Harwood, horn April 24, 1733; 4. Dorcas, 

born Dec. iS, 1737. 
CUMMINGS, JONATHAN.— Son of Thomas; born July 3, 1703; mar- 

ried Elizabeth, daughter of Capt. Joseph Blafichard, and had a son, 

Henjamin Blanchard, born Aug. 15, 1732. 
CUMMINGS, SAMUEL, and Prudence, his wife, son of Thomas; horn 

April 12, 170S. Had daughters Sybil, born Nriv. 1, 1736: Prudence. 

bcn-n Nov. 26. 1740. 
CUMMINGS. NATHANIEL, JR. — Son of Nathaniel; born Sept. 8, 

\(xy.y. married Elizabeth . His children were, i. Nathaniel 

born July 7, 1724; 2. Jeremiah, born Dec. 27, 1726; 3. Oliver, born 

April 10, 172S; 4. Elizabeth, born Dec, 30, 1730; 5. Abigail, born 

Feb. 12, 1732. 

CUMMINGS, ELEAXER.— Son of Nathaniel, Sen.; born Oct. 19, 

1701 : married Rachel . Had a son Eleazer, born Dec. 15, 1730. 

COOK. .ANDREW.— His children were Lydia, horn July 26, 1686, and 

Andrew. Alice and Elizabeth, born afterwards. 
C(n''FI\. WV.W ENOCH.— From Newbury, Mass. Had a daughter, 

Mrliit:iblr. born Nov. 5, 1719. Settled in Concord, N. H. 



72 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



DARBYSHIRE, JOHN.— His children were, i. William, born Aug;. 14, 
169S; 2. James, born April 30, 1702. 

DANFORTH, JOSEPH. — Dicil in Tyngsboroni?h, March 30, 1795, 
aged 75. 

FARWELL, HENRY.— From Chelmsford; a son of Henry Farwell of 
Concord. His children were, i. Henry; 2, Oliver, born 1691 : killed 
by the Indians at Naticook, Sept. 5, 1724; 3. Josiah, the only survivor 
of that fight; was a lieutenant under I.ovewc.U and killed at Pig- 
wacket, May S, 1725; 4. Jonathan, born July 24, 1700; 5. Susanna, 
born Feb. 19, 1703; 6. Isaac, born Dec. 4, 1704; Sarah, born Dec. 4, 1706. 

FARWEI,!.. HENRY, JR.— Son of the preceding; married Esther 
Blanchard. daughter of Capt. Joseph Blanchard. His children were, 

1, Eleazer, born Oct. 7, 1726; 2. Esther, born May 16, 1730; 3. Olive, 
born July 19, 1732. 

FARAVEI.L, JONATHAN.— Son of Henry, Sen.; born July 24, 1700: 

married Susanna , His children were, i, Susanna, born Jan. 17, 

1724; 2, Rachel, born Feb. 19, 172S; 3. Jonathan, born Aug. 2S, 1729. 

FARWELL, OLIVER.— Son of Henry, Sen.; born 1691 : married Mary 
Cummings, daughter of Thomas, Cumniings : killed by the Indians 
Sept. 5. 1724, aged 33. His children were, i. Mary, born May S, 1716; 

2. Oliver, born Nov. 19, 1717: married Abigail , who died Aug. iS, 

T7S9, aged 6S: he died Oct, 12, iSoS, in this town, aged 91; 3. Benja- 
min, horn May 14, 1720: died March 20, 1772; 4. Sarah, born May S, 1724. 

Fv\RWELL, LIEUT. JOSIAH.— Son of Henry, Sen.; married Hannah 
Lovewell. Had a daughter Hannah, born Jan. 27. 1723, 

FARWELL, ISAAC — Son of Henry, Sen.; born Dec. 4, 1704. His 
chiidrL-n were, i. Elizabeth; 2. Josiah, born Aug. 19, 172S; 3. Relief; 
4, Bunker, born Jan. 2S, 1732; 5. Abigail; 6, Isaac, born Feb. iS, 1736. 

FLETCHER, ROBERT.— Came from Chelmsford. His children were, 
I. Sarah, born March 1. 1724; 2. Rolicrl, born 1727: died .Sept. 9, 1792, 
aged 65; 3. Elizabeth; 4. Marv. 

FLETCHER, ROBERT.— Son of the preceding; born 1737: died Sept. 
9, 1792, aged 65. Had children, Robert, born Aug. 1, 1762; Hannah. 

FRENCH, SAMUEL.— Son of Lieul. William French; born at Cam- 
bridge, Dec. 3, 1645; removed to Billerica and thence to Dunstable: 
married Sarah, daughter of John Cummings, Sen., Dec. 24, 16S2. His 
children were, 1. Sarah, born Feb., 16S4; 2. Samuel, born Sept, 10, 
16S5, ^'cd Nov. 4, 1727; 3. Joseph, born March 10, 16S7: 4. John, born 
May, i6gi ; 5. Ebenezer, born April 7, 1693 : killed by Indians Sept. 5, 
1724; 6. Richard, born April S, 1695; 7, Alice, born Nov, 20,1699; S, 
Jonathan, born Feb. i, 1704: a deacon: died Nov. 17, 1757. 

FRENCH, JOSEPH.— Son of preceding; born March 10, 16S7: married 
Elizabeth, daughter nf John Cummings, Jr. His children were, '. 
Joseph, born July 2Sth, 1713; 2. Sampson, born July 2S, 1717; 3, Josiah, 
born Feb. 24, 1723; 4. Thomas, born June 29, 1724; 5. Benjamin, born 
July 6, 1726; 6. Samuel, born Aug. 10, 1730. 

FRENCH, SAMUEL.— Perhaps a brother of Henry French; born about 
1665. His children were, John, born May 6, 1691 ; and Ebenezer. 
born April 7, 1693. 

FRENCH, JOHN.— Son of Samuel; born May 6, 1691. His children 
were, John, born March 1, 1719; \\'illiani, born Oct. iS, 1721; and 
Hannah, Eleazer and Elizabeth, Ebenezer, and Sarah, born from 1723 
to 1753. 

FRENCH, EBENEZER.— Son of Samuel; born April 7. 1693; killed 
by the Indians at Naticook Brook, Sept. 5, 1724. Had a son, Eben- 
ezer, born Oct. 27, 1723. 

FRENCH, JOSEPH, JR.— Son of Joseph ; born July 2S, 1713: died April 

21,1776. His first wife, Bridget , died Oct. 29, 1735, aged 29; 

childless; his second wife, Elizabeth , died Jan. 20, 1753, aged 

44. Had a son. Joseph, born Nov. 1, 1739: was a Colonel, and died 
1770: married Sybil Richardson, who died .March 3, 176S. 

FRENCH, THEODORE.— Son of Joseph 3d.; born Jan. 6, 1759; mar- 
ried Rhoda Danforth, Oct. 4, 17S1. His children were, 1. Joseph, born 
Nov. 22, T7S3; 2. Theodore, horn Dec. 19, 17S6; married Lydia AUds, 
of D., now of Concord, N. II.; 3. lacnb, born Oct. 24, 17S9: of Stod- 
dard. 

FRE.XCH, BENJAMIN.— Son of Joseph, Sen,; born July 6, 1726; mar. 
ried Molly, dangbter of Col. Zaccheus Lovewell, Jan. 2S, 1751, who 
died Dec. 17, 1774; and for a second wife, Mrs. M.aiv Cummings. Feb. 
I, 1776. He died Dec. 15, 1799, aged 74. His children were Benjamin, 
horn Dec. 4, 1752; died Oct. 20, 1776, aged 23; Esther; Augustus; 
Betty; Charlotte; Frederic, born Sept. 26, 1766; Thomas, born May 
7, 176S; Lucy, married James Cummings, July 5, 1787; and Bridget. 
FRENCH, FREDERIC— Son of the preceding; born Sept. 26, 1766: 
married Grace, daughter of Hon, Jonathan Blanchard, Dec. 30, 1790; 
died at Amherst, N. II, His children were, Benjamin Frederic, horn 
Oct. 2, 1791; Charles; Arthur; Rebecca; and Edward. 



FRENCH, THOMAS.— Son of Capt. Benjamin; born May 7, 176S; mar- 
ried Elizalieth Blanchard, Jan. 7, 1796; he died May 3, 1S46, aged 7S: 
she died May 4, 1S43. Their children were, Jonathan Blanchard, 
born Oct. 16, 1796; Mary; Elizabeth; Caroline; Thomas; Benjamin; 
and Charles. 

HARWOOD, WILLI.VM.— Born in 1665: married Esther ; he 

died Sept. 17, 1740, aged 75; she died Ocl.S, 1737, aged 72, His chil- 
dren were John, killed in the Pig^vacket Fight, May S, 1735; Thomas, 
born Jan. 9, 1702; Man,'; Sarah; Abigail; Rachel; Dorcas; and Lydia. 

HASSELL, JOSEPH, SEN.— Of Cambridge: freeman, 1647: his wife 

was Joanna ; both killed by the Indians, Sept,, 1691. His children 

were, I.Joseph, born at Cambridge, 1645; 2. Esther, born at Cam- 
bridge, 164S; married Obadiah Pern.'; 3. Richard, taken prisoner by 
the Indians; 4, Abiah, married Capt. Joseph Blanchard. 

HASSELL, JOSEPH, JR.— Son of the preceding; born in 1(^145. His 
children were, Joseph; Benjamin; Hannah; Esther; Dinah; Abiah; 
Betsev; Rachel; and Sarah, born from 170010 1731. 

HASSELL, BENJAMIN.— Sonof Joseph, Jr.; born Aug. 19.1701. Had 
a daughter, Adah, born April 27, 1734. 

HOWARD, S.\MUEL.— Born in 36S4; died Feb. 7, i7(S9, aged S5. 

JOHNSON, NOAH,— Prob.ahly from Woburn ; born in 169S: survivor of 
Lovewell's fight: died at Pembroke, Aug. 13, 179S, in the one 
hundredth vear of his age. His children were, Elizabeth, born Oct. 3, 
172S; Noah, born May 37, 1730; and Edward, killed in the nhl French 
war. 

KENDALL, JOHN.— Probably from Woburn; married Deborah . 

who died March 3. 1739, aged 45, His children were, i. Sarah, born 
May 2},, 1737; 3. Jacob, born Aug. 9, 1729; 3. Temple, born Aug, 10, 
1731; he was the ancestor of Hon. Amos Kendall, and lived in that 
part of the town which is now Dunstable, Mass. 

LOVEWELL, JOHN,— Probably from Weymouth; born in England 
before 1650; married Hannah; died about 1754 — said to havebeen aged 
120. His children were. i. John, a captain, the hero of Pigwacket, 
born Oct. 14, i(x;i ; killed by the Indians at Pigwacket, May S, 1725 ; 

2, Hannah: m.irried Capt, Joseph Baker, of Roxbury; 3. Zaccheus, a 
colonel in the French w.ar, born July 22, 1701 ; 4. Jonathan, born May 
14, 1713: a judge: died about 1792, unmarried. 

LOVEWELL, CAPT, JOHN.— Son of the preceding; born Oct 15, 169' ■ 
killed Mays, 1725. His widow, Hannah, died Jan. 5, 1754. His chil- 
dren were, ). John, born June 30, 171S: died July 2, 1703; left children, 
John, Jonathan, Rachel, and Mary; 2. Hannah, born July 24, 1721 ; 3. 
Nehemiah, born Jan. 9, 1726; married Rachel, daughter of Jonathan 
Fanvell, Nov, 24, 174S: removed to Corinth, Vt., where he died, leav- 
ing a numerous family. 

LOVEWELL, COL. ZACCHEUS,— Son of John, Sen,; born July 22, 

1701: married Esther : died April 12, 1772, aged 72. His children 

were, i. Zaccheus, born Feb. 19, 1726; 2. Esther, born Nov. 10, 172S; 

3, Lucy, born Jan. 12, 1730; 4. Molly, born May 26, 1732, who married 
Capt. Benj. French and died Dec. 17, 1774; 5. Bridget, who married 
Augustus Blanchard, and died Nov. 25, 1S36, aged SS; and 6. Noah, 
born 1741, and died in D,, May 29, 1S20, aged 79. 

LOVEWELL, GEX. NOAH.— Son of Col. Zaccheus; born 1741; mar- 
ried Mary Farwell, Dec, 17, 1767, He died May 29, 1S20: she died 
Nov, 24, 1S35. aged 03, His children were, Betsy, who married Hon. 
Jesse Bowers; Mary, who married Luther Taylor of D.; and Moody 
D., still living. 

LUND, THO.M AS.— Born about 1660. His children were, i. Thomas, born 
Sept, 9, 16S2; 2. Elizabeth, born Sept. 29, 16S4; 3. William, born Jan. 
25, 16S6. 

LUND, THOMAS, 2d,— Son of the preceding; born Sept, 9. 16S2 : killed 
by the Indians, Sept, 5, 1724. His children were. 1. Thomas, liorn 
Oct. 31, 1712; 2, Elizabeth, born May 14, 1715; 3. William, born Oct. 
12, 1717; 4, Ephraim, born Aug. 3, 1720; 5. Phlnehas, born April 3, 1723. 

LUND, WILLIAM.— Son of Thomas, Sen.; born Jan, 25, 16S6: married 

Rachel : died in 176S, aged Si, His children were, i. William, 

borhjiilv iS, 1717; 2. Rachel; 3. Charity, (a son) born Feb, 16, 1731; 

4, Mary. 

I^UND, T1I(^M.\S,— Son of Thnin.as, 3d.; born Oct. 31, 1712, a Deacon; 

married Mary : died Feb. 4, 1790. He had a son, Thomas, born 

March 12, 1739, 
LUND, EPHR.MM.— Son of Thomas, 2d.; born Aug. 3, 1720; married 

Rachel . Had a daughter, Rachel, born Aug, 39, 1743, 

PERRY, ORADIAIL— Married Esther, daughter of Joseph Hassell. 

His children were, John, born Jan. 31, 16S2; and Elizabeth, born 

April 7, 16S3. He was killed by the Indians Sept, 2S, 1691, 
POLLARD. THOMAS.— The family came from Coventiy, Eng. He 

married Marv . His children were, i, John, born Sept. 20, 1727; 

2. Ebenezer, born Dec. 4, 172S; 3. Thomas, born Sept. 17, 1730. 



///S'/'OA')' OF NASHUA, N. H, 



73 



I'ltKNTICK, REV, NATHANIEL.— His children were. i. .M;ny, bnrn 

[an. 2, 1725; 2. William Henry, born Dec. 2, 1726; 3. Nathaniel, bnni 

May 29, 1729. 
PATTERSON. JAMES, and Mary, his wife. Had a ^^nti, John, hnrti 

April 10, 1711. 
I'OWER.S, CAPT. PETER, aiid Anna Kcyes. his wife; the first 

-Settlers of Hollis. He died Autjust 27, 1757; his widow died Sept. 

21, 179.S, ajjed 90. His children were, 1. Peter, hnrn Nov. 29. 172S: 

jjraduated at Harvard, 175S: was a niir.ister forty years and died at 

Deer Island, Me., in iSoo, aged 72; 2. Stephen, born Oct. 2S, 1729; 3. 

Anna, horn March g, 1731: married Benjamin Hopkins of Milford. 

For a further account see Powers' Centennial Address at Hollis. 
KOIUHXS, EIEUT, JONATHAN.— Probably came from Concord. 

Mass.; married Margaret Goold; was lieutenant under Lovewell. 

and killed in the fight. May S, 1725. His children were, Jane, born 

Dec. 26, 1712; Margaret, born Feli. 29, 1716; Jonathan, bnrn \ov. 4. 

171S; Elvira and Elizabeth. 
UlCHARDSO"N. JOSIAH, and Phebe, his wife. Had children. Phebe, 

born Jan, 19, 172S; Josiah, born Sept. 28, 1729; Lucy, born Oct. 5, 17.^1 ; 

Eunice, liorn Oct. 13, i7.Vi- 
SEARLES, SAMUEL, and Sarah, his wife. His children were, Sarah. 

born Oct. 20, 1700; Deliverance; Samuel, born March i, 1707; Mary; 

Daniel, born July 17, 1715; John, born Oct. 11, 1717; J(niathan, born 

Sept. 21, 1720. 
SE.VRLES, SAMUEL, 2d. — Son of the preceding; born March 1. 1707. 

His children were, Samuel, born Sept. 4, 173S; Renjainin. Iiorii Sept. 

6, 1740. 
SEARLES, DANIEL.— Son of Samuel tst; born July 17. 1715. His 

children were, Oliver, born Aug. 20, 1736; and James, born Nov. 17, 173S. 
SOLLENDIXE, JOHN.— Married Aug. 2. 16S0. His children were. 

Sarah, born April, \(-&z\ John, tmrn May, 16S3; Alice, horn January, 

16S6. 
SMITH, DEA. BENJAMIN.— Born 1736; died March 29, 1S21, aged S5. 
S\V.\N, REV. JOSIAH.— Married Jane, daughter of Capt. Josiah 

lllancliartl. Had a son, Josiah, born Aug. 25, 1740. 
TAYLOR, ABRvVHAM, and Mary, his wife. Born about 1(^)90; from 

Concord, Mass. His children were, i. Abraham; 2. Samuel; 3. 

Timothy, born Sept. i, 171S; 4. Alice; 5. Amos, born Sept. 10, 1725. 
TAYLOR, JONATHAN, and Hannah, his wife. His children were, 

David, born Jan. i, 1723; Jonathan and Ephraim, born Sept. S, 1725; 

Hannah ; Esther; Sarah; Nathan, born Oct. 9, 1734 ; Oliver, born April 

6, 1737; Sampson, born Dec. 6, 1739. 
TAYLOR, SAMUEL.— Son of Abraham. His children were. Reuben. 

horn March S, 1733; Samuel, born Oct. 13, 1734; Susannah. 
TEMPLE, CHRISTOPHER.— Probably from Concord, Mass.; married 

Alice, daughter of Joseph Hassell, Dec. 3 16S5; killed by the Indians, 

Sept. 28, 1691. His children were Jeremiah, born. Oct. 6, 16S6; Alice, 
born Jan, 3, 16S9; Christopher, born Oct. 3, 1690. 
TVNG, HON. EDWARD.— From Boston, where he was rep. assistant, 

and major general ; removed to Dunstable in 1679, and died Dec. 2S, 

16S1, aged Si. His children were, Jonathan, born Dec. 15, 1642; Ed- 
ward, governor of Annapolis, etc.; Hannah ; who married Habijah 

Savage, and for a second husband. Rev. Thomas Weld; Eunice. 

wife of Rev. Samuel Willard, president of Harvard College; Rebecca, 

wife of Gov. Joseph Dudley; and another daughter who married a 

Searle. 



T^'XG, HON. JONA'illAN.- Son of Hon. Edward; married Sarah, 
daughter of Ile/.ekiah Usher ; died January 9, 1724; his children were 
John, born about i^>7o; graduated Harvard College, 1691 ;killed by 
Indians in August, 1710; William, born April 22, 1679; Jonathan, born 
Sept. 29, i6S^); Eleazer, born April 30, 1690; graduated Harvard Col 
lege, 1712; Bersheha, (a son) born Februarys, 1694; Mary. 

TYN<;, ELEAZER. — Son of Jonathan; horn April 3, 1690: graduated 
Harvard College 1712. His children were, Jonathan, born September, 
10, 1717; Sarah, bo.n April 22, 1720, who married John Winslow ; 
Benjamin, born January 26, 1722; John Alford, [Judge Tyng,] born 
August 29, 1729; James, born March 6, 1731. 

USHER, ROBERT.— Son or relative of He/.ekiah Usher; from Charles 
town, Mass. His children were, John, born May 31, 1696; Robert, 
horn June, 1700; killed in Pigwacket fight. 

USHER, JOHN. — Son of the preceding, horn May 31, 1696; his children 
were, John, born May 2, 172S; Robert, born April 9, 1730; RacheL 
Habijah, born August S, 1734. 

WALDO, JOHN.— From Chelmsford: son of Dca. Cornelius Waldo; 
removed to D. His children were, John, born about 16S2; Catherine; 
Rebecca. 

WALDt), DANIEL.— Sou of Dea. Cornelius. He had two daughters, 
liorn 16S4, anil ifxS7. 

WARNER, SAMUEL.— Married Mary Swallow, May 4, 16S4. His 
children were, Eleazer, horn Jan. 27, 16S6; Priscilhi. 

WELD, REV. THOMAS.— First minister of Dunstable; son of Thomas 
Weld of Roxbury, Mass.; married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. John 
Wilson of Medfield, Nov. 9, i(>Si, who died July 29, if»S7 ; his second 
wife was widow Hannah Savage, daughter of Hon. Edward Tyng. 
He died in 1702; she died at the residence of her son, Rev. Habijah 
S. Weld, in Attleboro', Mass., in 1731. His children were, Elizabeth, 
born Oct. 13, 16S2; Thomas, born F"eb. 7, 16S4; ^y his first wife: and 
.Samuel, born March 4, 1701 ; and Habijah Savage, born in September, 
1702, by his second wife; ordained at Attleboro', Mass., 1727, and 
died there in 17S2, aged So,* 

WHITING, SAMUEL.— Probably a son of Rev. Samuel Whiting of 
Billerica: born January 19, 16^2; di^d March 14, 1715, aged 51, His 
children were, Samuel, born Oct. 22, 1687; who was in the Pig\vacket 
fight; Elizabeth; Catherine; Leonard, born August, 12, 1693; Joseph, 
born Dec. 14, 1695; Mary; Dorcas; John, born March 11, 1706. 

^VHITJNG, JOSEPH.— Born about 1735; grandson of preceding; mar. 
ried Abigail, Chamberlain, June II, 1761 ; she died April 19, 1779. His 
children were, i. Joseph, born Nov. 13, 1761; died Aug. 21, 177S; 2. 
Samuel, born June 30, 1763 ; died at Amherst in March, 1S05, aged 42; 
3. Susanna, born March 20, 1765; 4. Leonard, born Jan, 16, 1767; 5. 
Oliver, born Jan. 29, 1769; 6. William, born Sept. 2S, 1770; died in 
Merrimack; 7. Elizabeth, born July 16, 1772 ; S. Thomas, born Oct. 2C, 
T774; died at Amherst; 9. Abigail, born Aug. iS, 1776; 10. Jonathan, 
born Feb. 14, 177S; died at Amherst. 



*Of Mr. Weld it is said, that he "was distinguished for his usefulness 
in the ministry and highly respected as a man, both at home and abroad. 
He united to an uncommon degree the affections of his people for a period 
of fiftv-five years, during which h.e was their pastor." — White's Early 
History of N. E., 271. 



74 



HISTORY OF NASnr.l. X. If. 



APPENDIX II. 
HISTORY OF THE POSTOFFICE IN NASHUA.* 

THE POSTOFFICE in this town was established sometime between April ist, and July ist, 
1803, and Gen. Noah Lovewell appointed postmaster. The office was opened in the tavern 
of Cummings Pollard, who was appointed assistant postmaster, and had the charge of the 
office until iSii. Up to that time it was located in the tavern lately owned and occupied by 
by Silas Gibson. In 1811 the office was removed to the "Harbour," so called, and placed under 
the charge of Israel Hunt, who was appointed assistant postmaster, and in whose dwelling 
house it was stationed. After its removal to the latter place, it being located near the residence of 
General Lovewell, he continued to superintend the duties of the office personally until his death, which 
took place in May, 1820. ITpon his death, John M. Hunt, Esq., was appointed and commissioned in 
June, 1820. He established the office in the office of I. and J. M. Hunt, (at the Harbor), where it 
remained until 1S26, when it was removed to Nashua Village, soon after the erection of the cotton 
mills. Since its establishment in 1S03, the receipts of the office have increased to an astonishing and 
almo.st incredible degree. 

The receipt for the first quarterly balance of postage, for the quarter ending June 30, 1S03, is still 
on file in the office, and acknowledgedges the sum of twenty cents ! ! For the quarter ending Sep- 
temper 30, 1805, the receipts of the office had increased to the sum of two dollars, eighty-seven cents, 
vielding a commission as compensation for discharging the various duties of the office of eight\-six 
cents per quarter, or three dollars, forty-four cents per annum. 

But a glance at the finances of the office at periods of ten years will best show its rapid 
advancement : 



In 1810 the net receipts to the general postoffice were 
1820 " " " " " " " " 

1830 ' " 

1840 •■ " " I. 'I 1' I. 11 

1845 

First six months of 1S45 under the old postage law, 
Last six months under the new law, 



J31.86 ; gross I45.00 



55-95: 


" 80.00 


356.64 : 


" 510.00 


1715-53: 


•■ 2450.00 


1902.30 : 


" 2679.20 


997.18: 


" 1406.61 


905.12; 


" 1272.41 



Difference I 92.06 $ 134.20 

The present facilities for travelling, when compared with those of by-gone days, have placed the 
expedition of the mails on a par with their advancement in amount of business and increase of 
revenue. In former times. Wheat's old mail .stage occupied two days in travelling from Amhenst to 
Boston, and "put up" regularly for the night in Billerica. Now by the aid of .steam power and 
railroad accommodation, we can receive a mail from Boston in less than two hours! 

Forty years ago there was not a single letter or newspaper brought into this town b)' mail 
conveyance. For the quarter ending Sept. 30, 1840, the amount of postage collected on letters was 
five hundred and twenty-three dollars, and on newspapers and pamphlets one hundred and thirteen 
dollars, eighty cents. 

*This sketch was prepared for the Nashua Directory by John IM. Hunt, P^sq., in 1S46. 



H/STOKV OF NASHUA, N. //. 



75 



APPENDIX III. 
STATISTICS OF THF DISTRICT SCHOOLS. 

THE TOWN was first divided into school districts, five in uuinber, and .school houses 
erected in 1775. Previously (?«c teacher had been employed by the town to "keep school" 
in different places alternately. The sum rai.sed never exceeded and rarely equalled o)ic 
hundred dollars. There are now (1S40) eleven districts, and the whole amount of money 
raised and expended during the fiscal year 1S40, for schools and school houses, was $4,000.95; of 
which $263.93 only were expended for the latter. Tlie amount required by law to be raised by tin- 
town was only $2,627.10. 

From the following table we learn that there were eleven districts, seventeen schools, and lwent>- 
six teachers. The amount of mone\" expended for the support of teachers and for fuel was $3,411. 
The whole nundier of scholars in all the districts was 1452. Of these 1268 (viz: six hundred and 
thirteen males and six hundred and fifty-five females) attended school in summer; and 1188 (viz: 
six hundred and ninety-six males and four hundred and ninety-two females attended school in winter. 
The average attendance in summer was only seven hundred and twenty-two, however, and in winter 
(inl>- seven hundred and eighty-eight; showing that almost one-halt ol all the children in town 
were constantly absent from school. 

,ST.\TISTICS OF THE .SCHOOLS IN XASHU.V FOR 1S40. 
(Previous to Itie division oj' the Town.) 



^ 


H 


Z 




?; 


r 


g 


g 


5 


> 




> 


p 


re 


c 






=j 






~ 


^" 




5 







E, 






ere 


n a" 






1 


d 







a 




s- 




Nl'MBEK or Tk.\CIIEKS. 


11 



n 




p 


i? 

3 


re 

> 


3 
a 
;>: 

3 




-1 


•6 3 










■ ~ 


7^ 


.°3 




fT 


8 


t/i 


"< 










5' 














■5 


I 


Sum. 




I female teacher. 


Jio.33 


16 


27 


13 


14 


18 


40 


I131.00 


Win. 




I male. 


26.00 


12 


40 


27 


13 


35 




Sum. 




1 female. 


11.00 


16 


4.S 


28 


17 


25 


45 


131.00 


2 


Win. 




I male. 


25.00 


9 


36 


25 


II 


28 


3 


Sum. 




4 females; f 17, f 14, $14 and I13, 




21 


292 


141 


151 


'f5 


358 


758.16 


Win. 




I m. and 3 f.; f 29, I17, ;f 14 and I14. 




19 


288 


164 


124 


183 


4 


Sum. 

Win. 




I female, 
I male. 


11.60 
23.00 


14 
8 


24 
26 


12 
21 


12 
5 


16 
20 


29 


131.00 


5 


Sum. 




I female. 


1 1.32 


9 


20 


10 


10 


18 


22 


88.77 


Win. 




r male. 


20.00 


10 


20 


13 


7 


[4 




6 


Sum. 




I female. 


10.00 


16 


22 


13 


9 


18 


36 


131. CO 


Win. 




I male, 


21.68 


14 


33 


23 


10 


26 


7 


Sum. 
Win. 




I female, 
I male. 


12.00 
24.00 


14 
13 


40 
47 


17 
26 


23 

21 


23 
32 


47 


131.70 


8 


Sum. 
Win. 




t female, 
I female. 


12.00 
12 00 


29 


31 


14 


17 


13 


30 


88.77 




Sum. 


3- 


I male. #42; 6 females, jfi^ each. 




23 


441 


227 


2T4 


275 


556 


1177.47 


9 


Win. 


3- 


I male, I42 ; 6 females, f 13 each. 




12 


415 


250 


■65 


274 


10 


Sum. 
Win. 


2. 
2. 


2 females; wages, I14 and I13, 
I male, I26; i female, #14, 


26 
12 


169 
114 


66 
53 


103 

6i 


go 
80 


135 


316-69 




Sum. 


2. 


2 females; wages, #14 each. 


20 


1.57 


72 


8.5 


91 


154 


326.14 


1 1 


Win. 


2. 


I male, f27; i female, J14, 


13 


138 


80 


58 


83 


1 1 




17- 


22 Te.\chkrs. 


Summer. 
Winter. 


1268 
1 188 


613 
696 


655 
492 


772 
788 


1452 


J34II.OO 



Of the scholars in all the schools, i,oqo attended to reading, nine hundred and forty-nine to 
.spelling, eight hundred and thirty-one to arithmetic, two hundred and seventy-three to geography, 
one hundred and fifty-two to grammar, fifty-four to history, seventeen to moral philo.sophy, sixteen to 
natural philosophy, eight to chemistry, and se\en to algebra. 



76 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

STATISTICS OF THE SCHOOLS IN NASHUA FOR 1^45. 

Tabic of Teachers, Scholars, Attenciaiuc, etc. 






hJ 


?w 




3; 


z 


Z 


'^ 


1) 


> 


2 













c 










D 


:? 


3 


o 




^ 


5- 


^ 


y 





r. 


c 


^ 








— ^ 


n 
1 


?? 

1 




n 


-iq 


PI 








No. OF Teachers. 


• 
a. 





1 






> 

n 




X 




ISt 




I female, 


$10A2 


14 


19 


9 


10 


15 


^101.34 


I 


2d 




I male, 


26.00 


9 


31 


20 


II 


25 




2 


ISt 




I female, 


10.00 


12 


35 






25 


90.19 


2d 




I male. 


2 1. 00 


10 


35 


20 


15 


25 






ISt 


I 


I female, 


12.00 


16 


47 


19 


28 


24 






2 


I female, 


12.00 


16 


6t 


30 


31 


38 


302 -3' 


3 


2d 


I 


I male, 


26.00 


14 


50 


26 


24 


35 






2 


I female. 


13.00 


12 


57 


35 


22 


39 






' 


I 


I male and 2 females. 


68.00 


26 


188 


90 


98 


80 






ISt 


2 


2 females. 


26.00 


26 


136 


58 


78 


60 






3 


2 females, 


26.00 


26 


157 


75 


82 


81 




4 




4 


I female. 


14.00 


26 


74 


28 


46 


40 


1416.97 




I 


I male and 2 females. 


68.00 


II 


126 


61 


65 


93 






2d 


2 


2 females. 


26.00 


II 


98 


46 


52 


71 






3 


2 females. 


26.00 


II 


97 


59 


38 


68 








4 


I female, 


14.00 


II 


46 


19 


29 


33 




5 


ISt 


1 


I female. 


10.00 


10 


20 


9 


II 


10 


25.00 


^/ 2d 




I female. 


10.00 


12 


18 


10 


8 


14 


98.34 




I male. 


22.67 


8 


29 


19 


10 


23 




1 ISt 




I female. 


11.00 


17 


29 


15 


14 


22 


107-34 


7 \ 2d 




I male. 


23.00 


12 


36 


18 


18 


30 





STATISTICS OF THE SCHOOLS IN N.ASHVILLE FOR 1 845. 

Table of Teachers, Scholars, Attendance, etc. 






H 


w 




^ 


Z 


z 


S 


'n 


> 


C 


g 


If 


n 
^ 









'i^ 


s 
3 


s 

3 


p. 


r: 




3 




3 












o- 


D- 


in 


















^ ''^• 


re 


n 




n 


1^ 
















-< 








n 













No. OF Teacher.s. 














> 


•X 


X 










3 

p 


1 

ft 


n 

3- 






^ 


5 














re 


0_ 






D. 




c 










d- 


X 


P" 








'"i, 


&. 










■3 




.- 








Q 






r,.. 


I 


I female, 


J14.CO 


20 


44 


20 


24 


26 






I . 


.... 
2d 


2 
I 


I female, 
I male. 


14.00 
30.00 


20 

16 


54 
65 


24 
27 


30 
36 


37 
52 


160 


1386.38 




2 


I female, 


14.00 


16 


56 


30 


26 


40 








' 


I 


I male. 


35-00 


25 


90 


42 


48 


50 








ISt 


2 


I female, 


16.00 


25 


65 


30 


35 


42 








3 


I female. 


16.00 


25 


70 


36 


34 


55 






2 ■ 




4 

1 


I female, 

I male and female. 


16.00 
49.00 


25 
17 


85 
86 


39 

45 


46 
41 


52 
59 


442 


1032.95 




2d 


2 


I female, 


16.00 


17 


59 


27 


32 


45 








3 


I female. 


16.00 


17 


60 


33 


27 


47 










4 


I female, 


16.00 


17 


77 


35 


42 


56 








ISt 
1 2d 




I female. 


10.80 


II 


22 


16 


6 


i6 






3 




I male. 


21.00 


10 


18 


16 


2 


12 


20 


91-75 




S ISt 




I female. 


12.00 


15 


16 


7 


9 


12 






4 


2d 




I female, 


13-25 


12 


22 


10 


12 


17 


19 


139-39 



There are two academies in Na.shua. "The Nashua Literary Institution," David Crosb\-, 
A. M., and Mrs. Louisa S. H. Crosby, principals, and the Nashua Academy, Zuinglius Grover, 
A. M., and Miss Caroline Wood, principals. These academies were both incorporated in 1840. 

"Abbot's High School," in Nashville, is under the charge of Charles Abbot. Beside the 
usual liranches taught in high schools, daily instruction is given in vocal and instrumental music. 

There are also numerous private schools in the village, for small scholars. 



H/STOK)- OF XASI/rA, X. H. 



11 



APPENDIX IV. 

THE NAMH— ITS ORIGIN. 




I 



X September, 1673, the proprietors of the farms 

already laid out and others who were disposed 

to settle in this viciiiit}-, presented a petition 

to the general assembly, asking that all the 

grants be consolidated into one plantation, that 

they might enjoy the privileges and immunities of 

an incorporated township. In the following year 

the boundaries having been extended, the town was 

called Dunstable, in compliment to Mrs. Mary 

Tyng, who came from Dunstable, England, and 

who with her husband, Hon. Edward Tyng, then 

one of the magistrates of the Commonwealth of 

Massachusetts, shorth- afterwards removed to the 

new township. 

Inquiring into the origin of the name as first 
applied to the English town, lying thirty miles 
northwest of London in Bedfordshire, we find (ac- 
cording to Sanborn's History of Dunstable, Eng.) 
that while the ancient Priorj- is now entirely 
destroyed, there is to be seen in the garden wall of 
the old farmhouse, occupying its site, a curiously carved stone, bearing the original "Arnies of 
the Priory of Dunstable," which are here reproduced. In the records which were kept at the 
Priory are found the following : 



ARMS OK THE PKIORV OF DUNSTABLE.' 



"VERSE.S CONCERNINGE THE NAME AND ARMES OF DUNSTAPLE, 1558. 

"By Houghton Regis, there, where Watliiige .Streete 
Is cross'd by Icknell way, once grew a wood 

With bushes thick orespred ; a covert meete 
To harbor such as lay in waite for blood, 

There lurkte of ruffians bolde an hideous route 
Wliose captaine was one Dunne, of courage stoute. 

"No travailer almost coulde passe that way 
But either he was wounded, rob'd, or kil'd 

Bj' that leude crewe, which there in .secreete law; 
With murthers, theftes, and rapes, their hands were fil'd. 

What l)Ooties ere they tooke, ech had his share ; 
Thus yeere by yeere they liv'd without all care. 

"At last king Ilenrie, first king of that name, 
Towards the northern partes in progresse rode ; 

And hearinge of those greate abuses, came 
Came unto the thicket where the tlieues abode ; 

Who on the comniinge of the kinge did flie 
Each to his house, or to his freinde did hie. 

"Wherefore the kinge, such niischiefes to prevent, 
The wood cut down; the w-ay all open laj-de 

That all trew' men, which that way rode or w'ente, 
Of sodaine sallyes might be lesse affrayde ; 

And might descrie their danger ere it came, 
And so bv wise foresighte escape the same. 



78 HISTORY OF XASHUA, N. H. 

"This done, he rear'd a pouU both houge and longe 
In that roade-highway, where so nianie passe ; 

And in the poul let drive a staple stronge, 
Whereto the kinge's owne ringe appendant was ; 

And caus'd it to be publisht that this thinge 
Was done to see what thiefe durst steale the ringe. 

"Yet for all that, the ring was stol'n away. 
Which, when it came to learned Beauclerke's eare, 

By skylful arte to finde, he did assay 
Who was the theife, and first, within what shyre 

His dwellinge was, which this bould act had done, 
And found it to be Bedffordshire, anon. 

"Next in what hundred off that shyre might dwell 
This vent'rous wighte, kinge Henrie caste to find ; 

.\nd upon Mansfield Hundred, straight it fell. 
Which being founde, he after bent his minde 

To learn the parish, and by like skyll tride 
That he in Houghton Regis did abide. 

"Lastlie. the parish knowne. he further soughte 
To find the verie house where he remaynde ; 

And by the precepts of his arte he toughte. 
That by one Widow Du:i he was retayned ; 

The widowe's hoase was .searched, so wil'd the kinge, 
.A.nd with her sonne was founde, staple and ringe. 

"Thus Eeauclerke by his arte, found out the thiefe, 
.A. luetic tall younge man of courage goode. 

Which of the other ruffians was the Chiefe ; 
That closlie lurked in that waylesse wood. 

Then Dunne, this captain thiefe, the widowe's sonne, 
Was hanged for the factes which he had done. 

"And where the thicket stoode, the kinge did Ijuild 
i\. market towne for saulfetie of all those 

Which travail'd that way, that it might them yielde 
.A. sure refuge from all thievishe foes ; 

.\nd there King Henrie, of his great bountie. 
Founded a church, a schole, and priorie. 

"And for that Dunne, before the wood was downe, 
Had there his haunte, and thence did steal away 

The staple and the ring, thereof the towne 
Is called Dunstaple untill this day ; 

Also in amies, that corporation. 
The staple and the ringe give thereupon." 

Other authorities claim that the word is of Anglo-Saxon origin, the first s}'llable, "Dun," is 
.\nglo-Saxon for "hill," as seen in Dundee, Dunwhich, Dune, etc. ; that formerly certain goods 
could not be exported withottt first being brought to one of the "Royal Staples" or markets and 
there charged with a duty ; that the second part, "Staple," grew out of the fact that Henry, the First, 
when re-erecting the town, desiring to give it commercial importance, establi.shed a "Staple" or 
"Market" there, and named the town "Dunstaple — meaning the Market on the Hill." 

As a result of the readjustment of our state lines in 1746, Old Dunstable was divided and there 
came into existence two Dunstables, one in Massachusetts — the other in New Hampshire — divided 
only by the state line. 

During, and after the Indian wars, the settlement at vSalmon brook became known as "The 
Harbor," through being a harbor — or place of safety — while in the Indian attack in 1724 occurred 
the circumstances through which the settlement at the mouth of the Nashua received the name 
of Indian Head. 



PART II 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H 



8o HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

THE LAST OF THE NASHAWAYS.* 
R. B. PRESCOTT. 

Towurd the chise of ;i late summer's day about the year 1842 or 1S43, ^ band of Indians with their ponies, dogs and carts suddenly appeared in 
the main street of the then village of Nashua, coming from the southward. They halted a few moments on the bridge and gazed earnestly about, 
being especially interested in the green meadows opposite the Nashua company's mills. They passed the night in what is now called Railroad 
square, where Hon. Daniel Abbot addressed to them a few words of inquirv and welcfuuc. The writer, then a small child, distinctly remembers being 
lifted upon the shoulders of his father to witness the novel spectacle. 

The gathering shadows, k-ngtheniiig to the east. 

Proclaimed the sun well down the western sky. 

Wearily along the hot and dusty street, 

Heralded by all the noisy village boys. 

Moved a strange procession. At its head. 

Feathered and tinselled as became his rank, 

Rode the venerable chief. A motley crew 

Of painted braves and beaded squaws 

In number several score in silence followed. 

Ponies, rough and unkempt, rude wagons drew 

With dusky children filled, and household goods; 

While 'tween the wheels with drooping heads 

And lolling tongues, walked the gaunt Indian dogs. 

Stolid and silent along the street they passed, 

Nor heeded aught of all the curious eyes 

Which wonderingly from every door and window 

The unwonted sight surveyed. Upon the bridge 

Which spans the placid waters of the Nashua 

.'Vt length arrived, the cavalcade made pause. 

While through the ranks a sudden impulse ran. 

With outstretched hand the chief their glances drew 

To where, above, the stream makes sudden curve 

And laps the edge of broad, green meadow lands ; 

Where now, from underneath the wheel's dark pit 

The foaming torrent plunges madly forth. 

With earnest words and feelings deeply moved 

His hearers' minds he seeming much impressed. 

It was as when some long forgotten scene, 

Suddenly reappearing, floods the heart 

With cherished memories, and, like spring-time torrents, 

Bears all else impetuously away. 

A moment thus they gazed, then moving on 

To where the street first verges to the right, 

Beneath two giant Balm-of-Gilead trees 

Whose spreading branches overarched the way, 

A final halt was made. The village folk. 

Curious, yet timid, a gradual circle formed. 

Which, as it grew, to narrower limits pressed. 

Till some, more bold than others, dared to feel 

With cautious touch the strangers' quaint attire. 

And now the circle parts and entering in 

Approached the chief a portly man and wise ; 

Whose face, dress, speech, and general air, proclaimed 

A man of power and weight within the town.t 

With proffered hand and kindly tone he asked, 

"Who and whence are ye, and with what intent 

Come ye here thus to camp within our town?" 

The swarthy chief a moment him surveyed. 

Then glancing o'er the throng thus made reply. 

*Prizc poem; written in response to an offer, on the part of the managers of this history, of fifty dollars in gold for the best original poem 
written for the work; the author to be either a native or resident of Nashua. There were several competitors, and, by unanimous consent of the 
committee of aw.ard, the above obtained the jirize. • ^ 

tHon. Daniel Abbot. 



///SVOA'}- OF XASUUA, X. 11. 8i 

" Oh, pale-face, many, many years are flown 

Since these fair lands our fathers called their own ; 

Ere yet these whirrinj^ wheels the silence broke, 

Or shriek of iron horse the echoes woke, 

Freely they roved where e'er their fancy drew. 

Guiding their course by Nature's instincts true. 

Their broad domain on every hand was seen, 

l-'roni Nashua's source to Penacook's meadows green ; 

From where the Merrimack meets the Atlantic tide 

Westward to far Wachusett's rugged sides. 

Six tribes here dwelt in peace, or banded, fought 

Their common foe, the wily, fierce Mohawk, 

And each and all were subject to the .swa}- 

Of that proud sachem, Passaconaway. 

We the descendants are — a feeble band. 

Of those same Nashaways that possessed this land. 

From distant shores we hitherward are come 

To view once more our father's ancient home ; 

To note again the streams they loved so well. 

To mark the ground where in fierce strife they fell. 

These have we seen, and to our children told 

The wrongs ye did their sires in days of old. 

Yet in our hearts we bear no thought of hate, 

But only see the o'erruling hand of fate. 

Poor and unskilled, the red man must give i)lace. 

And own the white man the superior race." 

He ceased. The throng in silence moved away ; 

The village youth no more resumed their play ; 

And when again returned the morning light, 

The Indian liaud had vanished from the sight. 



82 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



JESSE ESTEY. 

Jesse Estey was born in Middletown, Mass., in 1780, 
died in Nashua, Sept. 12, 1846. Mr. Estey was educated 
in the public schools of his native place and early in life 




JESSE ESTEY. 

moved to Mont Vernon. In 181 1 he settled in Nashua 
and bought what was then known as the Pollard house, 
changing the name to Kstey house, and continuing it as a 
hotel till 1S27, when he gave up the occupation of land- 
lord and removed to the north side of the river, taking 
up his residence in the house now standing at the 
corner of Concord and Laton streets. From that time 
until 1846 he was engaged in the grain business. In 1830 
Mr. Este)- built the house now 217 Main .street and resided 
there until his death. In his da^' Mr. Estey was one of 
the prominent men of Nashua and closely identified with 
those who were enthusiastic in effort to develop its 
resources and advance its prosperity. He was a director 
in the Nashua State bank and one of the original stock- 
holders in the Washington house and Worcester & Nashua 
railroad, both of which enterprises had his endorsement. 
In a word he was a stirring citizen who had the confidence 
of the business community and the esteem of all with 
whom he came in contact. 

Mr. Estey was united in marriage June 19. 1808, with 
Anna Peabody, daughter of Deacon Benjamin Peabod)- of 
Middletown. Deacon Peabody was a captain in the Con- 
tinental army during the war of the Revolution and after 
peace was declared was commi.ssioned colonel of a militia 



regiment. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Estey's marriage 
were Hannah F., Augustus, Willis Hall, Julia A., Maria, 
who married Col. Harvej' F. Courser, (see sketch of his 
career elsewhere in this work), Caroline and George P. 
The last named removed in earl)- life to Toledo, O., and, 
when the Civil War broke out, was emploj-ed on the edi- 
torial staff of the Toledo Blade. The day Fort Sumter 
was fired on he was visiting his relatives in Nashua. He 
immediately telegraphed his frienrls in Ohio to muster a 
company of volunteers and include his name on the roll. 
His suggestion was acted upon and he went to the front 
in the F'ourteenth regiment, Ohio volunteers, in which 
command he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. 
Before the war was closed he was Ijrevetted, for gallantry, 
brigadier-general. General Estey was united in marriage 
June 3, 1868, with Emma Lindsey, daughter of IvOuis 
Lindsey of Winchester, Va., at Washington, 1). C. Mrs. 
Estey died Oct. 9, 1870. General Estey died in New York 
city Feb. 6, 1881, and his body was buried in the family 
lot in tile Nashua cemetery. 

JESSE BOWERS. 

Hon. Jesse Bowers was born at Chelnisfi>rd, Mass., Nov. 
12, 1785, died at Nashua, June 22, 1854. He was the 
youngest of seven sons of William and Hannah (Kidder) 
Bowers, whose ancestors were among the first settlers of 
Chelmsford and Billerica, Mass. 

Mr. Bowers obtained such schooling as possible in the 
public schools of his native place and then attended an 
academy at Concord, Mass. He came to Nashua in i8(X>, 
and after his marriage resided in what was known at the 
time as the Gen. Noah Lovewell house, which is still 
standing, having been moved a few feet east of its original 
foundation to make room for the manufactory of the 
American Shearer company. Of the industrious and busy 
men in Nashua in the days of small beginnings he was 
one of the liest known and most influential. He was one 
of the builders and owners of the Taylor's falls toll-bridge, 
a director in the Nashua State bank and Nashua & Lowell 
railroad, an incorporator in the Nashua Literary institu- 
tion, and its first president; and also engaged in 
managing his farm and settling estates in the capacity of 
administrator. Mr. Bowers represented the town in the 
legislature from 1816 to 1824, was a member of the senate 
from 1826 to 1828, and deputy sheriff of the county from 
1840 to the time of his death. He was also a moving 
factor in town affairs and was identified with many local 
enterprises that resulted beneficially to his fellow-citizens. 
He was prominent in the Unitarian church, and a :nan 
in whom the public placed implicit confidence. 

Mr. Bowers was twice married. His first wife was 
Betsey Lovewell, daughter of Gen. Noah and Mary 
(Farwell) Lovewell: second, Laura Fletcher of Lowell. 
Six children were born of bis first marriage of whom only 
one is living: Mrs. Bedel, widow of Gen. John Bedel of 
Bath. The children of his second marriage were : Laura 
Maria, born at Nashua, March 12, 1S39, married George O. 
Whiting of Wilton, May 1, 1865, and now residing in 
Lexington, Mass. : Clara Adelia, born at Nashua, July 22, 
1841, married Frank A. McKean of Nashua, June 11, 1863. 



inSTORY OI-' XASHIJA, X. If. 



83 



WILLIAM BOAKUMAN. 

Col. William I5oar(lnian was born al Ilaverliill, Mass. 

rSsfi. Hf was : 



Dl'C. 15, 17S7, (lied at Nashua. Oct. 

son of Thomas ami .\iin (Noves) Boanlmaii, and 



"J 




JESSE liOWEKS. 
ik'SCL-ndant of William Boardman who was born in Cam- 
bridge, England, in 1614, came to America in 1638 and 
settled at Saugus, Mass., where he died March 25, 1685. 
The descent was William, 1614, William, 1657, William, 
about 1700, Thomas, 1744, William, 1787. William, 1614, 
had a family of eight children and their descendants 
have become prominent in public life and honored resi- 
ilents of many states in the Union. 

Colonel Boardman was educated in the public and 
private schools of his day and thoroughly qualified him- 
self as a civil engineer. He remained in his native place 
and followed his profession until in 1823, w'hen he came 
to Nashua and entered the service of the Nashua Manufac- 
turing company, and to him belongs the credit of locating 
the company's canal, mill buildings and tenement blocks. 

He was a Whig in politics and a strong party man, 
and represented Nashville in the legislature in 1843. In 
religious belief he was a Unitarian. He was one of the 
original promoters of the Indian Head state bank. Colonel 
Boardman was a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. !■'. and 
A. M., and served it as worshipful master in 1830. 

Colonel Boardman was united in marriage Oct. 3, 1810, 
with Anna Welister, daughter of David and Mary 
(Conant) Webster of Haverhill, Mass. The children 
born of this marriage were: William, who died in New 
York in 1891 ; Charles and Henry, both residing in New 
York; Mary W., married Josiah G. Graves, M. D., of 
Nashua, died 1893; Frances, married Charles W. Hol- 
brook of Athol, Mass.; Jane N., married William I). 
Beasom of Nashua. 



AMBROSK PHARSON. 

Major Ambrose Pearson, son of Caleb and Elizabeth 
( I'"arnier ) I'earson, ( for ancestors see sketch of his father), 
was born at Londonderry, July 19, 1819; died at Wilton, 
July 23, 7876. He was educated in the common schools of 
his native place and the New Hampton institution. In 
1825 he became a resident of Nashua, and from that time 
until 1848 was identified with many of the enterprises 
that developed its resourses and gave it prominence as a 
manufacturing center. His profession was that of a civil 
engineer, and, in the construction of many of the railroads 
in the New England and Western states, he had charge of 
stone masonry, of which he became an expert whose su- 
perior skill and judgment were inc onstant demand in 
great undertakings. After leaving Nashua he resided at 
CJuincy, Mass., St. Albans, Vt., Marietta, O., Antioch, 111., 
Lowell, Mass., Putnam, Conn., Vinelaud, N. J., and Wil- 
ton, all the changes being made necessary by reason of 
his profession. In early life he was interested in military 
matters and held various commissions, including that of 
major. In 1856 and 1857 he was mayor of Antioch, 111., 
and in other places where he resided he was prominent in 
civil affairs and in society. Major Pearson was a member 
of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., Nashua. He was a 
man of the most genial and companionable temperment, 
widely known and highly regarded by friends and ac- 
ciuaiiitances. At the time of his death, which was sudden, 
he was engaged in surveying a route for a railroad 
between Greenfield and Keene. His body was. buried in 
the Nashua cemeter}-. 

Major Pearson was united in marriage June 13, 1848, with 
Mary R. W^hite of Quincy, Mass., who died Aug. 2, 1853. 
His second marriage, which occured March 8, 1855, was 
with Hannah A. Edgerley, daughter of Samuel J. and 
Elizabeth (Bickford) Edgerley of Barnstead. Five child- 
ren were born to him : by his first marriage, Mary M., at 
St. Albans, Vt., Aug. ig, 1849, married J. A. McCrillis, 




f)ct. 
tioch 
Fred 
Feb 



AMIUSOSK I'KAR.SON. 

1S73 ; by his second marriage, Carrie W., at An- 
111., vSept., 1856, married J. W. Smith, Nov. 20, 1S76 ; 
S., at Lowell, July 3, i86r, married Mabel Ward, 
5, 1886; Walter A., al Putnam, Conn., July 3, 1869. 



84 



HISTORY OF NASHCrA, N. H. 



JOHN CLIFTON LUND. 

John C. Lund was Ijorn in Nashua, Jan. 28, 1821 ; died at 
Nashua, Jan. 14, 1896. He was a son o( Clifton and Rebec- 
ca (Carleton) Lund of Old Dunstable. His inunigrant 
ancestoi on the paternal side was Thomas Lund, born in 
1660, and among the first settlers in Dunstable, whose 
genealogy is traced to William DuLund whose name ap- 
pears, 1313. on a list of over 400 persons who were par- 
doned by the King of England for participating in the 
rebellion. The 
American descent 
is Thomas, i66o. 
William, i686,AVil- 
liani, 1717. John, 
1749, Clifton, 1784, 
and John C 1821. 
They were all wor- 
thy men and with 
their brothers in 
each generation 
were among the 
bravestof the brave 
Indian fightersand 
soldiers in the ear- 
ly history of Dun- 
stable ; they were 
citizens of infln- 
enceand character. 
Thomas Lund, the 
oldest son of the 
original settler, 
was killed Sept. 5, 
1724, with some 
others while fight- 
ing Indians near 
Nashua; William 
Lund was taken 
captive in the same 
fight and carried 
to Canada where 
he was afterwards 
ransomed. Major 
John Lund, grand- 
father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, 
was at the battle 
of Bunker Hill, 
while other de- 
scendants have 
sustained the hon- 
or of the flag in all 
the wars of the 
country and 

adorned the professional and industrial occupations of 
men. On the maternal side he is a descendant of Timothy 
and Rebecca (Field) Carleton, both of whom were from 
families of worthy people. 

Mr. Lund was educated in the district schools of Dun- 
stable and at Crosby's Nashua Literary institution. When 
he was twenty years of age he went out into the world to 
seek his fortune. He settled at Cabotville, now Chicopee, 
Mass., and during the next six years was employed in the 
Dwight cotton mill. In 1848 he went to Victory, (a set- 
tlement in Saratoga, N. Y.,) in charge of cotton mill 




JOHN C. LLUN'D. 



machinery-, made in Chicopee. He set up the machinery, 
and operated the mill five years. In 1853 he went to 
Bellevue, Ohio, and took a contract to build seven miles 
of the Cleveland, Norwalk & Toledo railroad. He com- 
pleted his contract in 1855 and then went to Milwaukee, 
Wis., and engaged in the sale of a patent atmospheric belt 
for flour mills. In 1857 he returned to Chicopee and for 
the next two years was employed as overseer of two 
cotton mills. The year 1859 found him at Augusta, Ga., in 
charge of the Augusta cotton factory of which his brother- 
in-law, Francis 
Coggin, was the 
agent. The Civil 
War broke out in 
1861, and, it being 
an uncomfortable 
place for a Union 
man, he immedi- 
ately returned to 
Nashua. In 1862 
and 1863 he was 
employed in the 
armory at Spring- 
field, and after 
that for a short 
time in the Flor- 
ence Sewing ma- 
chine manufactory 
at Florence, Mass., 
and the Weed sew- 
ing machine shop 
at Nashua. His 
last venture was 
the White money- 
drawer patent. He 
purchased the half 
interest of A. (). 
Miles, later bought 
White out. He 
manufactured and 
sold drawers four 
or five years, made 
some money and 
sold out. Since 
then he has man- 
aged his farm on 
the Lowell road 
and engaged ex- 
tensively in the 
real estate busi- 
ness. 

No citizen was 
better liked among 
social Nashuans 
than Mr. Lund. He carried sunshine with him wherever 
he went and was democratic iu all his ways and dealings. 
When at Chicopee he was made an Odd Fellow in St. 
John's lodge, but on his return to that place from the 
West he found that the charter had been given up and so 
he never applied for re-instatement in the order. He was 
a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., Meridian 
Sun Royal Arch chapter, Israel Hunt council of Masters 
and St. George Commmandery, K. T. He w'as also a 
Scottish Rite Mason of the 32d degree. Mr. Lund was a 
Unitarian'and a single man. 



J/ IS Ton y OF NASHUA, N. H. 



85 



BENJAMIN PETTENGILL MOORE. 

Benjatniii P. Moore was born in Old Dnnstahle, now 
Nashua, March 10, 1806, died at Nashua, Jan. 20, iS8g. 
He was son of Tlionias and Polly (Petten,<;il! ) Moore, an<l 
a grandson of .\sa Moore, who died at his farm in the 
south part of the city in 1S22. Their ancestors were early 
settlers in this section of New Kn<;land. They were a 
hardv and imlustrions race who did their full share in 
laving deep and secure the foundation of religious and 
civil liberty. The 
subject of this 
sketch settled, fol- 
lowing his mar- 
riage, on what is 
known in this 
generation as 
Highland fa r ni . 
He set the el m 
trees there that 
have become an 
attraction to trav- 
ellers in 1832, and 
shortly' after re- 
moved to the Har- 
bor. His mother, 
who dieil in 1813. 
was the first per- 
son buried in the 
Old .South church- 
\ard. 

Mr. Moore was 
educated in the 
public schools of 
the place and be- 
came one of its 
best known citi- 
zens. His occupa- 
tion was that of a 
wheeUvright. He 
worked steadily at 
his trade until 
1847. when he gave 
u]) the 1)usiness 
and went to l'.oston 
where he engaged 
in trucking until 
1852. He then re- 
turned to Nashua 
and though he had 
a stabling business 
in Chariestown, 
Mass., he spent 
the rest of his life 

here. Mr. Moore was one of the founders of the Univer- 
salist society and the only survivor of the original 
members who attended its fiftieth anniversary in 1S85. 
He held many positions of honor and political trust in 
the town. lu the city he served as a member of the 
common council in 1857 and 1858, and on the board of 
aldermen in 1859, i860, 1861, i868 and 1870. In 1862 he 
represented his ward in the legislature. Mr. Moore was 
a member of the first board of trade and deeply interested 
in every thing calculated to promote the industrial 
interest of the city and thereby aid the laboring man. In 




I!I-;.\|.\.M1\ I'KTI l-.\l,n.l. MiKiKI-.. 



early life he was quite a musician. He was a member of 
the brass band that escorted Lafayette into Concord on 
the occasion of his visit to New Hampshire. Mr. Moore 
was also interested in the military and was a mendier of 
the Nashua .\rtillery comi)any at the time of its march to 
Hunker Hill in 1842. During the latter part of his life he 
was a trustee for a short time in the Mechanics Savings 
bank. Mr. Moore was a man of sterling character and 
strict probity. He lived a long and useful life. 

Mr. Moore was unite<l in marriage Feb. 2, 1830, with 

Ro.xana Spalding, 
(laughter of Solo- 
mon and Martha 
(McClure) Si>ald- 
ing of Merrimack. 
(For ancestors see 
sketch of Solo- 
mon >Spalding of 
Nashua). Mrs. 
Moore died Oct. 
25, 1891. Mr. and 
Mrs. Moore cele- 
brated the fiftieth 
anniversary of 
their marriage in 
iS.So, the event be- 
ing more notice- 
aide from the fact 
that all their chil- 
dren and grand- 
children and two 
who attended their 
wedding w'ere 
present. Six chil- 
dren were born of 
their marriage : 
Charles P., born 
.\ng. 14, 1832, died 
March 23, 1834; 
Kllen A., born July 
28, 1835 ; Martha 
A., born Nov. 10, 
1S37, marrieil Levi 
\V. tSoodrich of 
Lunenburg, Mass.; 
John Francis, born 
Nov. 30, 1838, died 
March 4, 1845; 
Mary Ella Spald- 
ing, liorn l'"eb. 28, 
1848; Luciuda 
Reed, liorn in 
Chariest o w n , 
Mass., January 



"9. 



iS.s 



lied September 12, 1S53. 



THOMAS J. LATON. 

Thoma.s J. Laton was born in Nashua in 1815, died in 
Nashua, in the same house in which he was born, in 1879. 
He was a son of Capt. Thomas Laton, a sketch of whose 
career appears in this work, and Kezia (McKean) Laton, 
who was born in Merrimack and was a descendant of the 
McKeans who came from "ye north of Ireland", being 
Scotch-Irish, and settled in Londonderry in 1719. 



86 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Mr. Laton was educated in the public schools of Nashua. 
He was one of the largest owners of real estate on the 
north side of the river and during a long, active and 
honorable career followed the business of purchasing and 
slaughtering cattle for the markets of Nashua and vicin- 
ity. His business was large and of a fluctuating character, 
and the confidence reposed in him by the farmers of Hills- 
borough county — and no man was ever more worthy 
of the confidence of the people — was such that times 
without number they delivered their stock to him with- 
out bargaining in 
the matterof price, 
knowingthatwhen 
dressed the return 
in cash would be 
to the last penny 
the market would 
afford him to pay. 
He gave credit to 
struggling men of 
small capital, ami 
by so doing, and 
adding words of 
encou ragement. 
helped many a 
worthy man into a 
paying business. 
It is true that now 
and then a few 
men proved un- 
worthy of his con- 
fidence and sub- 
jected him to loss, 
but for all that he 
continued stead- 
fast in his sympa- 
thy for his fellow- 
men to the end of 
his life. He was a 
man of democratic 
simplicity in do- 
mestic. life ; of the 
most attractive so- 
cial characteris- 
tics ; of generous 
impulses and un- 
faltering friend- 
ship. Mr. Laton 
served the town of 
Nashville on its 
board of select- 
men, but he had 
no taste for public 
life and therefore 

declined further honors from party associates. In early 
life he held a commission as captain of a militia company, 
and later in life was a trustee in the Cit}' Savings bank. 
He was a member of Granite lodge, I. O. O. F., and 
attended the Unitarian church. 

Mr. Laton was united in marriage in 1842 with Abigail 
\V. Edson, daughter of Asa R. and Theodotia (Cutler) 
Ed.son of Rockingham, Vt. Three sons were born of his 
marriage: .\lbert T., 1843, married Gcorgie Ebert of 
Lowell; Frank D., 1845, married I<;flie ]\L Wood of Wash- 
ington; Charles E., 1847. 




rnoMA.s 



LEONARD WHITH NOYHS. 

Col. I^eonard W. Noyes was born at Canaan Jan. 14, 
1779; died at Nashua, March 18, 1867. He was the fourth 
son in a familj' of nine children of Mood}- and Anna ( Pike) 
Noyes. His paternal ancestor in this country was Ed- 
ward Noyes, a graduate of Oxford college, Eng., who 
came to America in 1630, settled at Newbury, Mass., and 
became one of the principal men of this section, being 
prominent in educational circles and in public affairs. On 

the maternal side 
he was a descend- 
ant of the Pikes, a 
hardy race of men 
who have bee n 
conspicuous i n 
this state for man^- 
generations, who 
have represented 
the people in both 
branches of con- 
gress, followed the 
fortunes of the 
flag in war, 
preached the gos- 
pel, adorned the 
professions, and 
graced the com- 
mon walks of life. 
Col. Noyes at- 
tended the com- 
mon .schools of his 
native place and 
was given an aca- 
demic education. 
When seventeen 
years of age he 
went to Boston and 
enteredtheemplo}- 
of William Green- 
leaf, and soon after 
took charge of Mr. 
Greeuleaf's busi- 
ness on Long 
wharf. In 1823 he 
came to Nashua, 
then Dunstal)le, 
where he remained 
until his death. 
His business was 
principally that of 
a manufacturer. 
Among the enter- 
prises in which he 
engaged was the manufacture of mortise locks. He estab- 
lished the first manufactoi-y in this countrv on Water 
street, Nashua, and b}' good judgment and sagacity devel- 
oped it till it became incorporated as the Nashua Lock 
company, which, under his management, gave steady em- 
ployment to more than one hundred men. He was the 
first exhibitor of this class of wares at the Mechanics' ex- 
hibition in Boston, and, according to the newspapers of 
that day, was given credit as the founder of this branch 
of American industry. Col. No\'es was also one of the 
promoters of the first sewing machine enterprise in this 



LATOiN. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 



country, the machine having been invented by Elias Ilowe, 
then a Nashua mechanic; and it is also to his credit that 
he invested money in the Nashua Watch company and did 
all in his power to keep that business — which was re- 
moved to Walthani to the buildinj; up of that place into a 
prosperous city — intact here. More than this Col. Noyes' 
farsightedness made him a believer in Nashua's future to 
the degree that he built Noyes block, which, at that time, 
was considered by more conservative citizens a hazardous 
enterprise. Colonel Noyes was an old line Whi;..;", and a 
a warm political 
friend of Daniel 
Webster, whom he 
often eiitcrtaiiu-d 
at his home in 
Nashua. During 
his early life in 
Nashua he took an 
active part in the 
councils of his par- 
ty, held public of- 
fice and represent- 
ed Nashua in the 
legislature in 1840 
and again in 1843, 
when he vigorous- 
ly but unsuccess- 
fully opposed the 
division of the 
town. He was 
chairman of the 
committee that 
built the town 
house, known to- 
day as the City 
Hall, and in 1S50 
was a member from 
Nashua of the con- 
stitutional con- 
vention, serving as 
chairman of the 
committee on the 
bill of rights. Colo- 
nel Noyes, how- 
ever, had become 
so disgusted with 
the action of the 
democratic major- 
ity in dividing 
Nashua for parti- 
san purposes that 
he eschewed pol i t i - 
cal preferment and 
never afterwards, 

with the exception of the constitutional convention, could 
he be persuaded to accept public office, it being a matter 
of record that he was chosen to represent his ward in the 
first city government but never qualified, and also that he 
declined to be a can<lidate for the mayoralty. 

While in Boston Colonel Noyes attended ,St. Paul's 
church. When he came to Nashua there was no Episcopal 
church or mission here, therefore he identified himself with 
the Olive street Congregational church, and afterwards 
became an active member. He was one of the founders, in 
1847, of the Pearl street Congregational church, of which 




LKOXAKD W. XOVK: 



Rev. I<eonard Swain was the first pastor, and was one of 
its pillars and foremost supporters till the day of his 
death. His memory is kept green in the Pilgrim church, 
successor of the two churches mentioned, by a beautiful 
memorial window. In his early life he was an active 
worker in the order of free masonrj'. He joined vSt. John's 
lodge, Boston, in 1820, and was senior warden of Rising 
Sun lodge, Nashua, in 1828, and worshipful master in 
1829. Colonel Noyes also took an interest in military affairs 
and was at one time colonel commanding the fifth regi- 
ment. Shortly be- 
fore his death, on 
the evening of 
March 1, 1865, Colo- 
nel and Mrs. Noyes 
gave a reception, 
the eventsof which 
are among 1 h e 
pleasantest recol- 
lections of many 
of his friends and 
acquaintances who 
arc still living. 
The printed pro- 
gram of the event 
was headed "Mem- 
ories and reminis- 
cences of forty 
years: associat- 
tionsofalifetinie," 
and the names of 
the invited guests 
show that rich and 
poor alike were re- 
membered for both 
Colonel and Mrs. 
Noyes wereexceed- 
ingly democratic 
in their hearts and 
in their regard for 
the people. " He 
was the poor man's 
friend," says the 
Nashua Gazette at 
the time of his 
death. "No ap- 
peal was made to 
him in vain. The 
resiiect and esteem 
in which he was 
held in the com- 
munity was prac- 
tically shown by a 
great number of 
citizens who wei'e present and participated in his funeral 
obsequies. As the procession moved through the streets 
to the tomb the bells were tolled, stores were closed, busi- 
ness suspended and many buildings were draped in 
mourning. Sadness and gloom pervaded the city." The 
exercises took place in the Pearl street church. Rev. Dr. 
Richards, Rev. Dr. .Swain and Rev. Dr. Parsons olTiciated 
in the religious services, and Rising Sun lodge, William 
Barrett, worshipful master, performed the last rites of the 
order. His body was buried in the Nashua cemetery and 
a handsome monument was erected there to his memory. 



88 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Colonel Noyes was united in marriage Christmas daj-, 
1825, with Ann Sewall Gardner, daughter of John Gardner 
of Leominster, Mass. She was a lineal descendant of Rich- 
ard Gardner, one of the Pilgrim fathers who came over in 
the Mayflower and landed^at Plymouth rock, Dec. 22, 
1620. Dorothy Quincy, the wife of Gov. John Hancock of 
Massachusetts was her great-aunt. Her family was con- 
nected by marriage with several of the old colonial fami- 
lies, and Henry J. Gardner, governor of Massachusetts in 
1854 and 1855, was her cousin. Francis Gardner, who was 
the distinguished 
head master of the 
Boston latinschool 
for upwards of for- 
ty years, was also 
her cousin. She 
diedatNashuaJuly 
29, 1889. Three 
children were born 
of their marriage : 
Elizabeth, born at 
Nashua, July 4. 
1829, died at the 
age of two j'ears ; 
George Henry, 
born at Nashua, 
March 19, 1831, a 
distinguished sur- 
geon in the War of 
the Rebellion. died 
at Nashua, Dec. 10, 
1881 ; Frank Gard- 
ner, born at Nash- 
ua, July 6, 1833, 
graduated from 
Union college in 
of 1853, law school 
at Harvard uni- 
versity, class of 
1856, and a colonel 
in the Union army 
during the war, 
still living : resid- 
ing in the Noyes 
block, on Main 
street ; he abun- 
dantly sustains 
the reputation of 
his distinguished 
father for liber- 
alit)- and hospi- 
tality. A sketch of 
his life appears 
in this volume. 

JOHN RHED. 




John Reed was born at Westford, Mass., Aug. 9, 1805, 
died at Nashua, Nov. 27, 1887. He was a son of John and 
Sally (Wight) Reed, who moved to South Merrimack in 
1824 and engaged in farming near the pond that has since 
borne their name. On the paternal side he was of the 
best stock in Massachusetts, descendants of which have 
kept the name honored in the professions and general 
occupations of men. His paternal grandfather was 
Nahum Wight, a lieutenant in the Revolutionary War 



and engaged in battle at Lexington, Concord and Bunker 
Hill. The Reeds of South Merrimack were frugal 
industrious and highly honored b}' the townspeople, 
Mr. Reed obtained a district school education in his 
jouth, and by observation and application in early 
manhood became a well informed and capable merchant. 
He came from the farm to Nashua in 1836 and formed a 
co-partnership with Solomon Spalding under the firm 
name of Reed & Spalding. The firm dealt in West India 
goods and groceries. In 1840 Charles Lovejoy succeeded 

Mr. Spalding in 
the business and 
from that time till 
1852 the firm was 
Reed S: Lovejoy, 
when he sold out 
to Mr. Lovejoy. 
Two years later he 
purchased the 
Kendrick grocer}- 
store at No. I 
Main street and 
again entered with 
Mr. Lovejoj-, and 
so continued until 
1868, when he sold 
out and retired 
from business. 

Mr. Reed never 
aspired to ollice or 
held any except of 
minor importance 
in the town of 
Nashville. He 
was, however, in 
his youth an en- 
thusiastic militia- 
man and one of 
the original mem- 
bers of the Nashua 
Artillery c o m - 
pany, iti which he 
held several com- 
missions, includ- 
ing that of captain. 
He was one of the 
promoters of the 
Wilton railroad 
and served as a 
director in the 
company 35 years. 
He was also a di- 
rector for man}' 
years in the Indian 
Head bank. Mr. Reed was twice married: first, Dec. 
I, 1831, Lucinda Spalding, daughter of Solomon and 
Martha ( McClure) Spalding of Merrimack. Mrs. Reed 
died July 16, 1850: second, .\ng. 18, 1852, Hannah F^ultou. 
daughter of James and Hannah (Faulkner) F'ulton of 
Deering. His children by his first marriage were : Martha 
Ann, born Nov. 19, 1832, died Nov. 16, 1834; Andrew, 
born Feb. 8, 1835, died March 5, 1837; John S., born June 
15, 1837, died Oct. 8, 1838; Ann L., born June 16, 1842, 
died Aug. 22, 1854 ; by his second marriage, John Fulton, 
born April 8, 1855, died Feb. 4, 1875. 



JOHN ItKED. 



IIIS'n^RY (IF NASniW, N. !f. 



89 



THOMAS CHASE. 

Thomas Chase was born at Diiiiliartoii. March r6, 179.S, 
ilied in Nashua, July 3, 1885. He was a son of Robert and 
Sarah (Hawes) Chase, both of whom were descenchmts 
of the early settlers of that part of Merrimack county 
where they resided. The former was born Dec. 3, 1768, 
ilicd Nov. 6, 1838: the latter born March i, 1773, died 



Dec. 31, i860. Mr. Chase obtained 
education in his native town and i 
proved upon it by 



common school 
after vears im- 



irivate study and 
observation, so 
that in his day 
there were few bet- 
ter informed men 
on topics of gen- 
eral interest and 
none who sur- 
passed him in 
liusiness knowl- 
eilge. He came to 
Nashua in 1823. 
His first contract 
was to fell the for- 
est on the land 
now occupied by 
t li e mills an d 
boardiufj house of 
the Nashua Manu- 
f a c t u r i n g c o m - 
pany. Meantime 
he subscribed to 
the stock of the 
c o m p a n y that 
1)uilt the Wash- 
ington house, a 
noted hostelry 
that stood on the 
site of No yes 
block, and was 
employed in its 
erection. Upon 
its completion he 
became its first 
landlord, and it 
was during his 
m an age men t of 
the hotel that Gen- 
eral Jackson, the 
hero of New Or- 
leans and the pres- 
ident of the United 
.States, visited New 

Hampshire, and was his guest. He retired from hotel life 
after several }-ears of popular service as a caterer, and 
engaged in the manufacturing and sale of carriages, a 
business in which he continued more or less interested 
during the rest of his life. 

Mr. Chase was a public spirited man who saw the pos- 
sibilities of a prosperous future for Nashua, and to assist 
in accomplishing this result was his constant endeavor. 
Among the things in which he had confidence when 
others were faint-hearted was the Nashua & Worcester 
railroad. He subscribed to the original stock and became 



a substantial backer of the enterprise. He served for 
many years on its board of directors ; and it is an oft 
admitted fact that its success was largely due to his 
energy, capacity and sagacity. One of the locomotives bore 
the name of " Thomas Chase." Mr. Chase was active in 
the affairs of the town and one of its first citizens in all 
things. He served many years as constable, on the board 
of road commissioners, and on the board of selectmen, 
being several times chairman ; he represented the town in 
the legislature in iS45and i8)6, and after its incorporation 

as a cit)' was a 
m ember o f t h e 
board of aldermen 
in 1 S 5 7 . Mr. 
Chase was the first 
president of the 
First National 
bank and served 
for many years on 
its board of direc- 
tors. He was also 
a director, and at 
onetime president 
of the Souhegan 
National bank a t 
Milford, an<l dur- 
ing his long and 
honorable career 
filled many other 
responsible posi- 
tions. He was a 
man of democratic 
instincts, hard 
common sense and 
unquestioned pro- 
bity, a man who 
lived a useful life 
and was respected 
by thecommunity. 
Mr. Chase mar- 
ried Nancy B o w - 
ers, daughter o f 
Isaac and Mary 
(Cowin) Bowers of 
Nashua. Their 
marriage was the 
first that w a s 
s o 1 c m n i z c d i n 
the Olive street 
church. Three 
sons, none of 
whom married, 
were born to them : 
Charles H., Wil- 
liam H., and Thomas K. Chase. Of these sons, two, 
William H. and Thomas E., are deceased, Thomas E. 
passing away a few years ago ; his memory is yet green in 
the minds of many of our citizens as a worthy and in- 
dustrious citizen. 

Charles H. is still living, residing in the old homestead 
on the west side of Main street, near the Worcester & 
Nashua railroad. He is a worthy descendant and repre- 
sentative of a man, whose energy, perseverance and pub- 
lic spiritedness contributed in a very large measure to 
the elements which established Nashua's prosperity. 




THOMAS CtlASE. 



90 



HISTORY Of NAS/irA, N. H. 



ISAAC SPALDING. 

Hon. Isaac Spaldint; was the son of Captain Isaac Spald- 
ing, and was born in New Ipswich, February i, 1796. The 
family moved to Wilton in 1800. His father was a man 
of good education for those times, but his means were 
moderate. His son, therefore, had a limited education, 
and was very early thrown upon his own resources. 

In 1809, at the age of thirteen, he went to Amherst, N. 
H., as the clerk of Robert Reed, Esq., a leading merchant 
of that place, with 
whom he contin- 
ued in that capa- 
city seven years. 
In 1816 he became 
a partner of Mr. 
Reed, remaining 
in that situation 
ten years, being 
for the most of the 
time the post nuis- 
Ur. 

In 1826 Mr. 
Spalding moved to 
Nashua, where he 
.soon became the 
leading dealer in 
iron, steel and 
general merchan- 
dise of the then 
new and thriving 
village. After 
twelve years in 
business he retired 
from it to engage 
in railroad enter- 
prises, chiefly in 
the Concord rail- 
road, with which 
he was connected 
for twenty-five 
years. He was 
among the first 
who saw the im- 
portance of a rail- 
road connection 
between the lakes 
and tide-water and 
g a V e hi s aid to 
those enterprises. 

There was no 
more systematic 
and efficient 1)usi- 
ness man in Hills- 

l>orough county than Mr. Spalding, and such was the 
confidence in his impartiality and so strong was his per- 
sonality that in the most heated political contests he was 
many times chosen moderator by unanimous consent. 
He was several years a representative in the legislature, 
and, under the cit}^ charter, was a member of the board Of 
aldermen. He was a niemlier of the state constitutional 
convention in 1850 and of the governor's council in 
1866-67 ami 1867-6S. 

Mr. Spalding was elected one of the trustees of the 
State Asvlum for the Insane in 1865, and was chosen 




I.SAAC .SP.\LDING. 



president of the board in 1869. He was one of the earliest 
advocates of the Concord railroad and its first treasurer, 
and, from its incorporation in 1835 to 1866, served 
either as treasurer, director or president. He was for 
more than twenty-five years president of the Nashua 
bank, a state institution, which closed its business in 1869, 
having never made a bad debt or lost a dollar. In the 
War of the Rebellion he was a financial agent of the gov- 
ernment and assisted in providing the means of our 
country's success. Jlr. Spalding at the time of his death, 

in May, 1876, was 
one of the richest 
men in NewHamp- 
shire, having ac- 
quired his ]irop- 
erty by imhistry 
a n d e c o n o ni \ , 
united willi a wise 
forecast ami uutir- 
ing energy. He 
left no surviving 
children. In May, 
iSjS, lie married 
Lvicy, daughter of 
Nathan Kendall of 
Amherst, who was 
born Decendier 13, 
1796. Two sons 
were born to them 
— Fxlward Francis 
in 1 83 1 and Isaac 
Henry i n I 840. 
Ikith of them died 
in e h i 1 <1 h o o d . 
After Mr. Spald- 
ing's death his 
wife continued to 
live in the family 
residence on Main 
street until her 
death December 8, 
1893, aged 97 years 
— having survived 
her husband sev- 
enteen years. 
During the sixty- 
five years of Mrs. 
Spalding's resi- 
dence in Nashua, 
she had an ever 
increasing interest 
in its affairs, con- 
stantl}' inquiring 
regarding Nashua 
and the residents. Her liberality had been manifested 
many times, notably towards the church of her choice, to 
which she gave largely. She gave the site for the edifice 
for the First Congregational society, and made it possible 
for the society to erect a new church. In many wa3-s Mrs. 
Spalding found opportunities of exercising the spirit of 
true charity, with which she was richly endowed, and 
which, while it prompted her to give generously to such 
objects as seemed to her to be worth}- and deserving, was 
also tempered with the sterling (piality of common sense, 
which enaliled her to give with discrimination. 



/iis'nn^v or .v.is//r:-i. 



A\ //. 



91 



WILLIAM DUTTON BEASOM. 

William I). Heasom was born at I^yndeboro, A])!'!! 19, 
1810; died at Nashua, March 20, 1870. He was a son of 
John and Rebecca (Dutton) Beasoin, and on the paternal 
siile a decendent of Philip Beasom, a Ilusuenot, who was 
driven from France early in the eighteenth century, by 
religous ])ersecution. He fled to the Isle of Guernesy, 
and a little later emigrated to America and settled at 
.Marblehead, Mass. He married Sarah liarbiere in 1751. 
They were the 
great grand-par- 
ents of the subject 
of this sketch. On 
the maternal side 
lie was a descend- 
ant of Rebecca 
lUilloM, daughter 
William Dutton of 
I.vndeboro'. Mr. 
lU'asom was edu- 
cated in the pub- 
lic schools, and 
beyond that was a 
well informed 
man, and t h or- 
ough in business 
knowledge by pri- 
vate study, intui- 
tion and close ap- 
plication to what- 
ever he was e n - 
gaged. He began 
his career as a 
peddler, and in 
1831 was located 
permane nt ly in 
Nashua. A little 
later he opened a 
general merchan- 
dise store on Chest- 
nut street. Good 
management gave 
prosperity and he 
moved to Factory 
street. Then he 
formed a co-part- 
nership with H\- 
bridge (V . Reed 
under the firm 
name of Beasom 6t 
Reed and moved 
into the store at 
the corner of Main 

and Factory streets. The firm was well known for many 
years. I<ater Mr. Beasom purchased the building of Hon. 
Isaac Spalding and after that it was known as Beasom's 
building. It was destro)-ed by fire in 18S2 and the hand- 
sonic building erected on its site by his heirs bears the 
name of Beasom block. 

Mr. Beasoin retired from mercantile business in 1854 and 
after that devoted his time to the affairs of the Indi.in 
Head National bank in which he was a director, and f(n- 
many years, and at the time of his death, president. He 
was also president of the t'ndeihill Edge Tool company 




WIM.I.VM DUTTON BEASOM. 



aiul prominently identified with other enterprises and in- 
dustries, both local and in other places. Mr. Beasom was 
conspicuous in the councils of the Democratic party but 
never aspired to office, nor did he hold one. In religious 
belief he was a Baptist, a member of the first church of 
that denomination in the city, energetic in its affairs and 
a liberal contributor to its support and the missions con- 
nected with it. He w-as a man who possessed the courage 
of his convictions, and who performed his duties from the 
high standard of fixed principles. He belonged to that 

class of men of 
whom it could be 
truthfully said, 
"his word is as 
good ashis bond." 
Active and ener- 
getic in his habits, 
progressive a n d 
broad in his ideas, 
lie was a always 
recognized by his 
fellow-citizens as 
a potential factor 
in all enterprises 
which conduced to 
the growth and 
/ ' I c-sti^^St' improvements of 

'-^ — . •• f' ^H^^^^Kl^... the city's material 

interests and the 
general welfare of 
its citizens ; and, 
although, as has 
been said p r e v i - 
ously, the natural 
modesty of his 
disposition kept 
him out of official 
positions which he 
w a s abundantly 
able to fill, and to 
which public 
sentiment would 
have gladly- elect- 
ed him. his charac- 
ter was such as to 
have left its stamp 
upon all that ap- 
pertains to the 
better part of the 
city's history of 
his day • and gen- 
e r a t i o n . Mr. 
Beasom was twice 
married: first, 
Sept. 18, 1834, with Laura Hobbs, who diqd in 1857: sec- 
ond, with Jane N. Boardman, daughter of Col. William 
Boardman. (For ancestors see sketch of her father.) 
Two children, now living, were born of his first marriage: 
Laura A., married Calvin B. Hill of Nashua: Louisa J., 
married E. B. West of Portsmouth; and three of his 
second: William H., married Mary F. Stevens of Sloans- 
ville, N. Y.: Charles B., now residing in New York, 
married Elizabeth Lord of Newton, Mass. : Jennie F., 
married C. P. Stevens of Albany, New York. They 
all inherit the noble qualties of their distinguished father. 



92 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



ALFRED GODFREY. 

Alfred Godfrey was born at North Hampton, Oct. 3, 
1818; died at Nashua, April 6, 1877. He was a son of 
Joseph and Sarah (Dearborn) Godfrey. 

Mr. Godfrey was educated in the public schools of his 
native town and at Sanbornton, to which place his parents 
removed in 1825, and where his father died a few years 
later. An ambitious lad, not afraid of hard work, he 
labored on the home farm, and, by prudence and per- 
severance paid off 
a mortgage of long 
standing. At the 
age of twenty-six 
he went to Con- 
cord for the pur- 
pose of learning 
the book-binder's 
trade, but, finding 
the occupation un- 
suited to his taste, 
soon gave it up, 
and, being with- 
out money, walked 
to Nashua. He ob- 
tained e m p 1 o y - 
ment in the mills 
of the Nashua 
Mfg. Co., where 
he remained about 
a year. Meantime, 
his industrious 
habits, thrift and 
honesty attracted 
the attention of 
the c o m p a n y ' s 
agent, who gave 
him a lease of the 
ledge w-est of the 
mills and loaned 
him money with 
which to purchase 
teams and estab- 
lish himself in 
business. The 
agent's confidence 
in him was not dis- 
placed. He did a 
large and prosper- 
ous business as a 
quarry man, and, 
as in all the trans- 
actions of his life, 
promptly paid 

every debt he had contracted. In 1855, having sold out 
his business, he bought a farm on the Dunstable road, 
near the Massachusetts line, where he remained until 
1859. He then returned to the city proper and engaged 
in the ice business, which, with stone and lumber interests, 
he followed till i856, when he purchased the Estey farm 
on the Lowell road, where he had his home till he died. 

Mr. Godfrey was a public spirited citizen who took a 
decided interest in everything that promised to aid in the 
growth and prosperit)- of Nashua. To that end he aided 
many enterprises and contributed liberally in time and 




ALFKED (iODKKEV. 



money. He represented ward eight in the common coun- 
cil in 1856, and served his district several times as highway 
surveyor and commissioner. He cared very little, how- 
ever, for public office, declining an aldermanic nomination 
and refusing to be a candidate for representative in the 
legislature. Mr. Godfrey was a prominent member of the 
Main street M. E. church, and served it several years as a 
trustee and was on the official board. Moreover, he was a 
liberal contributor to the support of the church and its 
missions, as well as private charities. He was open-handed 

open-hearted, 
frank and above 
board in all his 
dealings and all 
the affairs of life ; 
a valuable citizen, 
a true man who 
contriliuteil, ac- 
cording to his 
means and his op- 
portunity, III the 
things that add to 
the well-being of 
a community, and 
he left behind 
him a reputation 
for probity and 
straightforward- 
ness in his busi- 
ness dealings, for 
geniality and sun- 
niness of disposi- 
tion, as that his 
friends could re- 
call his memory 
with only the most 
respectful and 
kindly feelings. 
In his death the 
city suffered loss 
such as all com- 
munities undergo 
when an upright, 
honorable and 
conscientious man 
passes away. 

Mr. Godfrey was 
twice married : 
first, June 7, 1847, 
with Mary Jane 
Jones, who died 
.Sept. 28, 1847; 
second, Oct. y, 
1849, with Cather- 
ine Wilson, daughter of Stephen and .-\bigail (Thompson) 
Wilson, of Tyngsboro. 

:\Ir. Godfrey left no children of his own, but the nat- 
ural generosity of his disposition, as well as the love and 
affection for humanity, as exhibited in its young and 
helpless years, which distinguished both Mr. Godfrey 
and his wife, led them to sxipply the lack of children of 
their own by adoption. His adopted child (Viola) sur- 
vived them; and at this time lives on the Lowell road, 
near the old homestead, the (Estey farm) in a house 
which has been erected since Mr. Godfrey's death. 



///svoA']' <u-' x.is/rr.i. y. h. 



93 



TOPOGRAPHY AND SURFACE GEOLOGY. 



liV IIKNKV B. ATIIICKTON. 




ABROAD band of silver thiou^li a carpet of verdure al niidsuinnier, the noble Merrimack 
flows southward throut;h the heart of the territory which once comprised the ancient 
township of Dunstable. The present city of Nashua lies on the western side of that 
river, between Pennichuck brook on the north and the Massachusetts state line on the 
south. Two considerable streams which furnish all the city's water power, the Nashua river and 
Salmon brook, enter the town and the state from the .south and after a vain and rather up-hill 
attempt to flow further northward, in imitation of the Contoocook thirty miles away to the west, 

abandon the futile struggle and discharge their 
waters into the Merrimack, the one a few rods 
above Taylor's Falls bridge and the other a mile 
below at Edgeville. From an eminence, the 
view eastward toward the Atlantic is cut off by 
lyondonderry high ridge and Barrett's and Bush 
hills in Hudson and Pelham, but from the north 
around to the southwest a series of beautiful blue 
hills and mountain peaks are seen in the dis- 
tance, beginning with the gracefully rounded 
outlines of the twin Uncanoonucs in Goffstown 
eighteen miles distant, and including Joe Eng- 
lish with its abrupt southern declivity in New 
Boston, Crotchet mountain, twenty-five miles to 
the northwest in Francestown, Lyndeborough 
mountains, the symmetrical peaks of the Pack 
Monadnock and the broken outline of Temple 
mountain about the same distance off — Grand 
Monadnock seen between, and twent\- miles further away — around to Wacliusett at the sources 
of the Nashua in the distant southwest. F'^rom Fairmount heights this panorama of the western 
hills is beheld and the lovely village of Mont Vernon, on the green hillside fourteen miles distant, 
its white houses sparkling in the morning sun, is easily distinguished. 

To the casual observer this territory lying nearly midway between the mountains and the sea 
might at first glance appear too flat and unbroken to be interesting. But it is not monotonous, 
there is much charming scenery, and if the observer begins even a superficial study of the locality, 
he cannot fail to be interested. The underlying rock is the ordinary granitic gneiss with here and 
there crystaline schists, quartz and clay slates common in this region with a possible synclinal of 
porphyritic gneiss beneath. In a few places the rock floor comes to the surface, but for the most 
part it is covered with hard-pan gravel and sand, varying in depth from only two or three feet on 
some of the higher hills to seventy-five or eighty feet in the Fairmount plateau. 

A series of hills gradual!}- growing less in altitude extends southward from the I'ncanoonucs 
through Bedford, Merrimack and Nashua, the last in the line being Long hill in the southerly part 
of the town. The rock of which they are composed is of great hardness, which perhaps is the 
reason why they are hills at all, lieing able on that account to resist erosion. 

I propose to present a stud}- of the phenomena of the surface of this locality, ancl, so far as possi- 
ble, write a history of the changes that have taken place upon the rock floor of the region, both in 
the production and distribution of the so called drift, and especially during the continuance and 
upon the close of the great ice age. 

When one undertakes to write history he first consults the oldest credible witnesses and then 
examines the most ancient authentic records. A venerable witness of great weight and dimensions, 
in fact an enormous glacial tramp, was found apparently now very much at home a little distance 



"A VENKK.MiLK WITXKSS." 



94 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

north of Pennicliuck brook and within sight of tlie Manchester road, who expressed a willingness to 
communicate with his visitors. " Who was ma3'or of Nashua when you landed here? " inquired our 
historian, to whom the granite monster replied : "I came here before Nashua was a cit}-, before Old 
Dunstable was chartered, before the first white man arrived in New England. When Cross and 
Blanchard were taken prisoners while making turpentine on the north bank of the Nashua in 1724 
they were carried by their dusk}' captors along the Indian trail at my feet ; and when the relieving 
party under Lieutenant French was ambushed and all but one killed, the report of their guns was 
within hearing and their dead bodies were carried back by this place. Long before that the Nasha- 
ways and Penacooks used to hunt their game with bow and arrow where you now stand, and find 
plenty of salmon in the waters of the Merrimack on the other side of this ridge. Packs of hungr)- 
wolves and the solitar}- bear sometimes found shelter on my flanks, and, high overhead among the 
branches of the sturd}* oak that once kept me company, the stealthy panther often waited for his 
victim. Hannah Duston passed by me here on the next day after her blood)- exploit at the mouth of 
the Contoocook, going to sleep that night at the house of John Lovewell at the Harbor, a very harbor 
and place of refuge for her. Rogers and his rangers passed this way and Stark has visited me, as 
have several generations of his descendants. Matthew Thornton was known to me : Lafayette and 
Jackson have gone along the highwaj' yonder, and Grant, the peerless captain, has passed through 
this valley at my feet. Oh yes, I consider myself an old settler on the Merrimack." 

"Where tlid you come from, how did you get here and how long ago did you pre-empt a resting 
place on this ridge of clay slate ?" asked th'j mineralogist of our party. 

" I came from that granite hill that you see in the distance at the north, and before I left my 
native place, that rountleil hill yonder was a very respectable mountain with dizzy heights, covered 
with loft}' pinnacles of rock and all its sides precipitous and steep. The same thing that ground off 
the sharp edges of those cliffs and filed the lofty peaks down to that rounded knob of rock brought 
me here — ice. When I started away all this country from Long Island sound to Labrador was 
shrouded in slowly moving ice man}- hundred feet in thickness. I was thousands of years 
performing this journey of mine, and I should have continued still longer to move southerly had not 
the increasing heat of the summer sun caused that immense sea of ice to grow thin and shrink back 
toward the north, so that in passing over this ledge of slate, the ice beneath me could no longer bear 
my weight, and, cru,shing through, I became stranded where 3'ou see me. If I could only have held 
myself up for a few rods further and been borne upon the ice current of the Merrimack, which for 
years after I lodged here continued to flow southerly, you might have looked for my shattered 
remains along the right bank of that stream of ice, somewhere in Nashua, or perhaps, in Massa- 
chusetts in its lateral moraines, — those ridges of stones that stretch southwardly from the right liank 
of the present Merrimack to the ocean. In those days, you know, the broad ice stream of the ancient 
Merrimack did not, as the river does now, go trickling off to the northeast and out of its true course 
behind its own moraines, but plowed its way straight through to the sea." 

" I came here a good many years ago before the white man or the red man, the wolf or the bear, 
the shaggy elephant or any other form of organic life, so many years before that it is needless for me to 
tell you how long, for you might not believe me, and you could not realize it even if you lielieved. 
When, toward the end of the great ice age, my head first emerged from its tomb of ice into the free air 
and welcome sunlight, no green thing was visible in all this region. But year after year as the 
glacial streams and tongues of ice gradually and irregularh- melted, their places were at first occupied 
by level sheets of water perched at varying heights all over the face of the country, and the ponds and 
lakes slowly silted up with the detritus, the deep chasms and gashes made by the glacial plow were 
filled up and smoothed o\'er, and the water ha^'ing found in many instances an outlet to the sea, the 
surface of the earth was gradually covered with vegetation and became as you see it to-day." 

" When I was first expo.sed to the sunlight these cracks and crevices that you now see in my 
sides, these wrinkles of old age that now stretch across my face did not exist ; but I stood beneath the 
sun a comely block of fifty thousand cubic feet of solid granite with a fine rosy flush on my feldspar 
face and no moss upon my back. In that distant day these friendly birches that now thrive upon my 
decay would hartlly have got a foothold upon my sides nor could the wild foxes, as now, have found 
a lurking place within the very marrow of my bones. But then, considering my years, I think I have 
held myself together pretty well." 



I/fSTONV OF XASHUA, N. H. 95 

Our divinity student, who ought to have been at church that morning, began an inquirj- about 
Archbishop lasher's chronology, but the erratic did not seem to hear, or hearing did not understand, 
and interrupting his interlocutor, he continued : — 

" That bowlder that you see to the eastward there among the trees is a kinsman of mine ; we were 
born in the same locality and have travelled and lived together many years ; you will be glad to make 
his acquaintance." With these words our audience with His Highness closed and the oracle became 
ilund). 

Of the many witnesses consulted as to the condition of this locality during the ice age and at its 
close each tells the same storj-. 

The records made by the ice l)oth here and elsewhere are authentic, for nature never lies, and 
they ai'e so ancient that by comparison the oldest inscriptions found in Egypt or Chaldea seem as 
recent and modern as yesterday's newspaper. People have only just begun to realize that at .some 
period of the earth's history large areas of its surface have been modified by vast fields of moving ice, 
thousands of feet in depth and thousands of miles in extent. Yesterday the glacial theory was an 
ingenious though very improbable hypothesis, to-day it is an accepted fact and furnishes a certain 
explanation of many phenomena hitherto regarded as hopelessly inexplicable. 

Tlie book of nature has never been sealed. The student, if he would, could always open it and 
read. Its pages have offered infinite variety, excited wonder, piqued curiosity and repaid tenfold 
every effort to translate the plainly written record ; yet for ages nobody found the right alphabet, 
nobody could construe the meaning of the characters he saw plainly engraved upon the rocks and 
hills. Like scholars surrounded by manuscripts in an unknown tongue, men of science were baffled, 
though dindy conscious that the record of the earth's recent geologic hi.story lay engraved upon its 
crust aiul was legible could they but obtain a key to the writing. It was Agassiz who found the 
Rosetta stone that furnished a key to the my.stery when he suggested the glacial theory and sub.se- 
(juently substantiated its correctness ; yet nearly a generation elapsed before scholars were willing to 
drop their preconceived notions and began to read aright the record made by the ice. The limits of 
this paper will not allow us to follow Agassiz from his study of the Swiss glaciers to his successful 
(|uest for moraines in Scotland, and his finding in New Hampshire a moraine more extensive than any 
he had ever seen in Europe. Nor have we time with Tyndall, Forbes and Canon Mosely to discuss 
the formation and movement of the ice, nor with Croll to follow out the astronomical causes of the 
recurrence of the ice age. But we will gi\-e our attention to things to be seen in this vicinity — to the 
hieroglyphics which many may have noticed but which all have not yet deciphered. 

If we go up Kinsley street nearly to the height of land southwest of the cemetery, we shall find 
that the excavation made for the street has been deepened and extended a little at the north of the 
tra\elled portion of the highway, leaving expo.sed several square yards of the surface of the granite 
bed-rock. The contour of the rock seems to correspond with that of the top of the ground eight or ten 
feet above it, and the surface of the granite, instead of being rough and angular as one might expect 
to find it, is on the contrary worn down smooth and poli,shed. This surface is not quite plane, however, 
and on close examination, certain parallel grooves and streaks, varying in width and depth, and not 
following the line of cleavage, will be observed. These striae have a southerly direction and are 
not all continuous. One may begin quite wide and deep, gradually grow smaller and then perhaps 
suddenly end. They never waver in direction, however, and never cross each other. The hand that 
held the gra\er was very firm indeed. Some of the marks and scorings are mere scratches, others are 
broad and deep. A few years of exposure of this crystaline rock in the open air, subjected to heat 
and cold, to rain and fro.st, will obliterate all the finer lines, and change its glittering surface to a dull 
and crund)ling gray covered with lichens. Then only the larger and deeper grooves will remain. 
Hence we shall have more difficulty in finding the marks for which we are .seeking upon rocks which 
have been for years exposed to the weather. 

Now if we cross the Hollis road and the railroad, and visit the extensive quarry of the Na.shua 
Manufacturing company, and are fortunate enough to find any of the rock undisturbed, from which the 
earth has been removed, we shall discover the same phenomena. The rock is polished, the grooves 
vary in size, are parallel and run in a .southerly direction. 

Across the valley two or three miles, on the other side of the Merrimack in Hud.son, lying east of 
the Catholic cemetery, are a number of quarries, about which the uncovered bed rock, when swept 



ge HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

clean of the soil, afford many fine illustrations of this polished work, with parallel groove sand markings 
all pointing toward the south. When once one has learned to recognize and distingui.sh the marks 
indicated, he will easily find many more examples of the same in this vicinity both upon rocks that 
have been newly uncovered and upon those for a long time weathered. In fact if all the stones, sand, 
o-ravel and clay were removed from the bed rock anywhere north of this latitude in New England, and 
the rock floor of the country laid bare, we should find nearly every square rod of the surface smoothed 
and polished, grooved and striated precisely as we find the spots I have mentioned. 

Looking toward Nashua from the Uncanoonucs, one sees a succession of hills growing less in the 
distance; some of them are knobs of rock, from which the earth has for the most part disappeared, 
allowing us to discern their contour. We find the ascent of these prominences from the north to be 
gradual and easy, while their southern declivities are frequently abrupt and precipitous. This is 
notably the case with Joe English. This peculiarity is also quite obvious to any person who will take 
the trouble to visit the rocky hill about four miles north of Nashua, just west of the Manchester road, 
in the southern part of Merrimack. This hill is of a clay slate formation extending from northeast to 
southwest, and on top is mostly bare with here and there long stretches of moss interspersed with 
patches of thin soil. On the northern acclivity, though much weathered, broad shallow grooves can 
be traced for rods, and on that side the hill is rasped and rounded off as though some vast and 
ponderous force had slowly ploughed and ground its way up the ascent, overcoming every obstacle, 
cuttino- off every projection, and wearing down every angle ; on the southern face of the hill it is 
evident the solid rock could not stand the immense pressure from the north, and, with nothing to back 
it up on the south, it yielded to the enormous weight, cracked into huge blocks, which being crowded 
out, toppled over the precipice and lay at its foot in detached masses, or were borne slowly away toward 
the south by the same irresistible force that tore them from the fastness of the solid rock. This 
obscure Merrimack ledge, within an easy morning's walk of our firesides, will tell us, if we will but 
interrogate it sharply, the story of Winter hill and Long hill in Nashua and nearly every mountain 
and hill and surface rock in situ in New England. The rock in the pasture upon which as boys we 
used to play and upon the southern extremity of which we used to sit and let our feet hang down 
the steep sides, is a true nuhc iiioutoncc, well smoothed and graded on its northern side, broken and 
precipitous on the south, where perhaps at the foot it has sheltered us when the north wind blew 
too cold. If we go now and look at the old friend of our childhood we shall find parallel grooves along 
its sides as though made by the chariot wheels of the great northern god of force, the Scandinavian 
Thor, as he drove over its surface with even reins, veering neither to the right or left. 

This Merrimack witness tells us that before New Hampshire ever went through a period of 
glaciation, her hills lacked the soft cun-es and rounded outlines which we see to-day, and that formerly 
their summits were like the roofs and pinnacles of a great cathedral towering thousands of feet further 
toward the sky : that Francestown may have been the Jungfrau, Lyndeboro the Matterhorn, and 
Monadnock the Mont Blanc of our southern New Hampshire Alps, while sixty miles away across the 
Connecticut, the Green mountain range may have formed the Jura of this New England Switzerland. 
How many beautiful lakes lay shimmering between we may never know, for on that subject our witness 
is silent. But he tells us that every lofty mountain pinnacle was toppled over, every high peak and 
dizzy ridge broken off and ground down and covered over with a vast depth of snow, which coming 
more and more of it every winter, refused to go away in summer, but congealed into ice and grew 
deeper and deeper until — Mt. Washington tells us — it was more than a mile thick, and it began to 
move southerly and southeasterly in the line of the least resistance out over the ffoor of the Atlantic 
ocean, and when it reached the vicinity of George's Banks and Newfoundland, assailed by the sun 
and the sea, to break off into great icebergs and float away just as the ice is now doing from the 
Humboldt glacier, a degree of latitude in width on the coast of Greenland. 

Indeed, the interior of Greenland now is not unlike this country from Long Island to Labrador 
during the great ice age. Mr. Edward \\niymper. who ascended some of the high elevations near the 
coast of Greenland, finds the surface of the inland ice rough and broken into crevasses and seracs of 
o-io-antic dimensions, and the heart of that frozen land covered with ice which he estimated to be from 
five to ten miles in thickness. By the side of such a great expanse of ice the Alpine Mer de Glace is 
like a rippling brook by the side of the stormy sea. 



ffisTOK)' OF .x.tsrrr,]. x. ir. 97 

During the ice age all New England, and with it. all the northern part of this continent, was a 
scene of desolation and Arctic solitude. No form of organic life was possible ; death reigned supreme 
and the ice like a shroud covered the whole land. This lasted many years. The approach of the 
continental glacier was doubtless slow, and to the rude inhabitants, who may have dwelt in this land, 
imperceptible. Perhaps some aged chieftain, when, after long years, he returned to the snowy regions 
with his savage tribe in pursuit of the shaggy elephant or polar bear, may have failed to discover 
the crystal lake he had known as a l)oy, or the dark cedar forest which had been the hunting-ground 
of his youth, yet, if such were the case, he may never have dreamed of the cause, and may have charged 
his lack of success to the failing faculties of old age. Ever longer and more severe grew the winters, 
.shorter ana colder the summers. Arctic storms usurped the region of suminer breezes and the dweller 
l)y the glacier's .southern edge unconsciously followed his game and found his home farther to the 
south on each recurring spring. As even now — so little do we frequent the arctic regions — if the ice 
of Greenland were slowly approaching the sea line, proposing by and by to cross the straits on the 
sea bottom to the main land, we should hardly be aware of it, unless we were able to compare the 
condition of things there to-day with what it was a thousand years ago. Then we might learn that 
where once were green and fertile fields now is found the perennial glacier, where, placed on dry land, 
were the foundations of an ancient building now the waves of the sea have arisen and stay as if eager 
to meet their kindred in the glacier from whicli so long ago they parted company. If the writer 
understands the significance of the phenomena observed on the coast of Greenland another ice age has 
begun and already in that region the ice fields have become so thick and heavj- as to change a few feet 
the earth's centre of gravity, bringing the water up on the coast, just as a heavy weight on the side of 
a boat causes the water to appear to rise on that side. 

Geologists say a similar displacement of the Atlantic coast has occurred before, beginning in the 
vicinity of New York and growing deeper toward the north until on the coast of Greenland the water 
rose a thousand feet. We have not far to go for the cause when we consider the continental ice-cap 
of the last great ice age. That extended south to the vicinity of New York. A few years ago before 
a learned society in Philadelphia, a young man from this vicinity who had assisted in the geological 
survey of this state, Warren Upham, delighted his audience by tracing the great terminal moraine 
of that continental glacier from the Banks to Cape Cod, Nantucket, Long Island, through New Jersey 
and into Pennsylvania. Since then Professor Wright of Oberlin traced the extreme southern limit 
of the ice cap to the Ohio river near Cincinnati and beyond, and later Mr. Chamberlin, of the U. S. 
Geological surve}-, and the state geologists of some western states have followed the moraine across the 
Mississippi and onward to the Rocky mountains. The displacement caused by the weight of ice might 
well cause the apparent rise of the ocean level along our coast and cause that rise to appear greatest 
on that parallel where the ice lay deepest, terminating on the parallel where the ice cap terminated. 
If this depression of the continent took place as the geologists affirm and of which the writer knows 
nothing from obsen^ation, then the land must have been well protected by its armor of ice more than 
mountain high, for I have never been able to find inland along our coa.st or in the interior any 
indication of the action of ocean waves and tides against hills and rocks. 

As ma\' have been noticed, our Merrimack witness also discloses the origin of the bowlders called— 
when awa.\' from the parent rock — " lost children," "foundlings," "wanderers" and "glacial tramps." 
At the foot of the crag where they fell when pressed off by the great weight of moving ice above, 
they are merely detached rocks ; carried for even a short distance in or under the ice the sharpest 
angles are rubbed off and they become bowlders ; carried still further they lose their angular shape 
altogether, and, unless they still retain a considerable size, they become merely rounded pebbles, worn 
and smoothed by attrition against each other. In the high lands and in the hard-pan hills where the 
bowlders have been left undisturbed since the retreat of the continental glacier, the bowlders as well 
as the bed-rock show plainly the glacial grooving and striae. Bowlders of slate receive and retain 
these glacial marks better perhaps than any others. For obvious reasons these scorings and marks 
are seldom found on small bowlders of crystalline rock or on bowlders which have been moved from 
their beds in the hard-pan, either by sub-glacial or post-glacial streams of water, and hence they are 
not of frequent occurrence in the Nashua drift. 

The word drift has been used to apply to the clay, sand, gravel and stones, which, here mingled 
and there separated, lie in apparent and aimless confusion all over the face of the country between the 



98 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

bed-rock and the atmosphere. Its location, distribution and varying composition, its division into 
bowlder, covered hills, terraced valley sides, and broad, sandy plains, all show that it has, much of it, 
been through some kind of a sorting process, and such changes and transportations as naturally lead 
us to inquire : What was the original source and condition of the drift ? What has moved and sorted 
and changed it, and how — and relatively, when — did it assume its present shape and form? 

Many a good geologist has been all at sea in regard to the distribution of the drift and has seen 
in it onh- a confused and disorderly jumble, without rhyme or reason in its arrangement; here a hill 
and there a sand bank, here a clay bed and there a gravel pit, and here again nothing but bowlders 
and rocks, all the result, apparently, of pure chance. To the unthinking obser\-er there appears 
to be a o-reat preponderance of drift, but in fact there is comparatively little of it and it constitutes 
no appreciable part of the earth's diameter. Yet the distribution of this drift was no slight matter, but 
was in reality one of the greate.st works ever done on the earth's surface, whether we reckon the 
expenditure of energv required or the length of time it took. Eight thousand miles of solid rock or 
something equallv dense : then, during the ice age, perhaps two miles of solid ice ; on the top of that 
fifty miles of atmosphere, and beyond that illimitable space at two or three hundred degrees below 
zero. The drift comes in between the solid rock and the nearly equally solid ice, a thin paste only 
twenty-five or thirt^• feet deep on an average over New Kngland, according to Mr. Slialer, made by 
the grinding of the ice southerly over the rock. 

By stepping into a marble worker's shop when he is engaged in polishing a piece of marble or 
o-ranite we may see something akin to the origin of the drift as he slowly moves one piece over 
another, keeping a supply of water and fine grit upon the surface, which in time becomes smooth and 
polished. If, instead of fine sand, gravel is u.sed upon the surface and the upper stone is moved in 
one direction onlv, we shall find scratches and grooves upon the lower, very much like glacial striae 
on rock slate. The similarity of the process does not end here for the fine flour from the grinding of 
the two surfaces gives the water a milky appearance as it flows away such as all glacial streams have, 
and, if allowed to settle undisturbed, it forms a miniature clay bed. Marble is sawed in the same way 
at the mills, just water, sand and moving strips of smooth, soft iron arranged like saws, and the solid 
block is soon reduced to thin planes. 

In denuding the mountains, excavating the valleys and eroding the lake-beds of New England, 
the thin strata of paste and bowlders, pebbles, gravel and sand, between the ice and the bed-rock was 
borne along also with the ice, but perhaps not always with the same velocity. The friction of the 
immovable rock surface below would serve to retard it and in some instances a projection of peculiarly 
hard rock, or a very narrow valley across which it mo\x-d, may have been the occasion and cause of 
an accumulation of the material composing this strata. 

Such accumulations, which have escaped the modifying effects of the melting of the great 
continental ice-cap which once covered them, and bore them along beneath its weight are found all 
over New England. They are generally in the shape of gracefully cur\-ed hills of regular outline, 
having their longest axis in the direction of the movement of the ice. Such hills are found in the 
south part of Nashua, in Hollis, New Boston, Mont Vernon, Greenville, and Groton and Ouincy, 
Mass., and in Boston Harbor. In building the railroad north from Plymouth toward the Profile house, 
masses of the same material were found wedged into the valley so solid and close as almost to defy 
the attempts of the civil engineer. 

These hills, sometimes called drumlins, are composed of hard-pan or till, as it is called by the 
Scottish writers. It is not stratified. The clay and sand, the gravel and pebbles, and bowlders, great 
and small, are all indiscriminately mixed. The bowlders are as liable to be near the surface as 
elsewhere. This hard-pan has never been aerated except for a .short distance below the surface. 
When mixed with water it becomes .soft and plastic and flows like thin mortar. Though it will 
hardly yield to the pick-axe or to d\mamite, it is easily displaced, removed and sorted by running 
water. The hard-pan was the original home and storehouse of all the drift of New England. For 
whatever was here upon the surface before the beginning of the fir.st ice period was carried out into 
the Atlantic l)y the ice advance, and it is evident that large portions of Massachusetts, Connecticut 
and Rhode Island have been built up and raised abo\'e the sea level by the agency of the drift 
brought down by the northern ice. 



/riSTORV OF XAS/fTA, \. If. 99 

These masses of hard pan which I have attempted to describe are the ground moraine of the ice- 
cap formed as we have seen beneatli its weight on the rock floor of the continent. Sorted and 
separated b\- the water, whether in the form of mountain torrents, sub-glacial streams, great rivers or 
the floods arising from the melting ice, or all combined, the hard-pan has furnished the material for 
tlie clay bed, the sand bank and the gravel pit ; and although in a certain limited sense the process of 
separation and deposit is still going on, when the freshets of spring reach the mass of hard-pan and 
bear away its clay to the ocean or some still lake, and its sands to silt up the slow running streams 
and ponds below and leave the large bowlders near where they were deposited by the ice, yet it is safe 
to assume that the chief part of this work of separating the rest of the drift from the hard-jian and 
depositing it where we find it now was done by the waters from the melting ice at the close of the 
ice age. 

The phenomena of the disappearance and retreat of the continental ice cap and their effects on a 
given locality have never yet been very fully discussed by any glacialist; so one needs to proceed very 
carefully on this as yet untrodden ground. Yet here in Nashua within the limits of an easy walk we 
may derive some light on this interesting subject. It is evident that the great southward moving 
glacier could not have disappeared at once. Its retreat must have been gradual ; whether at the rate 
of a few rods, or miles each year, it is hard to determine. There are indications that its general 
retreat was attended with now and then a short advance. It may be that the phenomena at the 
southern extremity of the ice sheet were repeated a hundred years later only twenty or thirt\' miles to 
the northward. 

It is also obvious that there must have come a time over a more or less limited extent when the 
ice sheet became too thin to keep up its general southerly movement, so thin that it broke on the 
height of land and shrunk back and in some places taking with it its ground moraine, slid into the 
\-alleys, still, however, keeping up a southerly movement in a north and south valley unless such 
valley was closed by these lateral slides. 

For example, when such a time had come here and the ice and accompanying hard pan began to 
slide from the surface of Long hill easterly into what is now the Merrimack, and from Bush hill in 
Hudson, westerly into the same receptacle, instead of keeping on its former course south, it is possible 
that the general southerly course of the ice was still retained twenty miles to the north, so that the 
tendency was to keep up the movement of the ice stream down the Merrimack valley well defined in 
width and volume. It was the pattern or ca.st of which the mould, the Merrimack inten-al, alone now 
remains, and that has been nearly half filled up by the sand brought down from the north. Although 
this ice stream lacked the steep incline of an Alpine glacier yet the movement was kept up l)y the 
great pressure of snow and ice not far to the north, say at Amoskeag falls ; a pressure much greater 
than would be found in the snow-fields of the Alps. Now, if this were the case, then the ice sliding 
down from Winter hill, for example, at first reached and coalesced with the actual ice stream of the 
Merrimack on the west, and with that of the Nashua on the south, then subsequently, as the ice melted 
at the edge and all over its surface as well, these tongues of ice reaching down toward the two ice 
rivers failed to quite touch them leaving only a narrow hollow Ijetween. Then when summer came 
and water fell in the form of rain instead of snow it would run down the surface of the ice, and, if it 
found no outlet it would stand in the spaces at the foot of these lateral tongues of ice and the main ice 
stream of the two river intervals. Anything on the surface of either body of ice, in the shape of sand 
or gra\'el or pebbles, washed down their sides and lodged in these open spaces. 

Let us examine the vicinity of St. Francis Xavier church on Chandler street. To build Chandler 
street a high ridge was cut down thirty or forty feet, where the ridge curves from east to north parallel 
to the Nashua river. The church has been located in the same ridge, a little further to the north and 
beyond tlie little cun'e, in an excavation made for the purpo.se. If we closely examine the sides of 
the excavation made for the street we shall .see that the hill is made up of layers of gravel and pebbles 
as large as a man's fist and some small bowlders as large as his head, all well washed and rounded. 
Here are layers of black pebbles sloping southerly toward the Nashua river and two or three feet in 
thickness. That kind of stone is found in its natix'e rock north of Shattuck's ledge toward Merri- 
mack. The ice on which these small stones rode came over the height of Concord street and probablj^ 
over the easterly Hank of Winter hill. In the section by the church we see thinner layers of yellow 
sand sloping inward toward the west and awaj- from the Merrimack river. That sand came down on 



loo HISTORY OF NASHUA, A^ H. 

the Merrimack river ice when it stood a luindred feet or more above the l.)Ottom of the present bed of 
the river. It is the same kind of sand as that borne on the current of that river every spring. Tliis 
hill or ridge, which still extends westwardly from Chandler street, between Tolles and Canal streets, 
though fast disappearing, being in great demand for gravel roofing and concrete sidewalks, was the 
terminal moraine of the Shattuck's ledge glacier. This moraine, with a break from Tolles street to 
Railroad square — west of which beginning at Beacon hill between Amherst and Auburn streets it 
becomes the moraine of the Winter hill glacier (and perhaps of a great northwestern ice stream) — 
extends clear across the north part of the city, taking in Fairmount in its course, and around to the 
" steep banks " on the Nashua. The two saucer shaped depressions, one just west of Chandler street 
and south of Lock, and tlie other on the site of Artillery pond on the North common, and the narrow 
depression extending across the Wilton railroad to the Nashua ri\-er north of the Fairmount terrace, 
are the beds of the lateral tongues of ice which reached down from the north, after they had receded 
from the ice rivers and come to a stand-still. The clay found west of Chandler street, and for many 
years used to such good purpose by the late Hon. Charles Williams in his foundr\', is the jiaste made 
by this lateral glacier grinding down over the surface of Shattuck's ledge. When the water and ice 
fell below the top of the dam made by the bordering ridge, which dam as we ha\-e seen the ice itself 
had built up, the fine flour from the stone settled at the bottom, there being no current to take it away. 
That sediment gave Mr, Williams his clay lied. This cla>' extends into Lock street near the residence 
of the late Seneca Greeley and will be noticed by the pedestrian e.specialh- in wet weather. The 
break in this moraine mentioned above, extending from Tolles street on the east to Heacon hill on the 
west, is accounted for by the fact that just before the final disappearance of the last remnant of the 
continental ice cap a tongue of ice had gone down Concord street and across Railroad square, acro.ss 
the Nashua river, and southward along Main street, jjushing before it its terminal moraine as far as 
the northeast corner of the South common, and on the west side of it as far as High .street, and on 
the east side as far as the Pilgrim church, and retreating left there sections of the otherwi.se continuous 
moraine at the places indicated, where they constituted the considerable hills which were there found 
by the first settlers, but which have since been dug down and carried away. 

Going northeast about seventy rods from the angle of the gravel ridge before described to an 
excavation through it at Lock street, we find it is there formed of stratified yellow sands sloping away 
toward the west from the Merrimack river at an angle of about forty degrees. The location, color antl 
character of this sand show that it came down the Merrimack on the ice when that stream filled the 
whole interval of the river, being about a mile wide at this point and at lea.st one hundred and twenty- 
five feet deep, and that it was washed off in the water that ran off its side into an open space that lay 
between the glacial Merrimack and the tongue of ice before mentioned which had then come to a .stand 
still and no longer at this point coalesced with the ice river, but, through the influence of sun and rain, 
had retreated from it a few feet. There might have been some water .standing in this open crack along 
side of the ice stream but there was some outlet for the water when it rose to this height : which fact is 
shown by the absence of clay. Most of the wash which carried in the sand came from the glacial 
Merrimack, but not all ; for if we observe closely we shall see that a nearly horizontal sweep across the 
top of these strata, with a little incline toward the river, has been made as if by the sudden irruption 
of water and gravel from the surface of the local glacier on the land side. How do we know it came 
from the west or northwe.st ? Because it is a gravel made up in ])art of the dark colored slate found 
between Winter hill and Merrimack. How do we know it was a sudden irruiJtion? Because it 
swept clear across the ridge and left a deposit of gravel three or four feet in thickness. On the bottom 
of that layer and resting on the top edge of the strata of yellow sand which is cut off at an angle, is a 
flooring of black slate pebbles three or four inches in diameter. The rest, though finer, is of the same 
material. At the time of this irruption of gravel from the west, the ice extending across the 
Merrimack interval must have stood as high as the top of these jellow strata, or the layers of yellow 
sand would have been cut down still lower by this torrent from the hill over the local glacier ice 
tongue. This sand bank not only tells its own story but also that of innumerable similar deposits all 
over New England. The finest debris from the broken rock floor is carried farther by the current of 
the stream whether it be of water or of ice. The slower the current of that stream moves the more 
likely the smallest and finest particles are to be deposited. The very finest of the rock paste, unless 
deposited where there is no current, goes on to the ocean. If deposited in perfectly still water it forms 



If /STONY or NASHir.A, A'. //. loi 

a clay bed. Fine, heav}- sand falling off the ice stream in still water is put down in level strata. 
Coarser sand, gravel and pebbles, as they glide off the ice stream's edge, back up against the ice and 
lorm strata at angles varying from twenty to twenty- five degrees and from one to three feet in 
Ihickness. As the moving ice stream diminishes in depth, and even after it has ceased to move, while 
it still retains its general shape and features, even though its surface has sunk below the sand and 
gravel ridges in its outer edges, both the ice stream itself and the.se lateral ridges are subject to 
incursions of torrents of water bearing immense quantities of gravel, pebbles and l)Owlders from the 
bordering hills and from the overhanging tongues and sheets of the glacial ice upon their tops. 
'I'housands of banks of fine stratified sand all over the country are thus held down by layers of coarse 
gravel and small bowlders which have prevented the wind seizing them and transporting the 
])nlverized particles in moving dunes across the countrj-. 

This layer of dark slate, gravel and stones thrust nearly horizontally across the upturned strata 
of yellow Merrimack sand here at the Lock street section of this gravel ridge solves another mystery. 
It discloses the method of the formation of the valley terraces of New England and those of Scotland, 
iiiul of the fjords of Norway and of every other country that has once been glaciated. Aga.ssiz 
e.\plained the "parallel roads of Glen Roy" — a series of terraces around the sides of a Scottish valley 
— as being cau.sed by a glacier building a series of transverse moraines one after another, each following 
one lower than its predeces.sor : and these moraines serving as dams, held back the waters at different 
times at the different heights of the existing terraces. So late as his journey to Brazil, he alludes with 
some satisfaction to that early discover}'. But he fails to show how a valle\- lake thus held in check 
can receive and retain the material comprising the terrace and hold it at the level of the water's edge 
or that any such process is anywhere going on at the present time. 

An earlj- and frequent explanation of these river or valley terraces is that the river internal was 
first filled up level across from side to side with the drift, which for that purpose is usually described as 
lying in level strata, and then afterwards the existing interval was cut out by the water courses, which 
were considerably intensified in order to perform that work. This is the explanation of the text book 
writers, of Geike, the Scottish geologist, of Mr. Warren Upham, and of many others. Another 
explanation which met with considerable favor a generation ago was that these terraces stood at the 
water level and that a succession of them marked the successive steps in the gradual upheaval of the 
continent. In trying to verify this theory Professor Hitchcock was perplexed by the fact that there 
was no connection between one set of valley terraces and another either as to their elevation above 
the .sea or in the height of each successive upheaval. Both these theories .still find many adherents. 
It is easy — in theory — to hoist and submerge again the continents. It is easier to talk about the 
drift in a valley teiTace than to examine it carefully. It is not difficult to be pleased with the thought 
of having made a great discovery in nature and yet to neglect to verify the details. A lake or pond 
silts up first at the upper end ; no transverse moraine or other dam can be contrived to make the still 
water build up a terrace all around the edge of a pond at the water level, or place the gravel and 
bowlders of the terraces in such position. Besides, as the writer has discovered from numerous 
observ-ations, the valley terraces are not level ; they all descend with the valley often more rapidly 
than the brook or river at its bottom. Thus a river near the mountains here in New England was 
found by the writer to have a fall of eleven feet in two miles, while a well defined terrace one hundred 
and sixty-five feet above it fell forty feet in the same distance. 

The reason wlij- the slanting strata of yellow sand was not cut down any lower by that furious 
irruption of water, bearing dark gravel and stones from the west at this section of the gravel ridge on 
Lock .street, can only be explained by the fact that there was something substantial and solid on the 
east of that ridge and close along side of it that could not be overturned or washed away. There is 
nothing of that nature there now. We know that what was there then and is gone now was the great 
ice stream of the Merrimack. The ridge of sand along its side could be cut off lower than the top 
surface of that ice against which it rested. When the water came with sufficient force the sand could 
stand no higher than the top of the ice, but if the torrent came from the hills or local side glacier the 
top of the sand ridge was thrown over and ui)on the ice stream, and if the torrent came down or across 
the ice stream the top of the sand or gravel ridge would be struck oft', as a miller strikes off the full 
measure of grain, and the surplus thrown ujion the other side of the sand ridge toward the hill 
side, and thus the intervening space between the ritlge and the bordering hill filled in up to the 



I02 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



height of the top of the ice stream. The top of the ice stream in either event was the gauge of the 
height of the terrace. The ice which held the terrace in place and regulated its height has disajipeared. 
The bed-rock upon which it scraped and ground along has been silted over and covered up but the 
terraces remain. The dam was longitudinal and not transverse, the ice itself and not its moraine. 
North of Lock street the ridge becomes a terrace and extends northerly past the O'Donnell school 
house, the Laton homestead and along the western side of the Merrimack interval, and the .space 
between the top of the ridge and the hill to the west is filled in as before indicated. 

Fairmount Heights, which overlook the city on the northwest, constitute an elevated plateau 
standing about two hundred feet above the .sea level and about fifty feet above Main street. This 
plateau is twentv-five hundred feet long from east to west and from seven hundred to twelve 
hundred feet broad upon the top. It lies parallel to the interval of the Nashua which flows at its 
southerly ba.se .seventy-five feet below. This plateau is nearly level, with, however a slight incline 




'THE IST-AND"— A VIEW ON THE NWSIIUA RIVER OF TO PAV. 



toward the east or dt>wn the \-alley of the Nashua. It can be reached in no direction excejU b>- 
making a considerable ascent. It is all within a mile of the City hall. It constitutes a very large 
and perfect glacial terrace, made up of sand, gravel, pebbles and small bowlders of gneiss, mica 
schist and the dark slate found in the region lying to the north and northwest. The clay and fine 
sand has been entirely washed out and carried away so that no water will remain on the surface and 
to obtain any b}- means of wells they need to be sunk at least seventy-five feet. At the time this 
terrace was formed the Nashua inteni-al from Mine falls to the Merrimack was full of ice. This drift 
which now constitutes the Fairmount terrace probably was once the terminal moraine of a great 
northwestern ice stream, a remnant of the continental ice cap, and this moraine banked up close 
against the Nashua ice stream, while some of its material no doubt is made up of the lateral moraine 
of that stream. Before it was stricken off comparative level down to the surface of the ice stream, 
(then from a hundred to a hundred and fifty feet deep), that moraine stood in irregular conical ridges. 



///SrOA'}' OF A'ASnCA, X. //. 103 

some of tlieiii perhaps fifty feet higher than the present plateau, and it took an immense force of water 
to sweep off and level down the to]is of these ridges. When that was done, the tongues of ice from 
IIr- north were also l)anked up against the moraine on that side and there they remained until thej^ 
melted, leaving the precipitous sides and deep depression still to be found toward the Wilton railroad.* 

When the general ice cap was on its course toward the south and southeast, after passing over the 
site of the present citw it struck tlie mass of \ery hard cr>stanine rock composed of mica schist with 
streaks of feldspar, lying between the Merrimack and .Salmon brook, the remains of which now 
constitute Pratt's hill and Long hill, and extending from the Harbor south beyond the state line. This 
rocky prominence was so hard it could not be entirely eroded, but was much rasped off and ground 
down. When the ice cap on this hill finall\- disap])eared it left the thin paste beneath it, in some 
])laces not more than two or three feet deep covering the hill. There are also many bowlders, some of 
them of jiorplivritic gneiss which have come at least thirty or forty miles from beyond the Contoo- 
cook. The ice disappeared ,so gradually that neither the water from its melting disturbed the ground 
moraine nor did that moraine itself, though not held back by the roots of grass or trees or any 
vegetation, slide down the polished and slipjjery sides of the bed rock except in a few places. 

When the ice cap had rested from its laliors on this hill, the ice stream of the Merrimack still 
kept on its course and has left its lateral moraine stranded in gravel ridges along its right bank, and 
these ridges mav be traced at an altitude of more than one hundred feet above present low water in 
the Merrimack across the land of J. L. H. Marshall, near which they now furnish material for 
the cement pipe works of Hon. Seth 1). Chandler on the Lowell road. Traces of this ridge are found 
running south from that point (ui the west side of the highway and further along on the east between 
it anil the railroad for se\'eral miles. 

On the other side of the Merrimack one may begin on the west side of Otternie pond in Hudson 
and follow a corresponding ridge parallel with the present Merrimack and about half a mile east of it 
for three or four miles .southward. The ridge, irregular in height, is only eight or ten feet wide on 
top. It stands from fifteen to forty feet above the adjacent land. Its sides are steep and nearly devoid 
of soil. It is composed of coarse gravel, pebbles and small bowlders, smooth and well rounded. It is 
unstratified. Oppo.site where the ice stream of the Nashua united with that of the Merrimack, 
deflecting the latter to the eastward, the ridge rises the highest and appears in a succession of parallel 
bow shaped hills with their concave sides toward the river. They are the lateral moraines of the 
ancient Merrimack and stand from a hundred and ten to a hundred and forty feet above the rocky floor 
of that glacial stream. Beyond it to the eastward the lateral glacier and subsequently the larger pond 
that occupied the site of Otternie and Hudson Centre found an outlet toward the east until the waters 
Ijroke through this ridge where Otternie brook now runs, draining the pond to its present dimensions 
and empt\ing its waters into the Merrimack. The westerly side of the ridge is banked up with drifts 
of fine sand lilown up from the shores of the Merrimack by the prevailing northwest winds. Toward 
the southern extremity of the ridge, on the farm of Mr. Fuller, the dune has been retarded in its 
easterly movement by the action of man, who now seeks to hold it back from the destruction of the 
fertile territory between. This lateral moraine is a kame and differs from an osar in being laid down 
in the air. Opposite this kame the main current of the ice must have been deflected near to the 
eastern shore, rising above it for that reason, and allowing the rubbish borne along on its surface to 
slide down upon the eastern side, thus building up the gravel ridge. Within its walls are found 
bowlders of the coar.se pink granite found in the vicinity of Manchester and which one sees in the curb 
stones and flags of that city. None of this granite is found in the moraines or gravel ridges west of 
the Merrimack. But they in turn hold many bowlders of Milford granite, which is not found in the 
Hudson kame. This is in accordance with the well known law that the material con.stituting the 
lateral moraine of an ice .streatu is never transferred liy the ice to the opposite side of the current. 

The lakes and ponds which covered so large an extent of the surface of New England during the 
disai)])earance of the ice cap were held in place by barriers of the ice itself in the first instance, and 
snbse<iuently by dams built up by the ice as we have seen that the osar across Lock street was 
produced. 

*This explanation of tlie formation of tlu> terraces in j;lacial regions was arrivcil at liy the writer in 1S85 from his 
personal investij,'ation of many terraces in Xew England and northern New York, and so far as he is aware is original 
with him. His conclusions were first given to the public in a paper read by him before the Nashua Fortnightly club, 
I'ebinary 5, 1888, an<l printed at tliat time. 



I04 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

The extensive sand\- plains about Nashua indicate the bottom of such a lake through which there 
was a sufficient current of water to carry awaj' to the ocean the clay in solution which the wash from 
the bordering hills brought down from the ground moraines left bare by the ice cap. The rock bottom 
of this lake is probably fifty or seventy-five feet below the level of Main street, and was covered over 
deeply with sand and gravel from the hard pan by the same water which carried away the clay. In 
the same way the lake of Geneva is now being silted up by the stream flowing from the Rhone glacier. 

At the close of the ice period, a barrier — possibly an ice gorge — near the state line caused the 
waters to be held back, forming a narrow and shallow lake which extended northward beyond Goffe's 
falls, northwest to Amherst and thence along the Souhegan river for two or three miles, and southwest 
up the Nashua to Mine falls. That part of Merrimack lying between the Souhegan and Pennichuck 
brook was an island. Nearly the whole of Litchfield was submerged. In places this pond was four 
or five miles wide and its surface was about two hundred feet above the sea level, and it varied in 
depth from five or ten feet at the upper end to fifty or sixty in the vicinity of Nashua. At first it was 
much deeper but it was rapidly silted up, especially toward the north and northwest extremeties. There 
was a considerable current through the lake, sufficient to carry away nearly all the clay in the soil. 
Many spots were still occupied by the ice and the faces of the terraces in many places were protected 
from the action of wind and wave by glacial ice. Now and then huge masses were broken off and 
floated away from their moorings until they became .stranded on the bottom, and the silting up process 
still going on around them, when they had melted and the waters came to depart, the hollows lately 
occupied by these miniature icebergs formed small ponds without inlet or outlet, like Sandy pond, and 
Round pond near the Amherst road. The bottom of these ponds in some instances is as low as the 
surface of the neighboring rivers, and always lower than the rock floor of the surrounding hillsides, so 
that they are generally fed with a lasting supply of pure water of a quality superior for drinking 
purposes to that of such sluggish streams of the vicinity as are filled with the ooze of swamps and the 
unfiltered wash of the surface. 

Many other depressions in the sandy plain which once formed the bottom of this ancient lake, 
though not deep enough to reach down to the water, were formed in the same way, and some msrk 
the places where, near the moraine terraces, tongues of ice were covered up when the gravel ridges 
were struck off in the formation of the terraces, and these bodies of ice, until they melted, constituted 
a part of the terrace and helped to hold up the surface earth to the general level of the terrace, but as 
the ice underneath slowly melted away, the surface gradually sank down and the existing hollows or 
"kettle holes" were formed. 

The disappearance of a series of such bodies of ice, either banked up with, or sbmerged by the 
gravel, has resulted frequently in creating water courses, either upon the surface or underneath, 
between the lateral moraine of the ice river and the bounding hills. An example of such underground 
currents is found at the base of Winter hill, the water on the east side finding its outlet into the 
Merrimack by the well known spring upon the Laton farm, and on the west, from the vicinity of 
Concord street, through the North common, across Amherst .street, under the Wilton railroad and 
along at the northerly base of the Fairmount terrace, where it feeds a succession of ponds, around to 
its outlet to the river at the never failing cold spring, much visited by boatmen on the river at the 
"steep banks." 

The glacial ice, even that which upon the formation of the terraces was buried to a great depth 
beneath the gravel, we have reason to believe is all gone in this vicinity. No phenomena, charac- 
teristic of the Siberian tundra, like that observed upon the opening of the "frozen well" in Brandon 
in the neighboring state of Vermont, has ever been chronicled in this locality. People cannot drink 
ice water from their springs in .\ugust even in the White Mountain state. How long ago the last 
remnant of glacial ice stored away in Nature's ice hou.se, yielded to the combined strength of the 
sun's raj'S and the internal heat of the earth, and melted, whether it was a few hundred or a few 
thousand years ago, no man can now say. 

When the mean annual temperature of this region shall be lowered again in the coming aphelion 
winter, and the snows of spring shall linger all sunnner through upon Monadnock and Mt. 
Washington ; when they and their sister peaks and ranges .shall again become centers of dispersion 
for the ice, until, gradually deepening j^ear by year, the glacial plow shall again furrow all New 
England and wipe off the face of the earth as with a sponge all the boasted works of num — all his 



H/STOKV OF NASHTA, X. H. 105 

mechanical, architectural and engineering achievements — when all this shall come again the 
astronomer may perhaps with tolerable certainty foretell ; but we ourselves know, that, whatever of 
that character nature has in store for this region, it is so far in the remote future it can in no manner 
affect our li\x-s or the li\'es of any wlm will have us in remembrance : for we shall then be 

" As much foriiotteu as the canoe 
That crossed the Ijosoin of a lonely lake 
A thousand years ago." 



M^.fifclyUjiMJlt^-vo . 



io6 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



JOHN M. HUNT. 

John M. Hunt was born at Dracut, Mass., March 31, 
1797 ; died at Nashua, Oct. 30, 1885. He was a son of 
Israel Hunt, born Aug. 27, 1758, died March 2, 1850, 
and Catherine (Nowell) Hunt, born June 15, 1765, died 
May 15, 1850. Their ancestors came from England in the 
seventeenth century and were among the early settlers in 
Massachusetts Bay colony. Their descendants have been 
among the pioneers in near and remote sections of this 
continent and 
many of them 
havedistinguished 
themselves in the 
service of their 
country, in the 
professions and 
emplo)'meiits that 
have developed 
the civilization 
whichisthecrown- 
ing glory of the 
nineteenth cen- 
tury. 

Mr. Hunt ol)- 
tained a common 
school education, 
and beyond that, 
for he was a well 
informed man on 
topics of general 
interest, was self- 
taught. From 1803 
till the time of his 
death in 1885 he 
was one of the 
best known resi- 
dents of Nashua. 
In the beginning 
of his honorable 
career he was in 
trade at the Harbor 
in a store that 
stood in the south 
triangle where the 
Lowell and Dun- 
stable roads form 
ajunction. Hewas 
also interested in a 
linen manufactur- 
ing enterprise, the 
mill of which was 
located on the site 
of the present Vale 

mill. The business was not successful. In 1820 he was 
appointed postmaster of Nashua, which office he held 
until July, 1841. During all these years, and in fact 
during his active career, he took part in town affairs and 
performed the duties of citizenship with fidelity to every 
trust, being town clerk and chairman of the board of 
selectmen in 1830, 1833, 1834, 1835 and 1836, and instru- 
mental in causing the first town report to be issued to 
the taxpayers in printed form. When the Nashua State 
bank, chartered at the June session of the legislature in 
1835, was orgauized in 1836, he was appointed cashier, 



JOHN M. IIU.N'T. 



which position of trust he held until the bank closed its 
business in October, l856. Hon. Isaac Spalding was 
president of the bank during its entire life, and it was a 
matter of pride with him and Mr. Hunt that the institu- 
tion never lost a dollar by a bad investment, and that 
when its affairs were liquidated it paid its stockholders 
their principal and a handsome dividend in addition to 
the dividends paid yearly when it did business. A's a 
citizen, neighbor and friend, no man of his generation 
stood higher in the regard of the community. He was 

democratic in all 
his ways and deal- 
ings ; a man whose 
influence in the 
community was 
always on the side 
of justice, morality 
and religion. Mr. 
Hunt was a regu- 
lar attendant at 
the Unitarian 
church and a mem- 
ber of Rising Sun 
lodge, A. F.and A. 
M., of which he 
was senior warden 
in 1826 and wor- 
shipful master in 
1827. January 28, 
1823, Mr. Hunt 
was united in mar- 
riage with Mary 
Ann Munroe, who 
was born in Lex- 
ington, Mass., Oct. 
31, 1812 ; died at 
Nashua, Dec. I, 
1894. She was a 
(laughter of Thom- 
as Miinroe, born 
March 30, 1785, 
died July 8, 1854, 
and Elizabeth 
(Jewett) Munroe, 
born Sept. 8, 17S5, 
died Nov. 23, i8|8. 
Mrs. Hunt'sances- 
tors were among 
the first English 
settlers in Massa- 
chusetts, and a 
great number of 
their descendants 
have made their 
mark in the world and have served, and are still serving 
in honorable professions and callings. Mrs. Hunt came 
to Nashua with her parents when she was a child and 
her home was here until her death. She was a constant 
attendant at the Unitarian church and very much inter- 
ested in its work. In fact she left a bequest to the 
societ}'. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hunt : 
The first, born April 8, 1839, died in infancy ; second, 
Mary E., born .\pril 10, 1842, unmarried. Mrs. Hunt was 
a woman of retiring disposition, of modest deportment 
and domestic tastes. 




NJSTOK)- OF NASI/ ['A, A'. 11. 



107 



HORACE CLARK TOLLES. 

Horace C. Tolles, son of Henry and Azubah (Nichols) 
Tolles, was born at Weathersfield, Vt., May 31, iSii, died 
at Nashua, March 21, 1878. 




IIOllACIi CI.AIiK TOI.LKS. 

His immigrant ancestors came from England early in 
the eighteenth century and settled in Connecticut. Cap- 
tain Henry Tolles, and four of his six sons, became 
pioneers at Weathersfield, Vt., sometime before the Revo- 
lution. Clark Tolles, one of these four sons, grandfather 
of the subject of this sketch, was a soldier in the Conti- 
nental army. He married Sail}' Proctor, by whom he 
had eight children, Henrj-, the eldest, being the father of 
Horace C, who married .\zubah Nichols of Weathersfield. 

Mr. Tolles obtained a common school education in his 
native town and remained there until 1832, when he came 
to Nashua and settled on a farm in the south-west secticn 
of the city near the Dunstable line. He was a prosperous 
and well-to-do farmer; a man of excellent judgment, 
prudent, industrious anfi highly regarded b}- the com- 
munity. Mr. Tolles served his ward on the board of 
selectmen, as highway surveyer, on the board of assessors 
and in other capacities. In 1862 and 1863 he represented 
Ward eight as a memtier of the board of aldermen, and in 
1864 and 1865 as representative in the legislature. 

Mr. Tolles was united in marriage Dec. 10, 1835, with 
Sopha A. Wright, daughter of Joel and Sally Wright of 
Westford, Mass., of which place her ancestors were early 
settlers and among the first families. Nine children 
were born of their marriage: Horace W., born April 26, 
1838, married Caroline L. Newton, "Nov. 7 1867; Franklin 
N., born July 25, 1839, married Edla F. Kempton, May 10, 
1870; Henry J., born Aug. 24, 1841, married Sarah L. 
Davis, Oct. 24, 1867; Willard Cborn May 8, 1843, married 
Ellen F. Kendall, Oct. 6, 1868; Hannah S., born Feb. 6, 
1845, died March 10, 1866; James II., born Oct. 17, 1846, 
married Mary E. Cross, July 8, 1872; Sarah A., born Nov. 
30, 1848, married Frank Wilkins, Oct. i, 1868, died Nov. 
10. :869; Jason E., born Jan. 5, 1852, married Sadie S. 
Chase, Aug. 11, 1874; Xenophon D., born March 23, 1858, 
married .S. Jennie Eaton, July 29, 1885. 



THOMAS PEARSON, Jr. 

Hon. Thomas Pearson, fourth by the name in direct 
line of descent, was born in Tyngsboro, Mass., Dec. 25, 
1820, died at Nashua, March 5, 1891. (F'or ancestors, see 
sketch of his father, Thomas Pearson, Sen.) He attended 
the public schools of Nashua and was fitted for college at 
Crosby's Literary institution ; read law with Abbot & 
Fox, and a graduate of Harvard Law school, was admitted 
to the bar in 1843, and subsequently opened an office in 
Shattuck's building, then standing on the site of the 
Main street railroad station. Meanw-hile, Charles J. Fox, 
with Samuel D. Bell, was engaged in revising and codify- 
ing the laws of the State, and, as Mr. Fox was in con- 
sumption, young Pearson assisted considerably in the 
work and also devoted much of his spare time to the 
completion of Fox's History of Dunstable. After prac- 
tising law aw-hile, the state of his health forced him to 
out of door work. As railroading was just coming into 
great prominence, he decided to take up civil engineering 
as a profession. His first work was with General George 
Stark on one division of the Coucord railroad. After the 
completion of the work he superintended the laying of 
the second track of the Lowell road ; worked as an engi- 
neer under Chief Engineer Stark, on the laying out of the 
Old Colony railroad to Plymouth, Mass., and on the 
Stony Brook railroad out of Lowell; also on the Boston, 
Concord & Montreal railroad. He engaged, with Harry 
Woods, to do the engineering and building of the Wilton 
road from Danforth's Corner to East Wilton ; also svir- 
veyed, in company with his cousin, Ambrose Pearson, 
and built the Edgeville canal. Soon afterward he was 
offered and accepted the situation of engineer of the North- 
ern division of the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad, with 
river line from Greenfield to Windsor, Vt. ; from Nashua 
to Concord, on the west side of the Merrimack river; 




TIIOM-Xs l'i;.\ltSl)X, jn. 

headquarters at Wheeling, Va. Later he ran numerous 
railroad lines, some of which were afterward built wholly 
or in part; from Plymouth to Sandwich, Mass., from 
Franklin to Bristol on the Northern road ; from Meredith 
village through Centre Harbor to Conway; the I'orest 



io8 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



from Groton to Winchester, Mass. ; from New Ipswicli to 
East Wilton ; from Tyngsboro to Brookline ; from Green- 
field to Keene ; from Nashua to Epping ; from Danforth's 
Corner through Amherst, Mont Vernon and Oil Mill 
village to New Boston to meet the Manchester & Keene 
road, and the Texas & Great Western railway. 

Judge Pearson's profession kept him awa)- from the 
city months at a time, but he always kept a home in 
Nashua. He entered politics early in life, was a delegate 
from Nashua to the first abolition convention at Concord, 
when there were onlj' twent3--one delegates all told. He 
was appointed to succeed General Israel Hunt as judge of 
the police court of Nashua, and held that office until he 
became chief clerk of the pension office at Washington, 
D. C, which position he held under a part of Lincoln's 
and also Johnson's administrations. He held the office of 
justice of the peace and quorum ever after he was of age, 
was a trustee of the Reform school, now called State 
Industrial school, seven years a representative to the 
legislature, street commissioner when the whole citj- was 
one district, assessor, inspector of checklists and held all 
the ward offices of Ward seven. In secret societies he 
was a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., of 
which he was master in i860. Meridian Sun Royal .^rch 
chapter, the charter of which, with Alfred Greeley, he 
got renewed after its forfeiture in 1832, and of which he 
was king in 1857, 1858 and 1859. He held the office of 
excellent grand king of the Grand Chapter of New 
Hampshire, and was a member of Washington com- 
mandery, K. T., District of Columbia. Judge Pearson 
was a member of the Pilgrim church, had been a director 
of the old Olive street society and was superintendent of 
its Sunday school at the time of the fiftieth anniversary 
of its formation. He was a good story teller, a man of 
wide experience and of the most cordial disposition in 
social and business life. His memory was a storehouse of 
facts and incidents relative to Nashua. In a word, his 
life was rounded out in good living, cheerfulness, honor- 
able citizenship and faithful service. 

Judge Pearson was three times married; first, Jan. 21, 
1844, with Angeline M. Hunt, daughter of Nehemiah and 
Clarissa Hunt, who died Nov. 26, 1877; second, with Mrs. 
Carrie Weston of Medfield, Mass; third, with Hannah A. 
(Edgerly) Pearson, widow of his cousin, Ambrose Pear- 
son. Two children were born to him by his first marriage : 
Gertrude K., who married T. W. H. Hussey, (high school 
principal), of Barrington ; George Byron, (civil engineer) 
who married Jennie E. Wadleigh, daughter of Benjamin 
H. Wadleigh of Nashua. 

HARVEY F. COURSER. 

Colonel Harvey V . Courser was born at Thetford, Vt., in 
January, 1809, died in Nashua, Dec. 23, 1883. He was a 
son of Daniel and Lucy (Taft) Courser, both of whom 
were descendants of the pioneers of New Hampshire, the 
home of the former being at Boscawen, (with his parents) 
from the time he was two j-ears of age. The place — one 
of the most attractive in New England in its surround- 
ings — has been known as Courser hill more than a 
hundred years. 

Col. Courser was educated at Boscawen and remained at 
home, being employed upon his father's farm, until he 
was twenty-one. He then obtained employment in a 
store at Concord, and later was employed three years as a 



United States mail agent. In 1835 he came to Nashua 
and entered the dry goods trade in one of the stores in 
the first Baptist church edifice, where he remained until 
he was burned out in 1848. During the next five years he 
was in business in Boston. Returning to Nashua, his 
next and last business venture was in the grocerv trade 
with his son-in-law, the firm being William H. Greenleaf 
& Company, in the middle store of the Telegraph block. 
The firm clo.sed out its businses in 1S82, at which time 
he retired from active pursuits. Colonel Courser obtained 
his title as aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen. Luther 
McCutchens of New London, with whom he was promi- 
nent in military affairs during his early manhood. Mr. 
Courser was not a politician in the ordinary acceptance of 
the term ; he never aspired to public life or craved public 
office. Yet few men evinced greater zeal or showed more 
commendal}le interest in all matters of politics that 




II-\K\'EV F. COUK.SEU. 

appertained to the general welfare and permanent good 
of his city and country. He was thoroughly patriotic in 
his impulses, and outspoken in his advocacy of all such 
principles as tended, in his judgment, to build up and 
strengthen the superstructure of equity and equality upon 
which he believed the government of his country to be 
founded. He was a citizen of the most social and amiable 
qualities who did his part in all things for the public 
good. He was a member of the First Congregational 
church, a constant attendant upon its worship, and inter- 
ested and intelligent participant in its society- affairs and 
social functions, and a consistent man in everything. 

Colonel Courser was united in marriage, in 1839, with 
Maria Estey, daughter of Jesse and Anna (Peabody) 
Estey. One daughter was born of their marriage : Lucy 
A. M., who married William H. Greenleaf. 



///STOA'V OF NASHUA, N. //. 



109 



JAMES WHITE. 

J:i!iRS W'liitf was born al Now Hoston, March [, iSoS. 
(iicil at Nashua Auic- 19. 1868. lie was a son of John and 
I.ucv ( lilanchard ) While. Mr. White was educated in 
the schools of Calais, Vt.. to which place his parents 
removed when he was six years of age, and beyond that 
was a self-taiitjht and self-made man whose general 
knowledge and business cajjacity was of the first order. 
After serving an apprenticeship as liridgc- builder he went 
to Manchester, 
where he remained 
for some time and 
met with gratify- 
ing success. I n 
1837 he located in 
Nashua. He then 
gradually extend- 
ed his fiehl of oper- 
ation until he be- 
came one of the 
largest and most 
successful con- 
tractors and bridge 
builders in New 
Englanil. There 
are many monu- 
ments of his work 
still standing. 
Mr. White served 
on the town school 
committee a num- 
ber of years, and 
was chairman of 
the board, but his 
occupation took 
him out of town a 
good deal and 
heuce he was un- 
able to fill other 
public positions 
w hich were offered 
him. He was a 
substantial citizen 
and a true man in 
all the relations of 
life. He was a 
Universalist and a 
freemason, being 
a menil)er of a 
lodge in Vermont. 
Mr. White was 
united in marriage 
June 26, 1838, with 
Rebecca (Moore) 
McConihe, daugh- 
ter of John and 
Elizabeth (Alex- 
ander) McConihe of Merrimack. Four children were 
born of their marriage: James B., born July 3, 1839, 
married Anna F. Davis of Bangor, Me., March 23, 1S68; 
FMwin D., born Oct. 27, 1841, soldier and journalist, died 
in Naslu"j, March 12, 1886; Sarah FHiza, born F"eb. i, 
1844, married Col. Elbridge J. Copp of Nashua, died Dec. 
6, 1893 ; Abby Sophia, born Oct. 13, 1S46, died Sept. 6, 1848. 




AUGUSTUS GARDNER REED. 

.Augustus C. Reed, son of Joshua and Harriet (Flint) 
Reed, was born in Stoddard, Sept. 8, 1816, died at 
Nashua, July 3, 1896. (For ancestors see sketch of his 
brother, Elbridge G. Reed.) He was educated in the 
common schools of his native place, at Walpole, and at 
the academy at Bellows Falls, Vt. When he was in his 
sixteenth year he accompanied his parents in their re- 
moval to Rockingham, \'t., where he remained about 

three years, when 
he came to Nashua 
and entered the 
employ of Beasoni 
& Reed, dry goods 
dealers, as a trav- 
elling salesman. 
Four years later 
he became a mem- 
ber of the firm, 
.and after that was 
in company at 
different times 
withChas. Crosby, 
his brother, Henry 
H ., and E. A. 
Slader. Mr. Reed 
was one of the 
charter members 
o f the Indian 
Head Stale bank 
and served on its 
board of directors, 
incluiling service 
since it was a na- 
tional bank, fortv- 
t wo 3-ears . He a I so 
served many years 
on the board of 
investment of the 
Nashua Savings 
bank and was trus- 
tee of the Charles 
T. Gill estate and 
guardian for the 
children. He was 
an honorable and 
useful citizen and 
c o nscientiously 
performed his 
duty in all things. 
Mr. Reed served 
on the board of 
inspectors of 
checklists two or 
three years and 
was a member of 
the board of alder- 
nun in 1873. He was a member of the fire department 
twenty-nine years and held all the offices except that of 
chief. He was a Universalist. 

Mr. Reed was twice married: first, June 21, 1843, with 
Eliza C. Crabtree, daughter of I.emuel Crabtree, who died 
in June, 1863: second, in July, 1865. Mary E. (Jones) 
Foster, who died April 25, 1893. No children. 



HISTORY' OF X.4S//r.l, .V. //. 



CALVIN B. HILL. 

Calvin B. Hill was Ijorn at East Douglas, Mass., March 
5. 1827, died at Nashua, May 9, 1889. He was a son of 
Micah and Sally (Marsh) Hill. Mr. Hill's genealogy 
is clearly traced through eight generations to John Hill. 
an English member of the Plymouth colony, who, in 
1633, settled at Dorchester, Mass. He was a blacksmith, 
a member Of the Boston Artillery company, the father of 
ei^ht children and a man of good report. His children 
became settlers in 
other places in the 
colony, and many 
of their members, 
and also their de- 
scendants in later 
generations be- 
came prominent in 
religious, civil and 
military affairs. 
Ephriam Hill, son 
of Samuel and 
grandson of John, 
was the first set- 
tler of East Doug- 
las, 1721 . His 
name frequently 
appears iu the 
records of that 
place, (with the 
prefix of captain, 
which shows that 
he was among the 
officers of the town 
and transacted a 
good deal of its 
business. He died 
at the age of about 
107 years. His 
son, Caleb, was a 
deacon in the 
church at East 
Douglas, and is 
mentioned in the 
old records as 
colonel, which is 
presumptive evi- 
dence that he was 
a soldier in the 
Continental ami}'. 
In the next gen- 
eration Moses 
Hill, son of Caleb, 
is recorded as lieu- 
tenant, by this it 
may be inferred that he was also a Revolutiouar}- sol- 
dier. He was a church deacon and died at the age 
of forty-two years. Micah, son of Moses, and father of 
the subject of this sketch, was an influential citizen of 
East Douglas, a man of uubleniished character, and, like 
his father before him, a deacon iu the church. On the ma- 
ternal side his genealogy is identical with the Sheffields, 
Marshes and other prominent Massachusetts families. 

Mr. Hill attended the common schools in his native 
place and finished his education at the academy at East 




CM/^^^ 



Haddain, Conn. He left school in 1843, anrl the following 
two years were spent in Boston learning the art of a 
pharmacist. In 1845 he came to Nashua and formed a 
co-partnership with J. W. White, under the firm name of 
White & Hill, and from that time to 1857 conducted a 
prosperous business on the south corner of Main and 
Factory streets. In the last year mentioned he sold out 
his interest to Mr. White and became treasurer of the 
Underbill Edge Tool company, a position which he filled 
with credit to himself till 1883. In the meantime he 

was interested in 
several other en- 
terprises and a di- 
rector in the Indian 
Head Nat'l bank, 
being president 
of that institu- 
tion a number of 
years, rendering 
it valuable ser- 
vice. Mr. Hill 
never aspired to 
public office. It 
was not to his 
taste, and, besides 
the time he devot- 
to business, was 
fully occupied 
with the trusts 
committed to his 
charge, and the 
care of the estate 
of the heirs of W. 
D. Beasom. 

Mr. Hill was a 
m ember o f t h e 
Main street M. E. 
church and served 
many years on its 
board of trustees, 
as superintendent 
of the S u n d a y - 
school — being the 
organizer of its 
juvenile depart- 
ment — and in 
other capacities. 
He was a liberal 
contributor for the 
support of preach- 
ing and church 
work, and one of 
the very foremost 
in making every- 
body feel at home 
and happy at the church socials and entertainments. 
In a word, Mr. Hill's career was a success in upright- 
ness as a business man, and in the cheerful performance 
of the duty men owe their fellowmen and their Creator. 
Mr. Hill was united in marriage Nov. 12, 1856, to Laura 
A. Beasom, daughter of William D. and Laura (Hobbs) 
Bea.som of Nashua. (For ancestors see sketch of her 
father). Two children were born of thjrr marriage: 
William Beasom, born Feb. 7, 1858, died Sept. 26, 1877; 
Clara Baldwin, born Jlarcli 9, 1862, died Jan. 30, 1866. 



irrSTORY OF NASHUA. N. H. 



MATTHEW BARR. 

Maltlu-w llarr was born in Ik'dfonl, Nov. i6, 1S21, lUi-il 
in Nashua, July 18, 1882. He was a sou of John anil 
Sophia (Richardson) Barr. (For ancestors see skt-tcli of 
his brother, J. N. Barr). 

:\Ir. Barr was educated in the common .schools of his 
native place, including the high school and was graduated 
at Tembrook academy. When he was twenty-two years 
of age he came to Nashua and entered the store of Merrill 
& Barr as a clerk. 
A few years later 
he formed a co- 
partnership with 
William I'rcncli, 
under the firm 
name of I'rench & 
Barr and entered 
the grocery busi- 
ness at Manches- 
ter, where he re- 
mained two years. 
He returned to 
Nashua in 1850 and 
entered into part- 
nership with his 
brother, the firm 
being J. N. S: M. 
Barr, the south 
store in the Bap- 
tist church edifice 
being the place of 
business. The 
firm did an exten- 
sive hardware 
business and upon 
its dissolution was 
continued with 
another brother, 
James, under the 
name of M. Barr 
6s: Co. Meanwhile 
the place of busi- 
ness was changed 
to Greeley block, 
and later to the 
north store in the 
First church edi- 
fice on Main street. 
I'pon the death of 
James, Matthew 
continued alone 
for a while and 
then formed a co- 
partnership with James Barnard, under the firm name of 
Barr S: Co. A few- years later he sold out to James 
Barnard, Frank E. Kittredge and John H. B.irr, wdio did 
business under the name of Barr & Co. until 1894. Upon 
retiring from business he traveled extensively in Europe 
and upon his return, in 1897, he bought out Mark W. 
Merrill and was engaged in the flour and grain l)usiness 
the two following years. Later he again retired and after 
that spent'"^Vst of his time until death in travel. 

Mr. Barr was one of the foremost members of the Pearl 
street Congregational church and one of the largest 




MATTHEW liAKR 



contributors to its support for a number of years. He 
transferred his membership to the Pilgrim church when 
the Olive street and Pearl street churches united under 
that name. His relations with and to the church were 
those of a sincere and unostentatious Christian. Never 
forcing himself to the front, he was always ready to 
respond to any call for help to aid the advancement of 
the religion of Christ in whom he unhesitatingly believed 
and trusted as the Saviour of the world. Mr. Barr was a 
director in the Indian Head National bank and a trustee 

of the City Sav- 
ings bank. He 
was a Democrat in 
politics and a man 
of influence in his 
party. In 1866 he 
represented Ward 
One in the board 
of aldermen, and 
later he was once 
or twice the candi- 
date of his party 
for the office of 
mayor. He was 
administrator of 
several estates and 
guardian of sev- 
eral minors' in- 
heritances. In his 
business and social 
life Mr. Barr was 
a quiet, dignified 
and generous man 
who performed 
every duty in life 
in a conscientious 
manner and who, 
in a long residence 
in Nashua, won 
the respect and 
kind regards of all 
classes of his fel- 
low-citizens. In 
his business meth- 
ods he was strictly 
honorable and 
above board. His 
simple promise 
was as good as 
an elaborately 
written bond, and 
his business repu- 
tation at home and 
abroad was of the 
highest order ; his success was proportionally great. He 
was in fact a member of that class of men who succeed 
on their merits. His memory deservedlj' occupies a 
prominent page in this histor)'. 

Mr. Barr was united in marriage June 29, 1848, with 
E.sther A. Clapp, daughter of Allen and Hannah (New- 
comb) Clapp of Marlboro. Her grandfather was Asa 
Clapp of the same place. Two daughters were born of 
their marriage: Eva Lillian, married John F. Stark, 
decea.sed, leaving one son, George F. Stark : Carrie E., 
married John F. Stark. 



I 12 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. . 



HLBRIDGH GERRY RBED. 

Klbrid.Hf (1. Reed, son of Joshua and Harriet (I'lint) 
Reed, was born in Stoddard, May 28, 1810, died in Nashua 
Jan. 21, 1896. His grandfather, Joshua Reed, son of 




v.\.n\\\\M;v. (;KRiiY kked. 

Joshua, born at Westford, March f>, 1763, served three 
years in the Revolutionary War, and after the independ- 
ence of the country was won settled at Stoddard ; he was 
a pensioner. Of his large family, many have become 
di.stinguished in professions and mercantile life. Mr. 
Reed was educated in the coninion schools of his native 
place and at the academy in Bellows Falls, Vt. He 
remaine<l on the home farm till he was eighteen years of 
age. and then went to Walpole, where he was employed 
in agricultural pursuits until he was nineteen, when he 
went on the road as a traveling salesman, and continued 
in that occupation until he was twenty-four years old. 
He then came to Nashua, and engageil in the dry goods 
trade with William 1). Keasom, the firm being Beasoni X: 
Reed, during the next eleven years, after which he was in 
company in the .same busines five years with E. A. Slader, 
vmder the firm name of Reed & Slader. .\fter that 
time he gave his attention to private affairs. 

Mr. Reed was one of the founders of the Indian Head 
bank, and was a director in it twenty-five years. He 
represented his wanl one year in the common council, 
and was held in the highest respect by the community. 
He attended the Baptist church, and contributed liberally 
to its support. Mr. Reed was united in marriage May 26, 
1836, with Nancy Phelps, daughter of Simeon Lakin and 
Rhoda (Harris) Phelps of Nashua. Two children were 
born of their marriage: Abby M., born in Nashua, April 



27, 1838, married, in May. 1864, Dr. J. A\". Hedee of 

Auburn, Me.; Helen Delia, burn in Nashua, Sept. 22, 

1842, married Sept. 22, 1868, William H. Baldwin, New 
N'ork, ci\il engineer. 

FRANKLIN MUNROE. 

Franklin Munroe was born at Lexington, Mass., Aug 
31, 1805, died at Nashua, Sept. 18, 1873. He was a 
descendant of William Munroe, who was born in Scotland 
in 1625 and came to America in 1682. The family settled 
at Lexington. The descent is William, Jr., Philemon, 
who, being a lieutenant in the enrollment of Minute men, 
jiarticipated in the first engagement in the Revolution at 
Lexington common, and Thomas Munroe, father of the 
suliject of this sketch. 

Mr. Munroe was educated in the schools of his native 
place. In 1827 he became a resident of Nashua, and for 
some time after was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He 
was a stirring citizen, whose influence was felt in many 
directions and who held many responsible positions 
among his fellow citizens. Mr. Munroe served the town, 
and laUr the city, in many capacities, and was identified 
with the militia and fire department, being a commissioned 
officer in the Lafayette Li.ght infantr\' and foreman of an 
engine company. He also held the offices of assessor, 
town clerk, selectman, alderman, moderator, surveyor of 
highways, many years as a member of the school com- 
mittee, and was chief engineer of the fire department 
twenty years. In 1861 he was nominated for the office of 
mayor, and in a three days' contest, (a majority vote 
being required to elect at that time), was defeated by Col. 
George Bowers. Mr. Munroe was an active member 
of the First Congregational church, and for several 
years was treasurer of the society and superintendent 
of its Sunday school. He was also president of a temper- 
ance society and of Bethonian society. In 1849 he gave 
up mercantile pursuits and became treasurer of the 
Nashua Iron and vSteel company, which position he held 
until his death. Meantime, he served as president of the 
Verd Antique Marble company and Nashua Lock com- 
pany. Mr. Munroe was a member of Rising Sun lodge, 
.\. V . and .\. M., and his body was buried in the Nashua 
cemetery with the rites of the order, the grand master of 
the state oiTiciating. He was a man of magnificent 
physique, of cheerful and hopeful disposition, of unaf- 
fected and loyal companionship, and a conspicuous 
Nashuan. who had the good will of the whole community. 
It mav l)e added, without injustice to any of the societies 
of which INIr. Munroe was a member, that it is in the fire 
de])artnient that his name will go down to posterity. One 
of the companies has a fine oil painting of him and the 
story of musters and anecdotes, in which he was a moving 
factor, are told and retold and passed along from gener- 
ation to generation until they become legendary. Take 
him for all and all, and considering the bon homme of 
his nature and the cordiality of his greeting, he was a 
man who filled a large place in the hearts of the Nashuans 
who were the pride of the earl\' daj-s in the gate city. 

Mr. Munroe was united in marriage Aug. 19, 1826, with 
Mary R. Bell of Boston. One son was born of their mar- 
riage : L'ranklin Otis Munroe, born in Boston, Nov. 9, 
1827, married Harriet Hosmer in Ma- ^ 9, Eliza A. 
White in June, 1869, and Mary Edson i"^'*"iy, 1890. No 
children. 



iiisrom- or .\:is//r.i, .y, //. 



' '3 



CHARl.HS H. NUTT. 

Charles H. Nutt was born at Tviij;sboro, Mass., May 3, 
1817, (lied at Nashua, Aiifj. 7. rSg2. He was a son of 
Samuel and Hannah (I'sher) Xutt. His paternal ances- 
tors were early settlers in Krancestovvn and were worthy 
people. On the maternal side he was a descendant of the 
Ushers, one of the first families of Danvers, Mass. 

Mr. Nutt <)l)taintcl his primary education in the public 
schools of .\mhcrst, to which place his parents removed 
when lie was a 
child and where 
they became wiile- 
Iv known as laud- 
lord and huuUady 
of Xutt's tavern. 
While yet a lad he 
w;is in tlie employ 
of Robert Reed, 
who kept a coun- 
try store at .\ni- 
herst. He com- 
pleted his studies 
at Derry academy, 
and in 1 S33 , be- 
came a clerk in 
the general mer- 
chandise store of 
Hon. Isaac Spald- 
iiij; in Nashua. In 
iS.v. Mr. Spaldiuj,' 
having sold out his 
business, Mr. Nutt 
went int>j the mer- 
chant t a i 1 or i n g 
Inisincss o n his 
own account. His 
vent u r e w .a s a 
success. The busi- 
ness, however, 
had its limitations 
and, beino; ambi- 
tious for a larger 
field of endeavor, 
he sold out in 1846, 
aud purchased the 
stock and good 
will of the succes- 
sor in the Ijusiness 
established by his 
first employer in 
Nashua. He con- 
tiuueil the busi- 
ness at the old 

stand at the corner of Main and I'actory streets till 1S60, 
in which year he purchased the property at the corner of 
Main and Park streets, built a new block, which has since 
been greatly improved, and pursued the hanlware depart- 
ment of his former l)usiness until 1889, when, by reason of 
failing health, he sold out and retired to private life. 

Mr. Nutt was an old school and progressive merchant 
whose word was as good as his note. He did business on 
thorougli liusiuess principles, and was a man whose 
jiidgnient was much sought after by the mercantile com- 
munity. He was a good citizen and an ardent lover of his 




LII.XRI.I'IS 11. \t! 1 't. 



country ami her institutions. In 1846, 1847 and 1848, he 
served the town as clerk, but his retiring disposition and 
dread of notoriety aud public life was such that he could 
not be ])revaile<l n])on in his later life to stand as a candi- 
date for any office in the gift of the peo])le. He was a 
director for a number of years in the First National bank 
of Nashua, and the Souhegan National bank of Milford, 
and was interested in other institutions. Mr. Nutt was a 
Cuitarian, and very firm and decided ; although quiet and 
unobtrusive, in his religious convictions. He had the 

interests of the 
people at heart. It 
is very evident, 
from his will, that 
for several years 
previous . to. his 
death he had.been 
meditating upon 
various methods 
and ways of dis- 
])osing of a con- 
siderable portion 
of liis large estate 
at his decease, so 
as that it would 
accrue to the bene- 
fit of the city in 
which he by his 
justice ami perse- 
verance had accu- 
mulated it, and 
whose people and 
interests occupied 
so large a place in 
his a ff e c t i o u s . 
That his medita- 
tions finally cul- 
niiiialeil in the 
determination to 
establish a hos- 
pital fund was 
worthy alike of his 
business sagacity, 
which enabled 
him to select this 
111 e t h o d a s o 11 e 
most likely to 
benefit all classes 
of citizens, and of 
his generosity and 
humanity, which 
prompted him to 
provide especially 
for that large class 
of unfortunates, who, in accident and disease, are too 
often left to the cold charity of the world. Kventually a 
large sum will be available to erect a set of buildings to 
be known as the Nutt hospital. 

Mr. Nutt was united in marriage in December, 1842, 
with Elizabeth Anderson, daughter of John and Ivliza 
(Kckfeldt) Anderson, both of Philadelphia. The chil- 
dren of their marriage were: Lizzie A., born March 16, 
1844, married F. E. Allen of Keene, deceased; Charles 
A., born June 19, 1847, married Sadie M. Putney of 
Manchester: George, boru June 16, 1855, deceased. 



114 



HISTORY OF XASHUA, N. H. 



HIGHWAYS, BRIDGES, CANALS, STAGING AND TAVERNS. 



BY A. H. SAUNUEKS. 

" But come thy \va3-s, we'll go along together." 
"And thereby hangs a tale." 

—As YoH Liki' It. 



THE earlier history of Dunstable, so far as the records of the town were made, is exceedingly 
unsatisfactory in that no results of the various tindertakings of the town are entefed upon 
the records so that sticceeding generations could be able to identify and locate the work done 
by their predecessors. The settlers of the town were too earnest in their work of wresting 
from the soil the means of sustaining life, and, from their advanced position in the then wilderness, in 
preserving from their Indian foes even life itself, to ctiltivate the graces or such an edtication 

as would qualify them to become narrators of the 
events in their own times; indeed, from the very 
anxiety displayed in the fact that they must in 
any event have a spiritual leader, the minister, 
who was the only educated man in the comnuinitv, 
it may be jtistly inferred that among the doctrinal 
tenets inculcated " stifhcient unto the day is the 
evil thereof" was taken by them in its nuxst literal 
sense and they were eminently satisfied if they 
cotild work out for themselves a home, provide 
for their families, and at last die in the hope of a 
blessed innnortality ; — indeed, the ecclesiastical 
element entered so largely into the daily life of 
these early settlers that no communit)- could exist 
as a corporate body tintil a minister was settled. 
The earliest disturbances, as it appears by the 
records, were catised by the difficult\- in locating 
the "meeting hotise " so that the people of the 
sparsely settled colony could all eqttally enjoy 
the benefits to be derived from the weekly 
expounding of the laws of their austere religion, 
subject as they were to the inevitable fine for non-attendance and their proportional part of the 
"minister's tax" at all events, without the corresponding benefit to be derived therefrom. 
Taxation without representation was thus early a matter of great import. All this had much to do 
with the location of the roads and bridges, as will be seen later on. 

Unfortunately the "town dark," being more familiar with the carnal weapons than tho.se of the 
scribe, we are left very much in the dark about the highways and bridges, and are led to the belief that 
at that early period they must have been first located by blazed trees so that the good man, with his 
wife mounted upon a pillion behind him, rode to chtirch as l)est he might, upon horseback : later as 
the families increased, the trees were cttt, making a passageway- through the woods which would 
permit the use of a rough home-made sled in the winter, or rude cart fashioned for farm use as well 
as a conveyance in the summer. 

The ri\-ers were the natural highways along which were the Indian trails which were followed by 
the earliest roads. Timber was eagerly sought after, which, with the king's reservation of those 
suitable for masts of his ships, thus found a ready passage to the sea. The rivers also afforded fish 
in abundance, no small item in those days. The earliest record of a trail is taken from Potter's 
Manchester, and is as follows : — 

" In 1648 the famous apo.stle, Eliot, ' hired a hardy man of Nashaway to cut out a way and mark 
trees ' from ' Nashaway' to ' Namaskee,' and he hired Indians and cut his way and marked the trees, 
and when they came to Souhegau in their work the Indians of Souhegan were much pleased to think 




THE OLD IRON BRIDGE OVER THE NASHUA AT 
CANAL AND BRIDGE STREETS. 



HISTORY OF .y.lS//r/A, N. 11. 115 

tluit Ivliot was come to visit them, for tlK-\- had iK-aid him at Pawtucket and Nashua, so that the first 
bridle path e\'er made from Nashua to Namaskeag (now Manchester) was made at the expense of 
Apostle hUiot." 

Land grants were made to enterprising men from Hoston, Salem, Marblehead and elsewhere, 
comprising what were known as the " Boston Farms," probably as early as 1650; settlers had come 
in, orchards had been planted and the cultivation of land commenced, and so the foundation of the 
future Dunstable laid. This I conjecture, for when the new elected town of Billerica was incorporated, 
May 29, 1655, they having been handicapped by large grants to the Cambridge church and college, 
alread}- made or insisted upon, petitioned the authorities to offset this bj' a grant of land not hitherto 
taken u]), which was granted and it was ordered by the general court "that Major Willard, Capt. 
Ivdw'd Johnson, Mr. Edw'd Jackson or any two of them with Thomas Danforth, or any other 
surveyor shall laA' out the same." The following is a literal copy of their report: — 

" Layd out to the vse of the inhabitants of Billirrikey, eight thousand acres of land, lying vpon 
Merremacke Riuer, on both sides thereof, taking in the trucking howse now inhabitated by Jno. 
Cromwell, the same land being lajd out about sixe thousand three hundred acres, on the east side of 
the riuer, about seventeene hundred and fi\-et\' acres on the west side of sajd riuer, and is bounded by 
the wilderness surrounding the same, as is demonstrated by a plott thereof, taken and made by 
Jonathan Danforth, sur\-ejor, and exhibl)ited to this Court by Major Symon Willard and Capt. Edward 
Johnson, appointed by this Court, Octob. 14, 1656, to lay out the same." 

" SvMON Willard, 
"Edward Johx,son." 

"The Court allowes iS: approves of the retourne of these connnissioners in reference to the land 
herein expressed. — 1657, May 15. ' 

It is safe to say that this survey was the earliest ever made for the purpose of locating land grants 
in the Merrimack valley beyond Chelmsford, and is the starting point in the history of Dunstable, 
and shows conclusively that the Dunstable lands had already been occupied or at least taken up. 
The location was in a part of the valley commonly called Naticook. This Naticook grant remained 
for a year in the hands of Billerica, when John Parker received authority to dispose of it. (Mass. 
Grants, page 7 ) . 

The authority for the above will be found in the Mass. Col. Records, \o\. 4, part I, p. 269-302, 
and Mass. Ancient Maps and Plans, Vol. 2, Index: "Billerica." William Brenton, who bought the 
Naticot land of Billerica was a Boston merchant and leading business man. He removed soon after 
this date to Rhode Island, and was governor of that colony in 1666-S, and died in 1674. Litchfield, 
which was taken from Dunstable in 1734, was known as " Brenton's Farms." 

I have apparently digressed in thus giving the true history of the Brenton farm, but I judge that 
it will be of interest to many from the fact that its boundary lines appear to this da\' in conveyances 
of lands both in Litchfield and Nashua. 

A serious obstacle to the identification of the earlier roads arose from the practice of the owners 
of lands adjacent to each other who agreed as to travelled ways through their lands without recording 
the same, as for instance, the owners of the Brattle farm, which embraced about two thousand acres 
and extended from Massapoag pond northea.sterly, taking in the present \-illage of Dunstable, agreed 
as follows : — 

" DUNSTABLK, Oct. 25, 1718. 

"At a meeting of us whose names are underwritten, being the proprietors of ye farme that was 
Mr. Thomas Brattles, and having divided ye greatest part of it among.st us into lots, both y^ upland 
and ye medow, doe all agree that every one of us shall bee allowed all necessar\' ways, for the 
improvement of our lands, and to ye meeting house, as the major part of the propriety shall order 
and determine, and in case any one be more damnified by ye he shall be recompenced for his damage 
by ye way exing. Witness our hands, Thomas Cummings. Nathaniel Cumings, Jacob Kendle, 
Abraham Taylor, John Taylor, James Jewell, Thomas Jewell." 

Again, roads were laid from the hou.se of one man to that of another, the residence of one or 
both at this late day unknown ; still again, many of these roads were afterward changed or discon- 
tinued with no record of the fact made ; in some cases descriptions are given but no distances, so 



ii6 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

that at the very outset we are met with a predominating element of vagueness and uncertainty well 
nigh, if not quite, impossible to surmount. 

The earliest laid out road of which we have any record was in 16S3-4, from the meeting house, 
which probably stood near the old burying ground on the Lowell road, to Groton Centre. 

At a " generall Town Meeting," held September 15, 1686, Obediah Perry and Daniel Waldo 
were chosen sur\-eyers of the highways. This is the first recorded election of such officers. Obediah 
Perry, mentioned above, was killed by the Indians, Sept. 28, 1691, on the south bank of the Nashua 
river. As a matter of interest, showing an ancient custom in the transfer of land to complete the 
delivery thereof, I subjoin the following action taken at the same meeting. 

" \'oted. That the selectmen shall spedily confirm the house and land promised to Mr. Weld 
before his ordination, by signing and sealing to a deed of gift in the behalf of the whole town and 
give him posses.sion thereof by iiirf and hcig." 

This minister's lot was on the Lowell road, near the state line and included the now so called 
Highland farm. 

In 1687 we find the town assessed ^,"1 12s. 3d. to aid in building the "great Bridge" o\-er the 
Concord river at the fordwax' in Billerica on the " Great Boston Road." 

September 22, 16S7, Cornelius Waldo and Christopher Temple were chosen " Servayours of the 
hy way," and at a selectmen's meeting, Oct. 19 following, it was ordered that they " shall forth with 
mend the hy ways and ar impowered to warn and require men and teams to assist them in this work." 
Christopher Temple was killed by the Indians with Obediah Perry before mentioned. 

The initial step toward laying out Main street, or, as it was for over a century thereafter called, 
the " Great Boston Road," was taken May 24, 1688, when it was ordered, "the selectmen are to lay 
out the Kings liyway, throu the Town to Nashawa river, and lay out Convenient liyway frome the 
generall hy (way) to merimathe River, where it may be best and do lest damag to the lot whear it 
must ly through." 

What, if an\'thing, resulted from this does not appear upon the records. 

Dunstable lieing dependent upon Boston for all material supplies beyond what they could gather 
from the forest and .streams or extract from the soil, the settlements below thought that inasmuch as 
they were thus dependent it would be fair and equitable that they bear a part of the burden of keeping 
the travelled way in a passable condition and so it appears that Dunstable was asked to contribute to 
the building of a bridge over Billerica river as per this record. 

"This 2nd day of January, 1698-9, it was unanimously Agreed by the Inhabbitence of dunstahle 
that Major Jonathan Tyng be Requested and he is hereby Impowared to appare on the behalf of this 
said town at Mr. nathaniell hills house in Chelmsford upon Wednesday next and Joyne with other 
parsons ABoute a Brige over billarica River and Consenting to our Raising a proporsauable part of 
the charge hearof According to our estate as witness hereof the Selectmen and town Clark have 
hereunto subscribed their names." 

' ' Robert parris 

Samuel Franch (French.) 

his 
Thomas X lun (Lund.) 
mark 
as attest 

Joseph Blanchard 

Town Clark." 

The first mention of any bridge in the town itself is in the following vote ; — 

"June the 29th, 1699." 
" At a town meeting of the Inhabitents of Dunstable it was agreed and voted that Mr. Jno. 
Sollendine be desired to build a sufficient cross bridge over Salmon brook near Mr. Thomas Clark's 
ffarm hous provided the co.st thereof do not exceed the sum of forty shilings and the Inhabitents of 
the town will bear the charge of one-half part in money or other things of money price as soue as 
the said bridge .shall be finished provided that Indifferent men judge it to be worth so much when the 
work is done. 



"Secondly. In case Mr. Solk-ndint- do Refuse to l)uikl the saiil bridge- for theprice aforesaid the 
condition nicnlioned it is agreed that Thomas Ivnn(d) and Nathanael lilanchard do build the said 
bridge and the Iidiabitents of the said town do promise to bear one-half part of the cost of said 
bridge if Mr. Thomas Clarke will bear the other half part and not to exceed fort\' shillings and the 
warrant it t" stand a tweUe month and if the water Carrv it away they will rebuild it at their own 
Cost." 

This was probably a rough log bridge, and located at or near the old bridge just below the 
present new stone bridge on Allds street. 

The Nathaniel lUanchard mentioned above was killed, with Ins wife Lxclia, daughter Susannah, 
and his brother's wife, Hannah, on the night of Jul\- 3rd, 1706, b\- the Indians. 

March 4, 1700. "Robert paris Mr. William ting and John Cumings are chosen a Comity to 
la\- out the Kings hight way." 

March i, 1703. " Nathaniell ISlanchard and Joseph Hassel was chosen Surveyers of the 
h\-eways." 

Perambulation of the Dracut line, "wee whose names are under wriUn being Appointed a 
Comit\' b\' the town of dunstable and the town of dracut to Run and istake the bounds Between Each 
town accordingly wee have attended said work in March 1710-g wee begun at the northerh- Side of 
Weakisook Island at a .Stack and vStons then wee Renewed the old bound marks Hetween Said towns 
untill wee cam to the South Kast angel of henery Kembels ffarm then finding old bound marks wee 
agreed to Run according to the general Corts grant which was two degrees Ivastward of the North 
fouer Mils which Reched to a pine tree marked with D D F with Stons About it which is the Norwest 
angel of dracut Town the above said line of fouer mils is sufiRtchantly Bounded by trees and heaps 
of Stons." 

" for dunstable William Tyng 
henery farwell 
Joseph Blanchard 
for dracut Thomas varnum, 
Joseph Colburn 
Joseph varnum 
Sam" Danforth, Surveyor 
Imployed by Dunstable and Dracut In Said work." 

January 13, 1711-10, the selectmen agreed with Capt. John Buckley that he should be allowed to 
vendue a lot granted to his father Major Bucklej- and take another adjoining his farm and in 
consideration the captain by the record, "doth promis and Ingage to procure for the said town a 
pare of Honarable Culors Compleated and a good Suflitchant Drum within Six months." 

The people left in the town were living in garrison houses and in daily fear of Indian attack, and 
no doubt the " Culors and Drum " were valued, as the colonies were in the mid.st of Queen Anne's 
war, which continued into the year 1713. .Still " Generall Town Meetings" were held, the regular 
officers cho.sen, no mention of the war being made in the records, but we do find that at the next 
meeting, held March 3, 171 2, a conunittee was appointed to repair the meeting-house. Ihider all 
circumstances they were bound to worship Cioil, but we may well believe that they still kept their 
])Owder dry. 

March 7, 17 15, Thomas lilanchard was chosen " .Saxon of the Meeting house anil grave diger 
and pound Keeper." 

March 5, 1716. "Voted and agreed that there be a commity of five men to state the Cuntry 
Rod from Captain Tyng's to the Nashaway River and also to Lay out a Cunlr\ Rod from Dracut as 
high as the Meeting house." 

At a general town meeting on the first day of May in the year 17 17 " voted and agreed that their 
be a Da_\- of Fast Keep .Sum time this Instant May voted and agreed that ye 15 Day of this Instant 
.May is the Da\- appointed to be Ajipointed to be kept as a Day of F'ast." This is the first recorded 
appointment of a F^ast-day. 

"September ye Seventh 1718 — also agreed that the Cuntry Rod .should be lUit four Rod wide 
through the town on the west Sid of Merrimack River," also " voted that John Lovevvell Sener and 



ii8 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

his sun John shouUl have Liberty to build a dam in the high way on Sahnon Brook not to Inconimod 
the high way." 

Money was so scarce that the Massachusetts assembly issued bills of credit to be distributed 
among the several towns, and on November 7, 1721, Dunstable having received its allotment, chose 
three trustees to receive it and let it out to the people in sums not exceeding £^ nor less than ^3 to 
each individual, charging "one shilling in the pound Interest," as the record naively asserts, "to pay 
the expense in Bringing ye money in to ye town and Leting of ye Said money out." The town 
how^ever reserved ^20 for the use of the town, £1^ to be paid Mr. Prentice and ^5 " towards Berring 
Cloth and a stock of amminition for said town." This last would seem to be a coalition that would 
cover the whole business. 

The boundary line between Dunstable and Dracut seems to have been a source of trouble. We 
have alreadv given the perambulation in 17 10, and in 17 16 two men were appointed to go over it 
ao-ain. In 1723 we find the following entered upon the town records. 

" Decembr In the year 1723. 
Renewing the bounds between Dunstable & Dracut Ijy order of the Selectmen of Each town 
begining at a pine tree on the North side of beaver Brook in sight of Sd Brook being marked and 
lettered wh E being fallen down we have laid Stones about it from thence Running Southerly by the 
old marked trees many of them lettered wh D. D. as we came Near to a place Called Stone Dam then 
not finding the old bound then we agreed both parties to niake a pine tree wh Stand on the East Side 
of beaver brook, four Rods from Sd Dam wh tree is Lettered wh D. D. and Stones bout wh Sd tree «& 
stones both parties agreed to be a bound between Sd Towns from Sd bound tree Running Southward 
to a pine tree marked and lettered wh D. D. fo wh D. D. So Running to pine tree marked & Stones 
about it near to a pine tree wh is called the Southeast angle of Henry Kimble farm and from vSd pine 
tree we Removed the old bound to Long pond then running by the pond part of the way to an oak 
tree then the Sd bound being Lost both Comittyes agreed upon a Line of marked trees to tray Rock 
to be the bound between Sd towns wh trees are Lettered wh D. D. and then we Removed the old 
bound to merrimack River this is our Mutual agreement that the Sd Lines Shall Stand Good for Ever 
and it is agreed that the bound wh mentioned Shall be Entered in Dunstable & Dracut Town Books. 

Joseph Blanchard 

his 
Joseph X Butterfield 
mark 
Being the Major part of the commity of 
the town of Dunstable appointed for Sd work. 
Thos. Varnum 
Joseph Varnum 
Sam'll Colburn 
Being the whole of the Commity for Dracut. 
vSam'll Danforlh, vSurvayer. 
From the nature of the bounds, "marked trees with .stones about them" and not mentioning the 
vao-ueness in the direction of the courses, the " Good for Ever," ending seems to be, to say the least, 
a trifle high-sounding, Init if it sen-ed the purpose of settling the disturbance of mind in the people, 
it evidently produced the result desired and to that extent it was commendable, even if mortal man 
could never again follow the trail as indicated by the report. 

April 30, 1724. "Voted that the Selectmen shall imprue a ,Sur\-arear to Rune the Line on the 
West Sid of merrinuik River from Grotton Line to merrimake I^iver." 

" Voted that Lut. Henry Farwel shall Gine with the Committye appinted to keep the Grait Bridge 
in Billerica in Good repare." 

" March ye 22, 1725 — voted that Every man on the west Side of merrimack River vShould give a 
day's work towards the highways in repairing of them." 

"April the 5, 1725 — At a meeting of the selectmen Capt. Henry Farwell & Sanuiel french were 
Chosen A Commety to preambulate the line between north Town and Dunstable." 

" March 6, 1727 — voted that there should be eight pounds Rai.sed for Building a Boat." 
" Voted that Capt. Blanchard should Return the Boat with in the year to the Town." 



///SV'OA')- ()/■' X.IS/frA, jY. //. 119 

This was probal)l\- for a ferr\- o\xt the Merrimack river near llie farm of Captain Hhmchai'd at 
Little's rail\va\- station, now called South Nashua. Dunstable at that time included lands upon both 
sides of the river and the settlers upon the east side needed the acconnnodation. Captain Blanchard 
was the first, and at that time the only inn-keeper in the town. He died in the fall of this year and 
as the count\- court was not in .ses.sion in December, 1727, Henry P'arwell, Jr., petitioned the general 
asseml)l\- for a license, which was granted. The above relative to iini-kee])ing is taken from Goodale'.s 
historw which I think is wrong. Deacon Samuel l'"rench, who came from liillerica and l)nilt the 
house, still standing close by the state line, was ])robabIy the first inn-keeper in the town and was 
succeeded by his son Samuel F'rench who died in November, 1727. At the town meeting held May 
23, 17,12, among other liills, the following appears and by vote of the meeting, it was allowed and 
ordered jiaid to the heirs. 

" The town of Dunstable, Dr. to Sam'l French, Dec'd." 
" 1725 to dining the Selectmen c\: meals, ....... /^o 8 o 

Ditto in ye year 1726 fi nieals, . . . . .060 

for Rhum and Cyder had at Mr. Willm. Lunds for the vSelectmen, . 0126 

Going abt. to take the Invoice 1726 & 1727, 4 da)'S, .... . 16 o 



Total ^^2 2 6 " 

The town records from 1733 to 1745 are missing. Meanwhile the dividing line between Massa- 
chusetts and New Hampshire had been settled upon in 1741, by which the ancient town had been cut 
in two, leaving the meeting house and the larger part of the settlement in what seemed to them a 
strange country, but they settled down at last and accepted the inevitable. April i, 1746, the town 
was incorporated under the laws of New Hampshire and the people proceeded to business. 

Previous to this, resen-ations had been made in nearly all of the land grants, expressly stating 
that highways should be laid out through them whenever needed and they were doubtless taken in a 
" go-as-you-please " way, which will account for their non-appearance in the records. Now, however, 
accommodating themselves to the new order of things, we find full records of all new highways, but 
very many of them are, from lack of definite description, hard to identify and fully locate at this late day. 
It will be borne in mind that Dunstable had been shorn, largely, of its original territory by concessions 
to, and the erection of other towns taken from its broad acres. 

In the charter, Joseph Blanchard was authorized to call the first meeting, which he did April 5, 
1746, to meet at the house of Jonathan L,ovewell, innholder, on April 14. At this meeting only town 
officers were chosen ; among them were Thomas Lund and John Huston, survej'ors of the highways. 
At this meeting, also, the method for calling town meetings was adopted by " vSigning Notifications to 
be Posted at two of the Publick Houses nearest the Middle of said Town." This public house kept 
by Lovewell stood on the site now occupied by the Godfrey farmhouse at what was then and for a 
long time afterward called the " Centre." 

The next town meeting was held April 30, when it was " Voted that the Selectmen lay out what 
roads they think proper where is most convenient." It was also " Voted that a Pound be erected as 
near the house of Jonathan Lovew'ell as a place can be found convenient for the same and that the 
Pound be Thirty feet square and seven and half high." 

It was also " Voted that Thomas I-nnd build the Pound and sett it where the Selectmen order and 
do it to their Acceptence sum time in May next and upon their accepting the same that the}' order the 
Town Treasurer to pay him Eleven Pounds old tenor for doing the same." The walls of this pound 
are still standing on the north corner of Taylor road and the Lowell road and w ith but little repairing, 
and the addition of a gate and lock, would be ready for business to-day. 

June 26, 1746, the "Great Boston Road" was newly staked out and recorded as three rods wide. 
But few of the houses known to have been located upon this road are mentioned. Below are all that 
are given. 

Capt. Joseph French's house was eight rods north of the state line, Beauchamp's house was one 
hundred and fort\--nine rods north of the .state line, Colonel Blanchard' s house was one hundred and 
forty-eight rods north of Beauchamp's and twenty-nine rods south of Cummings' brook, John Searles' 
house sixty-six rods north of Cummings' brook, Henry Adams' house eighty rods north of Searles', 
the old ditch which led to the fort was ninety rods north of Adams', Mr. Harwood's house was ninety 



ISO ///STORY OF NASHr.4, N. H. 

rods north oi thi; old ditch. No other house is mentionetl between Harwood's and the Nashua river 
excepting Jonathan Lovewell's at Sahnon lirook, which was five hundred and seventy-three rods 
north of Harwood's and two hundred and eight.v-three south of the Nashua river. 

We have no means of knowing when the first bridge was built over the Nashua river, that there 
was one at that tnne we know from tlie following record : — 

" Province of (, fo Thomas Lund, one of the Surve\'ors of Highwavs for the Town of Dunstable. 

New Hamp. \ 

" You are required in his Majestys Name to repair the Plank of Nasliuay river Bridg or to git new 

if need be which Bridg is an addition to your District which was assigned to you the i ilay of July 

last and for assistance to take all that you then reed. Order to take and fail not. 

, , ^, , , Jonathan L,ove\vp;i.l, \ t^ ^ . 

"Dunstable Setatember ve 20, 174.6. i-* tt -vSelectmen. 

LMUiMainc, V cpLciiujci .\ c _ ^ , 1/4. ThOMAS HARWOOD, \ 

Septemlier 26, 1746. Dunstal)le town road was laid out from the Nashua river to the Pennichuck 
brook " four rods witle untill it comes to the Hill near Penychuck Brook and thence to the ]5ritlge six 
rods wide." 

This is now called the Manchester road, a continuation of Manchester .street. 

October 11, 1746, what is now known as the Concord road was laid out "from Penychuck Brook 
above Fordwav near Jonathan ]?owers' House 1>y John Huston's and Richardson's and Butterfield's 
and to Nashua River Bridge." 

At the town meeting held March 30, 1748, the dissatisfaction existing relative to the location of 
the new meeting house and the settling of the new minister. Rev. Samuel Bird, culminated in an open 
quarrel and, a part of the voters seceding, organized and elected a full set of officers. Here then 
were two separate and antagonistic set of town officials, each claiming to be the true governing 
power. The general a.ssembly was appealed to and after long and repeated hearings, they declared 
that particular meeting null and void, and directed when and how a legal meeting for the election of 
town officers should be called and appointed a moderator to preside at the said meeting (see N. H. 
Prov. Papers, Vol. 5, article Dunstable). The said meeting was holden, the ofScers were elected and 
the town affairs moved along in their accustomed channel, but not without considerable friction in 
matters ecclesiastical, although no attempt was ever again made to apply a similar remedy for existing 
troubles. 

Fox in his history of Dunstable, (page 153) says, "It was soon discovered by Blanchard that 
neither by the new charter of the town nor by any existing law of the State, was there any provision 
for calling the first meeting of the town after its recent incorporation by New Hamp.shire." 

This was not so. The charter itself provided for calling the first meeting in these words, " We 
do by these presents nominate and appoint Coll. Joseph Blanchard to call the first meeting of the said 
Inhabitants to be held within the said town at any time within Thirty days from the date hereof, 
giving Legal notice of the time, place and designe of Holding such meeting." 

The date of this instrument, it will be noticed, was April i, 1746, and not as given by Fox, April 
4. Due notice of the above mentioned first meeting was gi\en by said Blanchard and it uhxs held at 
the house of "Jonathan Lovewell, Inholder," on the fourteenth day of the same month, and town 
officers, including Thomas Dund and John Huston, sur\-eyors of highwa\'S, were duly and legally 
elected and the new town fairly and legally erected. 

At this same meeting, March 30, 174S, which we have sliown was declared illegal by the general 
assembly, the following vote was passed : — 

" Whereas Capt. John vShepard Built a Piridge over Nashuay River in l)unstal)le and ha\-ing 
requested of this town that they would gi\"e their Consent that the Same may be made a Tole Bridge 
and the Town having Considered the Great Cost in Building and Maintaining said Bridge do There- 
fore Agree that his request be (Granted npor. his Petitioning the Gen'll Court that the same may don it 
is provided that this \-ote d(i not bender those persons or their passing over said Bridge or expose them 
to pay tole who have purchased of said Shepard a pass and Repass over said Bridge .so long as said 
Bridge vStand, also provided said Shepard keep said Bridge in Good repair so long as he takes Tole 
and that the Town be at no Cost by reason thereof." 

Whether or not the recjnest was granted by the general court, I am unable to say, but I find in 
the town record, at the meeting held vSept. 3, 1750, the following: — 



HISTORY ("IF NASHUA, N. H. 121 

" X'oted that I'ifty pouiuls old ten' he paid Capt. Jolin Shep])ard in three months from this chite 
ill lull lor all his Rii^ht and ])roperty in the Hridge 'riiiibcrs and Appur'ces over Nashna River he 
linilt ill Dunstahle Reser\iii>; to hiiiiself the Irons for hanging the Gate on vSd. Bridge of which he 
has Signed a qnit Claim. Also Voted to Repair the ,^1 Bridge and that the snm of two Hnndred 
ponnds be Raised fifty part Thereof for payment of Capt. Sheppard aforesd. the Other Hundred & 
Fifty to be Layd Out in Repairs. .\ii 1 that Messrs. Jonathan Lovewell, John Butterfield & Hphraim 
.\danis be a com'tee to vSee that the .Service aforesd. be done." 

It would seem that this bridge, for a time, must ha\'e been a " Tole Bridge." 

'iMu' lullowing appears on the record of the meeting held Ma\- 14, 1753 : — 

" The ,^rd Article in the Warrant was taken under Consideration and the Hon. Jose])h Blanchard 
Esq. offering the Town the liberty of the land to the old fordway provided the 'I\jwn forth with make 
a ("jood fence near the Ri\-er bank so that his field may not l\'e e.xposed 1)y reason of the passing a 
Vote was proposed to se if the Town will build a fence as proposed. Passed in the Negative." 

"A \'()te pro]iosed on the 5th Article as ft}lloweth. That in as much as the 15ridge over Nashaway 
Ri\ci' ill this Town is of Great Kxjience in Building and keeping in Repair latl\- at a large Kxpence 
Built and car'ed a way with a freshet. vSo much Travelling for the Publick it is of (ireat Needcessety 
for rebuikling the Heavy Charges l\'ing on this Town for their other necessary affairs has left them of 
Inabillity According to the corse of comon Taxes to perform the same with out further Aide & W'here 
as there is large Quantity of land unimproved belonging to Residents and nonresidents which are not 
rateable that rise in value by reason of the Impro\einents and Taxes that are paid amongst us. 

" There fore \'oted that this Town Petition to the Genl. Assembly of this Province shewing ouer 
dificulty & Pray that the sum of one Hundred & fifty pounds new tenor be laieyed upon the lands in 
this Town in P^qual proportion pr. Acre -in such maner as shall be free of any charge for Collecting to 
be appropriated for the Building a Bridge over the Nashu\vay River and no other use what so ever & 
That the Hon. Joseph Blanchard Ivsq. and Mr. Jonathan Lovewell l)e desired to Petition the Genl. 
Assembly for their Grant Agreable to the foregoing vote. Pased in the Affairmative." 

" Voted that a Bridge be built over Xashuway River the Ensuing sumer at the Charge of this 
Town & that the Hon. Joseph Blanchard Esq. Mr. Noah Johnson and Mr. Jonathan Lovewell be a 
Comte Authorized & Impowered in behalf of this Town to Agree & contract with any person or 
persons at their discretion to Effect the Same and that such their contract or Agreement be Obligatory 
& binding upon this Town for payment." 

June 4, 1753. A road was laid out from Thomas Adams' house to the country road, also one from 
Gideon Honey's house to the countr\' road. 

Neither of these, from the loose way in which the la>' out was made was recorded, can at this late 
da J' be located. 

November 11, 1754, the road which is marked as the I^uud road on our town map was laid out. 
It commenced at what is now called the East Dunstable road and was practically an extension of what 
appears on our map as the Robinson road : it extended in a northwesterly direction across .Salmon 
brook and across the then calletl Hassel, now known as Hale's brook, to Mine island. About tliis time 
a saw mill was built at Mine island falls and this read led from what was then called tlie " Centre," 
at the junction of the Robinson and the "Great Boston Roads," directly to it. The new church also, 
being located at the Centre, at the "crotch of the roads," it will be seen that this was a very imjiortant 
and much used road. Also on this same da>- a road was laid out from Pennichuck l)rook at T\ ler's 
fordway to the country road. It was custonmry to call any main road, " the country road : " probably 
this road is the one known as the Reed's pond, or middle Merrimack road, the countrv road being 
the Manchester road. 

Bridging the Nashua ri\-er at Main street, expensi\-e as it bad alread\' been to the town, was 
destined to ])ro\-e still more a source of trouble and expense. W'e have seen that there was one of 
some sort as early as 1746, we liave also seen that Capt. John Shepard had built one in I74<S, and that 
the town purchased of him all that there was left of it in 1750, and then re])aired it at a co.st of /'150, 
and that in 1753 it had been carried away by a freshet and subsequently a land tax of ,,/,i,so was voted 
to rebuild it: still again we find March 19, 1759, the following: — 

"Whereas the Bridge over Nashuwax' River wants Repairing and has been a Great cost and 
charge to this Town and so much passing over it by peo])le from other ])laces makes it of Necessity 



122 HISTOR)' OF NASHUA, N. H. 

that tlie same be kept in Repair and its being such a cost that this Town is not able to do it without 
distressing the Inhabitants. Therefore Voted that Jonathan Lovewell Esqr. Petition the General 
Assembh' for liberty to set up a Lottery so as to Raise a sum of money to Repair or Build the same 
where said Bridge now is, provided liberty is obtained without the Towns Cost." 

The lottery was not granted and so the next March it was voted to collect the land tax which the 
town had voted to raise. In February, 1763, a committee was appointed to " Geet a Collection by 
Subscribers to build a new bridge." 

Sept. 29, 1763, it was "Voted that the Com''-"'-" for keeping the Bridge in Repare Provide a .Suffiant 
Quantity of 3 Inch Plank to Cover a new Bridge at or neare the Place where it now stands." 

Aug. 9, 1764, it was " Proposed that a Bridge be built over Nashua River a little above where 
the Bridge now Stands in the most Proper place and one or two Stone arches be made as fit and that 
the Committee use of the old Bridge what they vShall think proper for the New one and that the Said 
Com'"" have power to Draw the money raised for that I{nd by a Tax on all the Land in Dunstable b\- 
act of Assembly & that each person have Liberty to work out his rate at sd. Bridge if the>- think fit 
and that the said Com"^'= Draw what shall be Subscribed to Sd. Bridge and that they render an acct. 
of the Costs to the Town when Done and that Mrsrs Joseph Senter Thomas Lund and Joseph 
Whiting be said Com"''. \'oted in the affirmative." 

The meeting held Dec. 27, 1764, "adjourned untill Next Tuesday come fortnight" when the 
Com'" reported the cost of the bridge to have been .;^5i3-i6-7." 

March 4, 1765. " Voted to Sell the old Bridge at vendue Excepting the plank and it struck off 
to Mr. Jos. Senter for ,;{, 13-5-0 old tenor." 

" Voted that Mr. Jos. Senter be a Com"''' to take care of the New Bridge and finish the planking 
and underpinning the Arch." 

It would seem by the above that this was a stone-arch bridge, and soon after carried away, for 
May 27, 1765, we find the following : 

" Whereas this Town Lately Built a Bridge over Nashua River at a great charge and the same 
being carried away last Spring with a flood and the Town not being able to pay so much to Build 
another as was then layed out on that, and many people in other Towns proposing to give Something 
towards Building the Same again, therefore Voted that fifty Dollars be raised by this Town to Help 
Build a New Bridge over said River where the last was and that Messrs. Joseph Whiting Thomas 
Lund Samuel Roby Joseph Senter and Noah Lovewell be a Com'" to take Care and Build Said 
Bridge as soon as their is a Sufficient Sum Subscribed So as to finish Said Bridge with the fifty 
Dollars and that the Said fifty Dollars be assessed on the Inhabitants of this Town So Soon as the 
Bridge is finished fit for passing and paid to Said Com'"." 

The only report of the doings of the committee is suggested at the meeting held Dec. 12 of the 
same year when it was " Voted that the acct of the Com'" appointed to Build a Bridge over Nashua 
River this present year over and above what the Town has already Raised and what has Been 
Subscribed towards Building Said Bridge amounting to Eighteen pounds thirteen shillings and 
Sixpence LawfuU money be allowed and paid to Said Com'"." 

At the same meeting it was " Voted that Mr. Jos. vSenter be paid four Shillings Lawfull money 
for taking care of Nashua River Bridge Last Spring." In 1771 labor on this bridge was paid for at 
the rate of two shillings per day. 

In looking over the old records, one sees at every turn of the page a strong, ever-present feeling 
antagonistic to the ecclesiastical condition which prevailed in the old country, and from which these 
early settlers had fled to an untrodden wilderness. The stern and unbending faith which they had 
adopted, as being the farthest from that, was their constant and over-ruling guide in all their daily 
walks. They carried their faith into their works even to the extent of a seeming disregard of, or 
rather a tearing out from the hearts of the living, all tender memories of their dead, as shown in 
their neglect of their last resting places. I am led to this belief by the following extract from the 
record of March 20, 1764 : 

" Voted that Jonathan Lund take Care of the Beurying Place and keep the Brush well mown for 
two years and that he have Liberty to feed it with Sheep that time." 



///SrOA'}' OF X.lS//fA. N. 11. 123 

Was there not among them all one poor, rebellious soul, who could lovinsi;l\- linger, with the 
poet, in that other silent home of the dead, where, 

1. » . » . scatter'd oft, the earliest of the year, 

By hands unseen are show'rs of violets found. 
The red1)rcast loves to build and warble there. 

And little footsteps lij^htly print the ground." 

At the meeting" held on Mondax-. the last da\' of March, 1760, it was " \'oted that every person 
work at Highways in proportion to their last Tax" 

This is the first attempt of "working out Taxes on the Roads" in the history of the town, a 
practice which still holds good in all country towns. 

Tlie first record of the discontinuance of a highway was March 22, 1762, when it was "Voted 
that the highway from Nashway River by Buck Meadow to Salmon Brook until it comes to the East 
Side of Said meadow be droped and not Repared by the Surveyors, and that the Selectmen take 
proper Care that Said Rode be droped." A duty that the selectmen performed .so well that no trace 
of the old road can now be found. 

Dec. 13, 1739, that part of Dunstable lying west of the Nashua ri\'er was set off by the Massa- 
chusetts general court, for religious purposes only, under the name of Dunstable West Parish ; in all 
secular matters the\- retained their old position in the town and took an active part in all its affairs. 
Their first settled minister was the Rev. Daniel Emerson, who was ordained April 20, 1743. Mean- 
while the new province line had been determined but they still retained their position as an 
independent parish. Early in the year of 1746, yielding to incessant importuning for a division of 
the town, the governor and council appointed a commission of five members, to join three appointed 
b}- Dunstable, to settle matters. The commissioners met at once, but the weather being cold and 
inclement, evidentl>- it was more comfortable to investigate matters by the warm fireside of the inn, 
than by tramping about the country, for a division of the township into four towns was made without 
viewing the territory. Merrimack and Monson were taken from the northern, and Hollis from the 
western part. Monson was chartered April i, Merrimack April 2. Dunstable as newly defined, and 
Hollis April 3, 1746. In the case of Hollis the Dunstable commissioners succeeded in limiting the 
easterly line to the French and Muddy brooks, which left a large number of the people in the vicinity 
of "One Pine Hill," whose affiliations were all with Hollis, still in Dunstable. This created instant 
discontent and caused a continual fight lasting for seventeen years and until the governor and council 
settled it by annexing the territor\- to Hollis Dec. 13, 1763. 

"A second border trouble, (I quote from Worcester's Hollis), in respect to the boundary between 
Hollis and Dunstable, began soon after the contest of One Pine hill." This controversy grew out of 
a question in respect to the support of an expensive bridge across the Nashua river, in the south-east 
part of Hollis, near the place in the Hollis records at first called " Lawrence Mills," afterwards 
"Jaquith's " and in our times known as " Runnells' Mills." A bridge at this place was very necessary 
to the people of Hollis, being on their main road to market : but much less needed by Dunstable. So 
indispensable was this bridge to Hollis, that in 1740 provision was made for building it out of the 
" non-resident tax of 2d. per acre," granted by the parish charter for the support of the mini.stry. Hut 
that tax being lost, with the parish charter, I do not find sufficient evidence that any bridge was built 
at that place till many years after the charter of Hollis and Dunstable as towns. These charters, as 
has been seen, made the Nashua river from the Province line to Flint's brook the boundary of the two 
towns: the south line of Dunstable beginning at Merrimack river and running on the Province line 
" to " the Nashua, and the south line of Hollis, beginning " at " the Nashua, and running westwardly 
on the Province line six miles and iiinetA'-six rods. A New Hampshire court in these times would 
have probably held that this charter descriptive of this boundary would ha\e divided the river equall\' 
between the two towns, leaving the town line in the middle or thread of the stream, instead of on its 
banks, and each town under equal obligation to build the bridge. But we shall see by and tiy that 
the town meetings in Hollis and Dun.stable did not take this view of the law. 

In the early Hollis records there are many references to this bridge and to the troubles in respect 
to it. The first of these is found in the record of the March meeting in 1751, when the town \()ted to 



124 HIS TORY OF X.4SHU.4, N. H. 

Imild a liridi^e " across Nashua river near Dea. Cuniinings." From this vote it is evident that the 
bridge had not been then built, and that Dunstable was expected to help build it. 

At the annual meeting in 1756, Hollis "chose Capt. Peter Powers, Samuel Cummings and 
Benjamin A1)1ii)tt a Committee to see if Dunstalile will joyn with Holies to bould a bridge over Nashua 
river in some convenient Place where the Road is laid out from Holies to Dunstal)le." It seems that 
Daustable did not accept this invitation of the Hollis co;n:nittee, for it is found that a special town 
meeting in Hollis, in 1760, chose a "committee to Petition the Creneral Court for a Lottery to Hould 
a Bridge over Nashua river if they think fit." lint the " Generall " Court did not "think fit" to 
grant a Lottery, as it appears that at the annual meeting in 1761, the town without calling on Dun- 
stable for help " \'oted to have a Bridge built over Nashua ri\-er near Lawrence's Mills," and chose a 
committee to obtain subscriptions for it. The next year, 1762, the town " \'oted to raise money to be 
Redukted out of the co.st of the Bridge that was subscribed out of town." From this vote it is evident 
that as early as 1762 a britlge had been built across the Nashua ri\-er mainl>-, if not wholly, by Hollis. 

In May, 1765, at a special town meeting, the town " \'oted to Rebuild or Repair the Bridge over 
Nashua river, and that the /,Soo voted at the March Meetiiig for Making and Mending the Roads be 
laid "ut in building and Rejiairing the Bridge." From the abo\-e \'Ote I infer that the bridge built in 
1762 was either washed away wholly in the spring of I7C>5, or so much injured as to need costly 
repairs. Though, in the language of the law, " often requested," the town of Dunstable, as it seems, 
had gi\'en no aid in supporting this bridge, and the question of the legal lialiilitN' of that town to aid 
in it was allowed to sleep till the annual meeting in Hollis in March, 1772. At that meeting, in 
pursuance of an article in the warrant, the town "Voted to appoint a committee to ask for and 
recover of Dunstable a share of the Cost of Building and Repairing the Bridge across Nashua River 
near Jaquith's Mills with power to prosecute if necessary." 

This request of the people of Hollis, upon being submitted by the committee to a town meeting 
in Dunstable, in the month of June following, was curth' rejected, and it was " Voted that Dunstable 
would not do anything towards building a bridge over Nashua river." 

But it fortunately so happened that not far from this time, the Mills before known as " Lawrence " 
Mills," had become the property of Ebenezer Jaquith. This Mr. Jaquith and Ensign Merrill lived in 
the bend of Nashua river on the Dunstable side, their two farms containing about five hundred acres, 
and comprising all the land in this bend. These men were nearer to the meeting house in Hollis than 
to that in Dunstable, and like the saintly and sensible settlers on One Pine hill, wished to be annexed 
to Hollis and were willing to pay something for the privilege. With these new facts in view, and the 
long and costly contest for the conquest of One Pine hill not >et forgotten, a special town meeting 
was called in Hollis in December, 1772, at which it was " \'oted that whereas, there is a dispute w-ith 
respect to the Bridge over Nashua river between Holies and Dun.stable, and whereas Messrs. Merrill 
and Jaqueth live more convenient to Holies than Dunstable, and are willing to pay something hand- 
some towards the Building of said Bridge, and also considering the expense of Suits at Law in the 
Premises — now in order to the amicable settlement of the matter, and for the Preservation and 
Cultivation of Harmony between said Towns — Voted to accept said Families with their Lands, 
Provided Dunstable shall lay them off to us and assist in an amicable manner to get them incorporated 
with us. Also Voted that Samuel Hobart, Dea. Noyes and William Nevins be a Committee to treat 
with Dunstable on Bridge affairs." The Hollis committee soon communicated these amicable terms 
of peace to the selectmen of Dunstable, who upon their receipt summoned a town meeting of their 
constituents, by whom these neighborly overtures were disdainfully rejected and the meeting '' \'oted 
that the people of Dunstable would not pay anything towards the lUiilding of the Bridge, nor would 
the\' consent to annex any more Land to Holies." 

In the meanwhile the legal advisers of Hollis, " learned in the law," upon the examination of the 
charters of the two towns, had expressed the opinion that Nashua river, where it flowed between 
Hollis and I)unstal)le, was not in any part of either town, and that neither town was under an}' 
obligation to build a bridge across it. This ojnnion in respect to the law with the proposed remedy is 
set forth in the following preamble and resolution, adopted at a town meeting of Hollis, Jan. 20, 1773, 
called to consider the report of their peace amliassadors to Dunstable. 

" Whereas it appears by the charters of Dunstable and Hollis that Nashua Ri\er is not in either 
town — That it is highly necessary that a Bridge be erected over said River, but that neither town is 



n/s-nyn- of x.is/irA, x. //. 125 

obliKt'd by Law to make or inaiiitain the same — and Dunstable manifesting an unwillingness to do 
anything res]Kcting the Buikling of a Bridge — thei-efore, voted that William Kevins be agent of the 
Town to Petition the Governor and Council and General Assembly that Dunstable and Holies may be 
connected so that a Bridge ma\- be Iniill over said River." 

Again at the annual town meeting of Ilollis, in 1773, Col. John Hale, William Nevinsand Jvnsign 
Stephen Ames were chosen to represent the matter in respect to the bridge, to the governor and 
council. 

'I'his proposal to a])iieal to the general court, or governor and council, ver>- soon had the effect to 
render the ]ieople of Dunstable more placable, and more read.v to accept the treaty of peace offered by 
HoIIis the Near before. The choice of e\-ils now jiresenled was another trial of their border troubles 
l)efore the general court or the acce])tance of the proposed compromise, and it is manifest from the 
doings of a town meeting in Hollis on the ensuing i8th of March, that Dunstable had voted to submit 
to the least of the two evils. At this meeting Hollis voted " To extend llie easterly line of Hollis so 
far as to include Messrs. Merrill and Jacpiith with their Improvements, provided it shall be done 
without expense to the Town, and that Dea. Boynton, Reuben Dow and vSamuel Cnmings 1)e 
conunitlee to agree with Dunstable in respect to ISoundaries." 

At a town meeting the following 12th of April this connnittee made a rejiort as follows: — 
"We have met the Dunstable Connnittee and have mutually agreed that the liasterly line of 
Ilollis shall be extended Eastwardly to the following bounds : To begin at a ,Stake and Stones fifteen 
Rods below Buck Meadow Falls, at the River, which is Mr. Jaquitli's n<.)rllierl\- corner : Thence 
running southerly in a straight line to a Pine tree on the River Bank which is Mr. Jacpiith's 
southwesterly corner. April .S, 1773." 

This report was accepted 1)\- the town, and afterwards, in the month of May, 1773, at the joint 
retpiest of Hollis and Dunstable, the general court passed an act establishing the boundary line 
between the two towns as so agreed upon, where it has remained undisturbed from that day to this. 
These terms of settlement, though at finst not willingly accepted b\' Dunsta!)le, were exceedingly 
favorable to that town, and ought to have been ample satisfaction for the loss of One Pine hill. It 
is true that Dunstable came out of the controversy short of 500 acres of territory, but in return 
for this loss, that town was relieved from the burden of aiding in maintaining this bridge in all future 
time : a charge that has alread\- cost Hollis much more than the value of all the land so annexed. 
Returning to highways : — Roads were laid out as follows : — 

Dec. 5, 1755, from John Lovewell's to the meeting-house. 

May 25, 1755, from John Willoughby's to the country road. 

May 25, 1755, from Jonathan Hobart's to the country road. 

Nov. 14, 1757, from Nathaniel Lawrence's to the country road. 

Nov. 14, 1757, from David Gilson's to Lund's bridge. 
Of the above I can only locate the last, which started at the Runnell's bridge road, about 150 
rods ncH'therly from the bridge and was laid out ea.sterly across the town to the Lund bridge at vSalmon 
brook, making a direct route from One Pine hill to the " Centre." This road was doubtless laid out 
as a " peace offering" to that district, and would seem to ha\e been a \er\- much needed, as it i)roved 
to be a very much used, road. 

May 31, i7,vS, from Pienj. P'rench's to Joseph Danforth's. 

Ma\- 31, 1758, from Peter Honey's to a town road. 

Mar. 15, 1760, from Widow Honey's to Sanuiel vSearles'. 

Apr. 2, 1760, from Danl. Pike's to join a road to the Province line. 

A])r. 7, 1760, from about 20 rods north of Wm. Cox, easterly to the Merrimack river. 
This last was probably to the ferry at what is now the vSouth Nashua railway station. 

Dec. 26, 1760, from David Gilson's to Blood's near the Province line. 

Nov. 2, 1763, from Daniel Adams' to Joseph Swallow's. 

Jan. 2, 1764, from a little west of Cornelius Danley's to Pelletiah Whittemore's. 

Jan. 2, 1764, from Robert P'letcher's stone wall to road over Salmon brook. 

Dec. 3, 1764, from new bridge over Nashua river, north and south. 



126 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

This last led from the bridge northerh-, up the hill, tij Abbot square, and southerly from the 
bridge, until it met the old road (Main street.) The location of the new bridge having been changed, 
it became necessary to alter the approaches to it. 

Oct. 14, 1766, from Merrimack river to town road, crossing Salmon brook. 

This road probably commenced at Hamlett's ferry at the lower end of Crown street, thence up 
Crown street to Arlington street, and around the hill by Brackett's shoe shop, thence b}- Hollis street 
and Allds street over the old bridge at Salmon brook and around the " steep banks " to Main street 
at the junction of Allds and Main streets as now located. 

Dec. 22, 1768, altered road from the country road to Jos. Danforth's and Buck meadow, between 
Benj. French's and Jona. Blanchard's. 

March 4, 1771. " Voted that the Road from David Adamses to Longleys Brook by David Gilsons 
be altered from where it was formerly Laid out and that it be established Where the Selectmen latel)' 
laid it out." 

" \'oted also that the Road from D. Longleys Brook by the lower end of Elez. Fisks meadow 
that leads to the Widow Bloods House be Discontinued from being a Town Road." 

March 2, 1772. " Voted that the Road that leads from the Road, that leads to John Fletchers to 
where Nathaniel Lawrence Lived be Discontinued." 

The above completes the record of highwa\s and bridges up to the time of the commencement 
of the colonies to assert their independence of the mother-countr\-. 

I give the following as displaying the spirit and courage of the men of those da^-s as shown in 
their public meetings, and especially in one notified in the way this was, it being the last one called 
" In his Majesty's Name" and held March 6, 1775, at which the town officers were all elected as 
usual with these additions : a "Committee of In.spection Relative to the Results of the Continental 
Congress " was appointed. The duty of this committee being to see that none of the people bought 
or used goods imported from England. A committee was appointed to " Joyn the County Com- 
mittee " to " Petition the General Assembly of this Province that This Town may be Released from 
Paying any more Province Tax until they have Prevelidge of Sending a Representation to Represent 
them in Genl. A.ssembly and to Do any thing in the affairs according to the Information they shall 
Receive from the Town." At this meeting various sums, from is-3d to ^"1-12-5, amounting to 
^6-8-11 for work "Dun at Nashua river Bridge in the year 1774" were ordered paid to twenty 
different people. 

In the face of these troublous times, the town having the year before voted to raise ^18-6 for 
ammunition and paid the expenses of delegates to the "Grand Continental Congress," the people 
did not forget the education of their children, for at an adjourned meeting held April 3, 1775, /,"8o 
was voted to build a school-house in each of the five districts, and a committee of three in each 
district to see that the houses were built. 

At the next town meeting held March 4, 1776, which was called without reference to any 

authority, a committee of seven was chosen to attend the "County Congress" and also a 

" Committee of Safety." The duty of this latter committee was to concentrate patriotic effort and 

weed out Tories from the town, if any could be found. Of the latter none were found in the old 

township. 

The State authorities having ordered, the previous year, a census of the people, the committee 
appointed to perform that duty presented their bill at this meeting which was ordered paid. It being 
the first on record, made with a view to ascertain the military resources of the .state, I give it in full 
as taken. (\'ide Prov. Papers, vol. 7, p. 736.) 

" Persuant to the request of the Provincial Congress in New Harnp', we have taken the number 
of all Inhabitants of the Towne of Dunstable with those gone with the army as Exhibited in the 
following Schedule : 

" Males under 16 years years of age, ........ 215 

Males from 16 years of age to 50, not in the army, ...... 88 

All males above 50 years of age, ......... 30 

Persons gone in the army, .......... 40 

All Females, . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152s 

Negroes and Slaves for life, .......... 7 



///.v/v 'A' ) ' ('/■' x.is//r.i. x. If. 127 

"We have also taken an account of all the Powder in ]ierticular men's hands which is 41 lbs. 
"Also we find in the Town Stock, .......... 36 " 

" Also we find 46 fire arms fit for use «S: 42 wanting oj compleat one for e\-ery person capable of 
using them." 

" Dunstable Oct. 2, 1775. Joseph Eavk.s ^ 

Noah Lovewell /-Selectmen." 
David Ai.i.d ) 

" To the Hont''<= Corn'" of vSafety 
for the Province of Xew Hamp." 

June 7, 1779, a " Particular highway was laid out from the west side of the country Rode 
between Jonathan Blanchards and Cyrus Baldwins running westerly about 132 Rods to Spit Brook 
Road." 

The depreciation of the currenc\- was such that March 13, 17.S0, labor on the highways was rated 
at "$20.00 per da>- the best of the \-ear and $16.00 per day after the last of Sept." "^11,000 
currency now passing," was voted to be raised by a tax levy this year, " to be layed out in procuring 
Beef that the Town is called upon for to send into the arm}-." Also /,9,4oo was voted to be raised to 
ilischarge obligations to soldiers, in money or grain. The financial condition of affairs may perhaps 
be better comprehended by reading the prices jmid b\- the town in March following to Samuel Roby. 
" For 3 bushels Rye, .......... /^54-o-o 

7 " Turnips & 4'.' bush. Potatoes, ..... 69-0-0 

200 feet Plank for Nashua River Bridge, ..... 36-0-0 

2 davs labor on " " " . . . . . . 18-0-0 



Amounting to ^177-0-0 

June 28, 1782. "A Particular Curb or Bridle Rode" was laid out from " Thomas Blanchard 
Junr's house extending northerly, northeasterly, easterly, northerl\-, northwesterly, and westerly to 
the country road, for the benefit of Mrs. Gordon's heirs, in the room of a road that was laid out 
between the land of said Blancliard and Land of Lieut. Joseph Danforth, which is hereby 
discontinued." 

March i, 171^4. "Voted to allow Thomas Killicut three vShillings for the use of the Canue at 
Nashua River Bridge." 

" Voted to allow those men that workt at giting the Timber out of Nashua River in March, 17S3, 
^0-3-6 Per Day." 

" Voted to Pay for the Rum that was Drank when the Timber Was took out of Nashua River." 

The bridge was rebuilt this year and Nov. 30, 1786, it was voted to pay sundry persons for plank 
and labor upon it. Three shillings per day was allowed for labor, and one-half that ])rice for a yoke 
of oxen. 

The first mention of a doctor that I find in the records was April 7, 17S8, when Dr. Nathan 
Cutler was chosen constable, who warned the meeting held May 7, 17.S8, when the following vote 
was ])assed. 

" Voted that Dr. John Queens Taxes in Lu' David Allds list for 1784 be suspended till further 
orders." 

January 16, 1782, the town paid /92-4-0 for repairing the Na.shua river bridge and "voted to 
raise thirteen pounds more to Compleat the Rebuilding Nashua river Bridge last fall." 

The fir.st record of any dissatisfaction as to the condition of the highways ajipears in the 
following, of date Jan. 2, 1794 : 

" Voted to allow Maj. John Lund's account, it being for what he paid by reason of a Complaint 
again.st the Town on account of their highways, amounting to ^4-15-4-" 

The bridge over the Nashua river was still troublesome, for we find that April 10, 1794, the town 
voted to rebuild it, at the place where it formerh- stood and in such a manner as the committee of 
seven appointed to build it should decide, the only stipulation being that men should not be allowed 
to work out their taxes upon it, but that the committee should employ such men as they thought 
proper and at as good a lay as they could and it was further voted to raise eighty pounds for its 
erection. 



128 mSTORV OF NASHiU, N. H. 

"April 21, 1796. Voted to accept of the Road laid out by the Selectmen the last year from 
Mollis Line to Hills Ferry with this alteration, that said Road join the Country Road al)0Ut one rod 
north of John Snow's barn." 

Hill's ferry crossed the Merrimack river about one mile below the Pennichuck brook. The 
easterly part of the above road, long known as the Hill's Ferry road, from the Amherst road to the 
Merrimack river, has been but little used for years and a part of it practically abandoned. From the 
Hollis line to the Amherst road, it is now known as the Pine hill road. 

"August 28, 1797. \'oted to Accept of the road laid out by the Selectmen from the Road 
leading from said Dun.stable Meeting house to Nathan Fi.sk to the Road laid from said meeting house 
to Thomas Pearson's." 

This road is now known as the Searles road and .started at the Harris road near the house of 
Phinehas Whitney (now John P. Dane) and extended .southeasterly, passing between the house and 
barn of James vSearles (now Otis Searles') across vSalmon l>ni(ik. and joining the middle Dunstaljle 
road near the house of Zadock Searles, now owned by Wni. H. Wright. 

Sept. II, 1797, the town accepted a road, from the Hollis line to the Amherst road. This is a 
continuation of Broad street, known as the north Hollis road. 

Aug. 27, 1798, the road from vSalmon lirook to the Nashua river was .straightened, leaving it 
practically as it now is. 

January 14, 1799, a road was laid out commencing on land owned by Silas Marshall at the Hollis 
line near where now is the Hollis .station on the Worcester & Nashua railway, thence running 
southeasterly and easterly to the main Dunstable road near the present residence of Charles F. Tolles. 
It is marked upon our town ma]i as the (iroton road. 

On the same day another road was laid out from FoUansbee's mills to the Amherst road, which 
made a continuation of the Blood's crossing road to the Pennichuck brook. This road was first 
called the h'ollansbee road, later the Holt road; it now appears on our map as the Thornton road, 
from the fact that it leads directly, on beyond, to Thornton's ferry. 

Aug. 25, 1806, I find that this road was slightly altered, the bridge across Pennichuck bnjok 
being called Conant's bridge, and the mill, Conant's mill. 

Oct. 19, 1799, a road was laid out commencing four rods west of Theodore French's house and 
running in a north-westerly direction one hundred and fifty-six rods, to the road leading from Amherst 
to Boston. There is no trace to-day of such a described road. Also on the same da>' a road from 
the above road to the road leading from David Allds' to the (h'eat road, about two rods west of the 
bridge over vSalmon brook, about .sixty-eight rods long. 

March 2, iSoi, two roads were laid out, referring to minutes on file, which can not now be found; 
one from Kelley's ferry to Medad Combs' land, and the other from Thomas Lund's to Nathaniel 
Lund's and Joseph Lund's new house. 

March 21, 1801. Voted to discontinue the road In mi the land Dr. Woods lately .sold to (xeneral 
Lovewell to Coburn's ferry. 

The fourth article in the warrant for the meeting of August 26, 1801, read " To see if the Town 
will allow Mr. Benj. Smith to cut or fell a Large oak tree which stands near the Meeting House." 
The town voted to sell it at vendue and it was struck off to Theodore French for thirteen shillings 
($2.17). This is the first recorded instance of the interest of the people in the matter of shade trees. 
Succeeding years have .served to intensify that interest to such a degree that within the memory of the 
present generation any interference with them has been met by physical resistance bordering on riot. 

March 15, 1802. "Voted to raise five hundred dollars to repair the Highways and to give the 
men ten cents per hour from the first day of June to the first day of September, and if a Man is 
leagall>- warned and works less than half a da\- at a lime he shal be allowed nothing for what 
he doth . ' ' 

Aug. 30, 1S02. " \'oted to discontinue the old road through Nath' Lunds land." 

It would seem that towns, instead of the state, appointed Fast day, for by the record of the 
meeting held March 7, 1803, it was "Voted to appoint a Day of Fasting and Prayer in this Town." 
" \'oted the Day of Fasting be on next week a Thursday, which is the Seventeenth da.v of this 
present month." 



Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Whit- 
tle." 



///svtun' (>/-.v.is//r.i, .v. //. 129 

April iS, iSo,^. " \'()te(I to accept "f the rciad laid out 1)\- the Towns Committee beginning at 
Salmon brook three rods ea.st of Israel Hunt Mills, thence running South ten degrees East to a stake 
and stones .seven feet west of the Southwest corner of Mr. Isaac Marshs House, thence South seven 
degrees East seventy-six n,ds to a I'ine stump a Ixmnil of the road as it is now had, the road to be 
west of the line and to be three rods wide." 

The above mentioned mill was a grist-mill and occupied the site of the present \'ale mills' weaving 
mill : the Marsh house is now the Morrill house, on the other side of the road at the south end of the 
bridge. If this la>--out had been looked uj) seventeen or eighteen years ago, it would have saved the 
citv a long and expensive suit at law with the \'ale mills when the bridge over the vSalmon brook, 
with its approaches, was widened, and it would have materiall\- altereil the final result by throwing it 
further to the east than it now is. 

Ma\- 14, 1804, several slight alterations were made in the C.ilson road and a committee of five 
was ap])ointed as "agents to meet the Courts Com'*^'^ and invite them to visit the great Road and 
make straightening where they think necessary." The result, if anw does not appear in the 
records. 

Aug. 27, 1804. " \'oted to Rebuild Nashua river Bridge the j)resent >-ear." " \'oted to ha\-e the 
new l)ridge sixteen feet wide in the clear." " \'oted to raise Eight hundred dollars to rebuild sd. 
bridge." " Voted and chose Mr. John Whittle, | A Com'« to rebuild Nashua 

Maj' John Lund, j River Bridge agreeable to 

Capt. Thomas Roby, ^the moddle Exhibitted by 
Mr. John Lund, Jr. 
and Theodore French, 

"the town then \'oted their Comf^*^ should build said Bridge as narrow as thirteen feet if the\- 
thought it proper." 

January 7, 1805. " \'oted to raise two hundred and eighty-six dollars to pa>' for building Nashua 
River Bridge." 

Oct. 7, 1805. "\"oted to accept a road, beginning at the road about four rods west of Tim° 
Taylor Esqr. house, thence north forty-eight degrees and eighteen minutes west, three hundred and 
twenty-eight rods to the old road near Cooks meadow." 

March, ^i, 1806. " \'oted to build Nashua River Bridge where it formerly stood, then Voted to 
let out the building of Said Bridge by the job to the lowest bidder, then Voted to Build Nashua 
Ri\-er Bridge according to Mr. Reuben Durant jilau. Said Nashua River Bridge was vandued and 
struck off to Mr. Reubin Durant at Five hundred and fifty dollars." A committee of inspection was 
appointed and it was voted to raise six hundred dollars for the purpose of building it. 

It would seem by this that the action taken by the town Aug. 27, 1804, had not resulted in 
building the bridge, nor did that taken at this meeting, for we find in the record of the meeting held 
on the fourth da}- of the following August, the following : — 

"Voted to Rebuild Nashua River Bridge whare it formerly stood, then \'oted that the [bridge] 
be built on the plan exhibited by Messrs. Baldwin and Whittle two years since with the Difference of 
having white oak posts about Two feet Longer than the former instead of pine." It was voted not 
to have it more than sixteen feet in the clear. 

A committee of five was chosen to build it, they "then Voted that the Committee Rebuild 
Nashua River Bridge with as much expedition as Propriety and Prudence will Dictate at the expense 
of the Town." 

Thus spurred on to expedite matters, and doubtless governed by "Propriety and Prudence," it 
is small wonder that they succeeded — the bridge was built, and that is all we know about it, as no 
further mention is made of it for years upon the records, with the single exception of the appointing 
of a committee, on the 25th of the same month, to settle whatever claim Mr. Durant might have, but 
we are left in ignorance as to that, for no report appears in the record. 

March 31, 1S06. "Voted to accept a road laid out beginning at the southerlx- side of Amhenst 
Road at the jilain between Esqr. Taylors and George Whitefield running South-easterlx- al)out nine- 
tenths of a mile to the north side of the Nashua River at the old ferry ])lace." No such road can 
now be traced. On the same da\- a road was accepted from James Bell's to Thomas Lund, Jr.'s. 



I30 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. . 

This road was about one and one-third miles long. I can not locate it, it being dependent upon the 
gift of the land, possibly it was not laid out. 

Aug. 26, 1805. " Voted to accept a road from the old road near Henry and Joel Adams running 
north and fifty-one rods long." 

March 10, 1S07. The Blood's crossing road from the Amherst road opposite Conant's mill road 
was laid out, including what is now known as its north fork, to the HoUis line near Daniel Blood's 
house, the latter is in Mollis and now known as the Farley place. This house is so near the Hollis 
line that the shed attached lies partly in Nashua. 

April 21, 1807. The Hills ferry road was altered to its present location. On the same day it 
was voted to accept the road through Mr. Asa Moor's land and Mr. Cummings Pollard's land, to be 
opened in two years, and the old road to be then discontinued and revert to Mr. Moor. 

January 15, 1810. " \'oted to accept the road laid out from Mr. John Whittles towards 
Hamblets Ferry." 

This is now East Hollis .street. John Whittle's, since known as the Tyler house; the road 
commenced fourteen rods north of it on Main street and extended to Allds road. 

A road was laid out in 181 1 (no day or month given) from Zachariah Alexander's to Joel Lund's, 
living near lunerson's mills (at Mine falls) from thence to the road about eight rods easterly of 
William Bntterfield's house. After the Nashua Manufacturing company acquired the title to Mine 
falls and the lands adjoining, this road, like all others in that vicinity, was discontinued. 

April 17, 1S12. " \'oted to discontinue a road from Nashua Bridge to Benaiah Hlodgets 
providing it was laid out b>' the vSelectmen." 

When the Jackson company l)uilt their block on Amor>- street, they demoli.shed a \nr\ ancient 
one-story house which .stood near the corner of Union street, and, I am inclined to think, that was 
the Blodgett house. I am fortified in this belief from the fact that the bend in the river opposite, was 
known as Blodgett's edd\-, and is so mentioned in old tleeds. 

The new meeting-house being assured, it was voted April 17, 1812, "to raise one hundred and 
twent>- dollars to purcha.se a Meeting House Bell, provided there should be a sum raised by private 
.subscription sufhcient, in addition to that, to purchase said bell," and at a meeting held on the fifth 
of the following October, twenty-two dollars and fifty cents additional was voted for its purchase, at 
which meeting it was voted to have it rung at twelve o'clock noon and nine o'clock P. M., and the 
selectmen were authorized to hire a person to ring it. It is needless to add that this was the first and 
only bell in town, or that the " Curfew " thus inaugurated continued to be rung for years. 

April 26, 1813. "Laid out a road from Zacehas Hale's house north-ea.sterly to the Hollis Road 
bv James Jewell's, one hundred and fifty-one Rods long." 

Sept. 18, [815, the court's committee having laid out a road from the meeting-house to the guide 
post at the crossing of the Robinson road, the meeting voted to let it out by dividing it into three 
job.s — " one part to be bridging the big gully, one part from the gully to the Great Road, and the last 
from the big gully to the Guide Post." Three parties took it for the sum total of $191.25. 

March 30, 1816. "Laid out a road from Zacehas Hales vSoutherly to the Hollis line. On the 
same day laid out a road from Daniel Bloods (now the Farley place) north-westerly to the Hollis line 
at the bridge over Muddy brook." 

Nov. 4. 1816, a road was laid out "beginning at the tireat Road at the south side of Gen. 
Lovewells barnyard and running westerly to the Hollis road." This road is now Lake street, the 
Dunstable road at the westerly end not yet having been laid out. 

During the three years following, the roads leading from the Amherst road to the Hollis line 
were straightened somewhat, ( for further particulars the curious are referred to vol. ,^ of the Dunstable 
town records, now in the city clerk's office at the City hall, in perfect presen-ation. ) 

The following appears on the record of the meeting held March 14, 1820 : — 

" Voted that the vSurveyors of Highways vShall not be allowed anything for Rum out of their 
lists." 

" \'oted to lay out the Money as it had heretofore been except finding spirits." 

" \'oted that paupers who reside or who hereafter nmy reside in Town who are now chargeable 
or who hereafter may become chargeable the current year, be put up at auction in one lot, the person 
taking the paupers, to keep their clothing in as good repair as he finds it, and so return them; the 



lIlSrORY OF .v. IS// /-.I. X. //. 13, 

children to receive a common chance of .Schooling, the Doctoring to be paid liy the Town, the 
jjaupers to be nursed by the person bidding them off, if any paupers happen to die they shall be 
decentl> I'.uried at the expense of the Person bidding them off," etc., etc. They were bid off by Dr. 
Peter Howe for $5X9.00 who also bid off the Doctoring for $10.00 per year. Heretofore the paupers 
were bid off singly to tlie lowest Ijidder. 

If there is an>-thing correlative to be deduced from a reading of the above action of the town, at 
least let us ho])e that they were honestly consistent and refrained from taking their regular nip behind 
the door. Of one thing we may be glad, the\- did not allude to that unfortunate class as the 2i-o>i/iy 
poor, a (liscriminaliim that in these latter days savors strongly of hypocrisy when poverty is rated as 
a crime. 

It would seem that the town had been indicted on account of a defective highway, for, Sept. 3, 
1S21, it was " X'oted to raise two liundrcd dollars to l)e laid out in highway work on the road now 
l\ing under Indictment." This is the first instance on record of an\- /rgal action relative to a 
defective highway. 

June 15, 1.S22. " \'oted to discontinue a road passing through Cummings Pollard and James 
I'akhvin's land and leading from the road which leads from the great road at C. Pollard's to Josiah 
Danforth's, Escjr., to Spit brook & Ichabod Richardson's." 

" \'oted to discontinue that part of the road leading from Ivdw'' Turrell's cornhouse to lyOvevvell's 
pond." 

"X'oted to purchase a hearse and build a house for the same." 

It was customary for the town to own a hearse and as the inhabitants had largely increased in 
luunbers, it became necessary- to purchase one. All went well with it, no complaint had ever been 
made by those for whose use it had been obtained until five years later we find in the warrant for the 
meeting of June 15, 1829, the following: — 

"Art. 3. To see if tlie town will correct any abuse or outrage committed by the .Selectmen in 
relation to the very extraordinary assumption of Power exercised by them in withholding from the 
Inhabitants of said town the hearse and its appendages for the purpose of Burying their dead." 

And this counterblast. "Art. 4. To see if the town will do an\thing in relation to the breaking 
open of the hearse house by David Wallace in April last." 

Although the record does not show it, we may well imagine that a ])art of that meeting was a 
stormy one. It ended, however, in passing over both articles "pro\-ided David Wallace shall purchase 
a lock as good as the one he broke and put it on to the hearse house." 

March 11, 1.S23. " Voted and chose a Committee of twelve to co-operate with the .Selectmen in 
the Inspection of Licensed Houses." 

The members of this committee must ha\-e fountl their duties tlelightfully arduous, but no doubt 
the landlords devoutly prayed that their visits might be few and far between, especially if they went 
the grand rounds in full force. 

The Nashua Manufacttiring compan\- was chartered June 18, 1823, having secured the previous 
year, through interested parties, lands and water privileges which covered all that was necessary for 
the company to own to ensure success in their undertaking. I have before me a copy of the original 
survey of the river and adjoining lands, including Mine falls and all the lands to Main street, 
extending as far south as Lake street and the Hollis road. This survey was made by John Lund, a 
noted surveyor, proljably in 1822, as the plan bears the date of Feb. 4, 1823. 

The first recorded deed was dated July 28, 1823, of Mine island and adjacent land given by 
Daniel Abbot, the able law\er of the town, which was followed two days later by a deed conveying 
the Marshall farm, the French farm, and more land at Mine falls, and also a deed of the Emerson 
(arm, one hundred acres on the river and all the mills in the vicinity of the falls. November 6, 
following, a deed is recorded of Patterson mills and the land adjoining, including what is now 
Franklin street. Later, other lands and flowage rights were obtained covering all below to the 
Merrimack ri\er and all above extending into Hollis. All this included what for a considerable 
time comprised the residential part of the town. The company laid out streets and divided up its 
lands into lots and, in fact, made the town. I mention this not only as unrecorded hi.story but as the 
reason whj- there has been no record of the laying out of so many of our streets and highways, no 
titles having been acquired by the general public except bj' adverse possession, and they stand .simply 



132 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



as "rights of way" guaranteed by the original owners to the alauttors; the purchase of the entirety- 
on any street would give the owner the right to close up that street in spite of the authorities 
representing the general public. 

Fire wardens were first elected March 8, 1825, when Col. Prentice Cushing, Col. William 
Boardman and Col. Joseph Greeley were chosen. 

The Nashua river bridge which had served the public need for nineteen years, with occasionally 
a small outlay in repairs, again appears prominently in view. The Nashua Manufacturing company 
intending to build a dam below, it became necessary to rebuild this bridge, raising it above the pond 
thus created. A committee of six was appointed March 28, 1825, who submitted a very able report, 
evidently from the pen of Judge Abbot, at the meeting held June 6, following, stating that in their 
opinion, "a new bridge will be indisputably necessary in the course of the next year, or the year 
following, and that in order to lie prepared for its erection, it will be expedient to build two stone 
Piers, at proper distances and of suitable dimensions to receive a Bridge, when it shall be necessary 
to erect one, to be twenty-five feet wide in the clear," and as an inducement the committee stated 
that the said Nashua company offered to give all the necessary stone for building the bridge and 
they offered the following motion: " That a Committee be chosen, or the Selectmen authorized to 
build sd. Piers agreeably to the foregoing Report" which, after amending by substituting one 
Pier instead of two, was adopted, and the selectmen authorized to go on with the building, giving 
them directions relative to achertising for bids, raising funds, etc., "Voting to accept the offer 
of stone and directed the selectmen to take an obligation from said company to perform their part 
before going on with the work." 

This was not satisfactory and a special meeting was called to consider matters. It was held Aug. 
18, 1825, when the selectmen presented the following report : — 

" In persuance of the Votes passed at the last town meeting June 6, the Selectmen posted up 
Notifications in sundry public places in town for proposals to be bro't in for building a Stone Pier 
under Na.shua River Bridge, agreeably to the Plan and description for erecting it, — The Proposals 
presented considerably exceeded the calculations which had been previously made of the expense of 
effecting the object. In addition to this objection, very serious difficulties were suggested by the 
best informed people upon such subjects, and by persons whose opinions had great weight with the 
selectmen, as to the utility of the proposed Pier, if it should be built. From the best information \'our 
Selectmen have been able to obtain, they believe that omitting the proposed Centre Pier altogether, 
and enlarging 6t extending the Aliutments, according to a plan tS: description to be presented to the 
Meeting, will ensure us a more permanent & duralile Bridge, than b\' persuing the former proposed 
course. 

" The difficulties attending the former proposal and calculation in regard to the Bridge, together 
with the situation and feelings of the town, were communicated in writing to the Directors of the 
Na.shua Maunfac. Co. The subject has been fully considered and duly appreciated by them, and they 
have come forward with a proposition, which by the Selectmen, and many others who have examined 
it, is considered both liberal and honorable as regards that Company, and highly beneficial to the 
Interest of the town and of the Public. 

' ' The Plan of the proposed Bridge, together with a particular statement of the Aliutments & Walls, 
and some calculations in regard to the expense will be laid before the Meeting. The general outline 
of the Proposal is this: — that the town shall build two strong & sufficient abutments, to extend 
Fifteen feet each into the River beyond the present ones, suitable to receive a Bridge Twenty-six feet 
wide, to be raised from six to seven feet higher than the present Bridge, and also suitable Walls 
running from them, to extend as far as the lines of the Road, which is three rods wide, to meet similar 
Walls which are to be built by the Company and by the Messrs. Pearsons, which are to extend up 
and down the River to a distance of at least Fifty feet beyond the Town's Walls. The Abutments & 
Walls to the line of the Road being completed, the Company propose to erect a Bridge, upon the Plan 
to be presented, twenty-six feet wide, to find all the material of good and approv qualities, to have 
the work done in handsome style, and in a workmanlike manner, to complete the whole satisfactory 
to the town, place it securely upon the Abutments and present it to the town for their own and 
public use. 



HISTORY OF X,IS7/r.l. .V. //. 



i.-?3 



" TliL' Cimipain" also offer to gi\'f the iifce.ssary stone from their lower ledge, and the sand & gravel 
lor tilling up the Roads, upon liotli sides of the Bridge, to be taken out in a reasonable & proper 
manner, from convenient ])laccs therefor, to be taken in a manner satisfactory to the Company's 
Agents. And it is understood that provided the town accept the proposals of the Companj', the 
expence of the Abutments and Walls is to be assessed and paid the next year. 

" It will readil\' occur to the town, that the stone work required of them V)y the foregoing proposals, 
if once done & T,r// done, as it should be, is not done for the ])resent Near, or age merelj-, but that 
probably we, nor our children, ma>' be called on to rebuld it. 

" In every light in which your Selectmen have been able to view the subject, it presents itself to 
them, as one eminently beneficial to the Town, and the\' trust that after due examination and under- 
standing of it, it will be recei\-ed in that spirit ol Amit>' and good feeling, in which it appears to be 
offered. 

"August i8, 1S25. Dan' Abbot, 1 vSelectmen 

Cummings Pollard, of 

Will'" F. Hoynton, ) Dunstable." 

August 23, 1825, the Amherst road at Pennichvick bridge, near Whitney's tavern in Merrimack, 
was altered by building the bridge ten rods and five feet further up stream and changing the road to 
correspond. The center of the bridge being on the dividing line. 

July 3, 1826, Moses Tyler, Joseph Winn, Joseph Greeley and their associates were incorporated 
under the name of the proprietors of Taylor falls bridge for the purpose of building a bridge across 
the Merrimack river between Nashua and Hudson, or as it was then called, Nottingham West, giving 
them the right to collect tolls as hereinafter specified. The contract was made with Samuel 
Chittenden, a carpenter of Chelsea, Mass.. and Franklin Sawyer, a mason of Cambridge, Mass., for 
the sum of eleven thousand and one hundred dollars. The contract, together with a covenant of 
warrant)- and bond, with sureties to the amount of twenty thousand dollars, were signed Nov. 22, 1826, 
and the bridge was opened for travel in the following year. The stone piers and abutments are the 
same now .standing under the present iron structure. The bridge was of wood, in three spans, and 
covered. As a curiosity I give the rates of toll. "For every foot passenger. Two Cents; for 
every horse and rider or led horse. Six Cents ; for every Chaise or other carriage of pleasure drawn 
by one horse. Seventeen Cents ; and for each additional horse. Six Cents ; for every Cart or other 
carriage of burthen drawn by one horse or yoke of oxen. Ten Cents ; for each additional horse. Three 
Cents; for each additional yoke of oxen. Five Cents; for each Gig wagon. Ten Cents; for each 
pleasure sleigh drawn by one horse. Eight Cents ; and for each additional horse, four Cents ; for 
each Sled or sleigh of burthen drawn by one horse or one yoke of oxen. Six Cents; and for each 
additional horse or yoke of oxen. Three Cents ; for each carriage of pleasure having four wheels 
and drawn by two horses. Twenty-five Cents ; for horses and mules in droves. Three Cents each ; for 
neat cattle in droves. Two Cents each ; for sheep or swine, one-fourth of a cent each ; and one 
jierson and no more, with any loaded team or drove of horses, cattle, sheep or swine shall be allowed 
to pass said bridge free of toll : and at all times when the toll gatherer does not attend his duty, the 
toll gate shall be left open." 

The justices of the Superior Count>- Court had the power to regulate, alter or amend the rates 
<i( loll so that the net income should not exceed twelve per centum, the comi)aii\ making returns to 
them every five years. 

To allay the constanth' increasing irritation and burdensome payment of tolls, Nashua and 
Iludsini finallx- actjuired all right in this bridge in 1854, and opened it as a free bridge to the general 
public. 

In 18S1 the old bridge, originally warranted to safely sustain the passing of not exceeding five 
tons' weight with a time limit of ten years, began to show the effects of its more than fifty years of 
constant wear and was condemned as unsafe ; it was replaced in that year by the present iron 
structure which scarcely met the requirements which the times then demanded and has since proved 
entirel>- inadequate both in regard to strength and travel capacity. The running of the electric cars 
over It has almost ruined it for general ]niblic use but it has demonstrated one fact, that in the 
erection of public works, the future niu.st be considered entirely, leaving the present out altogether. 



134 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

The early settlers considered the rivers highly important not only as waterways or roads, but 
valuable for their fisheries and they were exceedingly averse to parting with any rights in them. 
This is shown in the defining of the lines and bounds of Hudson (Nottingham West) when set off 
from Dunstal)le, being bounded to the Merrimack, thus reserving to Dunstable the full control of the 
river. With this condition of ownership it was urged, when the payment for the first bridge came 
under consideration, that Nashua should pay a very large part of, if not the entire cost. This would 
never do and so the county commissioners were appealed to, who decided that the divisional line 
should be the centre of the river, an opinion affirmed by the Supreme Court, and the cost was settled 
on that basis. 

Following the construction of the Middlesex canal from Boston to Chelmsford, which was 
incorporated June 22, 1793, and opened for business in 1804, a series of dams, locks, and short canals 
were built to overcome the natural rapids and falls of the river and render the Merrimack navigable 
as far as Concord. Dunstalde took immediate advantage of this new opening, and we learn from 
Fox's historv that an elaborately constructed canal boat built by Robert Fletcher, E.sq., was 
launched on the Fourth of July, 1803, attended 1:)\- a great gathering of the people, who with much 
parade and general rejoicing christened it the "Nashua" and the village that had until then been 
called " Indian Head " recei\-ed the name of Nashua Village. It was celebrated liy a i)ul)Iic meeting 
and an oration bv Daniel Abbot, Esq. The landing was on the Merrimack near the mouth of the 
Nashua river. 

Concord, I'iscataipiog, Litchfield and Nashua each had its line of boats, making in the aggre- 
gate quite a fleet, and this waterway for nearly forty }-ears formed the principal channel for heavy 
transportation between Boston and Concord until its usefulness was destroyed by the railways. 

The Nashua Manufacturing company at once took advantage of this waterway and, securing a 
charter from the legislature in December, 1824, to connect the Nashua with the Merrimack by means 
of a canal with the necessary dams and locks, erected the lower dam across the Nashua with its 
head gates, built the lucks at the Merrimack river and connected the two by a suitable canal ; they 
also put in a substantial stone wall with the necessary backing just below the Main street liridge for 
a wharf or landing, built a freight shed upon it and started a regular line of boats for its own 
freighting. 

The building of this dam developed additional water power which was transferred with consid- 
erable land, Feb. 15, 1826, to Charles C. Haven and associates, who secured a charter and erected two 
mills for the manufacture of woolen goods under the name of the " Proprietors of the Indian Head 
Factories." This company bought additional land upon the east side of the Nashua river and built 
the first bridge on the site of the present Canal street bridge, which was long known as the Haven 
bridge. Nov. 1, 1828, the Nashua Manufacturing company transferred to the proprietors of the 
Indian Head factories all of its ownings in their vicinity including the dam, saw-mill, head gates, 
canal, and all lands between the boating canal and Nashua river. These mills were not successful ; 
a new company was formed who purchased the entire plant without reservation and were incorporated 
at the June .session of the legislature in 1830, as the "Jackson Company." The building and 
operation of the Nashua & Lowell railwaj' ruined this boating canal and the Jackson company 
obtained permission of the legislature in 1S52 to surrender its charter whenever they should deem it 
for their advantage to do so. In the absence of a general flowage law governing water-power plants 
in the state, which rendered it imprudent to annul the charter at once, it required several years to do 
so with safety. It was finall}- accomplished, the bridge on Canal street under which it passed was 
removed, the stone in the locks were taken out, and the bed of the canal left, like the scar of a wound, 
to be healed over by nature's own process, so that to-day no trace of it is to be seen. A part of the 
stone from the locks was used in building the abutments of the suspension foot-bridge in the rear of 
the mills of the Jackson company. 

In accordance with an act passed by the legislature at the June session, 1823, three police officers 
were appointed June 4, 1827. They were Thomas Chase, George W. Wilson and Willard Marshall. 
This was the finst appointment of a police force in the town. 

April 16, 1827, F^ast Hollis street was laid out from the contemplated new bridge at Taylor falls 
westerly to the Joshua Pierce house, which stood opposite the foot of what is now Arlington street. 



///.V7Y)A')' Ol- XASIirA, N. If. 



135 



Aut,nist II, 182S, Canal strt-cl from Main street south of the Oval to the land of the Jackson 
company near the foot of Chandler street was laid out, also that part of it north of the Oval from the 
Greele>- building', joining the former at the foot of Orange street. 

December 5, 1828, West Mollis street from Chestnut street westerly as far as the junction of the 
Dunstable and Hollis roads was laid out. 

I judge that this Dunstable road was laid out by order of the court, I find no record in the 
proceedings of the town relatix'e to it. 

January 2, 1829, Bridge street from Taylor falls bridge westerly to land of Charles C. Haven was 
laid out and Feb. 10, 1829, the selectmen accei)ted the report of the court, laying out the remaining 
parts of Canal and Bridge streets; this took in the Haven bridge. 

The town voted, Nov. S, 1828, that it was expedient to purchase a town farm and on the 24th 
of the same month appointed a committee of five to examine farms, with power to .select one and run 
the town in debt for it. March 10, following, they reported unanimously in favor of the Benjamin 
Cutler farm, which they purchased for $2,659.14, giving in payment the notes of the town. The plan 
of this farm, drawn on sheepskin, is now in the office of the city engineer. The cost of running 
it for the following year was reported by the selectmen as $551.55 net. 

June 22, 1825, Temple street was laid out from East Hollis street to the "Great Pllm " tree and 
from thence to the Rev. Mr. Nott's meeting house (Pilgrim church) and Main street. Also Amory 
street from the "Great Elm" tree to Bridge street. I'nder the administration of Mayor Williams 
Hall in 1893, this latter street was widened and jiaved, a much needed and most appreciated 
improvement. 

January 25, 1830, Eowell street was laid out from Abbot square to the Unitarian church, mention 
being nmde of the postoffice and the Greele\- building. 

June 5, 1830, West Hollis street, from Main to Chestnut street, was laid out through land of the 
Nashua Manufacturing company and Joseph Greeley. 

The Main street bridge across the Nashua river which we have seen was built in 1825 by the 
town and the Nashua Manufacturing company, jointly, after ten years' service was declared in 1835 
to have outlived its usefulness, and it was voted August 5 of that year to build a new one, 
raising it two feet higher and increasing its width with each sidewalk at least ten feet. A committee 
of seven was appointed to superintend- the building. The present stone pier in the middle of the 
river was put in and the supporting trusses placed under the flooring instead of overhead as they 
were in the old bridge. It was finished during the next year and cost $7,413.78. With occasional 
repairing it remained unaltered until the administration of Mayor Otterson in 1870 when it was 
decided to still further widen and thoroughly repair it. This was done under the super\-ision of Mr. 
Samuel Pollard Wilson, an expert mill-wright and builder. Three trusses, similar to those already 
there, were added on the west side and two on the east side increasing the width correspondinglj^ ; 
the sidewalks were projected over the water, supported by braces and retained their old width, each 
ten feet ; the roadway was newly planked and concreted and no expense or effort was spared in the 
endeavor to unite durabilits' with thoroughness of construction. The cost was $14,840.87. 

In iS,s6 the street railway placed their tracks across this bridge and, during the past summer 
( 1895) in re-locating them for the electric cars, it was found that through negligence, surface water 
had penetrated under the concrete and much of the underlying plank was badly decayed. Advantage 
was taken of the resultant uncovering of the roadway to widen it two feet and four inches on the 
westerly side and project the sidewalk the same distance farther out. It was noted that the trusses, 
fi\e of which were placed twenty-five years since, and the remainder sixty years ago, were as sound 
and strong as when they were put in, which woidd seem to show that wood properly put together and 
protected from the weather is durable. 

Nov. 7, 1836, the town voted that the selectmen petition the legislature to change the name of 
the town from Dunstable to Nashua. With such expedition did they act that on the eighth (la\- of 
the following month, their petition was granted, to take effect from and after the last day of that 
month. The rising sun of January i, 1837, dawned upon the new town of Nashua, and the old town 
of Dunstable passed into history as a memory. 



136 HISTORY OF NASHUA, X. II. 

The Nashua .&: Lowell railway commenced running passenger trains in October, 1838. The road 
ended at the "Great Elm " at the head of Amory street, the bridge over the Nashua river and the 
station on Railroad square being built a year later. 

On the twentieth of this month East Pearl .street was accepted by the town, having been laid out 
by the Nashua Manufacturing company in 1832. It was fifty feet wide from Main street to Olive 
street (now Spring .street), and from thence to Factory street, (now Temple .street) forty feet wide. 

Feb. 23, 1839, a conunittee reported the Haven bridge across the Nashua river at "Indian 
Head " to be in a ruinous condition, and during that year it was rebuilt at a cost of $4,459.98. 

The .stone bridge over Salmon brook at the "Harbor" was probably built in 1838, as I find in 
the selectmen's annual report of March 12, 1839, various amounts as having been paid for 
rebuilding the " Harbor" bridge; one amounting to $283.03, probably for the stone work. 

And now comes the great internal war of the town. Hitherto the people of the ancient borough 
had found their only foes outside their borders and had given and taken hard blows, but in the end 
had come out victorious though often sorely wounded. Their only town fights had been merely 
church scrimmages which had been settled by building another meeting-house or two and letting 
their neighbors go to whichever they might choose, and invariably ended in the combatants being 
better friends than ever; but this present one stirred the hot rebellious blood, inherited from their 
sires, which, after lying dormant through the intervening generation, now showed itself with added 
intensity. The building of the town house was the casus belli , and it ended in the disruption of the 
town. 

The first movement having this end in view was at the meeting held Nov. 2, 183S, when a 
committee, who had been appointed on the twenty-ninth of the previous month, reported favorably 
on an offer of Thomas Chase to place the Old South meeting-house on his lot at the corner of West 
Pearl and Main streets for the sum of $820. 

At the ver}- outset the Nashua Manufacturing company had built the Olive Street church, ( now 
the "Pilgrim") and since that time four other churches had been erected, so that the Old South was 
practically deserted, being used only for town meetings. No result following the Chase offer, at the 
next meeting, held March 12, 1839, another committee of five was appointed to consider the matter 
and also to see about building a nnc town house. Nothing definite resulted until the meeting of 
March 8, 1842, when it was voted to erect a town house of brick or stone, appropriating $10,000 to 
buy the lot and build it. 

On the motion to appoint a committee to purchase a lot between the Nashua river and Pearl 
street, the trouble commenced and the line was sharply drawn, but finalh' it passed, 5S2 voting in the 
affirmative and 396 voting to locate it on the north side of the river. 

The north side voters at once withdrew and, true to their inherited traits, immediately drew up a 
petition to the legislature to be set off from Nashua, which was granted on the twent\--third of the 
following June and the new town of Nashville was born. The dividing line connnenced at Buck 
Meadow falls, thence down the center of the Nashua river to the railroad bridge above the Jack,son 
Company's mills, thence by the Lowell & Nashua railroad to Crown street, thence down Crown 
street to the Merrimack river. 

It may be well to add that at a meeting held on the nineteenth of August following, the committee 
were told to go ahead with the town house if it could be completed for $iS,ooo, and in the following 
year it was finished, but it cost $22,915.17 and we do not learn that anybody complained; — it still 
stands, a solid monument bearing witness to the skill and hone.sty of its builders. 

It has been asserted, and as often denied, that there was a bridge over the Nashua & Lowell 
railroad at the Temple street crossing, in the earlier days. At the Nashua town meeting held March 
15, 1S43, a committee of three, Ezra Drown, Wm. D. Beasom and W'm. W. Parker, was appointed 
to remove the said bridge, which would seem to settle that question. 

The fire department of Nashua was re-organized April 5, in accordance with an act passed Dec. 
20, 1844, and Thomas G. Banks was appointed chief engineer with eight assistants. 

Sept. 23, 1845, the Conant road, in Nashua, was laid out. 

In 1849 the hill on High street was lowered eight feet and connecting streets adjusted to the 
new grade. 



/f/sTOR)' OF x.is//t:-i, X. ji. 137 

The legislature having passed, June 27, 1^53, an enabling act, subject to its adoption by a 
majority of the legal voters in both towns, permitting Nashville and Nashua to unite under a city 
charter, was submitted to the voters of Nashua Sept. 17, 1H53, and was adopted, 468 in the afTirmative, 
and 334 '» the negative. 

Ha\ing al)ru])tly left our young offshoot, Nashville, let us cross the Rubicon and com])lete our 
history from her records. 

May 9, 1843, the North Hollis road, from the .\niherst road, (Broad .street) was laid out anew a 
distance of nearly one and one-fourth miles, sixty feet wide. 

In December, 1845, the town bought the land in what is now Railroad square, then occujiied by 
the Central house, for a town house location, which, by the way, was never built, but the hotel was 
moved in the following spring to the site of the present Laton house. 

Aug. 18, 1847, Main street was widened on the we.st side from Nelson Tullle's store to Amherst 
street. 

Dec. 15, 1847, Clinton .street was laid out forty feet wide and extending five luindred and eighty- 
seven feet to the Nashua river bridge. 

June 28, 1848, Pine Hill road was altered somewhat and for a distance of about three hundred 
and twenty-two rods was laid out fifty feet wide; it extended to the house of Nathan Buttrick, (now 
Thomas Holmes'). The small brook near the Wilton railroad is called " Cold Rain brook." 

Feb. 22, 1850, a contract was signed leasing from the Nashua X: Lowell railway, Franklin hall 
for the town hall. 

In the spring of 1852 the bridge over the Nashua at the Indian Head was carried awa\' b\- what 
has since been referred to as the "Big Freshet," and later in the >ear it was replaced l)y an iron 
bridge at a cost of $5,143.1 1. In i860 this bridge was strengthened at an expense of $717.60, and in 
1883 it was replaced by the present structure costing $8,534.53, ^t the same time Canal street was 
widened by a purchase of land on the north side of the Jackson Compain, the price paid being 
S2,ooo. 

On the same day that Nashua voted to unite with Nashville under a city charter, Sept. 17, 1853, 
Nashville by a vote of two hundred and forty-nine yeas against one hundred and fifteen nays, also 
assented and in the several wards, Oct. 8, 1853, the compact was finalh' consummated by the election 
of all city officers. 

Having traced, in " Highways and Bridges," the history of the old townsliip from the ad\-ent of 
the earliest recorded pioneer, through all the various stages of its progress toward its honorable 
position as a community endowed with the highest civic honors in the power of the state to grant, I 
leave what was commenced as an unwilling task, but continued with constantly increasing interest, 
regretting that time and space had not permitted me to do justice to vay subject. The briefness of the 
allusions to passing events and lack of all mention of many important matters, in the records, together 
with the absence of corroborative or explanatory papers, which, if ever in existence, have long since 
disappeared, have made it impossible to realize complete measure of exactness or cohesion in the 
story. I have occasionally lingered by the wayside to gather facts not pertinent to the subject of my 
text, thinking that jsossibly they might be overlooked by others in their research. Of one thing I am 
sure, whatever I have jiresented in this chapter as facts, are substantiated by the records. 

With a passing allusion to .staging and taverns, this " Epistle to Posterity " will be closed. 

The .stage coach was for many years an enlivening and distinctive feature of Nashua and added 
interest and excitement to the daily life of the people. The stage driver was a prominent man and 
occu])ied a place both unique and of great responsibility. He was the embryo express embodied /ar 
cxcdlcncc. Packages confided to his care were prompth- delivered; relying on his unfailing honesty 
he was often entrusted with large sums of money for the settlement of accounts between separated 
parties, often including bank exchanges ; he was the active, energetic, living means of communication 
between the hamlet and the town, or the town and the city ; with a lively dash and a sharp pull-up at 
the door of the tavern, while the horses were being changed, the eager crowd caught from his willing 
lips the news or gossip from the outer world above or below. In a twinkling, with a merry blast of 
the bugle he was off, leaving behind him a pleasurable sensation only appreciable to those who have 
experienced it. Nashua was then as ntnv on the main through lines of travel, and secured her full 



138 HISTORY OF NASHTA, X. H. 

share of the general prosperit}' which followed the extension of the old, and the opening np of new, 
stage routes. 

The first stage of which we ha\-e any account was a two-horse covered affair, owned and driven 
by Joseph Wheat, in 1796, from Amherst to Boston once a week and returning, without a change of 
horses, stopping over night at Billerica. This route was afterward extended to Concord connecting 
there with other routes beyond, and later penetrated via Andierst, into \'ermont, keeping relays of 
horses along the routes. The Francestowii Stage company had a large stable on the site of the 
present Tremont house stable, opening out into High .street. The advent of the Lowell & Nashua 
railway saw the staging interest on the highest wave of its prosperity, more than thirty per day 
leaving or passing through the town. I am informed b\' an e>e witness, that it was not unusual to 
see ten four-horse stages, full, outside and in, starting away one after the other from the Indian Head 
Coffee hou.se for Concord, and this was only one line, and a competing line at that, and from one only 
of the stage taverns of the town. 

The freighting teams, large wagons drawn by four, six, or eight horses, passing through the 
town, constantlv increasing in number until the railroads were built, united with the staging in giving 
life and activity throughout the length of the town; added to these, the smaller teams, owned and 
driven bv farmers who made a trip or two >-earl\- to market, either here or beyond, carrying their own 
produce and returning with supplies for themselves, or the country store-keepers, and it may well be 
inuxgined that business was brisk. All this created a demand for taverns, which were numerous and 
busv, fully up to the needed requirements. As earl\- as 1769 five taverns are noted, kept by the 
following named persons: Benj. French, Thomas Harwood, William Hunt, Jona. Lovewell, Esq., 
and Widow Mar>- Butterfield. I am unable to locate their houses with the exception of Lovewell's, 
which stood on the site of the present Godfrey farm house, and the Hunt tavern, which stood on the 
site of the present V.\\\\ house, on the opposite side of the road from and a short distance below the 
residence of the late John C. Lund. I think French kept the old French tavern close by the state 
line, probably a grandson of the first Dea. Samuel French. 

In 1792 the general court passed an act authorizing the selectmen of towns to "grant licenses to 
keep tavern to suitable persons having accommodations, who might make application," giving them 
the right to retail rum, brandy, gin, wine and other spirituous liquors. The selectmen licensed the 
following named persons, Capt. Benj. French and Deacon William Hunt, located as before noted, 
Lt. Sam'l Pollard, who kept just south of the residence of the late John C. Lund, the house being 
long since decayed and removed, and Mr. Wm. Whittle, whom I fail to locate. 

I find the above licenses, continuously, as follows, Captain French in 1799, Deacon Hunt in 1797, 
Mr. Whittle in 1794 and Lieutenant Pollard in 1808. 

In this latter year, we find in addition to Lieutenant Pollard, the following named tavern keepers : 
Willard Marshall, William Roby, William F. Boynton, David Combs, James B. Starr, Samuel 
Preston, Isaac Marsh, Cummings Pollard, James T. Lund, and Timothy Tajdor. 

Others had been in the business between these years, 1 792-1808, but at the latter date were either 
dead or had retired. Of the above mentioned, Marsh built what is now the Morrill homestead at the 
Harbor and opened it to the public in 1805. Later it was kept by Thomas Monroe, the father of the 
late Mrs. John M. Hunt, and the late Franklin Monroe of pleasant memory. Timothy Presby 
succeeded him. I find in the directory of 1845 Smith Morrill, inn-keeper and butcher at the Harbor, 
probably here. It passed finally into the possession of the late David L. Morrill who closed it to the 
public. 

William Roby owned what is now the O'Neil farm on the Lowell road and was licensed in 1802, 
ending with the year, 1808. 

William F. Boynton was licensed as early as 1803 and as late as iSii, and probably kept the old 
Lovewell tavern. He did a very large business as a country- trader in a building which stood just 
north of the tavern. Later Jesse Estey kept this tavern as did Silas Gibson and others whom I am 
unable to name. From its location at the "Centre " where, in the early days all the business of the 
town was transacted and having the postoffice under its roof, this was the most prominent tavern of 
all, but it did not long survive the advent of manufactures at the village. 

The Cummings Pollard tavern was in its day one of the favorite stopping places on the road. 
In later years a floor was laid resting on the wide spreading branches of the large elm still standing 



rrrsTORV of x.isnr.t. x. //. 139 

near tliL- house; it was reacliL-d 1)\- a llii;lit of stairs and guarded by a railing. It was quite a resort 
(or driving jiarties from Lowell as well as Nashua; although it is not remembered that any serious 
accident ever happened from its elevated situation, still the descent from it must have been at times 
rather hazardous, considering the nature of the refreshment served to the exalted guest. An 
organized com])an\- with horses went into training here one winter, and in the spring with a complete 
circus outfit started out on the road in search of shekels and glory. It is now owned and occupied 
by Alfred P. Kendall, ha\ing long been closed as a jniblic house. 

A few years later the large house (since burned) on the opposite side of the road, but further 
north, was opened as a tavern. At one time Ned Maynard, the noted horseman, kept it and ojieued 
up a race-track in the rear. 

The large square house at the top of the hill beyond the old grave-yard was long known as the 
Little stand, John Little having kept it for years. He was succeeded by Charles Willard and he by 
others until about eighteen \ears since, when it was sold to the Rev. I). I). Dodge for a residence. 
It is now owned b}' Charles M. Gage. 

\'er\- little stage traffic fell to any of these taverns after the village of Nashua was started, but 
the teaming remained to a great extent with them until the coming of the railway to Nashua. 

I can not place the remaining tavern keepers of 1808 mentioned before, with the exception of 
Timothy Taylor, the pioneer of the north side. I find him licensed in 1801. He probably built the 
tavern since called the Indian Head Coffee house, which was at first of one story only. It was 
leased April 7, 1813, to Phinehas Whiting, Jr., who greatly enlarged it and added another story, but 
he failed and the lease was acquired by Willard Manshall ; who kept the house during the following 
fourteen years I can not say. It was included in the two hundred acres bought b\- the Na-sliua 
Manufacturing company of Benjamin P". French, Sept. i, 1824, subject to this lease. April 4, 1828, 
the Nashua compan}- sold it to Moses Tyler, who by report was a most admirable landlord. For the 
next fifty 3'ears its reputation was sustained and popularitj- increased by such jovial, hearty, attentive 
landlords as O. Bristol, P. O. Richmond, Mark Gillis, Oilman Scripture and others, which made this 
house noted all over New Phigland for hospitality and good cheer. Nor must we overlook the Central 
house. December 31, 183 1, the Nashua Manufacturing company sold to Cushing Baker a lot with all 
the buildings thereon, "being the Nashua Hotel establishment." This hotel stood in Railroad 
square, facing Main street. The lot, reserving the buildings which were moved to the site of the 
present Laton house, was sold to the town of Nashville Dec. iS, 1S45, by Peter Clark. Other 
adjoining lands were bought by the town, the whole being intended for a town house location. I 
infer from the above that the Nashua company built this hotel. It was known later as the Central 
house. The American hou,se stood on the east side of Main street where now are the Beasom and Ham- 
mond residences, and the imposing Washington house stood on the present site of the Noyes block, 
but was later moved to the corner of Bowers and Main streets, within whose walls watches were first 
made by machinery, which was destined to revolutionize the watch making of the world. All four of 
these hotels were noted for the excellence of their table and the attentiveness of their landlords to the 
comfort of their guests, making, as Dr. Johnson quaintly said, "a tavern chair the throne of human 
felicity." 

They were emphatically stage taverns and lively ones too, with the bustle and stir of the 
constantly coming and going stages, but all is now changed, the railroads, with more facility, greater 
rapidity, and comparativeh' little noi.se, confusion or effort now bring a multitude uiuioticed in the 
place of the few who then seemed so many. Of a truth the times are changed. 

I\Iy task is done, tho' tlit story be not half told. 




CL^ytyly^^oOL^r^ . 



140 



HISTOID)' OF NASHi'A, N. M. 



ARCHIBALD HARRIS DUNLAP. 

Hon. Archibald II. Dunlap was born at North Brancli, 
Antrim, Sept. 2, 181 7; died at Nashua, April 5, 189.1. He 
was a son of John and Jennie (Nesmith) Dunlap, and of 
the fourth generation in descent from Archibald, who 
came from the Scotch settlement in Ireland about the 
year 1740 and settled in Chester. The line of descent is 
Archibald, John, John and Archibald H. Archibald mar- 
ried Martha Neal of Chester. She was of Scotch ancestry', 
and her father, 
Joseph Neal, was 
among the Presby- 
terians who peti- 
tioned the legisla- 
ture, in 1736, to be 
freed from paying 
a second tax to 
support a Congre- 
gational minister. 
The third child of 
Archibald was 
Maj. John Dunlap 
of Revolutionary 
memory. He was 
born in Chester iu 
1746, married 
Martha Gilmore, 
settled in Bedford, 
owned and carried 
on a large farm. 
As a military man 
he was well known 
in his day and his 
hospitality and 
liberality were 
shown by enter- 
taining on one 
occasion his entire 
regiment. 

His son John 
early left Bedford 
and settled in -An- 
trim, where he 
was in the cabinet 
making business 
for many years, 
and was probably 
the first to intro- 
duce the manu- 
facture of knitted 
underclothing in 
this state, and also 
made looms for 
that purpose. This was about th 
deemed a great curiosity. 

The subject of this sketch inherited the zeal, power of 
endurance and enterprise of the Scotch race. At the age 
of thirteen years, with but a limited education, he started 
out to seek his fortune. With his elder brother, Robert, 
he left his home at an early hour in the moruing with a 
bundle in one hand and a staff in the other to walk to 
Nashua, a distance of thirty-five miles. Thej- reached 
the town late in the afternoon and the next day, Saturday, 
spent their time in looking over the village and making 




.MlCIIIIl.M.n ll.\RRI.S DUNI..VI 



vear 181 2 and was 



ac<iuaintances. Sunday they attended services at what 
Ijecanie known a little later as the Olive Street church, 
Rev. Mr. Nott being the pastor at that time, and there 
Mr. Dunlap continued a worshipper while the church 
stood — more than half a century — and after that at the 
Pilgrim church, built upon the same site. On Monday he 
secured employment with Ziba Gay, manufacturer of 
machinery, to work through the summer. All the while 
Mr. Dunlap felt the need of a better education and so in 
the autumn of that year, 1831, he entered Franklin 

academy, of which 
Prof. Benjamin M. 
Tyler was princi- 
pal, and remained 
until spring. He 
afterwards attend- 
ed Kranceslown 
one term and one 
term at .Antrim, 
finishing his edu- 
cation at the latter 
place. 

Mr. I) u n 1 a p ' s 
next place of em- 
ployment was at 
the Indian Head 
mills, where, at 
the age of nine- 
teen, he was pro- 
moted to the po- 
sition of overseer. 
He held this re- 
sponsible position 
until 1847, when, 
his health again 
failing, he re- 
signed. The next 
two years were 
spent in business 
in Franklin. In 
1849 he returned 
to Nashua and 
commenced the 
garden seed busi- 
ness. It was at 
first an experi- 
ment, but his 
characteristic en- 
ergy, push and 
steady devotion in 
whatever he was 
engaged, overcame 
the discourage- 
ments that would 
have caused many less courageous men to have abandoned 
the enterprise, and it was crowned with success. 

Mr. Dunlap was many times honored with positions of 
trust b}- his fellow citizens. He held offices in the town 
and city governments ; in 1858 he was elected railroad com- 
missioner of the state for three \-ears, and in 1S64 he was 
chosen one of the presidential electors of New Hampshire 
with the honor of casting an electoral vote for Abraham 
I^incoln. Mr. Dunlap represented his ward in the legis- 
lature in 1869 and 1870. The influence of his strong 
personality was widely felt in all matters pertaining to 



insroKY (U-' \.is/fi-,L x. //. 



141 



the welfare of the city; witness the fact that when the 
]>eo]3le were divided into conten<ling factions over the 
location of the soldiers' and sailors' monument he calmly 
arose in his place in an excited meetinj^, poured oil upon 
the troubled waters and suggested Abbot scjuare -the site 
where it is located — urged harmony and made a patriotic 
appeal that silenced discord and settled the vexed ques- 
tion. This public spirit was shown in the advocacy of, 
and aid given, to many other improvements and enter- 
jirises that now enter into the ilaily life of <nir citizens — 
notably the build- 
ing of the Nashua 
^: Rochester rail- 
road, the acquire- 
ment of the fund 
for the North com- 
m o n , a n d the 
founding o f t h e 
New Ham]>shire 
Ranking company 
— in all of these 
he was one of the 
origin.'il promot- 
ers. l''roin his 
youth Mr. Dunlap 
was a leaderamong 
men. Tall, finely 
proportioned, easy 
in carriage, fear- 
less in the advoc- 
acy of his princi- 
]iles, a man of 
original ideas, 
capable of making 
an argumentative 
and c o n V i n ci ng 
address, he was a 
power in church 
and state, and in 
justice to his mem- 
ory it sliould be 
said that he never 
wielded this ])Ower 
for gain or selfish 
motives. Toljuild 
up Nashua, her 
industries and her 
churches, and to 
advance the stand- 
ard of good living 
in the home and 
mercanlile affairs 
was his aim. He 
wasa constant con- 
tributor to everything that helped society. He was a 
deacon for many years in the churches heretofore men- 
tioned. He was chairman of the building committee for 
the erection of the present Pilgrim church edifice in 1881, 
and worked diligently until it was completed and dedicated. 
Deacon Dunlap was united in marriage Aug. 12, 1841, 
with Lucy Jane, daughter of Josiah Fogg of Exeter and 
granddaughter of Major Josiah Fogg. Five children were 
born of the marriage: James H., Georgianna, John P., 
(died in 1852, aged four years), .\bby Jane. Charles H.. 
(died in 1894, aged 41). 




REV. JAMES S. B!:ACK. 

Rev. James S. Hlack, writer of the ecclesiastical chapter 
of this work, was born in Scotland in 1845. He attended 
schools at C.lasgow and Kdinburgh and was graduated 
from institutions of learning in this country. He was 
settled over the Olive Street Congregational society in 
Nashua from 1870 to 1874, was pastor of Erskine church in 
Montreal from 1874 to 1884, at Colorado Springs, Col., from 
1884 to iSgo, at Minneapolis, Minn., from tSgo to 1894, 

and at present is 
the minister at St. 
-Andrew's church, 
Halifax, N. S. He 
has traveled in 
Europe, in Pales- 
tine and Egypt, 
and is author of 
several popular 
works of a reli- 
gious character. 
Mr. Black is an 
earnest and elo- 
quent extempora- 
neous preacher 
whose services 
have been very 
profitable to the 
congregations and 
people where he 
has been settled. 
During the four 
years of his min- 
istry overthe Olive 
Street church, 
which was his first 
pastorate, he en- 
deared himself to 
its mendjers. He 
was not only a verj' 
earnest and zeal- 
ous preacher, but, 
also, a warm and 
disinterested 
friend. Broad in 
his religious views, 
he had, neverthe- 
less, the courage 
of his convictions 
and never hesitat- 
ed to denounce 
whatever, in his 
judgment, tended 
to subvert or com- 
bat the great truths of Christianity. In addition to his 
work as a pastor his services were in frequent demand as 
a platform orator, his reputation as an eloquent and 
instructive speaker on popular themes being well known 
and appreciated in this vicinity as well as throughout 
New^ England. He took great interest in public affairs, 
and was a zealous and patriotic citizen. He has been 
twice married, first, 1872, with Helen M. Kimball of 
Nashua, who died while he was settled in Colorado, and, 
second, with Mary Cameron, a native of Pittsburgh and 
of Scotch descent. No children. 



KliN'. J.VMK.S .s, lil.ACK. 



14- 



HISTORV OF X.lS//[-A. X. H. 



ANDREW ELIOT THAYER. 

Rev. Andrew E. Thayer was born Nov. 4. 1783, in 
Hampton, died in Na.shua, Jan. 31, 1846. He was a son of 
Rev. Ebenezer (twenty-six years a minister at Hampton), 




ANi)i!i;\v i;i.i()i riiAVKH. 

and Martha (Cotton) Thayer, and grandson of Rev. John 
Cotton of Newton, Ma.ss., and descendant in the fifth 
j^eneration from Rev. John Cotton, who came from Eng- 
land in 1633 and was settled over the First church in 
Boston. 

Mr. Thayer fitted fur college in Exeter and entered 
Harvard university, graduating in 1803. After stud3'ing 
divinity and being ordained for the ministry, January, 1806, 
his health failed and he was obliged to go south. Return- 
ing north he came to Nashua about 1820, and from that 
time until Jan. 1, 1S24, he supplied the pulpit of the Old 
South church. He also taught school and afterwards 
had a bookstore and circulating library in a building 
standing where the entrance to Thayer's court now is. 
He assisted in establishing The Nashua Constellation. In 
June, 1827, he became one of its publishers, being also 
its editor until Feb. 24, 1832, the name in the meantime 
having been changed to Nashua Gazette. Mr. Tha\'er 
then .sold the paper to General Hunt, who changed its 
politics from Whig to Democrat. While Mr. Thayer 
was editor the Gazette was published in a room back of 
the bookstore, and the Telegraph was starteil in the same 
place, the latter remaining there until it was removed 
to the next building, where the Watananock house now 
stands. It was in this building until the fire of Novend^er, 
1838, when the two buildings, in which were the book- 
store and Telegraph, were burned to the ground. The 
bookstore was then placed in the building lately occupied 
bv Mr. Dane, standing on the site of the Whiting block, 
and the Telegraph in the room above. It was owing to 
Mr. Thayer's exertions that Mr. Beard came here and 
founded the Nashua Weekly Telegraph, the editor of the 
same saying at the time of Mr. Thaj-er's death: "A debt 
of gratitude, as well as a pecuniary debt, has been due 
him, and although we have been compelled to be a poor 



paymaster in regard to the latter, we have never disowned 
the former." Mr. Thayer filled a conspicuous place 
among his fellow-citizens and occupied many responsible 
positions. His enterprise did much to build up the place, 
and he was ever ready to assist in good works. 

Rev. Mr. Thaj'er was united in marriage to Lucy Flagg, 
daughter of John and Lucy (Curtis) Flagg. Mrs. Thayer 
was highly esteemed and beloved b}- all who knew her. 
During the Civil war she was active in everything to 
relieve the wants of the soldiers, and, in fact, her whole 
life was devoted to the things that make home and a 
community wiser and better. She died at her home in 
Thaj-er's court. June 24. 1S74. They had several children, 
only two of whom are now living, Lucy V . and Katharine 
M. Thayer. 

REV. HENRI A. LESSARD. 

Rev. Henri .\. Lessard was l>orn in .St. Johns, on the 
banks of the Richelieu river, in the province of Quebec, 
.April 14, 1850. He is a son of Rene Edward and Marie 
Marguerite Lessard, and a descendant on the paternal 
side of Stephen De Francis Lessard, who settled at St. 
.\nne d'Beaupre, P. Q., in 1623. On the maternal side he 
is a descendant of Galjriel Lambert, who settled in Quebec 
in 1687. They followed agricultural pursuits and were a 
sturdy, industrious and respected people. 

Rev. Father Lessard was educated in the puljlic schools 
of his native place and began classical study there in 
1863. In 1865, the college at that place having closed its 
iloors, and its founder. Rev. Charles Larocque, having 
l)een promoted to the bishopric of St. Hyacinthe, he 
entered St. Therese college, Terrebourne county, P. Q., 
where he pursued his .studies. Four years later his 
parents removed to Montreal, and he resided there with 
them aliout eighteen months. In 1871 he became a resi- 
dent of Manchester. After five years spent in mercantile 
pursuits he returned to St. Therese college with avowed 




i;i;\'. IlKMtl A. I.I>SAK1). 

intention of becoming a priest. He pursued his studies 
with diligence and on June 7, 1879, his hopes were real- 
ized by his ordination at Montreal. A few days later Rt. 



HISTOR)' ()/-A\IS//f/,^, A'. //. 



143 



Rev. James A. Healey, bishop of the diocese of I'ortlaml, 
a])i)ointe(l him assistant to leather Chevalier, pastor of St. 
.Aujjustine's church. Manchester, where he remained a 
year, when he was sent as assistant :nissionarj- with 
Father Sweron to attend the mission of Madawaska, 
Aroostook county. Me. lu January, 1881, after a month 
spent at the cathedral of Portland, he began service under 
Rev. Father Hesey. then pastor of the church at Lewis- 
ton. Me. In September of the same year he was appointed 
to .\11 Saints church at Lancaster, and his twelve missions 
were confirmed by 
Rt. Rev. Bishop 
1 1 e a 1 e y . Four 
years of constant 
and arduous labor 
in that parish be- 
^an to undermine 
liis health, and 
consequently he 
asked for a change. 
This was granted, 
and, in 1885, the 
IVench Canadian 
J) o p n 1 a t i o n of 
Nashua havinj; 
outnumbered the 
capacity of the 
church of St. Louis 
d ' t'l o n z a g u e on 
Hollis street, he 
w as chosen to 
share Rev. Father 
Milette's labors 
and was assigned 
to a nucleus of a 
]Kirish on the north 
side of the city; his 
zealous labor in 
llie past ten years 
lias been abun- 
dantly blessed , 
and the parish of 
St. Francis Xavier, 
of which he is the 
honored pastor, 
has (July, 1896;, 
lai<l the corner- 
stone of a church 
edifice, on Chan- 
dler street, which 
will be among the 
first in the city. 
Rev. Father Les- 
sard is a courteous 

and affatile priest and citizen, who has the confidence and 
respect of the entire community. 

VERY REV. JOHN O'DONNELL, V. G. 

Very Rev. John O'Donnell. V. G., was born at Donegal, 
Ireland, Nov. 22. 1821. died at Nashua, Jan. 22, 1882. He 
was a son of Dennis and Mary Ann (McGrath ) O'Donnell. 
both of whom were connected with the best families in 
the country in which they were reared, and possessed of 
a laudable ambition to give their children greater advan- 




\'i;rv ]{1-:\. JOHN (i'ihiwki.i,, v. <.;. 



tages in the matter of education and opportunity than 
they themselves had enjoyed. They accordingly emi- 
grated to .\merica. 

Father O'Donnell obtained his primary education in the 
•schools of his native place and shortly after his arrival 
in this country entered Mount St. Mary's college at 
F;mniitsl)urg, Md.. where he was graduated in 1847. He 
was ordained the same year at the cathedral in Boston, 
and appointed pastor of a mission at Eastport, Me. In 
this limited field of labor he ex-liiliitcd tact, talent and ex- 
ecutive ability and 
the result was 
his transfer to 
St. Domi nick's 
church, Portland. 
It was at the time 
when Neal Dow 
and his followers 
were struggling to 
make Maine a pro- 
hibition state and 
Father O'Donnell 
— being a man of 
positive convic- 
tions and pos- 
sessed of the cour- 
age of those con- 
victions — advo- 
cated a license 
law. His observa- 
tion led him to 
believe, that all 
things considered. 
t h e c a u s e o f 
temperance and 
morality would be 
better conserved 
by a rigid control 
of the sale of 
intoxicatingliquor 
than by prohibi- 
tion, for. as he 
s a w the evil, 
men will debauch 
themselves de- 
spite law, and pro- 
hibition often 
leads to i)erjury. 
I'ather O'Donnell 
stated his views 
fairly ami honestly 
init for all that 
the leaders of total 
abstinence bitterly 
assailed him, orally and through the coUimns of the 
press, and later endeavored to hold him responsible for 
the riot and bloodshed that were witnessed in Portland 
when an attempt was made to enforce the prohibition 
laws. He, however, never felt that he was in any way 
responsible. He had simply .stated his views as he had a 
right to do. and, moreover, the sad outcome was not owing 
to the method he had advised in dealing with the issue, 
but to the methods in law of tho.se who opposed his views. 
In 1855. after the installation of the first bishop of the 
diocese of Portland, Father O'Donnell was assigned to 



144 



If /STORY or XAS/frA. X. H. 



Nashua. Before he came here Sunday rioting was the 
rule rather than the exception. He held services in the 
Franklin hall, as the opera house was then called, ami 
in a very short time restored order among his people and 
won the respect and confidence of the community. He 
purchased, with his own money, land on Temple street 
and set off to the diocese a lot for a church edifice and then 
set to work to build the same. It was a great under- 
taking for that day, but he overcame all obstacles and in 
November, 1857, at the time of the great financial panic, 
the Church of the Immaculate Conception — of which he 
was the founder and in the yard of which his body lies 
buried— was duly consecrated. A few years later a con- 
troversy arose over the parsonage and lot, which he built 
with his own funds, and the diocese requested a free deed 
of the same. Father O'Donnell knew his rights, and, as 
in every crisis of his career, was able to maintain them. 
He explained the matter and declined to act. His sus- 
pension followed and another priest was sent to take his 
place. The affairs of the parish then went from bad to 
worse. The people clamored for his return and the Viishop, 
a man of rare good sense, settled with Father O'Donnell 
and reinstated him as pastor of the church he founded, 
in which sacred office he officiated until his death. The 
twenty-fifth anniversary of the dedication of the church 
he founded was a great event in Nashua. His people had 
its walls beautifully frescoed at great cost and at the 
reception, following mass by the bishop, he was honored 
with the congratulations of people of all denominations, 
who called at the parochial parsonage. 

That F~ather O'Donnell had the confidence and highest 
esteem of all loyal Nashuans, without regard to creed or 
politics, was shown on many occasions. They loved him 
because of the sublime manhood he exhibited in asserting 
his rights, for his broad catholicit}' that recognized all men 
as brethren, for the loyal support of the cause and flag of 
his adopted country, for his interest in popular education, 
but most of all for the warm fatherly greeting that char- 
acterized his deportment when abroad among the people. 
All these things are in evidence over and over again in 
the story of his life. At his altar and at public meetings 
in the City Hall he proclaimed the doctrine of emancipa- 
tion, and when Lincoln fell by the hand of an assassin, 
he denounced the act in a public speech with tears that 
choked his utterance. Often he went unobtrusively' to 
the homes of other faith than his own and offered the 
condolence and sympathy of a citizen. Every political 
organization recognized his devotion to the schools, and 
the returns of his last election as a member of the board 
of education, show that not a ballot was cast against 
him. His door was always ajar for teachers and scholars, 
and in him they found a safe counsellor and a sympa- 
thizing friend, and when his life on earth ended the school 
board of which he was an honored member named the 
school building on Chandler street, the O'Donnell school, 
in honor of his memory. He gave his handsome set of 
the Kncyclopx-dia Brittannica to the High school, and to 
this time his portrait hangs in several schoolrooms. His 
life was an exceedingly busy and laborious, as well as an 
eminently useful one. In his efforts to advance the gen- 
eral interests of hunianit\-, to upbuild and strengthen 
character, and especially to promote and establish the 
religion of the Master, as the foundation of true and hon- 
orable lives in this world, and the only hope for the 
future, he was indefatigable. His memory is a sacred 
page on the history of the generation he served. 



SUMNER MORGAN. 

Sumner Morgan, son of Isaac and Tabitha (Pear.son') 
Morgan, was born at Washington, June 6, 1803, died at 
Nashua. .\ug. 27, 1885. He was a descendant, on the 




SUMNEK MORGAN. 

paternal side, of Robert Morgan, who came to America 
from England in 1650, and settled at Salem, Mass., and 
was the progenitor of a family that has become widely 
scattered, and has made honorable records in the civic and 
militarv affairs of the country. On the maternal side he 
was a descendant in the line of Thomas Pearson, a man 
who was among the pioneers of that part of Old Dunsta- 
ble, now known as Nashua, and honored by his townstnen. 
Mr. Morgan was educated in the public schools of his 
native place, and early in life settled in Nashua. His 
business was that of a butcher and provision dealer, and 
at one time he was located in the basement of the City 
Hall building. He acquired a fine tract of land on what 
is now known as Morgan street, and after retiring from 
mercantile life busied himself in agricultural pursuits. 
Mr. Morgan was an old school gentleman ; a man of 
unblemished character, strict integrity and modest citi- 
zenship. He made a constant and earnest endeavor to 
promote the welfare of Nashua and Nashuans, and was 
faithful to every trust. From i86o to 1870 he resided in 
Merrimack, where he served the town on its board of 
selectmen. He was an attendant of the Olive Street 
church. Mr. Morgan was married three times; first, 
Nov. 25, 1830, with Jane E. Pearson, daughter of Thomas 
Pearson, whose ancestors came to this country in 1685 
and settled at Reading, Mass. ; second, Dec. 27, 1836, with 
Mary P. Fry, daughter of Roland and Mary (Young) 
Fry. His third wife's name was Mrs. Rebecca Butler, 
FeV). 7, 1861. Eight children were born to him; by his 
first marriage, Ellen J., Dec. 25, 1831, married ,Saniuel C. 
Barnes; Edward S., March 27, 1833, died Dec. 15, 1864; 
by his second marriage, Caroline E., Oct. 24, 1838, mar- 
ried Rev. Hiram G. Blair; Abby K., Aug. 6, 1841, married 
Irving Estey ; Charles W., Dec. 4, 1842, married Mary L. 
Longa, and, second, Rosabel E. Brown; three who died 
in infancy'. Both his .sons served their country in the army 
during the Civil War, and both were wounded in battle. 



jf/s'mRV or .y.is//f''.-i, n. h. 



145 



JOHN GRAY BLUNT. 

John C. Uliiiit. soil of Joliii anil Mary (Estey) Blunt, 
was born in Amherst, Aug. 23, 1S17, died at his summer 
home at Marblehead, Mass., July 24, 1883. He was edu- 
cated in the puljlic schools of his native place and at the 
Nashua Literary institution. In 1837 he settled in Nashua 
and eiiKajjed in the grocery trade with his father. Later 
he was in liusiness alone, and in 1832, Warren J. Cooper 
became his partner under the firm name of Blunt & Co. 
lu 1839, his son, E. 
O. Blunt became 
his partner under 
the firm name of 
J. G. Blunt & Son, 
and from that time 
and since his 
death, the business 
has been con- 
ducted under the 
old sign, it being 
the oldest mercan- 
tile house in the 
citv. Mr. Blunt 
was a successful 
and honorable 
merchant, diligent 
in bus iness and 
generous in his 
dealings. He was 
one of the founders 
of the Pearl street 
Congregational 
church and a lib- 
eral contributor to 
its support, his 
gift to the organ 
fund alone being 
Ji,5tx). 1 n I 889, 
when the church 
united with the 
Olive Street 
church, he became 
a member of the 
new organization, 
— the Pilgrim 
church, and, as in 
the old church, 
held the office of 
deacon. Mr. Blunt 
represented Ward 
Six in the board 
of aldermen in 
1859 and i860 and 

in the legislature in 1861 and 1862. His tastes and habits 
were such as led him to prefer the quiet and retirement 
of home life, rather than the bustle and excitement of 
politics and he declined further political honors. Mr. 
Blunt was united in marriage Dec. 18, 1845, with Caroline 
Ball. P'our children were born of their marriage ; Edward 
O., born -Aug. 4, 1847, married Lucette Harmon, died 
.\pril 14, 1896; Charles E., born Oct. 15, 1849, married 
Emily A. Clark; Mary E., born Feb. 18, 1853, married 
George E. Holt, who died May 14, 1894; .Alfred A., Jan. 
28, 1838, died Nov. 29, 1885. 




ALLEN WILSON. 

-■Mien Wilson was born at Tyngsboro, Mass., .\ugust 27, 
1823, died Feb. 27, 1892. He was a son of .Allen and El- 
mira (Sherburn) Wilson and a descendant of the early 
settlers of the country lying along the banks of the Mer- 
rimack river between Nashua and Chelmsford. His father 
was drow-ned when he was three months old and his 
inothcr subsequently married a Mr. I'"anner. He lived 
wiUi his lirolhcrs and sisters until he was able to take 

care of himself and 
was in everj- sense 
of the word a self- 
made man. 

Mr. Wilson was 
educated in the 
])ublic schools of 
his native place 
and at the aca- 
demy in Newbury, 
\t. He learned 
the trade of a reed 
maker and fol- 
lowed that occu- 
pation till the con- 
<lition of his health 
admonished him 
that he must 
change his occu- 
pation, whereupon 
he established a 
restaurant at the 
Concord railroad 
station where he 
remained thirty- 
one years, and, it 
being a junction 
for passengers 
passing through 
southern New 
Hampshire, be- 
came one of the 
best known men 
in the state. Nor 
is it too much to 
say of him that he 
was most highly 
regarded by the. 
public. Of corn- 
Ill a 11 ding pres- 
ence, a rare good 
talker on current 
themes, of unques- 
tioned upright- 
ness in his religious and civic life, kind and sympathetic 
in dealing with the poor and unfortunate, a liberal con- 
tributor to every good cause, he was as near the ideal of 
perfect manhood as it is possible to attain in a world 
of bargain-making and of money-getting, temptations 
and folly. 

Mr. Wilson was much in public life and conspicuous in 
the every-day affairs of the city. He served in the first 
and second common council from Ward Three in 1853 and 
1854, and was tw-ice chosen to represent his ward in the 
legislature, his seat being successfully contested one of 



JOIIX GR.W lil.UNT. 



146 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



the terms by his Democratic opponent. Later he was 
urged to accept a nomination for assessor and still later, 
when his hundreds of friends were urging his nomination 
as a candidate for the Mayoralt)-, and it was a foregone 
conclusion that he was the chosen of the convention, he 
arose in his place and declined the honor. The cares of 
public office had no attraction for him. Mr. Wilson was 
a director many years in the Second National bank, a 
trustee in the Mechanic's Savings bank, and also held 
many other positions of trust, the duties of which he dis- 
charged with ability and fidelity. 

In his religious life he was a Methodist. He was one of 
the supporters of the Lowell street church, a liberal 
contributor for the fund for building the society's Main 
street edifice and in supporting its preacher and missions. 
He was several years superintendent of the Sunday School 
connected with the church, a class leader, steward, and 
also served upon its financial board, and when, by reason 
of failing health, he resigned, his friends in the society 
presented him with a gold headed cane which records in 
its inscription fifty years of membership, from May n, 
1841, to May II, iSgi. He lived a life of honor and prob- 
ity, and in death was mourned by the whole community. 



enterprises until 184S, when, on account of failing health, 
he .sold out to McOuesten and retired to private life on a 
small farm. Mr. Bullard built several houses and took 




ALLEN WIL.SON. 

Mr. Wilson was united in marriage Oct. 18, 1849, with 
Catherine S. Parker, daughter of John and Sarah (Mc- 
Caine) Parker of Peterboro. Mrs. Wilson seconded her 
husband in all good works, and since his death has con- 
tinued the generous giving that endeared him to the peo- 
ple and which gives her a like reputation for loyalt}' to 
God and humanity. There were no children by their 
marriage. 

SOLOMON R. BULLARD. 

Solomon R. Bullard was born in Dedham, Mass., Sept. 
15, 1798, died in Nashua Oct. 10, 1866. He was a son of 
John and Abigail (Richards) Bullard. Mr. Bullard was 
educated in the public schools of his native place. He 
came to Nashua in September, 1831, and engaged in trade. 
He also had a pecuniary interest in a sawmill and other 




SOLOMON' K. BLTLLAKD. 
an active interest in everything calculated to promote 
good morals and advance the material interests of Nash- 
ua. He served the town of Nashville one or two years on 
the board of selectmen, and as street commissioner, and 
represented in the legislature. He attended the Baptist 
church and was a true man in all the relations of life. 
Mr. Bullard was united in marriage Feb. 6, 1826, with 
Sarah F. Sanborn, daughter of Moses and Nancy (Fogg) 
Sanborn of Epping. Three sons were born of his mar- 
riage ; Henr}' M., born atWatertown, Mass., Nov. 7, 1827, 
married Oct. 11, 1853, Sophia P. Patten of Raymond; 
Solomon Chester, born in Nashua Sept. 28, 1832, married 
Dec. I, 1859, Sarah W. Fisher, died Nov. 12, 1884; Dura 
Pratt, born in Nashua Feb. 22, 1839, died June 23, 1843. 

JOHN GARDNER KIMBALL. 

John G. Kimball, son of Dea. Isaac and Lucinda (Ten- 
ney) Kimball, was born at Mason Village, now Greenville, 
Sept. 14, 1827, died at the Shirley Hill house in Goffstown 
where he was spending his vacation, Oct. 19, 1886. His 
immigrant ancestor, Richard Kimball, came to America 
from Suffolk county, Eng., in April, 1634. 

Mr. Kimball attended the public schools at Temple, to 
which place his parents removed when he was two j'ears 
of age, and was a student at the academies in Hancock 
and Francestown. Later he attended the Normal insti- 
tute at Reed's Ferry, and after that taught school. Still 
later he spent a year in Boston, where he was graduated 
in 1855 from Comer's Commercial college. The next two 
years were spent in Philadelphia. In April, 1857, he 
came to Nashua, and here he had his home until his 
death. From 1857 to 1864 he was engaged in the express 
business with Hon. Hiram T. Morrill, and after that he 
was a busy man of affairs, being clerk of the common 
council in i860 and 1862, city clerk from 1863 to 1866, and 
citv treasurer several years, cashier of the Indian Head 
National bank eight years, and the greater part of this 



HISTORY OF .VASHCU X. If. 



147 



liiiK' (loin,tc an extensive insurance business. In 1876 he 
was appointed b\- the governor and council a member of 
llie board of bank commissioners, a position which he 
held until 1880 and the duties of which he performed 
with exceptional ability. Mr. Kimball represented his 
ward in the constitutional convention of 1876 and in the 
first biennial session of the legislature of 1879. He served 
his constituents with fidelity and was instrumental in ob- 
taining the charter for the New Hampshire banking com- 
pany and Guaranty Savings bank, which institution he 
organized in 1880. He was a member of its lioard of trus- 
tees and its treasurer until his death. Mr. Kimball was 
a director in the First National bank, president of the 
fnderhill Rdge Tool company, and treasurer of the 
Peterboro railroad. Besides these important trusts, he 
was an active citizen in matters of public concern. Mr. 
Kindiall was universally esteemed and trusted. He was 




JOHN GARDNER KIMB.\LL. 

a man who gave his influence to advance the interests of 
Uie church, the state and society. He was amember of 
the First Congregational church and society, and held the 
office of treasurer in the latter organization nearly tw-enty- 
five years. He was also a member of Rising Sun lodge, 
.\. F. and A. M., and of Pennichuck lodge, I. O. O. F. 

Mr. Kimball was united in marriage Nov. 19, 1857, with 
Betsy C. Spalding, daughter of Capt. Ira Spalding of Mer- 
rimack. Mrs. Kimball is a descendant of Edward Spald- 
ing, who came to this country from England about 1633. 
Six children were born of their marriage ; Elwood Davis, 
born Sept. 29, 1859, married Luella .\. Johnson of Burton, 
Ohio, and who resides at Wichita, Kansas ; .\nnie Rand- 
lett, born Jan. 28. 1862, died Jan. 8, 1868; Elizabeth Gard- 
ner, born July 5, 1869; John Hovey, born Jan. 21, 1871 ; 
Ralph Tenny, born F'eb. 21, 1873; Richard Spalding, born 
March 12, 1879. 



SAMUEL SHEPHERD. 

Samuel Shepherd was born in Dedham, Mass., .^pril 8, 
iSoi, died in Nashua, Ajiril 10, 1889. He studied archi- 
tecture with Ashur Benjamin, of Boston and was a 
mechanical engineer and inventor of marked ability. 
Mr. Shepherd settled in Nashua in 1824, and for a time 
was engaged in making doors, sashes and windows. The 
process was too slow for a man of his genius and conse- 
quently he studied improvements and evolved machinery 
with which to do the work. His inventions revolution- 
ized the business. A little later he became superintendent 
of the entire building department of the Jackson companj' 
and built its first mill buildings to the entire satisfaction 
of agents and owners. Mr. Shepherd's next venture was 
in Boston, where he added new* devices to his inventions 
and built and equipped for a stock company mills for the 
manufacture of doors, sash and blinds. In 1842, he 
draughted the plans for the City Hall building, Nashua, 
and served upon the town committee that built it. Mr. 
Shepherd spent fifteen years in the southern states, being 
largely engaged in mechanical pursuits, and meantime, 
inventing the cotton-gin and other labor-saving machines. 
Later in life he gave pretty much all his time to invention. 

Mr. Shepherd was a member of the F'irst Congregational 
church, a deacon for many years in its organization and a 
pioneer in Sunday-school work. He was a good man and 
highly respected by the community. 

JOHN .A. BALDWIN. 

John A. Balilwin was born in Boston, Mass., Dec. 20, 
1793, died in Nashua, .\pril 10, 1873. He was a descendant 
of the Baldwin family that came from England in the 
seventeenth century and settled at Woburn, Mass. The 
Baldwins were conspicuous in the struggles of the colonies 
to free themselves from British rule and several of them 
were soldiers of the Revolutionary War. The genealogy 
of the family is published in book form and is an inter- 
esting work to persons bearing that name or connected 
by marriage. 

JSIr. Baldwin was educated in the common schools of 
Boston. He came to Nashua in 1825, and was emplo^-ed 
until his death as paymaster of the Nashua Manufacturing 
company, — fort3'-seven years. Mr. Baldwin was among 
the first citizens of Nashua in all things and took a deep 
interest in whatever his judgment commended for the 
interest of the city and the people. He served the town 
as chairman of the board of selectmen in 1846 and 1847, 
was town treasurer in 1848, and sat in the first and second 
common council as the representative of Ward Five, and 
during the next two years, 1855 and 1856, was a member 
of the board of aldermen. In the dark days of the Civil 
War no man in Nashua was more loyal than Mr. Baldwin 
or willingly sacrificed more, according to his means and 
opportunity, in all of which he was seconded by Mrs. 
Baldwin, than whom a more honored wife and mother 
never lived. He was a member of the Unitarian church 
and superintendent of the Sunday-school of the parish 
thirty-five years. 

Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage Oct. 26, 1826, with 
Sarah Collins, daughter of John and Sarah (Avery) 
Collins. Seven children were born of their marriage, 
four of whom are living ; Marian Baldwin, Newton Centre, 
Mass. ; John A. Baldwin, Brookliue, Mass. ; Mary A. and 
Lucy A. of Nashua.) 



148 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

BY JAMES S. BLACK. 

THE ecclesiastical history of any New England community forms no small part of the whole 
story. It throws light upon the religious and ethical progress of society, upon much self. 
denying zeal, and also upon sectarian strife and narrowness. The evolution of church 
architecture and music indicates the progress of the testhetic, while the growing zeal and 
liberality proclaim the moral development. The rise and progress of the various denominations of 
Christians in our city al.so tell the story of the changes that have taken place in the almost exclu- 
sivelv New England community of fifty years ago. It is a happy circumstance that this historical 
chapter has no tale of oppression or of persecution, for conscience sake, to relate. Interdenomina- 
tional courtesy and good feeling has been the rule. The nearest approach to .strife has been not be- 
tween denominations, but in denominations as such, and even of these conscientious differences of 
opinion it can truly be said that they have passed away and left no bitterness behind. 

Presbyterians from I^ondonderry, zealous in their adherence to the Westminster Confession, 
Cono-regationalists, who were con.servative in their tastes and habits, but in doctrine were influenced 
bv Harvard university and ridiculed Whitefield ; and the New Lights, as the zealous followers of 
that great preacher were called, fought out their differences in wordy warfare which found its storm 
centre at the calling and settling of ministers. 

Were we to give the history of the churches with as much detail as several of the churches have 
observed in their ptildished manuals, the limits of this chapter would be transgressed; but as far as 
is possible we give the .story of each congregation as related by its own representative. 

It will be noticed that the churches are arranged in the chronologocal order of their coming to 

the city. 

The following chronological table will enable the reader to follow more clearly the history of 

each of the churches : 

1673 Organization of the town of Dunstable. 

1678 The first church in the village of Dun.stable. It was a log house about twenty feet .square. 

16S4 A new meeting-house was built. 

1685 A church was organized and Mr. Weld ordained as minister. 

1738 A new meeting-house erected. 

1747 A church was built a few rods north of the Old vSouth church in Dunstable, New Hampsliire. 

1753 A meeting-house built two miles below the present City hall. 

1761 At a town meeting the New England Confession of Faith was adopted. 

1766 Voted that the civil connection between the town and the minister of the church should 

cease. 

181 2 The Old South meeting-house was built. 

18 18 Organization of the First Universalist society. 

1819 The First Baptist society in Dunstable, N. H., (now Nashua) was formed. 
1S25 Olive Street church built. 

1826 Olive Street church purcha.sed by Congregationalists. 

1826 First Unitarian society organized. 

1S31 First Methodist Episcopal services in tlie city. 

1833 Reorganization of the Universalist church. 

1833 The First Baptist church built on the present site. 

1835 First Congregational church, Main street, dedicated. 

1836 Second Baptist church, corner of West Pearl and Chestnut .streets. 

1838 Free Will Baptist church organized. 

1839 Old Universalist church on west side of Main .street built. 
1S45 First Episcopal church service in Nashua. 

1847 Pearl street church (3rd Congregational) dedicated, now owned by the Universalist church. 
1850 New First Baptist church dedicated. 



HISTORY OF iXASin-A, X. If. 



149 



1857 
1868 
1870 

1873 
1878 
1882 
1886 
1894 



Church of the Immaculate Conception consecrated. 
Main .Street Methoilist ICpiscopal chnrch dedicated. 
First Congregational church, Main street, rebuilt. 
Church of St. Aloysius consecrated. 
Church of the Good Shepherd con.secrated. 
Pilgrim church dedicated. 
St. Francis Xavier church consecrated. 
Present First Congregational church dedicated. 

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 



Upon Dec. 16, 1685, in a new meeting-house, built of logs and located near the old burying- 
ground, four miles down the L,owell road, the present First Congregational church of Nashua, then 
called the Congregational church of Dunstable, was organized. Immediately after its organization 




THE FIHST CONCREGATIONAI. CHl'liCH. 

this church with its seven memtiers, stood as a sentinel at the \-ery fore-front of Christ's spiritual 
forces in this part of the newly occupied continent. No church north of it in the whole stretch of 
territory up to the Canada line. No church east of it nearer than Hampton and none south or 
west for several miles. Just how many families there were at that time to worship in the little 
meeting-house we have no means of knowing. 

Thomas Weld, the first pastor, came from Roxbury, Mass. Jonathan Tyng, whose name stands 
first upon the roll of church-membership, came from Boston. 

John Blanchard, who was elected a deacon of the church at its formation, had his early training 
in Charlestown, Mass. 

Samuel French was born in Candjridge. Henry Farwell was a descendant of Henry Farwell of 
Concord, Mass. Indeed, most of the original settlers of Dunstable came either from Boston or its 
neighboring towns. This fact shows that they were eminently Puritan in their birth and breeding. 
The outlines of the history of the church may be traced through its line of ministers. 



ISO 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Rev. Thomas Weld, the first pastor, was probably ordained in 16S5 and continued his ministry 
until 1702, when, as is supposed, he was murdered by the Indians. 

Rev. Nathaniel Prentice was .settled in 17 18 and died in office in 1737. 

Rev. Josiah Swan was settled in 173S and dismissed in 1746. 

Rev. Samuel Bird was .settled in 1746 and dismissed in 1751. 

Rev. Jo.seph Kidder was settled in 1767 and dismissed in 1796. 

Andrew Elliott Thayer, who was ordained in 1806, was not mini.ster of the church, but supplied 
the pulpit for some time before his ordination. 




FIU.ST CONGREGATION.VL CHUIiCM,— .MAIN STREET, 

[Now Church of the Free Will r!:iptists.] 



Rev. Ebenezer B. Sperry was settled in 1813 and dismissed in 1819. 

Rev. Handel G. Nott was settled in 1826 and dismissed in 1834. Previous to the dismission of 
Mr. Nott, he publicly announced that he could no longer administer the ordinance of baptism to 
infants. This resulted in a division of the church. A very slight majority resented the action of the 
society in securing Mr. Nott's services as " supplj- " for the vacant pulpit. The}- withdrew and held 
worship in the Greeley building, being recognized as the First Congregational church. 

Rev. Jonathan McGee, the first pastor after the division, was settled in January, 1835. In August 
of the same year the society completed their new house of worship at a cost of $10,000. This house 
served the societj' until April 16, 1870, when it was destroyed b_v fire. 



H/STOKV OF NASHUA, N. H. 151 

Rev. Mr. McGee was dismissed in June, 1842. During his pastorate of seven j-ears and five 
months there were 260 additions to the church, 125 by profession, and 135 by letter. 

Rev. Matthew Hale Smith was settled in September, 1842, and dismissed in June, 1845. During 
liis pastorate of two years and nine months there were 117 additions to the church, 87 by profession 
and 30 by letter. 

Rev. Samuel Lamson was settled in April, 1846, and dismissed in April, 1848. During his 
pastorate of two years there were 29 additions to the church, 11 by profession and 18 by letter. 

Rev. Daniel March was settled in January, 1849, and dismissed in January, 1855. During his 
pastorate of six years there were 133 additions to the church, 82 by profession and 51 by letter. 

Rev. George B. Jewett was settled in May, 1855, and dismi.s.sed in August, 1856. During his 
short pastorate of one year and three months, 22 were added to the church, five by profession and 17 
by letter. 

Rev. Charles J. Hill was settled in January, 1857, and dismissed in April, 1864. During hi.s 
pastorate of seven years and three months there were 144 additions to the church, 102 by profession 
and 42 b\- letter. 

Rev. Elias C. Hooker was settled in September, 1865, and dismis.sed in August, 1868. During 
his pastorate of two years and eleven months there were 53 additions to the church, 32 by profession 
and 21 bv letter. 

Rev. Prederick Alvord was settled July 6, 1869, and dismissed May, 1883. During his pastorate 
of thirteen years and ten months there were 290 additions to the church, 161 by profession and 129 by 
letter. 

Rev. Cyrus Richardson was settled Aug. 30, 1883. During his pastorate thus far three hundred 
ha\e united with the church, 159 by profession and 141 by letter. The church at the present time 
both in membership and in pew rentals is the largest in its history. 

After the meeting hou.se which stood on Main street was burned another was immediately erected 
on the same site at a cost of about $45,000. This building was occupied until the dedication of the 
present structure, which occurred Ma}' 17, 1894. This house is built of granite, costing with land 
and furnishings $125,000 : the spacious lot upon which it stands being the gift of Mrs. Lucy Spalding. 
In strength and beauty as well as in availability of room this house is the finest in the state and has 
few superiors in New England. 

The following statistics will show that the church has developed in benevolence, as much as in 
expenditure on itself. In decades they have been as follows : — 

From 1845 to 1855, .......... $15,200 00 

" 1855 to 1865, 19084 08 

" 1865 to 1875, 11,317 21 

" 1875 to 1885, 9,257 04 

" 1885 to 1895, 32,097 13 



Amounting in the last fifts' years to ...... . $87,455 46 

The above sum has been for pure benevolence aside from the expenses incurred in the ordinary 
support of the church and society. 

On the sixteenth of December, 1885, this church observed its two hundredth anni\-ersary, and 
many of the former members returned to join in the celebration. 

PILGRIM CHURCH. 

For a clear understanding of the history of the church, it is necessary to go back to the conditions 
which led to its establishment. Up to 181 9 the Dunstable church had been a town church, supported 
by the town, and, to an extent, subject to the will of its inhabitants. At this date "church and 
state " were separated and the Dunstable church was left without financial organization of any kind, 
and with little vitality or enterprise. For seven years they had no stated service. Meantime, the 
Nashua village had taken root and begun a vigorous growth. The new comers of the village were 
men of enterprise and push, and they at once began to consider the matter of religious instruction 
and organization. 



152 



HIS TOR}- OF N.-iSHfU, A\ H. 



To this end, upon the twenty-fourth da)^ of June, 1826, they met and organized a corporate 
company called "The First Congregational vSociety of Nashua Village," and provided a sum oi 
$6,000, borrowed at interest, to be used for securing a house of worship. The original thought was 
to purchase the Old South meeting-house of the Dunstable church and remove it to the village. 

At the time of forming this society there was no definite plan as to a church organization to 
occupy the meeting-house when procured, but, doubtless, there were hopes that the Dunstable church 
would consent to do so. The union between the societ\' and the Dunstable church was consummated 
within the first year. 

The Rev. Handel G. Nott was settled Nov. 8, 1826, as pastor over the church at a salary of $Soo 
a year, and he preached in the Old South meeting-house until the purchase of the meeting-house 
built by the Nashua Manufacturing company. It was afterwards known as the Olive .Street 
meeting-house and was situated on the same site as the present Pilgrim church. 




PILGRIM CIIlIRCIi. 



Until July, 1834, the Dunstable church was greatly blessed; new and strong men were constantly 
coming to the village and joining the church, making it strong in numbers and character. At the 
date given above, Mr. Nott announced his change of views on the question of infant baptism. This 
raised a storm of indignation and dissatisfaction on the part of many members of the church. 

The Christian people of that time had been held to liberal ideas, or at least to liberal action, by 
the fact that all opinions had equal rights or tolerance in a " state church," but when freed, to a 
degree, from this binding force, the reaction drove the church members into numerous sects, dividing 
on points and opinions which would now be considered of minor importance. A council was called 
Oct. 7, 1834. Mr. Nott was commended for high Christian character by this council, but he was no 
longer recognized as a proper pastor for a Congregational church and he was dismissed from his 
pastorate. 

After his dismission the society hired him as a temporary supply until a suitable pastor could be 
secured. Upon this action on the part of the society, the officers of the church called a meeting of 
the church and voted to secede from the societv. The vote was a tie, the chairman voting. At an 



///SrOA'}- Of X.IS/Zf.l, A'.//. 153 

adjourned meetint,^ the measure was passed by a inajorily of one, and so the church, with its officers 
and its records, disconnected itself from the society. 

A council, held December 11, 1X7,4, decided that the " come-outers " were the church. On 
December 31, iS;,4, a new church was formed and called itself "The I'ir.st Church of Nashua 
\'illase," and was recognized as a Congregational church by a council held Oct. 31, 1835. The 
articles of faith of the new church were the same as those of the first church of Dun.stal)le, except 
that the matter of infant baptism was left to the choice of parents, most of the members favoring the 
ordinance, 

.\s first organized this churcli had one hundred and forty-three members. 

At a meeting of the church held January 25, 1836, a call was extended to Rev. Austin Richards 
to become its pastor. He was installed April 6, 1836. On February 8, 1846, the name of the 
church was changed to " The (^live Street church." 

On Augu.st I, 1846, the church voted to encourage the formation of another Congreo-ational 
church, and upon the twenty-ninth of August, 1846, Josiah Kittredge and fifty others were dismissed 
for the purpose of forming such a church. 

March 23, 1862, Rev. G. D. Pike was installed as assistant pastor. Mr. Pike resigned May, 1865, 
to become a secretary of the American Missionary association. After a pastorate of thirty years Mr. 
Richards resigned and was dismissed Nov. 16, 1867. 

December 17, 1S67, the Rev. Hiram Mead was installed as pastor. During his pastorate the 
parsonage was built. He was dismissed Sept. 22, 1869, to occupy a professor.ship at Oberlin. 

On March 31, 1870, the Rev. James S. Black was ordained and installed over the church, and 
resigned June 29, 1874. Dec. 17, 1874, the Rev. S. S. Martyn was installed, and was di.smissed 
Jan. I, 1S76. November, 1876, Rev. J. K. Aldrich was employed as acting pastor. 

At a meeting held in May, 1879, it was voted to appoint a committee to arrange for a union of 
the Olive and Pearl Street churches. 

The old Olive Street church is proud of two of her sons who attained to usefulness and 
prominence as ministers of the gospel. The late Rev. Samuel Spalding of Xewburyport was a man of 
fine scholarship. The Rev. Dr. James Powell gave the greater part of his official life to the 
American Missionary Association, and his praise is in all the churches. 

THE PEARL STREET CHURCH. 

We have seen that on August 29, 1846, fifty members withdrew from the Olive Street church for 
the purpose of forming a new church. The organization was effected Sept. 3, 1846, and called the 
" Third Orthodo.x Congregational church." Services were held in the City hall while a new meeting- 
house was being built. Nov. 21, 1847, the new house was dedicated. In January, 1848, it assumed 
the name of "The Pearl Street church." 

June 24, 1847, the Rev. Leonard Swain was ordained and installed as jiastor with a salary of 
$1200 without parsonage. Mr. Swain was dismissed April 5, 1852, at his own request, to occupv a 
larger place in Providence, R. I. 

August 16, 1853, the Rev. ]•'. E. Adams was installed. He was dismissed July 16, 1857. Feb. 
24, 1858, the Rev. Edward H. Greeley was installed, and dismissed May 17, i860. He was followed 
Dec. 7, 1861. by Rev. B. F. Parsons. On June 18, 1867, Mr. Parsons was dismissed. On Dec. 3, 
1867, the Rev. W. L. Gaylord was installed as pastor, and was dismissed Oct. 27, 1870. Dec. 17, 
1871, Rev. Clias. Wetherby was installed, and was dismissed March 28, 1879. 

For some years the feeling had obtained both in the Olive Street and the Pearl Street churches 
that the best interests of the church required a union of the congregations. This union was, after 
careful negotiation, happily accomplished, and the new organization assumed the name of the Pilgrim 
church. Rev. George W. Grover was the first pastor. He was installed in December, 1879, and dis- 
missed by Council, at his own reque.st in F'ebruary, 1894. 

The Pearl vStreet church was sold, the old Olive Street building was taken down, and, on its site 
the Pilgrim church was built. It was dedicated March 30, 1882. 



154 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

The chapel of the church originally occupied the site of the present fire engine house. It was 
removed to the site of the present chapel in 1S71. The present beautiful and commodious chapel was 
dedicated March 16, 1893. 

The present pastor, Rev. R. A. Beard, D. D., was installed September 29, 1S94. 

THE UN'IVERSALIST CHURCH. 

The first Universalist society was formed January 27, 1818. There were twenty-eight who 
signed the original resolutions looking towards the formation of the society. The moving spirit in 
this enterprise was Israel Hunt, the father of General Israel and John M. Hunt. In 1819 the society 
was formally organized in Dunstable, N. H., with forty members and Israel Hunt, Junior, was 
chosen as clerk. Rev. Charles Hudson was the first pastor. This original Universalist church 
became merged with the Unitarian society. It was not until 1833 that the society, as a distinct 
organization, was reorganized, and for two years worshipped in the Old South church under the 
pastoral care of Rev. A. P. Cleverly. In 1839 they took possession of their former church on the 
west side of Main street, and for six years Rev. U. C. Browne was the pastor. He retired on account 
of ill health, but after two years he was re-installed and remained until 1853. During his absence on 
account of ill health the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Dr. W. H. Ryder. His successor was Rev. Dr. 
Charles H. Fay, 1853-1855. The next pastor, Rev. O. D. Miller, 1855-1860; followed by Rev. J. O. 
Skinner, 1860-1S63. Rev. Thomas L. Gorman's pastorate 1863-1866. Rev. Dr. G. T. Flanders was 
pastor for five years, and he was succeeded by Rev. Dr. S. H. McCollister, who, much to the regret 
of his people, was called in 1872 to the presidenc)- of Buchtel college. He was followed by Rev. H. 
A. Philbrook, whose successor, the Rev. Dr. H. B. vSmith, although he has resigned his charge, is a 
much esteemed citizen of Nashua. The present pastor is Rev. F. A. Gray. 

When the union of the Olive Street and Pearl .Street Congregational churches took place, the 
Pearl Street church was purchased by the Universalist society, and is their present house of 
worship. 

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 

After much thought, consideration, and planning for months and even years, " The First Baptist 
Society " in Dunstable, N. H., was formed May 3, 1819, when twenty-three men adopted and signed 
its constitution, the same year that the New Hampshire legislature, under the administration of Gov. 
Samuel Bell, passed the "Toleration Act," so called, the most important and far reaching measure 
of that session, according to Barstow's History of New Hampshire, as it, for the first time, placed all 
religious sects in the state upon equal ground and made them dependent upon the voluntary 
contributions of the people for their support. 

This society sustained occasional preaching in abandoned meeting-houses, in school-houses, and 
in private dwellings as opportunity presented. Under the new law of liberty, the Baptists were 
inspired with renewed courage and hope. Still few and weak, "The First Baptist Church" was 
constituted July 10, 1822, of fifteen members, who had previously belonged to neighboring Baptist 
churches, six men and nine women. James Baldwin, the father of the late Hon. Josephus Baldwin, 
was the first name on the list. The organization of the church took place in a school-house that 
stood just north of the residence of the late Gen. George Stark. 

This church was for ten years without a meeting-house, or means to build one. In this respect, 
at least, it was according to the pattern of the New Testament churches which was a source of much 
encouragement. 

In September of 1822, the church united with the "Boston Baptist Association," from which 
it received sympathy and some pecuniary aid. Preaching was now enjoyed more frequently than 
before; still it was only for a few Sabbaths in succession until 1828. In May of that year, Rev. 
Bartlett Pease accepted an invitation to act as stated supply, and remained fourteen months. 
Previous to his coming only six had been received by letter and one by baptism. During the 
ministry of Mr. Pease to this church, nineteen were received h\ letter and nine by baptism. 

Jan. 26, 1830, Rev. Caleb Shute was recei\-ed by letter from the Second Baptist church of Boston, 



HISTOUV OF NAS/fL'A, A'. //. 



155 



and was ordained as pastor elect Feb. 25. During his V)rief ministry, of less than a year, he received 
t\veiit\--seven members into the church, all but one, by baptism. 

vStill new trials awaited the little flock. June 12, 1831, Rev. John K. Weston visited the church, 
preached, and administered the ordinances. The members received him cordially, and gave him a 
call to be their overseer, which he accejited. He was on his way to the village to preach on the 
ensuing vSabbath. He .stopped to give his horse some water in Sandy pond, in Wilmington, Mass., 
when the horse lost his footing in con.sequence of a deep bank near the edge of the pond, and Mr. 
Weston fell into the water with his carriage, and was drowned. 

The necessity of a meeting-house of their own became every day more apparent. A lot was 
obtained where the present Baptist church now .stands, and a plan was procured for a wooden house 
that would cost about $4,000, nearly equal to all the jiroperty possessed by the Baptists in town at 
that time. Largely through the energy of Mr. Wilson, the house was built and dedicated January 
23, 1S33. This was also the date of the ordination of D. D. Pratt to the mini.stry of the church. 

With their new house of worship and with their new pastor, a new era dawned upon the church, 
which now numbered 109 members. Suksequent years showed that Mr. Pratt was the right man in 
the right place. As an indication of the favor of God upon his ministry, the church increased during 
the first three years of his pastorate from one hundred and nine to three hundred and fifty. It was 
during this period that Prof. David Crosby joined the church. It was at this time also that Rev. H. 
G. Nott, pa.stor of the Olive Street Congregational church, becoming dissatisfied with "infant 
baptism," was immensed by Mr. Pratt in the Nashua river. 

Such was the rapid growth of the church that in 1S36 a second church was started under the 
pastorate of Re\-. N. W. Smith, and a house of worship built on the corner of West Pearl and 
Chestnut streets. In 1S3S Rev. Samuel C. Pratt was ordained as the pastor. This new church had a 
checkered career of three years, when it was again united to the First Baptist society. 

In 1848 the First church reported a membership of five hundred and forty-four, and at this time 
it was strong in manly material and in pecuniary resources. 

The church edifice was burned down October 13, 1848, but under Mr. Pratt's energetic leadership 
a new building arose on the same site and was dedicated January-, 1850. 

During a faithful and efficient ministry of twenty-three years Mr. Pratt welcomed into the church 
nine hundred and fifty-seven; by baptism, four hundred and ninety-five, by letter, four hundred and 
fifty-five, and seven by restoration. He preached his last sermon from John 8:12, with uncommon 
energy and pathos, March 11, 1S55. He was soon prostrated with lung fever, succeeded by paralysis, 
from which he partialh- recovered. But in the autumn he again began to fail, and finally died Nov. 
13, 1855, aged fort)'-nine years, a good pastor and a good citizen. 

Rev. W. H. Eaton, late of Salem, Ma.ss., who was canvassing the state in the interests of the 
"New London Lit. and Sci. Institution," was engaged by Mr. Pratt to supply the pulpit during his 
illness. This he did with so much acceptance, that the committee asked him to continue the supply, 
after Mr. Pratt's decease, for an indefinite future. In January, 1856, the church gave him a call to 
become its pastor, which he accepted, and was regularly installed over the church June 26, 1856. 

The first marked work of grace, under the ministry of Dr. Eaton, was in 1S58, which resulted in 
an ingathering of one hundred and twenty persons: the work was carried on without foreign aid. 
About forty married persons were baptized, and about thirty family altars established. 

Dr. Eaton closed his labors without leaving any stain upon the church or its pulpit in 1869. Dur- 
ing his pastorate he welcomed to the fellowship of the church three hundred and sixty-two persons, one 
hundred and eighty-nine by baptism, one hundred and fiftj'-two by letter, sixteen by experience, and 
five by restoration. Prof. J. W. Churchill, in his historical address, said of him, "While firm and 
unyielding in his personal convictions, he never witheld sj-mpathy and co-operation from any plan for 
the public good which seemed to him to be for the general welfare." 

Dr. W. H. Eaton, D. D., died in Nashua. June 10, 1896, being sur\i\-ed 1)>- his wife, Caroline 
Bartlett Eaton. 

After candidating more or less for about five months, the church extended a call to Rev. H. H. 
Rhees of California to become their pastor, which elicited a favorable repl\', and he commenced his 
labors on July 1, 1870, and on the fourteenth of the same month he was publicly recognized as the 
pastor of the church. 



156 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Mr. Rhees' pastorate covered a period of only two and a half years, but they were fruitful in 
large additions to the rhurch. He gave the hand of fellowship to one hundred and nineteen persons, 
eighty-one by baptism, twenty- nine by letter, eight by experience, and one by restoration. He closed 
his labors with this people Dec. 31, 1872. Since 1878 he has been a mis.sionary in Japan. 

In church meeting held March 27, 1873, the church voted to extend a call to Rev. G. W. 
Nicholson of Essex, Conn., to become their pastor. He accepted the invitation and entered upon 
the duties of his new position on the first of May following. 

There were several seasons of awakening and conversion during Mr. Nicholson's earnest and 
efficient ministry. He showed his faith by his works. He had charge of the church about eight 
years. In that time there were added to the church two hundred and fifty-two persons, one hundred 
and thirt}--six by baptism, seventy-eight by letter, twenty by experience, and eighteen by restoration. 

He was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Johnston, of Ludlow, \'t., who entered upon his labors in 
connection with this church in June, 1S81. As the fruit of his labors of love and works of faith 
during the term of his pastorate of over seven years, he received b}' baptism one hundred and twenty- 
nine, by letter, sixty-seven, by experience, nine, by restoration, one; in all two hundred and six. He 
resigned Sept. 2, 18S8, and in May of the following year he was succeeded by Rev. O. J. White, of 
New Jersey. In the five years of his pastorate he received into the church, by baptism, one hundred 
and seventy-three, by letter, seventy-eight, b>- experience, nine, bj' restoration, two; in all two 
hundred and sixty-two. His pastorate ended August 31, 1894, and he was succeeded on December 
second by the present pastor. Rev. C. L. WHiite, during whose pastorate thus far thirty-nine have 
been received into the church. 



CROWN HILL BAPTIST CHURCH. 

In November of 1883 Rev. J. A. Johnston, pastor, and several of the members of the F^irst Bap- 
tist church of Nashua hired McQuesten's hall in Belvidere, and began holding religious meetings on 
Sundaj' afternoons. On Jan. 6, 1884, the "Belvidere Mission Sunday school " was organized in the 
same hall, and was continued there for seven years; Charles D. Whiting, superintendent, succeeded 
by William H. Lovell. 

May, 1890, Captain E. M. Shaw gave a bond for a deed of a tract of land on Allds street, on 
which to erect a chapel. W. H. Eaton, D. D., John O. Marshall, W. H. Lovell, C. W. Hopkins and 
Charles D. Whiting, all members of the First Bapti.st church, acted as trustees, and organized, under 
the name of the "Crown Hill Baptist Mission." 

In addition to the above donation of land Mr. Shaw agreed to give $500 towards building a 
chapel. This chapel was completed and furnished at an expense of about $3300. 

Dec. 31, 1890, the Baptist chapel on Crown Hill was dedicated. The house is 40 feet wide b)- 52 
feet deep, with a tower 12 feet square containing a belfry in which is hung a bell given by the Ladies' 
Sewing circle of the First Baptist church. The seating capacity accommodates 300 people. On the 
evening of Jan. 12, 1891, the trustees of the mission appointed C. S. Seasholes of Newton Theological 
institution to take charge of the work of the mission. 

April 23, 1891, his resignation was accepted, and on the eleventh of May following, F. R. 
]{nslin of Newton acted as missionary, remaining fifteen months. The trustees were now convinced 
that for the mission to grow into a church, a constant worker on the ground must be secured. Under 
this conviction an invitation was extended to Rev. Thompson A. Howard, who accepted the call, to 
become their pastor, and entered upon his work in November, 1892. 

With his earnest, judicious work it was soon apparent that the time had come when a church 
should be formed. 

This organization was effected Sept. 20, 1893, under the name of the "Crown Hill Baptist 
Church." Fifty-eight names were enrolled as constituent members, the present number is one 
hundred and eight. 

Mr. Howard has proved Ijy his work that he is an able leader, enjoying the distinction of being 
the first pastor. He is held in high esteem by his people. 



///sroA'y (^F x.is//r.i. x. //. 157 

THE UNITARIAN CHURCH. 

In the autumn of 1826 a comparatively small number of persons in sympathy with more liberal 
views of the Christian religion than prevailed among the denominations, united themselves into a 
society known as the " First Unitarian Congregational Society of Dunstable." For the first year it 
hired Ihc churcli built by the Nashua Manufacturing company, familiarly known as the Olive Street 
church, but they soon obtained a religious home of their own, built in a pretty grove of oaks on the 
north side of the river facing what is now Canal street. This house was finished in the spring of 
1827, and, on the twenty-seventli of June of that \ear, was dedicated, and to the present day has been 
occupied by that society. 

Its first pastor was Rev. Nathaniel Gage, whose ministrations extended over a period of seven 
>ears. He was succeeded b\- Rev. Henry I^nunons, who, being in delicate health, was compelled, 
after a ministry of two jears, to ask a dismission. 

The year following, 1838, Rev. Samuel Osgood became its pastor, and under his ministrations the 
church throve and pro.spered exceedingly. Hut, at the end of four years, Mr. Osgood resigned his 
jiastorate to accept a call to Providence, R. I. 

During the next two years the society was without a settled pastor, but toward the close of 1843, 
Re\-. .\. C. L. Arnold was settled but remained only one year. He was succeeded by Rev. S. C. Bul- 
finch, a man of saintly character, who remained its pastor for seven years, and finally withdrew, to the 
great sorrow of all. Rev. Martin \V. Willis came next, but on the breaking out of the Civil War he 
went 1(1 the front as chaplain of the Fourth Regiment. 

In 1.S62 Rev. Samuel S. Stuart, a young man fresh from his theological studies, was settled and 
renu\ined until 1S65. 

Rev. Minot G. Gage, a son of the first minister, followed, and occupied the pulpit to the satisfac- 
tion of all, until 1869, when failing health necessitated his withdrawal from the ministry altogether. 
Rev. Clarence Fowler was the next pastor, but he resigned after a pastorate of only two years, to be 
succeeded, the following year, 1873, by Rev. Thomas L,. Gorman, a former clergyman of the Univer- 
salist faith. x\fter a sennce of five years, Mr. Gorman gave place of Rev. Henry C. Parker, who re- 
mained until 1888, nearly ten years. He resigned to accept a call to a larger field, and was succeeded 
by Rev. Cary F. Abbott, who remained a little less than three years. He was succeeded by Rev. 
luioch Powell, who was settled early in 1892 and is the present pastor. 

THE METHODIST CHURCH. 

Methodism came to this country in 1760, was brought to New Kngland some thirty-eight years 
later, liut did not appear in this community in organized form until 1831. 

Sometime in the fall or early winter of 1831 Rev. Samuel Norris, a Methodist preacher, came to 
Dunstable, and twice on the same daj' preached the gospel of Methodism. 

In Augu.st, 1832, the N. H. Conference met at Lyndon, Vernunit, Bishop Roberts presiding. A 
request from this little band for preacher was granted, and Dunstable became a regular appointment 
as a part of Amoskeag circuit. James G. Smith was put in charge of this circuit, with William E. 
Locke as his colleague. Besides Dunstable, the preaching places were Amoskeag and Amherst. 
They found at this station a society with al)Out forty members. The meetings were held in a school 
house on the Indian Head corporation. 

The first church was built in 1833, and dedicated Nov. 12, at the junction of Orange and Lowell 
streets. After some reverses, the church rallied under the pastorate of Rev. William D. Cass, in 1835. 

In 1838 the Rev. Jared Perkins was pastor and the membershi]) was two hundred and fifty. He 
was one of the most popular men of his time both in church and .state. He was elected to congress 
and performed honorable service. He died in 1854, when pastor of the Chestnut Street church. 

In 1843 Lorenzo D. Barrows became pastor. At this time the town of Nashua had been divided, 
and that portion north of the river became the town of Nashville, and so remained for about ten years, 
and when re-united became the city of Nashua. In April of this year certain members of the church 
living on the south side of the river organized a Second Methodist society, .securing the church on 



158 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Chestnut street, formerly occupied by the Baptists, and started under very flattering auspices, but it 
greath^ weakened the First church, and made it a year of trial. Mr. Barrows returned the second 
3-ear, but soon failed in health, and in the middle of the year was compelled to leave and seek a differ- 
ent climate. J. Ci. vSmith, the finst pastor, filled out the Conference year, and about the time of Con- 
ference, May, 1845, another secession took place, in which Ezra Drowne, one of the leading members 
and original ones, and B. L. Jones, donor of the church lot, were leading spirits. Disaffection was 
the cause and the slavery question was also involved in it. A Wesleyan Methodist society was formed 

and services were held in the old Free Will 
Baptist church, opposite the freight depot and 
close to the Lowell Street church. This Wes- 
leyan church existed only two years. 

James Pike was appointed to Nashville in 
1845. He was a man of great administrative 
ability which he showed not only in guiding 
the church with wisdom in its time of trouble, 
luit also as a member of congress, as colonel of 
the Sixteenth Regiment, N. H. Volunteers, 
during the war and for many years as a presid- 
ing elder. 

In the next pastorate, that of Rev. Henry 
Drew, the society on Che.stnut street disbanded 
and the members returned to their old home, 
but in 1.S50 a society was again started on 
Chestnut street, which did good service to the 
community until, in i.SSi, it united with the 
Main Street church. 

The church on Lowell street became too 
small for the growing society and under the 
able ministrations of Ebenezer A. vSmith, the 
first pastor, who, under the new rule, was able 
to serve the church three ^-ears, steps were 
taken to secure a new and more commodious 
house of worship, now known as as the Main 
Street Methodist church. The corner stone 
was laid with impressive ceremonies, in which 
the Masonic order participated, June 13, 1867, 
and the church was dedicated July 22, 1868, 
under the pastorate of Rev. George Bowler. 
For a short time before entering the new build- 
ing, worship had been conducted in the Cit}' 
Hall. 

This first year in the history of the society 
under its new name, and in the new house, was 
one of remarkable prosperity. The pastor, who, 
as a pulpit orator, had few peers, was exceed- 
ingly popular, and the large church was crowd- 
ed at each service. But the year closed in 
gloom. March 26, 1869, Mr. Bowler was called from earth to heaven. For some days he had been 
confined to his house by illness, but he was not thought to be seriously sick until the day before he 
died. His death was a stunning blow to the society. On Easter Sunday, in the house where multi- 
tudes had hung upon his eloquent words, and from whose pulpit shortly before, his last sermon was 
preached from the words, "There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth," his funeral was 
attended by an immense concourse of people. 

The next pastor was Angelo Canoll, who came from the New England conference and remained 




I'llK MKIIIUDIST t IIIKCII. 



frisroRV OF Nashua, n. h. 



159 



two years. He preached to large congregations, and his labors were blessed in the conversion of 
souls. 

In April, 1871, \'arnuni A. Cooper was transferred from the Providence conference andstationed 
at the Main vStreet church, Nashua. He remained three years. Though he did excellent work in 
other directions, whose fruit remains, he will be chiefly remembered for his successful attempt to 
extinguish the church debt. He is now the superintendent of the "Home for Little Wanderers" in 
the city of Boston. 

In 1874, Rev. Charles Shelling, from the California conference was appointed pastor, remaining 
two years. The next pastor was Rev. Charles E. Hall, who served three years. His successor, Rev. 
J. R. Day, after two years' ministry, went to Grace church in Bo.ston. He was followed bv Rev. Dr. 
H. P. Raymond, during who.se term of office. Chestnut Street church, after a continuance existence of 
thirty-one years, was reunited with the original family in the Main Street church. 

Dr. Raymond having been called to the presidency of Lawrence university at Appleton, Wis., his 
unexpired term was filled by Rev. P. M. Frost, from Vermont. 

Rev. James Henry Haines was minister from 1885 to 1888 and Dr. J, Z. Armstrong from 188S to 
1891. His pastorate was followed by that of Rev. C. W. Rowley, whose acceptability to the 
congregation was manifested by his being invited to remain during the longer term of oflice now 
allowed in the Methodist church. 

Rev. C. W. Rowley was called to the Methodist church in Manchester this jnesent year, 1896, 
and was succeeded here by Rev. J. M. Durrell who is the present pastor. 

The present membership of the church is over seven hundred. We gi\'e the appointments to the 
Methodist Episcopal churches in Nashua, since their formation. 

APPOINTMENTS, 1832-1896. 



James G. Smith, 1832-1833. 

A. P. Brigham, 1834. 

W. D. Cass, 1835. 

W. H. Hatch, 1 836- 1 83 7. 

Jared Perkins, 1838-1839. 

S. Kelley, 1840. 

J. W. Mowry, 1841-1842. 

E. D. Barrows, 1843-1844. 

C. C. Burr, 1844. 

James Pike, 1845- 1846. 

Jacob Boyce, 1845-1846. 

Thomas Rood, 1S47. (Nashua). 

Henry Drew, 1847-1848. (Nashville). 



George Bowler, 1868. 
Angelo CanoU, 1869-1870. 
V. A. Cooper, 1871-1873. 
Charles Shelling, 1874-1875. 
C. E. Hall, 1876-1878. 
J. R. Day, 1879-1880. 

Jared Sparks, 1854. 
George S. Dearborn, 1855-1856. 
H. H. Hartwell, 1857-1858. 
Sullivan Holman, 1859-1860. 
LinvilleJ. Hall, 1861-1862. 
W. H. Jones, 1863-1864. 
Robert S. Stubbs, 1865-1866. 



I.OWEI.I. STREET. 

D. M. Rogers, 1849. 

Elijah Mason, 1850-1851. (Nashville). 
John McLaughlin, 1851-1852. (Nashua). 
Lewis Howard, 1853-1854. (Nashua). 
Franklin Thurber, 1854. (Nashville). 
Elihu vScott, 1855. 
Dudley P. Leavitt, 1856-1857. 
Henry Hill, 1858- 
Charles R. Harding, 1859-1860. 
Lewis Howard, 1861. 
Charles Young, 1862-1863. 
G. W. H. Clark, 1864-1865. 

E. A. Smith, 1865-1867. 

M.\IN STREET. 

B. P. Raymond, 1881-1883. 
P. M. Frost, 1884. 

J. H. Haines, 1885-1887. 
J. Z. Armstrong, 1888-1890. 

C. W. Rowley, 1891-1895. 
J. M. Durrell, 1896. 

CHESTNUT STREET. 

F:iijah R. Wilkins, r867-i869. 
Daniel C. Babcock, 1870. 
Truman Carter, 1871-1872. 
Hiram C. Kelsey, 1873-1874. 
L. P. Cnshman, 1875-1877. 
O. H. Jasper, 1878-1880. 



i6o 



HISTORY OF NASHUA. N. H. 

FREE BAPTIST CHURCH. 



In the present year the Free Baptists of the city have begun to hold services in the building 
recently occupied by the First Congregational church on Main street, and a pastor, Rev. Charles S. 
Perkins, has been installed. This church is but at its beginning and has not had time to make any 
history for itself. 

The First Free Will Baptist church was organized November, 1S38, and was under the pastoral 
care of Elder Silas Curtis, to vSeptember, 1839. He was succeeded by Elder Thomas M. Preble, who 
was dismissed in September, 1841. In December of the same year. Elder Benjamin Phelon was chosen 
pastor. He was dismissed in December, 1842. In 1843 the church numbered forty members; the 
Sunday school fifty-six members, and the library contained one hundred and fifty volumes. 

They erected a church in 1844 opposite the freight depot and near the Lowell Street church, at a 
cost of $600. 

THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

Fifty years ago, in the spring of 1845, a few Churchmen petitioned Bishop Carlton Chase, the 
first bishop of New Hampshire, to send a clergyman to Nashua. This resulted in the inunediate 
appointment of the Rev. Milton Ward. For a period of twelve years services were held at intervals 




rilK l>R()Tl;sTAN r KIMSCHI'AI, CIlUKCll. 



in private houses and in the Town hall. Of all the clergy who officiated during those early years 
the only one now living is the much loved and venerated principal of St. Paul's School, Concord, the 
Rev. H. A. Coit, D. D. 

In April, 1857, the Rev. J. G. Hubbard, rector of Grace church, Manchester, called a meeting 
in Nashua, to consider the organization of a parish. This resulted in the formation of the parish of 
St. Euke's church, with the following officers: — Wardens, Chas. Cunningham and David A. Warner; 
vestrymen, T. H. Gibby, I. C. Bradbury, Hugh McKean, J. A. Devereaux ; clerk, J. P. S. 



inSTOKV Ol- XASllUA, X. 11. l6i 

Otters(iii ; treasurer, T. H. (libhy. '1'Ir- Rev. Edward V . Wright of New Jersey was chosen first 
rector. 

Ma>- 27, 1857, Bishop Chase writes : "In the work undertaken in Xasliua we have been much 
blessed and encouraged. The Lord be praised for thus selecting another cit\' of refuge for offending 
men. Our friends there have acted with noble liberality, the like of which I scarcelv remember." 
An e.Kcellent hall was engaged by the vestrv, until, by God's blessing, the parish might be able to 
erect a church. 

May 27, 1857, the parish was received into union with the ConNcntion. and, on ()ctol)er ri of the 
same year, was visited 1)\- Bishop Chase, who confirmed thirteen ])ersons. 

During the ele\-en years that followed, St. Luke's church was erected at the junction of Pearl 
an<l Temple streets. For a time large congregations attended, but the ])Oor construction of the 
church and its remote situation, rendered it permanently valueless. This added to the short rector- 
ships of excellent clerg>- and two unworthy ones in succession having obtained the position, and the 
(piarrelsome sjiirit of certain mendiers of the congregation, led to vSt. Luke's church going out in 
darkness. In October, 1868, Bishop Chase closed the church, and refused to send another clergyman. 
l''or two and a half years no services of the church were held in Nashua. In the meantime Bishop 
Chase dietl. 

On the twent>'-first of September, 1870, the noble minded, zealous, and earnest William Woodruff 
Niles, the present bishop of the Diocese, was consecrated as his successor. Nashua had, too, become 
an important commercial centre. Ihider much discouragement, with strong faith, the new bishop set 
about reorganizing the church. 

He first declared the old parish of St. Luke's extinct. He then organized a new mission, under 
the name of the Church of the Good Shepherd. A hall was engaged, on the corner of Main and 
Factory streets, where Beasom block now stands. The Rev. Jas. B. Goodrich, a former pupil of the 
bishop, in whom he had perfect confidence, was put in charge. The bi.shop provided the entire salary 
of $1,500, raising it outside of the pari.sh. Mr. Croodrich completed a rectorship of four years, during 
which time he won all hearts by his genial, sunny disposition and Chri.stian zeal, at the close of which 
time ill health compelled him to resign. 

The outlook for the parish was, howe\-er, still dark. The faithful had to climb two flights of 
stairs to attend service. Numbers were few and the prospect of obtaining a church seemed still 
distant. 

In July, 1875, the Rev. Jacob LeRo>' was appointed to the mission. For ten }-ears he labored 
with heroic zeal and faithfulness. In 1878 Mrs. Lucia A. Rand, of Middletown, Conn., in memory 
of a beloved and sainted daughter, Iniilt the present stone structure, the Church of the Good 
Shepherd . 

The bishop and Mr. LeRoy secured $6,500 with which to pay for the land : and, on Nov. 21, 1878, 
the beautiful little church was consecrated and forever set apart for the worship of Almighty God. 

On Sept. 26, 1883, the Church of the Good Shepherd, having been organized as a parish, was 
admitted into union with the Convention of the Diocese. 

July 15, 18S5, the Rev. William Hall Moreland succeeded Mr. LeRoy as rector. In 1888 the parish 
for the first time became self-supporting and has continued so ever since. This great advance was 
largely due to the loving zeal of Mr. Moreland, aided by the generous liberality of one layman. 

Dec. 27, 1890, a comfortable parish house, with rector's room, parlor and kitchen, built by the 
efforts of the parishioners, was opened. 

July 3, 1893, the Rev. William Hall Moreland, after eight years of faithful anti successful sen-ice, 
resigned the rectorship, and on July 6, 1893, the Rev. Charles Bancroft, was elected and entered 
upon his duties. 

Dr. Bancroft resigned his charge in April, 1895, and in due time the Rev. James Goodwin of 
Hartford, Conn., was called to succeed him. 

THE CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. 

Forty years ago, in 1S55, so far as the native American population was concerned. Nashua was a 
larger city than it is to-daj-, for the foreign population at that time was about four hundred, and the 



i62 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

total population was ii,ooo. This Roman Catholic population was then composed, almost without 
exception, of Irishmen, who had been attracted to the locality by the building of the Wilton 
railroad, together with their wives and children. In November of 1855, the Rev. John O'Donnell 
came to take spiritual oversight of this small company, and worship was commenced in Franklin hall. 
Meanwhile, a great influx of Irish people was taking place, and the building of what was then the 
finest ecclesiastical edifice in the city was pushed with such energy that it was consecrated in 1857. 
At the time of the consecration two thousand communicants were added to the roll of the church. 

There was more or less prejudice on the part of the New England community against the creed 
and the nationality of the young priest, but Father O'Donnell, by the geniality of his character, his 
ready wit, and his frank manliness, won his way into the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. 
He served for many years on the school board and his monument is not only the church that he built, 
but also the school-house which has been named in his honor. 

The church was only a few years old when the Irish immigrants began to diminish, and the 
influx of the French Canadian population began. In 1855 the population of Nashua was 11,000 and 
of that number four hundred were foreigners. In 1S73 the population was 12,000, and of this number 
5,000 were of foreign birth or of foreign parentage. It is not the province of this chapter of the 
liistor}' to enter into any discussion of the causes of the shrinkage of about 4,000 in the native 
American population. Of the 5,000 Catholics of 1873, 2,000 were Irish and 3,000 Canadian French. 

It very soon became apparent that another church was needed, and that the new church .should 
be for the French speaking people. When St. Aloysius was built the Church of the Immaculate 
Conception, or Father O'Donnell's church as it was more familiarly known, became again what it 
had been at first, the church of the Irish population, who belonged to the Roman communion. 

There was, and there is at the present date, a sufficiently large English speaking population of 
this faith to make this church enjoy continued prosperity. In Father Buckle, the present incumbent, 
Father O'Donnell has an able successor. 

It is no disparagement to the other clergymen of this faith, who have been or are now in office in 
our city, to say that Father O'Donnell, by the geniality of his manner, his public .spirit and energy, 
his kind-heartedness, and above all by his interest in, and his loyalty to our public school system, 
has won a unique place of honor and esteem in this city. 

ST. ALOYSIUS CHURCH. 

In the year 1871 the number of Canadians, attracted here from the French Province of Quebec, 
had so increased that, counting themselves and measuring their strength and worldly means, the)-, 
after a series of meetings, resolved to organize a new congregation. The first of the meetings was 
held in March, 1871, and after consulting with the \'ery Rev. Fr. J. O'Donnell, V. G., then pa.stor of 
the church of the Immaculate Conception, a petition was presented to the Rt. Rev. Bishop Bacon of 
Portland, whose jurisdiction then included this state. The delegates returned with the confidence 
that their prayer would be heard. 

The lamented Very Rev. Fr. O'Donnell accepted the presidency of the temporary organization 
and, until success was achieved, he acted as its advisor. 

The eighteenth of June Bishop Bacon, having obtained the services of Rev. Fr. Girard, who had 
resigned his Chair of Rhetoric in the College of St. Hyacinthe, P. Q., sent him as pastor in this new 
field of labor and the separation of the St. Aloysius congregation from that of the old Immaculate 
Conception, was definitely announced June 25. 

The old Episcopal church, then standing at the junction of Temple and Pearl streets, was rented 
and used till November, 1872. 

Father Girard's feeble liealth, together with his desire to return to his professorship, caused his 
resignation. He was succeeded by the present able and popular priest. Father Milette, who had at 
once to undertake the great work of building St. Aloysius. His success reflects equal credit upon 
himself and upon his congregation. 

In April, 1872, the lot on Hollis street, previously purchased by Father Girard, was partially 
paid for and the old buildings were partially demolished. 



///SrOA')- OJ- NASHUA, N. H. 163 

The corner stone was laid by Bishop Bacon in presence of the French and Irish societies and an 
immense concourse of people. In November of the same year the old Episcopal church was aban- 
doned and the basement of the new church, then partially finished, was occupied till the dedication of 
the church proper, on Trinity Sunday, June 8, 1873. 

A census taken in 1872 gave 2200 souls. 

The cemetery on Mollis street was purchased in December, 1880, and over 1700 are now resting 
there, and over 800 in Hudson cemetery. 

In June, 1883, the debts contracted previously were about paid and the convent on Chestnut street 
was built by Smith & Lakeman, H. A. Holt doing the carpenter's work, and 500 children entered it 
in November. The teachers are the Sisters of the Holy Cross. 

In October, 1875, the Goodwin place on Chestnut street was purchased, the house enlarged and 
fitted up as a parsonage, and the old house occupied as such on Hollis street was demolished. 

June 12, 18S5, a bell of 2500 pounds was put in position and the first "Angelus" was rung the 
next day. 

The parish kept increasing with the demands for labor, and the census for 1883 gave 604 families 
and 3368 souls. 

The parish outgrew the ability of one man to care for it, and, since his return from Europe, 
F'ather Milette has always had one or more assistants. 

On June 21, 1885, the Bishop of Manchester divided St. Aloysius parish and the new church of 
St. Francis Xavier was formed. After the division St. Aloysius has 4S7 families or 2705 individuals. 

The boys' school was built in 1SS9, and in the same year this parish was declared a permanent 
rectorship, and Father Milette was appointed as its first permanent rector. 

The last census, that of 1893, gave this church 994 families and 5621 souls. 

In September, 1894, the last cent of the debt was paid. 

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CUURCH. 

St. Francis Xavier parish came into existence in 1885 as the result of a division of Rev. J. B. H. 
V. Milette's parish. The north side of the Nashua river was portioned off as its territorial limits. 
Scanty were its chances of success ; the population was willing and generous, but poor and small. 
Mass was had for the first six months in McQuesten's hall. Nothing could this pari.sh claim as its 
own, no land, no church, no parsonage. But generous hearts provided a site for the new church. 
This congregation will ever gratefully remember the names of Agent Cadwell and Treasurer Amory 
of the Jackson corporation for the munificent donation of land. The fifth of November of the same 
year saw the congregation gathered under the lowly roof of the present basement, which was-blessed 
by Rt. Rev. Bishop Bradley in January, 1886. The scattered elements were gradually brought 
together and soon after developed into a fair sized congregation. 

The purchase of L. P. Duncklee's property enabled the parish to have its schools and parochial 
residence. The St. Stanislaus convent was soon built, and the nuns of the Holy Cross began their 
fruitful teaching. The parsonage has this last year assumed larger proportions and enhances the plot 
on which it rests. 

A cemetery lot was also purchased of Mr. Cornelius Sullivan on the old Hollis road, which in 
time will become the pride of the city. 

Sunday, July 18, 1896, this parish laid the corner stone of a new church edifice near the old edi- 
fice on Chandler street. The old edifice to be used in the future for other purposes. The ceremonies 
attending the laying of the stone were very elaborate and impressive, and were conducted by the Rt. 
Rev. Dennis Bradley, D. D., bishop of the house of Manchester, assisted by sixteen attending priests. 
.Vt two o'clock in the afternoon the bi.shop was received at the Nashua railroad junction by all the 
French and Irish Catholic associations in the city, and the procession moved immediately to 
Chandler street in the following order : — 



1 64 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Platoon of fourteen policemen under Deputy Marshal Wheeler. 

Chief Marshal of the Daj-, D. N. Cardier and mounted aids, A. R. S. Sj'lvester, 
Dr. H. Laviriere, T. O. vSavelle, O. O. Dichaut, W. E. Keeley and John Field. 

Montcalm band, seventeen pieces, A. Lajoie, leader. 

F. Gaffney and aids, G. Burque, F. Cate and A. Burque, mounted. 

Lafayette Guards, twenty-four, Leon Girouard, captain. 

Six representatives from Sacred Heart commissary department, Nathan Sul- 
livan, P. McLaughlin, J. Clifford, B. Kilpatrick, JL Delaney and D. Clark. 

Sacred Heart Cadets, Capt. T. F. Tierney. 

Granite State Drum corps, eight pieces. 

,St. Jean Baptists union, under A. C. Blain ; aids, N. P. Bouley, E. H. Geu- 
dron, T. Aprile, A. Cardin. 

Second Regiment band, twenty-four pieces, M. J. Devine, leader. 

Ancient Order Hibernians, two divisions, under P.J. Murphy, first division; 
Patrick Lonergan, second division. 

League of Sacred heart, under Paul Belevance ; aid, Joseph Durelle. 

Circle Montcalm. 

Carriage containing Bishop Bradley and others. 

The procession marched from the station to Temple, Amory, Bridge, Canal to Chandler street. 
There were about 900 people in the procession. 

When the procession reached Chandler street the companies executed the order "open rank." 
The mounted aids then all formed together and with the Second Regiment band in the lead escorted 
the bishop, priests and the other occupants of carriages between the uncovered ranks. The priests all 
repaired to Father Lessard's house, where they donned the garb of their calling. 

At 3.15 the bishop and his suite of priests were escorted by the cadets from the parish house to 
the platform erected at the southwest corner of the church. The Rossini choir of Lowell, composed 
of twenty-five members under the leadership of P. H. David, Jr., opened the exercises by singing an 
anthem. 

The anthem was followed by an address given by the Rev. PV. Slyoia Corbeil of St. Therese col- 
lege, P. Q., and Rev. Fr. Francis Burke of Pepperell, Mass. Immediately following the addresses 
occurred the ceremonj- of laying the stone ; the service, in Latin, being read b}' the bi.shop. 

The stone was marked on three sides. On the front read, " St. Francis Xavier, 1896, Rt. Rev. 

D. M. Bradley, bi.shop; Rev. Henri A. Lessard, rector." On the north side, " Chickering & O'Con- 
nell, architects," and on the south side, "Guernsey & Dubuc, contractors." 

A box contaiuiug the United States coins of this j-ear's coinage, records of the pari.sh, and the 
local newspapers of the day were placed under the .stone. The church is to be of marble, and will be 
the first chttrch edifice of that material in the state. Its erection marks a period of great prosperity 
for the French residents of Nashua, and it will stand as a lasting monument to the zeal and persever- 
ence of Rev. Fr. Henri A. Lessard, to whose efforts its existence will be due. 

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 

The Young Men's Christian association has been actively engaged in its specific work as an arm 
to the church. In 1867 it was first formed in this cit}-. At that time, however, the associations 
throughout North America had not developed their work as they have in the last decade. The work 
carried on was for the most part evangelical only, and gospel meetings were held each evening in the 
week. Both sexes were actively employed in carrying on its work, but the direct idea of working for 
young men by young men was at that time crude. We find E. O. Blunt, B. A. Pearson, George 

E. Wheat, A. J. Tuck and C. R. McQuesten were among the foremost workers in the old association. 
Man}- others were also connected more or less actively with the organization. 

In the year 1887 several yotmg men had become interested in association work when in other 
States, and H. E. Kendall and D. V. P. Pratt interested themselves sufficiently to re-organize, 
and a meeting was called to find out what could be accomplished Aug. 31, 1887. The following parties 
met in the Union block to organize temporarily, \'\z: — Herbert E. Kendall, D. W P. Pratt, C. A. 
Goldthwait, Mark Flather, Fred E. Peckham, Jerrie Wheeler, C. D. Whiting, Alonzo Gould and 
Chas. M. Foote. Mark Flather was chosen temporary chairman and H. E. Kendall, secretary-. On 



I/IS7'OK)' OF X.lS/n'A, X. If. 165 

Sept. 9, 1.SS7, Horace \V. Giliuaii was chosen president, Albert Shedd, secretary, and (ieorge E. 
Wheat, treasurer. Robert H. True was first general secretary. 

The association became nicely established upon modern association principles under Mr. True, 
lint owing to a throat trouble he was obliged to resign after about one year and a third of most 
excellent ser\'ice. His successor was Robert \V. Matthews of Boston, who came in January, 
1S89. This was Mr. Matthew's first field of a.sociation labor as secretary, but he proved to be the 
right man in the right place and won hosts of friends for the ssociation and himself during his four 
years of acti\-e service for the young men of the city. 

The association became an incorporated body under the state legislature of iSgi.the following 
being the boerd of directors at that time: \'irgil C. (iilman, George E. Wheat, A. R. Shepherdson, 
Cabin W. Greenwood, (iilman C. vShattuck, Lester K. Thurber, Charles A. Goldthwait, Alfred W. 
Heald, Elijah M. Shaw, C. O. Collins, Andrew J. Tuck, Harry R. Wheeler, Eyman D. Cook, Charles 
R. Pease, Mark Flather, F. E. Peckham, Charles W. Morrill, James M. McFadden, Andrew Kelley 
and E . W. Pearson. 

Lester V. Thurber w^as chosen president in 1889, and was succeeded by Gilman C. Shattuck 
in October, 1S90, who has served the association as a most worthy ofhcial since election. 

In Ma\', 1SS9, a Ladies' auxiliary was organized, witli Mrs. L. A. Hall as its first ])rcsident. 
Hall made a valuable organizer and president for two years, and was succeeded by Mrs. J. H. Reed 
in May, 1S91. Mrs. Reed proved a hard and successful worker, and was succeeded by Mrs. A. K. 
Woodbur\- in 1892, who served as president of the auxiliary for three years, with marked success. 
Mrs. C. W. (rreenwood was chosen president in May, 1895. 

Mr. Matthews resigned in February, 1893, and F. H. Merrill, at that time Mr. Matthews' 
assistant, remained till the calling of the present secretary, D. N. Bartlett. 

In 1893 Miss Marv P. Nutt made the association her residuary legatee, and at the time of Miss 
Xutt's decease, which occurred in April of 1893, it was thought by the executors of Miss Nutt's will 
that tlie amount eventually falling to the association would reach nearly $50,000. Owing to financial 
disturbances the association still awaits the settlement of the estate to learn the amount of its gift, 
but the association has surely won its way into the hearts of the citizens to the extent of their 
bestowing large favors upon it annualh' for support, and it is safe to say that within a few years the 
Association will have a delightful home of its own. Since its re-organization in 1887, it has occupied 
rooms at No. 69 Main street. The present membership is over five hundred, including sustaining, 
active, associate, Junior members and members of the Ladies' auxiliary. A well equipped 
gvmnasium is occupied by them, and the spiritual, mental and physical portions of the association 
work are carried on in our city in the best possil^le manner, the limited circumstances being taken 
into consideration. 

SALVATION ARMY. 

A few years ago there was an attempt made b>- Commander Moore to have a Salvation Army in 
America under his own leadership. It did not prosper, but during its life time meetings were held 
under its auspices in Nashua. 

It was not until January, 1892, that the vSalvation Army, under the leadership of Conunander 
Ballington Booth began its work here. Quite a number of converts have been added to its ranks, but 
man\- of them have removed to other places. The present membership of the army is sixteen. 

Its discipline is strict. Total abstinence is demanded and enforced. It is virtually an anti- 
tobacco society, and indulgence in worldly amusements is strictly forbidden. 

Since the coming of the Salvation Army to Nashua, the headipiarters have been the hall at 12 
Elm street and 72 West Pearl street. 

Modern spiritualism in Nashua made its appearance about 1852. A few people gave credence to 
the accounts of marvelous manifestations by the Fox sisters and others in New York state and 
elsewhere, having a supposed spirit origin, and circles were formed for investigation. These continued 
for three or four years, when an organization was formed for the presentation and discussion of the 



i66 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

question. Meetings were held in 1856-7 in the Free Will Baptist church on Railroad square, now 
Stearns' grain store, after that denomination had vacated it. These meetings were discontinued in 
1858 from a lack of financial support. During their continuance no settled speaker was engaged, but 
a number of men and women of considerable note appeared upon its platform in advocacy of the 
doctrine of spirit presence and intercourse, and the genuineness of some of the manifestations. The 
be.st known of these, perhaps, was William Lloyd Garrison, who occupied the platform one Sunday 
in advocacy of this faith. Some of the meetings were quite well attended, and no special opposition 
or manifestation of bigotry was shown in regard to them. After this no consecutive meetings were 
held for a number of years. Along in the seventies the small hall on the second floor of Telegraph 
block was used for similar meetings. The organization then took the name of The First Christian 
Spiritualist society of Nashua. A little later Historical hall, on the third floor of the same block, 
was used, and meetings were held for three or four )-ears there, when another discontinuance took 
place. Later still, meetings were held in Beasom hall for a year or two, but were given up in 1880. 
Since then meetings have been held, but not regularly for over six months at a time. The historical 
fact seems to be that since the advent of modern spiritualism, private interest has been shown, and 
seances more or less public or private have been held at family residences or generally in small halls 
for investigation and the satisfaction which the manifestations have brought to many minds. 

The opinion has gained prevalence that the subject is more a science than an ecclesiastical 
matter, and hardly a proper one to be confined within denominational limits. There are no special 
signs that a new departure from the present situation is likely to be made, but from the writer's 
knowledge of the undercurrent, it is quite possible that a more concentrated effort may be made at 
any time for the presentation of spiritualism to the public, and for investigation upon the lines of 
psychic and spiritualistic phenomena. 

Nashua is not over-burdened with churches, and all of them, Protestant and Catholic, are 
well attended. 

In this chapter no reference has been made to Sunday-schools, Young People's Societies of 
Christian Endeavor, Epworth League and other guilds and societies for the promotion of the 
Christian life, and for the accomplishing of good works, because the editor of this chapter is of the 
opinion that if these subjects are to find a place in the historj' of the city they ought to have a place 
and a chapter to themselves. 

The average number of clergymen resident in this cit}' and in active service is fourteen, and the 
aggregate value of the church property is about seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 



HIS TORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



167 



CHARLES PINCKNEY GAGE. 

Col. Charles P. Gage, son of John and Dorcas (Merrill) 
Gage, was born at Orford, Get. 20, 1813, died at Pepperell, 
Mass., .-Vug. 23, 1893. He was a descendant, on the pater- 
nal side, of Benjamin Gage, a pioneer settler of Pelhani. 
On the maternal side he was a descendant of Jesse 
Merrill, whose ancestors came to .\nierica in the seven- 
teenth century- and settled at Salem. The Gage family, 
as shown by complete genealogy, sprnng from the 
English nobility, 
many of whom 
were titled, had a 
coat of arms and be- 
came conspicuous- 
ly distinguished in 
the affairs of the 
country. 

Colonel Gage was 
educated in the 
common schools 
and at his native 
place and at an 
academic school 
in Nashua, his 
parents removing 
here when he was 
ten years of age. 
The first employ- 
ment in which he 
engaged was that 
of bobbin boy, ( in 
company with N. 
P. Banks), in the 
mills of the 
Nashua Manufac- 
turing company. 
Later he was a 
clerk in a store, 
and, in 1833, went 
to Boston, where 
he was employed 
eight years in the 
dr}' goods trade. 
In 1 84 1 he re- 
turned to Nashua 
and opened a dry 
goods store in com- 
pany with a Mr. 
Chase, which he 
sold out a year 
later. He worked 
for a time for J. A. 
Wheat in the same 

line of trade, after which he was in the express business 
and, in company with William T. Parker, merchant tailor- 
ing. Colonel Gage then entered the card and glazed paper 
business and became one of the pioneers of that industry 
in Nashua. He was associated at different times with his 
brother John, with Charles T. Gill, O. D. Murray, under 
the firm name of Gage & Murray, and with Hiram T. 
Morrill under the name of Eagle Card company. The 
last named company sold out to the Nashua Card and 
Glazed Paper company in 1872, and after that he was not 
in active business. 




CHAKI.KS riNCKNEV GAGE. 



Colonel Gage was many times honored by his fellow 
citizens during his fifty years residence in Nashua. He 
served on the board of selectmen in township days, and 
represented Ward Four in the common council in 1854. 
He al.so represented his w-ard two terms in the legislature 
and served the state three years as railroad commissioner, 
(being elected on a general ticket with the governor, the 
practice under the state constitution of 1850), and was 
aide-de-camp on the staff of Governor Gilmore with the 
rank of colonel. Colonel Gage w as a director several years 

in the Pennichuck 
State bank and a 
trustee in the 
Nashua Savings 
bank. He was al.so 
a director in a coal 
company and in- 
terested and an 
officer in several 
other business or- 
ganizations that 
served his genera- 
tion and gave 
Nashua the impe- 
tus that made it 
the second city in 
the state. He was 
a loyal and true 
man ; a man of 
proverbial cour- 
tesy, of kind and 
generous impulses 
and the warmest 
friendship. Col- 
onel Gage was a 
member of Rising 
Sun lodge, A. p'. 
and .\. M.,anddur- 
ingthe greatWash- 
ingtonian temper- 
ance movement a 
power for good 
among his fellow- 
citizens and clerk 
of the local organ- 
ization. In fact, 
his was an honor- 
able and useful 
career. 

CoIonelGage was 
united in marriage 
June 29, 1843, w-ith 
Matilda .A.. Baker, 
daughter of Tim- 
othy M. and Elizabeth (Wright) Baker of Boston. Colo- 
nel and Mrs. Gage celebrated their golden wedding by a 
family gathering June 29, 1893, less than two months 
before his death. Four children were born of their 
marriage: Adelaide Elizabeth, April 5, 1844, married 
Frank M. Crane of Lowell, Mass.. May 16, 1886; Charles 
Minot, Jan. 20, 1847, married Kate H. Cutter of Hollis, 
Sept. 18, 1868; Alice Maria, June 20, 1849, married 
Edwin E. Hills of Hudson, Nov. 5, 1874; Helen Ma- 
tilda, March 5, 1851, married Marshall Merriam of 
Merrimack, Dec. 15, 1881. 



i68 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



GEORGE W. PERHAM. 

George W. Perhani, son of Jonathan and Mary (Parker) 
Perham, was born at Chelmsford, Mass., Sept. 23, 1808, 
died at Nashua, Feb. 18, 1891. He was a descendant of 




GEOKCji \v. i>i:kii.vm. 

John Perham, who came to .\merica from England in 
1620; married Lydia Shipley in 1630 and settled at 
Chelmsford, where he became prominent in public affairs. 
The descendants of the family have liecome widely- 
scattered , and many of them have risen to places of 
influence, have honored the professions and advanced 
mercantile and industrial interests. 

Mr. Perham attended the common schools in his native 
place and was graduated at the academy in W'estford, 
Mass. Following his graduation he went to New York 
City, where, from 1827 to 1833, he was in business as a 
commission merchant. He followed the same line of 
business at Oswego, N. V., from 1833 to 1838. Mr. Perham 
had now been alxsent from New Pjigland more than ten 
years, but he had not become weaned from its orderly 
and healthful life. He felt that his happiness depended 
upon it, and so here turned to familiar scenes, and engaged 
in the West India goods trade in Nashua. He was a 
successful merchant, and realized his fondest hopes in 
the enjoyment of peace of mind and domestic happiness. 
During the last twenty 3-ears of his life he was not in 
active business, although he was financially interested in 
the firm of Bristol & Company, and later in Verder & 
Company. Mr. Perham was a man of the most agreeable 
social qualities. No man was ever more loyal to his 
country than he. No man had greater affection for the 
man that fought its battles, and whenever the Grand 
Army post marched past his residence, it found tubs of 



lemonade and other refreshments at his gate, and when- 
ever it held a fair or sought aid for its comrades, he did 
not wait to be solicited for a contribution. ISIr. Perham 
was charitable in many directions, and that, too, without 
ostentatious displaj', and he was an unusually cautious 
man in the matter of wounding the feelings of friends 
and neighbors. He never sought or held public office, 
nor was he a secret order man. He was a member of Lhe 
Governor's Horse Guards, and of the Unitarian church. 

Mr. Perham was twice married; first, October, 1841, 
with Hannah Ke\'es, of Keene, daughter of Zebediah and 
Sybil (Dunn) Keyes, who died in 1849; second, Nov. 21, 
1854, with Sarah J. Waterman, daughter of Nathaniel G. 
and Nancie (Brayton) Waterman, of Williamstown, Mass. 

Mrs. Perham is a descendant of Resolved Waterman, 
who married Mercy Williams, daughter of Roger Wil- 
liams, of Providence, R. I., in 1660. One son was born of 
marriage, (ieorge Francis, born at Nashua, Sept. 7, 1857. 

HENRY MARTIN KELLOGG. 

Henry M. Kellogg was born at Jamaica, \'t., June 8, 
1826, died at Nashua, April 9, 1891. He was educated in 
the public schools of his native place, and at the age of 
eighteen years came to Nashua. In 1846 he entered the 
employ of the Nashua ^Manufacturing company, where he 
remained until his dealh. ^Nlr. Kellogg's cheerfulness 
and plain dealing with all with whom he came in contact, 
together with his conscientious attention to ever)- detail 
of the work for which he was in anj- way responsible, won 
the confidence of the company's managers and he was 
speedily promoted to the position of overseer of the 
spinning department of the mill. The confidence thus 
reposed in him l)y agents and treasurer continued un- 
shaken through his entire career, as evidenced through 




iii;.\i;y .mai:ti.\ kellocg. 

the fact that in all the changes in heads of departments 
in nearly forty years— and there were many — he remained 
at his post. Mr. Kellogg's manhood was of the kind that 
regards the rights of the humblest operative with the 
same fairness and courtesy that it bestows upon those 



///SVOA')- OF XASHUA, X. H. 



169 



high in authority, and he was accordingly honored and 
respected by his fellow-toilers and by the coniniunity. 
Ik- represented Ward Five in the board of aldermen in 
1S73 and 1874, and rendered faithful service on the com- 
mittee that had charge of erecting the High school build- 
ing and wns idcntifieil with other important umlertakings. 
Ill 1.S75 and 187(5 lu- represented the sanu- ward in the 
kjiislature. where he performed his duty in a conservative 
and conscientious manner. He was a member of Clranite 
lodge, 1. (). (). F., and Xashoonon encampment of the 
same order. He was also a member of Nashua lodge, K. 
of I'., and S. S. Davis division, uniformed rank, of that 
order; he attended the Pilgrim church. Mr. Kellogg was 
united in marriage March 15, 1846, with Flizabetli V. 
Creeley, a daughter of Gilbert and Lucy ('Treeley of 
Manchester. Three children were born of their mar- 
riage; Charles H., born Aug. 31, 18,^3, died .\ug. 15, 1882; 
I'Yed C, born Sept. 8, 1853, died May 5, 1861 ; Frank C, 
born Se])t. 8, 1855, married .V. Leonora Lovejoy, .'\mherst. 

GEORGE W. UNDEKHll.L. 

Oeorge W. Underbill was born at Chester, July ig, 1815, 
died at Nashua, Oct. 13, 1882. He was a son of Jesse J. 
and lUi/abeth (Graham) I'nderhill, substantial and lion- 




i.i.dni.ii w. rM)i:Kiiii,i,. 

ored residents of the place. The T'nderhill ancestors on 
the paternal side were of Puritan descent and upon the 
maternal Scotch-Irish. They were among the first known 
settlers of Chester, where there are deeds on record (see 
History of Chester) in the name of Sampson Underbill 
as early as .\pril, 1717. Sampson and his wife Elizabeth 
(.\mbrose) were married at Salisbury-, Jan. 15, 1717, by 
Rev. Caleb Cushing, a minister of the gospel at that 
place. Thev owned a farm of fifty acres on which they 
"lived and ke])t a tavern." The subject of this sketch was 



a direct descendant of this worthy couple, the genealogy 
being distinctly traced in the history mentioned. 

Mr. Ihiderhill obtained a common school education in 
his native town, after which he was a student at Hopkinton 
academy. He learned the trade of an edge-tool maker in 
his father's shop at Chester and then entered the employ 
of an elder brother in Boston. He remained in Boston 
till 1839, when he came to Nashua and the next year 
started in business with his brother Rufus at the Harbor, 
near the \'ale mills, making tools for the brother in 
Boston. .Ml tools were made by hand in those days and 
an idea of the slow process is gathered from the fact that 
he carried the result of two day's labor to the railroad 
station in a wheelbarrow. Notwithstanding these disad- 
vantages the Underbills prospered. They removed their 
business to Water street and were doing a good business 
when their shop was burned and they lost all they 
possessed. Josephus Baldwin, afterwards the first mayor 
of Nashua, came to the rescue, however, and thev were 
shortly on their feet again. 

In 1852 Mr. Underbill, John H. Gage, William D. 
Beasoni and others formed the X'nderhill Edge Tool com- 
pany and Mr. Underbill became superintendent, which 
position he held until he retired from business in 1875. 
He was also a director in the company from its formation 
till his death in 1882. The success of the company was 
gratifying to all the stockholders and resulted in the 
purchase of the rights and privileges of the Ingalls & 
Dickerman's dam at the mouth of Salmon brook, where 
a larger factory- w-as established. The companv did a 
large and flourishing business for years, the demand for 
its superior brands of tools coming from all parts of the 
world. The works and business finally changed hands 
and in the end was sold to the .\merican .^xe company 
and removed to East Douglass, Mass. Since then the plant 
has been utilized as a box factory. 

The development of this industry — which was removed 
from Nashua under the severest protests of the news- 
papers and many citizens of influence — is shown bj- the 
statement made to Benjamin Chase, author of the Historj- 
of Chester, by Mr. Underbill in 1865. Says Mr. Chase: 
"Mr. Underbill informs me that when he first started at 
Nashua in the old Ingalls' shop with a blower, nine nar- 
row or five broad axes was a day's work. The Underbill 
company employ about sixty men and produce three 
hundred chopping a.xes and other kinds of tools daily." 
It should be added that a few years later Mr. L"nderhill 
incorporated the business of the .\moskeag Axe company 
of Manchester with his company, and for several years 
thereafter employed an average of one hundred hands. 

Mr. Underbill's interest, and the interest of those who 
were dependent upon him for employment, were such 
that he had no time for public life and consequently he 
never sought public office. He was, however, a member 
of the first common council of the city in 1853 and served 
again in 1854. In 1872 he represented Ward Seven in the 
board of aldermen, and it was his wise forethought that 
saved to the city for a nominal sum the splendid tract of 
land upon which the Arlington Street school-house is 
built, while he was at the same time instrumental in 
laying the foundation of Nashua's High school building. 

Mr. Underbill was an energetic man in other fields of 
endeavor. Sometime in the '40s he purchased a tract 
of land that has since become known as Crown Hill. 
Here he did considerable farming, and, in 1851, built the 
brick house in which his family now reside. This fine 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



residence stood a lonely sentinel of the hill until 1872 or 
1873, when Mr. Underbill mapped the surrounding ter- 
ritory and put it into house lots. The result is the 
surprising growth of the city in that direction, many of 
the finest residences in town being on "the hill." 

A word is due to the character and characteristics of 
Mr. Underhill. He was a modest and unassuming citizen 
of sterling worth and unquestioned probity. In his char- 
acteristics the blood of the Scotch-Irish prevailed, in that 
he was broadminded and careful to give every man with 
whom he had any- 
thing to do an hon- 
est representation 
of the matter un- 
der consideration. 
The Puritan blood 
which flowed in his 
veins also assert- 
ed itself, for he 
was a man of fixed 
principles which 
he never hesi- 
tated to express or 
defend. In fact he 
many times sac- 
rificed his pecun- 
iary-interests when 
he believed he 
was right, rather 
than yield to 
what he thought 
was wrong. 
Thus in George 
\V . Underhill 
Nashua had a man 
who did praise- 
worthy service in 
furthering her in- 
dustrial interests, 
whose influence 
was always in 
the right direct ion , 
and who deserves 
to be r e m e m - 
bered as one of the 
fathers of a city 
that has a bright 
future before it. 

Mr. Underhill 
was united in mar- 
riage Sept. 18, 1841, 
with Mary M. Gale, 
adescendant of the 
Chases who came 
to this country in 
1640. Of their six 
children, all died 
in infancy except 
Dr. George A. who 
married Helen 

M. Bell, daughter of Charles P. Bell of Nashua. Mrs. 
Underhill, as did her husband, attends the First Congre- 
gational church, and was among the liberal contributors 
to the fund for building the beautiful edifice on Lowell 
street. 




GEORGE WARREN GREENE. 

George W. Greene was born at Nashua, Dec. 20, 1838, 
died at Nashua Feb. 25, 1881. He was a son of Francis 
and Nancy (Steele) Greene, both of whom were descend- 
ants of early settlers of the Souhegan valley and con- 
nected with a race of hardy and industrious people who 
did the best their means afforded to educate their children, 
and lived useful lives. 

Mr. Greene obtained a common school education in 

his native town, to 
which he added a 
business and gen- 
eral knowledge by 
unaided effort. He 
was a self-made 
man. .Shortly after 
attaining his ma- 
jority he came to 
Nashua and en- 
tered the store of 
Caleb J. Emery as 
a clerk. He be- 
came proprietor 
of a grocery busi- 
ness located on 
Pearl street, and 
from that time till 
his death was one 
of the most suc- 
cessful business 
men in Nashua. 
He was a director 
in the Indian Head 
National bank and 
closely associated 
with other institu- 
tions, besides be- 
ing interested in 
several enterprises 
that have been 
developed since 
his day to the ad- 
vantage of the 
city. A few months 
before his death he 
was elected treas- 
urer of the Pen- 
n i c h u c k \Va t e r 
works, in which 
position, with that 
of superintendent, 
which place he had 
held forsonietime, 
he labored very 
earnestly and un- 
dermined his 
health. He was a 
member of Rising 
Sun lodge, A. F. 
and A. M., Meridian Sun Roj-al Arch chapter, and St. 
George commandry, K. T. Mr. Greene was united in 
marriage June 14, 1865, with Abby D. Stevens, daughter 
of Francis E. and Hannah (Colby) Stevens of Benning- 
ton. There were no children by their marriage. 



HISTOKV OF NASHUA, N. II. 



171 



HIRAM M. GOODRICH. 

Col. Hiram M. Goodrich, son of Reuben and I,ucy 
(Mygatt) Goodrich, was born in Nashua, Aug. 23, 1828, 
died in Nashua, Sept. 19, 1895. He was a descendant on 
the paternal side of Captain Goodrich, an early settler 
and prominent citizen of Weathersfield, Conn., and on 
the maternal side of Roger and Honor (Bid well) Mygatt 
of Berlin, Conn. 

Colonel Goodrich was educated in the public schools 
of Nashua and at 
Crosby's Literary 
institution. When 
fifteen years of age 
he became a clerk 
in the stove and 
tinware business 
of his father, 
where he remained 
employed eight 
years, or until the 
Underbill Edge 
Tool company was 
formed, of which 
he became treas- 
urer. Three years 
afterwards he en- 
gaged in the stove 
and tinware busi- 
ness in Boston and 
later on was inter- 
ested in the metal 
trade in that city. 
In i860, on the 
death of his 
father, he resumed 
his residence in 
Nashua, but con- 
tinued his rela- 
tions with a firm 
in Boston seven 
years. P'rom the 
time of his return 
until his death 
he prosecuted 
the successful 
business which 
was established 
by his father in 
1822, in which he 
had formerly been 
employed. 

Colonel Good- 
rich was engaged 

from time to time in enterprises outside of his regular 
business. He was a director in the Pennichuck State 
bank and for many years a director and president of the 
I'nderhill Edge Tool company. He was also auditor of 
the Nashua & Lowell Railroad company and prominent 
in affairs of other corporations and enterprises that bene- 
fited the people of the generation in which he was active. 
In 1869, Colonel Goodrich built Goodrich block on Main 
street and in 1893 he remodeled, improved an<l modern- 
ized the stores of the same, making it one of the hand- 
somest blocks in the city. In the things enumerated and 




HIR.\M M. GdODRICH 



in many other ways he exhibited a spirit of commendable 
enterprise, and performed his part in making Nashua the 
second city in the state. 

Colonel Goodrich never aspired to public office or 
sought conspicuous place in party councils. He was 
content outside the bickering of political strife, and yet 
he took the interest that all good citizens are bound to 
take in furthering the ends of good government, and 
contributed influence and money to that end, all of which 
was recognized by his party leaders, at whose request he 

was commissioned 
colonel, on the 
staff of Governor 
Straw, on the eve 
of his departure 
on a pleasure trip 
in Europe in 1872. 
Colonel Good- 
rich was an active 
member of the 
society of the 
Pearl Street 
Congregational 
church and one of 
the most liberal 
^^^ , contributors to its 

jJK^^. \ support, his gifts 

m^/fmUm i from time to time 

aggregating many 
thousand dollars. 
He was also a 
member of Rising 
Sun lodge, A. F. 
and A. M., and 
was a Scottish rite 
Mason of the 32d 
degree, being en- 
rolled in Edward 
A. Raymond con- 
sistory in the Val- 
of Nashua. He 
was a man of 
pleasing physique, 
untiring devotion 
to family and 
friends, social and 
above reproach in 
all his business 
relations. 

Colonel Good- 
rich loved and 
honored Nashua 
as the place of his 
birth; he was 
proud of its growth, development and institutions ; his 
entire life with the exception of the few years of his early 
manhood, passed in Boston, was completely identified 
with it; and his love and devotion for the city caused 
him to respond readily and willingly to all demands 
upon him in its behalf. Colonel Goodrich was united in 
marriage June 17, 1856. with Sarah E. Morgan, daughter 
of Charles and Sarah A. (Robinson) Morgan of Nashua. 
Two daughters were born of their union : Helen, who died 
in infancv, and Clara Morgan, an accomplished and lovable 
voung woman, who survived until eighteen years of age. 



172 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



PAUL OTIS. 
Paul Otis was born at Leominister, Mass., Oct. 20, 
l8i8, died at Nashua, Jan. 4, 1894. He was a son of Paul 
and Mabel ( I,:tchfield ) Otis, and a descendant on the 




added a sash, door and blind manufactory, alid in this 
business he continued until he secured a competency for 
old age, when he sold out and retired to his farm on 
Concord street. He served his ward one or two terms 
on the board of selectmen, and the city in 1891 on the 
board of assessors. He never aspired, however, to pub- 
lic office. Mr. Otis was one of the pillars of the Main 
Street M. E. church. He w'as an active member of that 
denomination more than fift\- years, a class leader more 
than forty years, a member of the board of trustees and 
the official board. In all religious matters he was strict 
and just, and in that and other affairs he was a liberal 
contributor of financial aid. In a word, he performed 
ever^' duty of life in a manner acceptable to his con- 
science and his religious belief. He was an Odd Fellow. 
Mr. Otis was united in marriage Oct. 13, 1840, with 
Laura M. Knight, daughter of John H. and Lucy (Pierce) 
Knight of Worcester, Mass., and Oct. 13, 1890, they cele- 
brated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage at their 
home on Concord street. The event was one of unusual 
interest, their home being crowded for hours with citizens 
and friends who called to do them honor. The gifts of 
affection and esteem were many and lieautiful. Right 
children were born of their marriage : Ellen Louise, born 
Oct. 21, 1844, died March 2, 1845; Charles A., born Nov. 
24, 1845, a soldier, died from sickness contracted in the 
army, March 17, 1866; Ella L., born Oct. 15, 1848; Benja- 
min B., born April i, 1850, (for marriage see personal 
sketch); Lucy M., born June 15, 1853, died July 19. 1854; 
Edward E., born April 30, 1857, married Malonia Suydam 
of Belmont; Willis H., born Aug. 21, 1858, married 
Bertha Sager of Nashua; Algernon E., born March 18, 
1864, married Bessie Dunbar of Augusta, Ga. 



PAII, OTIS, 
paternal side of John Otis, who was born at Barnstable, 
Devonshire, Eng., in 1581, came to America in 1635, and 
settled in Hingham, Mass. Subsequent to 1635, he re- 
moved to Weymouth, Mass., w'here he died May 31, 1657. 
John Otis, 2d, born in Barnstable, Devonshire, Eng., in 
1620, came to America in 1620, and also settled at Hing- 
ham. He married Marj- Jacobs and moved to Scituate, 
Mass., in 1661. In 1678 he took up a tract of land in 
Barnstable, Mass., known in subsequent generations as 
the " Otis Farm," where he settled his son, John 3d, after 
which he returned to Scituate, where he died in 1683. 
Stephen Otis, son of John 2d, and the line of descent of 
the subject of this sketch, was born in Hingham, Mass., 
in 1661. He married Hannah Ensign, was captain in the 
militia and a prominent man in his times. The descent 
continues as follows : Isaac Otis, born 1699, physician 
and surgeon, married Deborah Jacobs, 1718; .Stephen 
Otis, born 1728, married Elizabeth Wade; Paul Otis, born 
1771, married Mabel Litchfield; Paul, liorn 1818; (for 
miuute genealogy see Otis family record in archives of 
the Massachusetts Genealogy society). In the genera- 
tions since the immigrants came to this country the 
Otises have borne an honorable part in field, farm, 
church, and have shown enterprise in developing indus- 
tries. 

Mr. Otis obtained a common school education in his 
native place and at the age of sixteen years went to 
Worcester, Mass., where he was engaged in house painting 
until 1852, when he came to Nashua. To his trade he 



JOHN BULLARD. 

John Bullard, son of Willard and Harriet (Thompson) 
Bullard, was born at Dedham, Mass., Jan. 19, 1814, died 
in Nashua, Feb. 25, 1893. He was educated in the public 



,/ 




^3r^'*^ 




^^iH 




^^ ( 




HTji 


P 



JOHN BULI.AKl). 

schools of his native place and in early life had charge 
of a dyehouse in connection w'ith a woolen mill. He 
remained in Dedham until he was twent3'-five years of 



H/SrOKV OF NASHLU, N. H. 



173 



age, and then went to Newton, Mass., and was emploj-erl 
in a grist mill until 1843, when he came to Nashua and 
entered the employ of Solomon Bullard, who operated 
a large saw mill on the Jackson conipan^-'s land near the 
(lam. He then leased the grist mill of the Jackson com- 
pany, 'located in the basement of the mill), which he 
successfully managed on his own account until 1875, 
when he retired from active pursuits. Mr. Bullard was 
a man of superior judgment and conservative tendency of 
mind in matters affecting the public weal. He had the 
confidence of the business men of the community and the 
respect of all his fellow citizens, and so, often against his 
inclination, he was elected to public office. He .served 
Ward Two several years on the board of selectmen, repre- 
sented in the common council in 1863 and 1864, on the 
board of aldermen in 1865 and 1866 and declined, owing 
to the demands of his business, a nomination for repre- 
sentative in the legislature. He was supervisor of check 
lists a number of years, and, after changing his residence 
til Ward One, served the city on the board of assessors in 
1S76, 1879 and 1881. Mr. Bullard was a member of 
Ancient York lodge, A. F. and A. M., and of Granite 
lodge. I. O. O. F., forty-nine years. He was also a 
member of the Baptist church and a liberal contributor 
to its support. His last years were spent in the enjoy- 
ment of a sunn}- old age, consequent on a well spent life. 
He was united in marriage May 10, 1840, with Mary .\nn 
W. Parker, daughter of Abraham and Mary CHaynes) 
Parker of Newton, Mass. Of the children of their 
marriage but one is living, Jlary Jane, born Dec. 17, 1844. 

SAMUEL KNOWLTON WELLM.4N. 

Samuel K. Wellman was born in Karniington, Me., 
Jan. 22, 1822. He was a son of Thomas and I.ydia 
(Knowlton) Wellman, and a descendant on the paternal 
side of .\braham Wellman, who came to America from 
Wales in 1625 and settled at Lynn, Mass. His great- 
grandfather, Capt. Jacob Wellman, who was born at 
I.vnn, .Vpril 24, 1720, was a commissioned officer under 
Governor Wentworth of New Hampshire in 1764, and 
afterwards an officer in the Army of the Revolution and 
fought at Bunker Hill. On the maternal side he was a 
descendant of Jonathan Knowlton, one of the first set- 
tlers of P'armington, Me. 

Jlr. Wellman attended the public .schools of his native 
place and was to a large degree a self-taught and self- 
made man. Early in life he became an apprentice in the 
manufacture of iron and steel, and for several years prior 
to 1850 was connected with the works at Wareham, Mass. 
In the year mentioned he came to Nashua and entered the 
employ of the Nashua Iron & Steel company as a heater. 
Shortly after he became assistant superintendent, then 
superintendent, which last position he held eighteen 
years. X'nder his efficient management the compan)' 
had phenomenal prosperit\-. The works were greatly 
enlarged, a steel plant added, and for a good many years 
lucrative eniplojment given to between three and four 
hundred men. He resigned his position in 1876 and 
purchased a farm at East Wilton, Me., where he resided 
until his death. He considered Nashua, however, as his 
home and his body was buried here. To few men of his 
generation do we accord more of public confidence, and 
none were i.;ore worthy of it. 

But Mr. Wellman was something more than a mere 
manufacturer of iron and steel. He was active in muni- 



cipal affairs and took a decided interest in everything 
that pertained to society. He represented Ward Seven in 
the common council in 1857, in the board of aldermen in 
1S74, and in the legislature in 1875. He also served the 
town of Wilton, Me., in various town offices and was 
commissioner of Franklin county six years. Mr. Wellman 
was a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., 
Meridian Sun Royal Arch chapter and St. George Com- 
niandry, K. T. He was also a Scottish Rite Mason of the 
32d degree and a member of Edward A. Raymond con- 
sistory. Fpon his removal to Maine he took a demit from 
St. George commandcry to become a charter member of 
Pilgrim comniandery, K. T., at Farmington, Me. Mr. 
Wellman was a member of Pennichuck lodge, I. O. O. F., 
of which he was past grand and of the Grand lodge, I. O. 
O. F., of the state. 




SAMUEL KNOWI.TOX Wlil.I.MAN. 

Mr. Wellman was twice married : first, March 8, 1846, 
with Mary Besse of Wareham, Mass., who died in Nashua, 
in 1832 ; second, June 23, 1853, with Mary A. Cogswell, 
daughter of Joseph and Mehitable (Howe) Cogswell of 
Nashua. One son was born by his first marriage ; Samuel 
T., born Feb. 5, 1847, married J. Almina Ballard of 
Nashua; Mary L., born March 16, 1849, died in infancy; 
Mary E., born Dec. 14, 1851, died June 19, 1865; by his 
second marriage, Mittie V., born March 23, 1854, married 
Frank W. Atwood of East Wilton, Me.; J. Francis, born 
Jan. 13, 1856, married Jennie M. Walker of Cleveland, C, 
and Lizzie Thompson of Alleghany, Pa., died May 17, 
1892; Emma L.. born Dec. 24, 1857, married John M. 
Tobin of Brookfield, Me.; Reno B., born March 25, 1862, 
married Hattie E. Luce of West Boylston, Mass. ; Charles 
H., born June 12, 1863, married Bertha E. Adams of 
Cleveland, O. ; Jessee E., born Nov. 17, 1867; Abby M., 
born June 17, 1871, died in infancy. 



174 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

THE CEMETERIES-ANCIENT AND MODERN. 

BY E. E. PARKER. 

TO ONE who contemplates the number of cemeteries* within the boundaries of the Nashua 
of today and the density of their population, and reflects upon the fact that it is, probably, 
less than six generations since the oldest one of them was first in use, the question natu- 
rally suggests itself — where were the burial places of the Indians who inhabited this ter- 
ritory at the time of the coming of the earliest white settlers, and whose ancestors had lived and 
died here for unknown numbers of generations before them? It is true that, owing to the nomadic 
habits of the Indians who frequented the mouth of the Nashua river, their burial places may have 
been nearer the headquarters of the tribes to which they belonged, that of the Nashuas being at 
what is now Lancaster, Mass., and the Naticook's at the mouth of the Souhegan river, but it is also 
probable that, apart from those who were slain in battle and buried hastily in concealed graves, in 
order to secure their scalps from falling into the hands of their enemies, there must have been many 
of their dead, whose bodies, by reason of the distance from tribal headquarters, and other causes, 
such as the danger of infection from death, during big epidemics, would, necessarily, be buried 
near the places of their temporary sojournings. 

Yet it is true that, so far as can be ascertained by examination of the records and inquir}^ 
among the oldest inhabitants, there does not exist, either in written records or in traditionary' lore, 
any mention or knowledge of spot or place, as having been known as an Indian burying ground. 
No peculiar land-marks, or configurations of soil remain or exist in anj- part of the city's bound- 
aries, to which we may point, even in a spirit of speculation, and say that is probably an Indian's 
grave. 

Their last resting places have vanished from sight and memory as completely as has the race 
itself; except that, occasionally, some busy toiler of the present day and generation, in following 
his plough, or digging excavations in the sandy soil wherein to lay the foundations of some of 
the substantial buildings which have succeeded the frail but far more picturesque wigwams, finds 
himself suddenlj' confronted with the unexpected evidence of former mortality in the shape of 
bones, unmistakably human, and with them such other relics as arrow-heads and stone gouges, as 
furnish indubitable proof of their Indian origin. Such an instance as this happened, it is said, in 
Belvidere some twenty or more years ago, and others, similar, will possibly happen in the years to 
come. 

But while the Indian burying grounds have been lost in the lapse of years, those of the early 
white settlers of Nashua yet remain, and can be located with sufficient accuracy; although some of 
them are in such a condition of decay and dilapidation as to be suggestive of a time coming, in the 
not very remote future, when the antiquarian will need keener vision, and a much greater knowl- 
edge of legendary lore than even "Old Mortality" possessed, in order to decipher the names and 
legends, now nearly illegible, upon the weather-worn and moss-grown surfaces of their ancient 
memorial stones. 

In the early settlements of New England the first duty to be attended to, after the building of 
dwelling-houses, was the erection of a meeting-house, and, near the meeting-houses, more fre- 
quently than otherwise, in accordance with a custom brought by the colonists from the mother- 
land, was located the parish burial place, frequently under the shadow of the meeting-house; often- 
times however, in cases where families were living in localities comparatively isolated by their 
remoteness from the centres of communities and the common burial-grounds, both necessity and 
convenience caused them to establish what were called family burial lots near their homes. These 
family burial places are to be found in nearly ever}' old town in New England; frequently upon 
the borders of highway's, which once main thoroughfares, have in process of time, by changes 

•The names aud inscriptions given in this chapter were taken from the tombstones by the author, personall}-, and 
are believed to be substantially correct. The historical data has been collected from old citizens and collated from 
Fox's History of Old Dunstable, Nason's Historj- of Dunstable, Mass., Belknap's and McClintock's Histories of New 
Hampshire and other available sources. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 175 

ill centres of population and the consequent change in the direction of travel, degenerated into mere 
by-ways. Many of them are no longer in use ; the families which established them having long since 
been broken up, their descendants scattered, and living afar from the old homestead : others of them 
have in years developed into large and beautiful modern cemeteries. It is very probable that some 
of our present cemeteries originated from old family burial places. 

The pioneer settlers of Nashua were, for the most part, rude and unlettered men ; their lives 
were in consonance with the times in which they lived ; the dangers and perils with which they were 
surrounded, the hardships which they were forced to endure, and the difficulties which they had to 
overcome in the struggle to build homes and provide su.stenance for the living, gave them little time 
for the expression of sentiment in the preparation of beautiful resting places for the dead. 

Vet, that they were not lacking in sentiment, nor wanting in reverence and love for the memory 
of their departed friends is evinced by the number of monumental tablets, each bearing the inscription, 
" In Memento Mori," which having survived the ravages of time are still standing in the ancient burial 
grounds of the city. 

The greater portion of these early settlers were either English or of English descent, from original 
ancestral immigrants to New England ; and, while thej^ were gradually acquiring that spirit of freedom 
and independence which finally led them to become among the most fearless and determined of the 
patriots who opposed and fought against the encroachments of the mother country upon their civil 
rights, the)- preserved through their colonial life, as did their descendants for man)- years after them, 
many of the English customs of their ancestors, and among others that of locating their burial place 
near and adjacent to their meeting-houses. From a knowledge of this fact we are able to settle the 
question as to which of the cemeteries of Nashua is most ancient with some considerable definiteness. 

The old records of the town throw- but little light upon this question. The first meeting-house 
in Nashua was built of logs ; its location is unknown, but it was somewhere between Salmon brook 
and what is now the state line. The second meeting-house was erected in 1684, and not far from the 
state line, near the "Old Burying Ground." It w-as in this last meeting-house that the Rev. Thomas 
Weld, the first minister in Nashua, was ordained in December, 1685 ; and at his death in 1702, he 
was buried in the " Old Burying Ground," as his monument now .standing therein testifies. 

The dates upon the monumental stones also bear witness to the antiquity of the "Old Burying 
Ground," one of them, at least, bearing the date of 1687, which is perhaps the oldest now decipherable. 

"THE OLD BURYING GROUND." 

The following ab.stract from the old records of Dunstable in New Hampshire, after the division 
of the old township, refer, apparently, to this cemetery : — 

"At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable assembled at the meeting-house on 
Thursday the 2d day of June, 1757. A'oted that the bearying Place be fenced in at the charge of the 
Town, Excluding those on the North side of Nashua River — also voted that Jonathan Lund Take a 
Deed of the Bearying Place in behalf of the town." 

Apparently the matter of fencing the grounds was overlooked or neglected, for, " at a meeting of 
the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable, March 4 & 30, 1761," as appears by the records, after the 
following preamble, viz : " Whereas, as a vote was passed June 2d, 1757 to fence the Burial place in 
this town — and it not being don," it was "Voted that Joseph French, Esq., Jonathan Lund and 
Jonathan Blanchard be a com"^'' to git it don and that the selectmen tax the Inhabitants of the town 
agreeable to said \'ote to pay the charge and order s"^ com. to draw the money for that charge out of 
the Town Treasury." 

"At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Dunstable mett at the meeting house on tuesday the 20th 
day of March 1764. 

Voted that Jonathan Lund take care of the Beurying Place and keep the Bru.sh well mown for 
two years and that he have Liberty to feed it with sheep that time." 

At a meeting held at the Meeting house Sept 12th 1766 " \'oted that the deed that ]\P Jon-^ Love- 
well gave to the Town of the Land where the Meeting House stands and the Deed that Mrs. Rebecca 
Blanchard gave of the Buring Place be put on Record in the Registers office and that Capt Jon» Lund 
get the same done." 



176 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

March 6, 1769, it was " Voted that Capt Jona Lund have the use of the Burying yard to pasture 
his sheep on this present year He mowing the Bushes on sd Burying Yard three times the ensuing 
Summer." 

It is located on the south side of the highway leading from Nashua to Lowell, on the west side of 
the Merrimack river. It is distant about four miles from the City Hall, and near Little's station. Its 
area is about one-half of an acre, and, while its general shape is that of a parellelogram, it is 
somewhat irregular in its contours. Within its limits, at the present time, there are two hundred and 
thirty-five graves, more or less distinctly defined. Of these about two hundred and thirteen have 
monuments or headstones ; upon many of which the inscriptions are nearly illegible. It is enclosed 
with an ordinary stone wall. Beneath the sacred soil some of the most distinguished and reputable 
of the citizens of the old township of Dunstable are interred; some of whom, in life, resided in that 
portion of the old township which now constitutes Nashua, and all of whom are represented by 
numerous descendants now living in our midst. Here are the graves of Nashua's two first ministers 
of the gospel, soldiers of the Indian and French wars, of the Revolution, and War of 1812 and 1S14, 
together with many of the early settlers, whose reputations as men of abilit}^ were colonial. The 
majority of the oldest graves are located in the front-central and northwest part. Many of these 
ancient graves are unmarked, and the names of their inmates utiknown. 

In the southwestern corner of the enclosure is a substantial granite monument, upon the sides of 
which are the following inscriptions : 

"Rev. Thomas Weld. Born June i, 1653. vSettled as the first minister of Dunstable in 16S5. 
Probably massacred by the Indians while defending the settlement June 7th, 1702. Aet. 49." 

" Erected b>- the City cf Nashua, 1876." 

" Here lieth the body of Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Thomas Weld, aged about 31 years, who died on 
July the 29th in the year 1687." 

"Rev. Natha'l Prentice. Born Dec. , 1698. Settled as the second minister in Dunstable 

1720. 

Died Feb. 25, 1737. Aet. 39." 

That portion of the above inscription which refers to the Rev. Mr. Weld's being massacred by 
the Indians is legendary, and, probably mythical, as there was no Indian war waging in 1702, nor 
for several years before or after that date. It .should be corrected. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Weld was a daughter of Hon. Edward Tyng. Her mother's native place was 
Dunstable, England, and our Dunstable received its name in compliment to her. It may be stated in 
this connection that Hon. Edward Tyng's death, which occurred Dec. 28, i68i, was the first recorded 
death in Dunstable; and that the first recorded birth was that of his grandson, William, son of 
Jonathan Tyng, born April 22, 1679. The original slatestone slab which stood at Mrs. Weld's grave, 
and from which the above inscription is taken, is, at this date, lying flat at the base of the monument 
on the south side. 

In the central part of the grounds stands a small rude slab of slatestone bearing the following 
inscription : 

" Memento Mori. Here lies the bod}- of Mr. Thomas Lund who departed this life Sept. 5, 1724, 
in the 42nd year of his age. This man with seven more that lies in this grave was slew all in a day 
b}- the Indiens." 

The eight bodies interred in this grave were of those who were ambushed and slain by the 
Indians near Naticook brook. 

The number of settlers engaged in the affair is uncertain. Judge Penhallow gives it as fifteen; 
Fox, whose account is, perhaps, as careful and particular as anj-, puts the number as ten; as do also 
Nason and McClintock respectively. 

The names of seven of the party are given by the Boston News Letter as follows: Lieut. 
Ebenezer French, Thomas Lund, Oliver Farwell and Ebenezer Cummings, of Dunstable, Daniel 
Baldwin and John Burbank, of Woburn, and Mr. Johnson, of Plainfield. 

It is certain that Josiah Farwell was also one of the party, and the only one, perhaps, who 
escaped death. 

The names of the seven who were buried in this grave with Thomas Lund are unknon'n; but, if 
the records of other memorial stones near bv and in a line with that of the eight, are true, it is 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. ,77 

certain tliat of tlic seven naniuil in the Boston News Letter, two, at least, were buried in other and 
separate <;raves. 

Ujion that one of these other stones nearest to the grave of the eight is the following inscription: 
"Here lies the body of Oliver l'"arwell, who died Sept. 5, 1724, aged 33." 

To the right, and next adjacent to Oliver Farwell's, stands a .stone upon which is inscribed : 

"Here lies the body of Kbenezer Cumniings who died .Sept. 5, 1724. Aet. 29." It will be 
noticed that both Farwell and Cunnnings are mentioned in the News Letter's list. Next to 
Cnniuiings' grave, and on its right, is another nieniorial stone with this inscription: 

" Benjamin Carter, who departed this life Sept. 5th 1724. Aged 23." 

Carter's name does not appear in the above list, but is mentioned as a member of this party by 
Nason. Of Josiah Fanvell, who has been mentioned as the only one who escaped death in the 
massacre, it is recorded that he was a member of Lovewell's expedition in the following year, 1725, 
and that he " died of exhaustion after the fight at Pigwacket Pond." Thus it would appear that, 
with the eight mentioned as buried in one grave, and the four whose names are last above mentioned, 
— and whose membership in the ambushed party would seem to be well established, — the party 
consisted of, at least, twelve men, a result which gives color of truth to Judge Pennhallow's 
statement that there were really two conflicts with the Indians on vSept. 5. 1724, occurring between 
Naticook brook and the Nashua river, and that the whole number of whites engaged was fifteen. 

" Here lies interred the Remains of Col. Zaccheus Lovewell, who departed this life April 12, 
1772, in the 72 j-ear of his age." 

Colonel Lovewell was a brother of Capt. John Lovewell who was slain b\- the Indians at the 
famous fi,ght at Pigwacket Pond, May 8, 1725. He was a colonel of a regiment in the P'rench War of 
1759, succeeding Colonel Blanchard in command, and was present at the taking of Ticonderoga and 
Crown Point.* He is the only member of the original Lovewell family buried in this cemetery, so 
far as monumental records show. 

"In Memor\- of Col. Plbenezer Bancroft who died Sept. 22, 1S27. Aet. 90. He was an officer 
in the French war, and in the American Revolution and was in the battle of Bunker Hill." 

The Bancrofts lived in what is now T\-ngsborough. Col. Ebenezer Bancroft enlisted at the age of 
sixteen in the company comnianded by Capt. John Goffe, Col. Joseph Blanchard's regiment in the 
PVench War. He was an ensign and .served through the war. In 1769 and 1771 he was one of the 
selectmen. vSoon after the fight at Lexington he entered the Continental army as a captain in Col. 
Ebenezer Bridge's regiment and was present in the battle of Bunker Hill, where he was wounded. 
He was made a lieutenant-colonel in 1780. In 1777 he was chosen representative to the general court. 
At his death he was buried with military lienors. He was a son of Lieut. Timothy Bancroft. 

" In Memory of Mrs. Susannah, wife of Col. F^benezer Bancroft, who died Oct. 4, 1823. Aet. 80." 

" In Memory of Maj. John Lund, who died March 11, 1822. Aet. 74. One who took an active 
part in the liberty of his country and defended well in the battle of Bunker Hill." 

He was a sergeant in Capt. William Walker's company, which formed a part of Col. Reed's 
regiment at the battle of Bunker Hill. In July, 1776, he was first lieutenant of a company raised by 
Capt. William Barron for an expedition to Canada. He was a Dunstable man. 

" Hannah, wife of Maj. John Lund, died Ma>' 4. 1847. Aet. 96." 

" Sacred to the memory of Ensign Benjamin Smith, who died Aug. 16, i<So5, in the 41st year of 
his age." 

His name appears in Fox's list of Revolutionary soldiers. He was from that part of Dunstable 
now in New Hampshire. His company and regiment are unknown. He was one of the committee 
chosen " to assist the town's delegates to the constitutional convention." 

" Here lies Interred the Remains of Ensign Samuel Howard, who departed this life February 
7th, 1769. Aged 84 years and 10 months." 

Probably a soldier in the P'rench War. In 1774 he was the owner of a large tract of land near 
Howard's brook. — [Nason]. 

" Here lies the Body of Lieut. Timothy Bancroft, who departed this life Nov. 21st, 1772, in the 
63 year of his age." 

•Belknap's History of N. II., p. 315. 



178 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

He is said to have lived in that part of Okl Dunstable which is now Tyngsboroiigh, in a house 
which is still standing on the river road. He had two sons; Col. Ebenezer and Dea. Jonathan 
Bancroft, who are buried in this cemetery. — [Fox]. 

" Here lies ye Body of Mrs. Elizabeth Bancroft, ye wife of Eieut. Timothy Bancroft, who Dec'd 
Sept. 23d, A. D. 1754 in ye 39th year of her age." 

Mrs. Bancroft was a sister of Lieut. Josiah Farwell, who was slain in the Pigwacket fight. 

" Erected in memory of Capt. Benjamin French, whose remains are here interred, who departed 
this life Dec. 15, A. D. 1779 in the 74th year of his age." 

He was a son of Joseph French, Sr., and a grandson of Samuel French, one of the first settlers 
of Dunstable, coming from Billerica. 

In January, 1775, he was chosen as one of a committee of inspection "to see that the result of 
the late Continental congress be carried into practice." This was the congress that met at Philadelphia 
in September, 1774, and published a Declaration of Rights. In 1776, he was elected a delegate to the 
county congress and also a member of the committee of safety. April 17, 1778, he was chosen a 
delegate to the Constitutional convention at Exeter. In March, 17S2, he was elected representative 
to the general court. 

"Here lies the body of Mrs. Mary French, wife of Capt. Benjamin French, who departed this 
life Dec. 17, 1774, aged 44 years 7 mos. and 8 days." 

" Here lies the body of Col. Joseph F'rench who departed this life March 21st 1776 in the 63 year 
of his age." 

A brother of Capt. Benjamin French. Was proprietor's clerk at one time, and undoubtedly a 
man of influence, as, in a list of the inhabitants of the First parish in 1772, his name appears under 
the title of Esquire, a title which then meant something more than mere form. 

" Ensign Benjamin Whitney. Died May 19, 1802. Aet. 49." 

He was a Nashua man and a member of Capt. William Walker's company, Colonel Reed's 
regiment, and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. 

" Here lyes interred ye body of Josiah Willard, Captain of Fort Dummer, formerly of Lancaster, 
Lunenburg, and Winchester, and colonel of regiment of foot, who died here December ye 8th Anno 
Domini 1750 in the 38 year of his age." Fort Dummer is now Hinsdale, N. H. 

"Lieut. Samuel Pollard who died Oct. 16 1800 in the 58 year of his age." He was probably 
one of the family of Pollards who were among the early settlers of Dunstable ; some of the family 
being located on the ea.sterly side of the Merrimack river as early as 17 12. 

" Here lyes Buried the Body of the Hon. Joseph Blanchard, Esq., who departed this life April 
7th, 1758, aged 55 years." 

He was a son of Capt. Joseph Blanchard and grandson of Dea. John Blanchard, an early settler 
in Dunstable. Colonel Joseph lived in Nashua, his house was three hundred rods north of the state 
line. — [Fox, 150]. 

He sen-ed in the French War as colonel of a regiment raised by New Hampshire for an expedi- 
tion against Crown Point. In 1741 he was counsellor of state by appointment from the king, and 
from 1749, until his death, he was a judge of the superior court of judicature of the state. 

"Memento Mori. Here lyes ye Body of Madam Rebecca Blanchard, Relict of Jo.seph Blanchard, 
Esq. Aet. 63, who died April 17th, 1774." Mrs. Blanchard was a Hubbard (Hobart). 

" Capt. Mathew Chambers, an ofhcer of the Revolution, died Jan. 30, 1809. Aet. 73." 

"Remember Death. In Memory of Lieut. Oliver Woods, who departed this life Feb. 22, 1799, in the 68 year 
of his age." 

He was a soldier in Capt. William Walker's company, raised in Cambridge soon after the fight 
at Lexington. The company consisted of sixty-six men, of whom forty, including Captain Walker, 
were from Dunstable. 

"Here lyes Buried vr Body of Mr. Thomas Adams, who departed this life Feb. i8th. 1746, in ye 71st year of 

his age." 
" Here lyes the Body of Mrs Juda Adams, who departed this life the 15th of .\pril, 1755, aged 74." 
" Here lyes Buried ye Body of Phinehas Adams, ye son of Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Juda Adams, who Dec't Dec. 
4th, 1747, aged 23 y'rs 7 mos. 28 days." 

The Adams' resided in the south part of Old Dunstable. 



H/STOh'V or NASHUA, N. //. 179 

" Here lies the body of William Pickiiian AhboU who dec'd Sept. 14, 1809, aged 3 years and i mo." 
" Here lies the body of Mrs. Mary .Mis who departed this life Mar. 28, 1771, in the 71 of her age." 
" Memento Mori. Here lies Timothy Bancroft Junr who departed this life .\ug. 12, 1754, in the 21st year of 

his age. This erected b)- E. B. in 1774." 
" In memory of Mrs. Hannah, wife of Ebenezer Bancroft, Ksij., who died I'eb. 13, 1783. .\et. 78 years." 
"Julia Bancroft, died Feb. 13, 1783. Aet. 78 years." 
"Mary Bancroft, Died Aug. 14, 1880. Aet. 79 yrs. 6 mos. ' 
"In memory of Timothy Bancroft son of Deacon Jonathan and Mrs. Martha Bancroft, who died .Sept. 17, 

1785, aged 2 years." 
"Martha, daughter of Maj. Jona. and Sarah Bancroft, died Sept. 6, 1751. Aet. 33." 
" In Memory of Ebenezer Bancroft, Est]., who died Mav 6, 1758. Aet. 80." 

He wa.s a son of Ebenezer and Susannah Bancroft. 

" In Memory of Mrs. Hannah, wife of Ebenezer Bancroft, Esq., who died Oct. 13, 1770. .Aged 94 years i mo. 

and 15 da}-s." 
" In Memory of Dea. Jonathan Bancroft, who died July 11, 1815, in the 65th year of his age." 
"Martha, daughter of Maj. Jonathan Bancroft and Mrs. Sarah his wife, died March 19, 1817. .Aet. 9 mos." 
" ,S. Elizabeth, dau. of Ebenezer & Jane R. Bancroft. Died Feb. 27, i860. Aet. 2 y'rs." 
"In Memory of Mrs. Haunahe, daughter of Eben Bancroft, Esq. and Mrs. Hannah his wife, who died March 

20, 1830. Aet. 24." 
"Joseph G., son of Ebenezer cit Hannah Bancroft. Died Oct. 27, 1849. Aet. 28." 
One f "Jonathan Bancroft, died Sept. 24, 1838. Aet. 64 yrs. 7 mos." 
stone. I "Sarah his wife. Died Dec. i, 1862. Aet. 87 years & 2 mos." 

The Bancrofts interred in this cemetery are descendants of Lieut. Timothy Bancroft, one of the 
early settlers of Okl Dnitstable. For memoranda concerning him see prior page in this chapter. 

" Erected in memory of the Hon. Jonathan Blanchard, who departed this life July ye ]6th, 1788. .Aet. 51. 

Son of the Hon. Joseph Blanchard." 
"In Memory of Mrs. Rebeccah Blanchard, wife of the Hon. Jonathan Blanchard, who died Aug. 20. 181 1 in 

the 72 year of her age." 

Jonathan Blanchard was a son of Col. Joseph Blanchard, and a great grandson of Dea. John 
Blanchard, whom Fox mentions as one of the founders of the church in Dunstable in 1649, and who 
came to New England in the ship Jonathan in 1639. In 1775 he, Jonathan, was a delegate to the 
Revolutionary convention at Exeter; and in 1776, a representative to the general court. In 1777, he 
was attorney general for the state. In 1778, a member of the committee of safety for the state, and 
in 1784 was appointed jttdge of probate for Hillsborough count)-, an office which he held, probabh-, 
up to his death. 

" Here lyes the Body of Mr. Eleazer Blanchard, who departed this life the 19th day of March, 1753, in the 22d 

year of his life." 
"Eleazer Blanchard, son of Mr. Joseph and Abiah Blanchard, aged i year. Died .April 20, 1718. 
" Here lies the body of Caleb Blanchard the son of the Hon. Joseph Blanchard " — the rest of the inscription is 

illegible. 
" Here lyes ye Bod}' of Mrs. Abiah Blanchard. the relict of Capt. Joseph Blanchard, who Deceased the 8th of 

December, 1746, aged 70." 
" Deacon James Baldwin, born in Woburn, Mass., 1773. died Nov. 25th, 1827. .Age<l 54." 
" Pricilla Keyes, wife of Deacon Jas. Baldwin, born in Westford, Mass., 1772, died Aug. 11, 1849, aged 77." 
" Here lies the Body of Jonathan Butterfield, the son of Capt. Jonathan Butterfield & Susan his wife, who 

departed this life July 3rd, 1759, in the i ith year of his life." 
" Here lyes Buried the Body of Mr. Ebenezer Cummings, who Dec'd Sept. \'e 5, 1 724, in the 29th year of his age." 

He was one of the party who were slain in the Naticook massacre ; (see preceding page in this 
chapter.) Probably a son of John Cummings, Sr., an early settler. 

" Here Ives the Body of Deacon Thomas Cummings : aged 64 years 3 mos & 17 days. Dec'd Jan. 20, 1792." 
" Here lies ye Body of Oliver Colburn ye son of Capt. Oliver Colburn & \A\cy his wife, whodied July 5, 1752." 
" Here lies ye Body of Mary Colburn ye daughter of Oliver Colburn & Lucy his wife, who died March ye nth 

A. D. 1746, in the 6th year of her age." 
"Rachel Colburn, daughter of Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Mary Colburn. Dec'd Jan. 8, 1723, aged i year 3 mos. 

& 19 days." 
"Here lies ye Body of Edward Colliurn, son of Mr. Thomas & Mrs. Mary Colburn, who died .April 18. 1723, 

aged 18 years, 7 mos. & 2 days." 
" Here lyes j-e Body of Hannah Colburn, Daugt. of Mr. Thomas and Jlrs. Mary Colburn. .Aged 14 years. 

Died March 8, 1717.-18." 
" Memento Mori. Here lies the Body of Deacon Thomas Colburn, who dc]iartcd this life Nov. 2d, 1770 in the 

96th j-ear of his age." 



i8o HISTORY OF N^SHi^A, N. H. 

" Here Lyes the Body of Mrs. Mary Colburn. wife of Deacon Thomas Collnirii, who died Sept. yth, A. D. 17.^9." 
De'a. Thomas Colburn (says Fox) probably came from Chelmsford. He was an early settler in 
Dunstable. Many of his descendants are now living in Nashua and vicinity. 

" Here Lyes the Body of Mr. Benjamin Carter, who Dec'd Sept. the 5th, 1724 in the 25 year of his age." 
He was one of the victims of the Naticook Brook massacre, mentioned previously in this chapter. 

"Here lies the Body of Mrs. Elener Cox, daughter of Mr. William Cox and Miss Esther his wife, who 
departed this life April 13, A. D. 1767 in the 24th year of his age." 

"Jas. Campbell born in Windham, Aug. 10, 1805, died Feb. i. 1886." 

"Sara W., his wife, born in London, Aug. 8-1805, died July 11, 1886." 
The Campbells sleep under a white marble monument of modern design. 

"In memorv of Mrs. Benjamin Cutler. Obt. Feb. 21, 1S29. .Aet. 61." 

"In Memorv of Dr. Nathan Cutler. Obt. F'eb. 22, 1830. Aet. 91." 

Fox says that during the Revolutionary War and for many years Ijefore he was the only physician 

in town. [S.ee chap, on Physicians]. 

f " Nathan Cutler, Esq., died July 19, 1S62. Aet. 65 years 8 uios. 
'1 "Sarah F). his wife, died June 20, 1875. Aet. 70 yrs." 

The last two inscriptions above are upon one headstone. 
"Chas. V,. Cutler. Died Mar. 5, 1886. Aet. 49 years and 4 mos." 
"Nathan L. Cutler. Born Mar. 28, 1831, Died April 29, 1S83." 
"Benj. W. Cutler: boru Nov. 16, 1820. Died Dec. 21, 1880." 
"Joseph W. Cutler, died Oct. 8, 1867. Aet. 38." 
( " Isaac Cutler died April 23, 1865. Aet. 71." 
\ " Hannali, his wife, died Dec. 27, 1863. .Aet. 74 years." 
" Hannah L., daughter of Isaac & Hannah Cutler, died Nov. 17, 1858. Aet. 30 years 11 months." 
" Frances, daughter of Jeremiah and Hannah Davis, died July 30, 1838. aged 2 years & 3 months." 
\ ' [n Memory of Miss Betsey B., daughterof Mr. Isaiah and Mrs. Deborah Davis, who died Jan. 30. 1826, aged 35." 
" Deborah, widow of Isaiah Davis. Died June 15, 1853. Aet. 82." 
" In Memory of Mr. Isaiah Davis who died Aug. 2, 1835. Aet. 65." 
"Memento Mori. Here lies the body of Mr. Cornelius Danley, who departed this life July 10, 1776, in the 

68th year of his age." 
"'Here lies the Body of Mrs. Mary Eaton the wife of Mr. Josep Eaton, who departed this life the 19th of June 

A. D. 1750." 
"Here Lyes ye Body of Oliver Ears, son of Mr. Joseph Ears & Mrs. Bridget Ears his wife, who died Dec. ye 

26, A. D. 1757. Being 8 months & 8 dav-s old." 
" Here lies ye Body of Joseph Ears the son of Mr. Joseph Ears and Mrs. Bridget Ears his wife, who died May 

ye 31st, 1756. Being 8 months & 5 days old." 
" Erected in Memor\- of Mr. Joseph Eayrs, who departed this life F'eb. 7th, 1798, aged 69 years 4 mos. & I2days." 

In April, 1775, he was a delegate to the Revolutionary convention at Exeter. In May, same 
year, he and Noah Lovevvell were delegates to the Revolutionary convention at Exeter. 
" Erected in memory of Robert Fletcher, Esq., who died Sept. 9, 1792, aged 65 years." 

A son of Robert Fletcher, one of the earliest settlers of Dunstable, coming from Chelmsford. 
" Died June 23, 1834. Roger Fuller, aged 60 years." 
"Nathan Freeman. Died Dec. 24, 1891. Aet. 84 yrs., 9 mos." 

"Amv Turrell, wife of Nathan Freeman. Died Nov. 28, 1884. Aet. 78 years, 5 mos." 
" Here lyes ye Body of Mr. ( )liver Farwell, who died Sept. 5th, 1 724 in ye 35 year of his age." 

One of the slain at the Naticook Brook massacre. He was born in 1691. His father, Henry 
Farwell, was one of the early settlers of Old Dunstable, coming from Chelmsford. The descendants 
of the family are numerotis in Nashua and ^■icinity. 

"In Memory of Peter Smith F'arwell, son of Capt. John and Mrs. Elizabeth Farwell, who died Oct. 12, 1792, 

in the 6th year of his age." 
" Memento Mori. Erected in Memory of Mrs. Abigail Farwell. wife of Oliver Farwell, who departed this 

life .Aug. 18, 1789 in the 68 year of her age." 
"In Memory of Mr. Oliver Farwell, who was born at Dunstalile, Nov. 19, 1717, & departed this life F'eb. 3-e 

12, 1808." 
" Memento Mori. Here lies the Body of Benjamin I'arwell, who departed this life JIarch 20, 1772 in the 56 

year of his age." 
"Elizabeth Farwell, daughter of Mr. Isaac & Mrs. Sarah I'arwell. Died Nov. ve ist, 1727, aged 7 mos. & 21 

days." 
" Here lies ye Bod}- of Ensign Joseph F'arwell. who died Deer, ye 31, 1772 in ve 82 year of his age." 
" Memento Mori. Here lyes the Body of Mr. Benjamin French, son of Capt. Benjamin French and Molly 

his wife. He departed this life Oct. 29, 1776, in the 23rd year of his age." 



///.V7VVv')' OF .V.ISNf'.l, X. II. i8i 

" Memento Mori. Here lies the Hody of Mrs. Hridjjet French, wife of Capt. Joseph I'rench, who departed this 

life October 29, 1735. aged 20 years." 
"Here lyes ye Body of Isaac l"rench. son of Capt. Joseph French and Mrs. I!rid><et l-"rench his wife, who died 

Aug. ye 4th, 1753, in the 20tli year of his age." 
" Here lyes ye Body of Mrs. F^li/.abeth French, wife of Capt. Joseph French, who deceased Jan. 20th, .\. V). 1753." 
" Here lyes Buried ye Body of Deacon Jonathan l-'rench, who departed this life Nov. 17, 1757, in the 54th year 

of his age." 

He wa.s a brother of Kbeiiezer French, who was slain hy the Indians at Xaticook Hrook, Sept. 
5. '724- 

■• Here lies lUirinl the Body of Mrs. Jane, the wife of Dea. Samuel (Vreeley, who departed this life June 12th, 

1762, in the 58 year of her age." 
" Erected in Memory of Mrs. Charlotte Harvanl, wife of Mr. Jonathan H.-irvard, who departed this life July 

II, 1 801, in the 28th year of her age." 
"Here Lyes the Body of Mr. William Harwood, who departe<l this life Sept. 17. 1740. in the 75th year of his 

age." 
" Memento Mori. Here lies the Body of Esther Harwood. wife of Mr. William Harwood, who departed this 

life Oct. 8th. 1747. in the 72d year of her age." 

He was an early settler in Old Dnnstable. One of his sons (John) was killed in the fi.i;ht at 
Pigwacket Pond. 

" Memento Mori. Here lyes the Body of Mrs. Jemima Houston, ye w'ife of Mr. Ovid Houston, Who departed 

this life Dec. 26, 1762, in the 27th year of her age." 
" Memento Mori. Erected in Memory of Mrs. Catherina Houston, 2d wife to Mr. Ovid Houston, who departed 

this life Nov. 17, 1778, in the 45th year of her age." 
" Ebenezer Hadley. Died June 23, 1867. Aet. 84." 
" Mary, his wife. Died July 5th, 1827. Aet. 31." 
" Elizabeth, his 2nd wife. Died Dec. 15, 1879. Aet. 77." 

These inscriptions of the Hadleys are taken from a marble square set into a massive granite slab, 
which stands at the front of the only tomb in the cemetery. It is situate in the southwest corner, and 
appears to be of considerable antiqtiit}-. 

" Deacon Joseph Hall. Died Dec. 18, 1854. Aet. 79 y's and 3 m." 

" Rhoda, wife of Joseph C. Hall. Died March 13. — Aet. 87 yrs." 

" Franklin Hall. Died Jan. i. 1869. Aged 69 years." 

"Sarah W., wife of Elbridge Hall. Died Oct. 21, 1849, aged 49 years." 

" Mary, wife of Elbridge Hall. Died Dec. 23 — aged 57 years." 

" Rebecca. Daughter of Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Rebecca Howard, died .\ug. 25, 1793. Aet. 3 years & 10 months." 

" In memory of Jonathan Howard, son of Mr. Jonathan Howard, who died July 27. 1802. .^ged 5 yrs.. 7 mos." 

" Harriet, wife of Chas. Hunter. Died March 24, 1854. .Aet. 40 years. 7 mos." 

" Here Lyes the Body of Jlrs. Ruth Hill, wife of Enoch Hill, who departed this life the 7th of February, 1747, 
aged 36." 

"Remember Death. In memory of Dea. William Hunt, who departed this life May 9, 1797. in the 74th year 
of his age." 

He was an early settler here ; was a representative to the general court in 17S1. and a delegate to 
the convention which met at Exeter in Feb. 1788, and adopted the Constitution of the l^nited .States. 

" Memento Mori. Here lies the Bodyof Mrs. Mary Hunt, wife of Deacon William Hunt, who departe<l this 

life Feb. ist, 1781, in the 52d year of her age." 
" Remember Death. In Memory of Mrs. Hannah Hunt, wife of Dea. William HuiU. wlio departed this life 

Oct. 19th, 1787, aged 51 years." 
"Jeremiah Hunt. Died Jan. 3, 1844. Aet. 85." 
"Memento Mori. Erected in memory of Mrs. l^annie Hunt, wife of Mr. Jeremiah Hunt, who departed this 

life Oct. 3, 1795, aged 31 years 10 mos. & 20 days." 
"Esther Hunt, wife of Jeremiah Hunt, died April 9, 1843. .\et. 84." 
"Here lyes Ijuried ye Body of Deborah Kendall, ye wife of Mr. John Kendall, who died .March ye 34I, .\. I). 

1739 & was 43 years old." 

John Kendall was an early settler in Dunstable, coming from Woburn, .Mass. 

"In Memory of Xoah Lovewell, son of Col. Noah Lovewell and Jlrs. Mary his wife, who died May 6, 1777, 

aged 5 months and 25 days." 
" In Memory of F;sther Lovewell, daughter of Col. Noah Lovewell and Mrs. Mary his wife, who died Oct. ye 

I7i i777> aged 3 years & 8 da\-s." 
"Here lies the Body of Mrs. Jean Lund, wife of Capt. Jonathan Lund, whodeparted this life Sept. ye 14 .\nno 

D. 1764, in the 51st year of her age." 



i82 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

" Here lyes the Body of Mary Lund, Daughter of Capt. Jonathan Lund and Mrs. Jean his wife ; who departed 

this life Nov. ye 17th, 1758, aged 9 years, 2 mos, & 3 days." 
"Here lyes the Body of Mehitable Lund, daughter of Capt. Jonathan Lund & Mrs. Jean his wife, who departed 

this life Nov. 28, 1758. aged 3 years, 5 mos. and 9 days." 
" Remember Death. In Memory of Mr. Oliver Lund, who departed this life March i8th, 1776, aged 24 years." 
"Here lies the bodv of Mr. Thomas Lund, who departed this life Sept. 5, 1724, in the 42d year of his age. 

This man with seven more that lies in this grave was slew all in a day by the Indiens." 

He was a son of Thomas Lund, one of the earliest settlers in Nashua, from whom the ntimerotis 
branches of the family, residing in Nashua and vicinity, are descended. 

" In Memor}- of Lieut. Levi Lund, who died Dec. 24, 1814, aged 59 3'ears." 

"In Memory of Mrs. Sarah Lund, wife of Lieut. Levi Lund, who died May 28, 1785, aged 23 years." 

"Levi Lund, died Oct. i5, 1853. Aet. 70." 

"In Memory of Mrs. Mary Lund, wife of Mr. Levi Lund, who died June 2, 1837, aged 41." 

"Sarah, daughter of Mr. Levi and Mrs. Mary Lund, died May 17, 1832. Aet. 14 years." 

"Benjamin, son of Levi and Mary Lund, died Aug. 15, 1824, aged 15 mos., also (in same grave) died Jan., 

1823, Aet. 14 days." 
"Brother. Friland P. Lund, born March 20, 1816, died Jan. ii, 1890." 
"Mrs. Mary Ann, wife of Friland P. Lund, died May 23, 1858. Aet. 37 years, 8 mos." 
"Our Father. Clifton Lund, died April 26, 1857. Aet. 73 years. 
"Our Mother. Rebecca C. Lund, died Nov. 6, 1869. Aet. 77 years." 
"Charles A. Lund, died Jan. 14, 1865. Aet. 3 years." 
"John Little, died June 7, 1854. Aet. 53 years." 
"Betsey D. his wife, died Dec. 17, 1840, aged 34 years." 

"John Noyes, son of John and Mrs. Betsey D. Little, died Nov. 16, 1S37, aged 2 j'ears." 
"Nathaniel Prentice, son of ye Rev'd Mr. Nathaniel & Mrs. Mary Prentice, deceased .'Vug. 17, 1724, aged 8 

weeks & 6 days." 
"Rebecca L., wife of Timothy Presby, died Sept. 10, 1841, Aet. 38." 

"In Memory of Mrs. Clarisa, wife of Timothy Presby, who died Jul}' 13, 1820. Aet. 32." 
"Edmund D. Page, died June 3, 1879. Aet. 67." 
" His wife Rebecca died June 8, 1859." 
"Cummings Pollard. Died Aug. 19, 1848. Aet. 81." 

"Hannah, wife of Cummings Pollard, died Sept. 23, 1870, aged 88 yrs. 9 mos. & 13 days." 
" In Memory of Samuel, son of Mr. Cummings and Mrs. Hannah Pollard, who died June 2, 1832, aged 16." 
"In Memory of Mr. Samuel Pollard, who died Jan. 13, 1816. Aet. 32." 
"Peggy, wife of Samuel Pollard. Died Jan. 25, 1830, aged 55 years." 
" In Memory of two daughters of Mrs. Peggy and Mr. Samuel Pollard. 

S. died April 27, 1800, aged 11 days. 

Mary died Sept. 28, 1805, aged 2 years." 
" In Memory of Mary J. Pollard, who died March 20, 181 1, aged 3 years." 
" Lucien Pollard, died May 15, 1851, aged 21." 

"Jas. F., son of James F. and Lucinda Pollard, died Dec. 3, 1837, aged 4 years." 
"An infant son of Jas. F. Pollard, aged 4 days." 

"Lucinda, wife of Jas. F. Pollard, died Aug. 7, 1870, Aet. 63 years." 
"James Pollard, died March 19, 1848, Aet. 47." 
"Mr. Thomas Pearson, died Feb. 9-1817, Aet. 66." 
Great grandfather of G. Byron Pearsons. 

" Mrs. Amy Pearsons, second wife of Mr. Thomas Pearson, died Sept. 9, 1798. .^et. 48." 
" Mrs. Phebe, third wife of Mr. Thomas Pearson, died Jul}- 29th, 1826, Aet. 68." 
"Hannah M. Roby, wife of Edward F. Richardson, born Feb. 12, 1818, died May 30th, 1891." 
This inscription is upon a stibstantial and beautiful granite monument, upon another side of which 
is the following : — 

" Hannah, wife of William Rob}', a Lieut, in the American Revolution. Died June 11, 1838, aged 95." 

"James S. Roby, died Feb. 8, 1866. Aet. 57 years, 8 months." 

" Emeline P., wife of James S. Roby, died Sept. 24, 1859, aged 31 years i mo. 11 days." 

" William Roby, died Aug. 27, 1850, aged 80 years, 9 mos." 

" Dolly, wife of William Roby, died March 12, 1846. Aet. 68 years, 5 mos." 

" Elbridge G., son of William and Dolly Roby, died Aug. 3, 1835. \ei. 24 yrs." 

" William Roby, born May 13, 1802, died July 6, 1862. Aet. 60 yrs." 

" Amelia, wife of William Roby, born May 3, 1812, died May 17, 1864. Aet. 52 years." 

" In Memory of Mr. Samuel Roby, who departed this life Nov. 3, 1799, aged 51 years 7 mos. & i day." 

" In Memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Roliy, wife of Mr. Samuel Roby, who died 19 Oct. 1812, aged 61 yrs. & 10 mos." 

Samttel Roby was a delegate to the county congress in 1776, and same year, was one of the com- 
mittee of in<5pection and also a member of the committee of safety. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 183 

"Andrew J. Swan, died July 28, 1865. Aet. 18 years." 

"Erected to the Memory of Rbenezer vStarr, I'hy.sician. wlio died Septenilier 7, MDCCXCVIII." 

" Erected in Memory of Mrs. Hannah Starr, wife of l-;bene/.er Starr, who died March 22, MDCCXCIV. Aet. 42." 

" In Memory of Mrs. Rebecca Starr, wife of Doctor Starr, who died Oct. 19, 1810, in the 45 )-ear of her age." 

" In Memory of Mrs. Agnes Smiley, wife of Mr. I'rancis Smiley, who died Dec. ye 23d, 1786, in the ggth year 

of her age." 
" In iiiLtnory of Mrs. Elizabeth vSmiley, wife of Mr. David Smiley, who departed this life July 20, i8cx3, in the 

53 year of her age." 
" In Memory of David Smiley, son of Mr. David Smiley, who died Dec. 1798, aged 6 years." 
" In memory of Miss Zilpah Stevens, daughter of Mr. Bill \V. and Mrs. Pliebe Stevens, who was brought up 

and died at Zeliedee Wrights. Aged 20 years." 
" Here lies the Body of Mrs. Jane Smith, the daughter of Mr. Benjamin and Mrs. Johaunah Smith, who died 

March 3rd, 1781, aged 10 years & 4 mos." 
" In Memory of Deac. Benjamin Smith, who died March 29, 1821 in the 83th year of his age." 
" In Memory of Mrs. Johannah Smith, wife of Benjamin .Smith, who died .■\ug. 21, 1814, in the 71st vear of 

her age." 
" Ballard Smith. Died Nov. 13, 1863. Aet. 89 yrs. 7 mos. 

Prudence, wife of Ballard vSmith. Died Sept. 30, 1851. Aet. 69." 
" Mr. Benjamin Searles, son to Mr. Samuel Searlesand Mrs. Mary Searles, who departed this life Jan. ve 27th. 

1756." [Age illegible!. 
" Here Lyes the Body of Mary Searles, wife of Samuel Searles, who departed this life the 24th of Oct., 1754, 

aged 43 years." 
"Henry Turrell. Died .\ug. 10, 1851. Aet. 67 yrs. & 8 months." 
"Lois Turrell. Died Aug. 23, 1861. Aet. 87 j'ears, 6 mos." 

"Leonard, son of Mr. Henry and Mrs. Lois Turrell ; died March 19, 1826. Aged 10 vears & g mouths." 
" Mr. Benjamin Taylor, son of Doct. Ebenezer Taylor; who died Nov. 17, 1787 in the 55th vear of his age." 
" Mrs. Martha Taylor, wife of Mr. Benja' Taylor, who died June 16, 1817, in the 79 vear of his age." 
" Memento Mori. In Memory of Miss Rebekah Worcester, daughter of M. I). Eldad Worcester and Mrs. 

Rebekah his wife, who died .\pril ye 8, 1790, aged 14 years & 25 days." 
"Helen E., daughter of Ephraim W. & Lydia W. Woodward, died Dec. i6th, 1850, aged 6 inonths and 25 davs." 
" In Memory of Mr. Alvah Wilkius, who died Ma}- 6th, 1826, aged 30." 
"In Memory of Zebedee Wright, who died Jan. i, 1823, aged 78.". 
" In Memory of Mrs. Thankfull Wright, wife of Mr. Zebedee "Wright, who died .Sept. 26, 1813, in the 6ist year 

of her life." 
"Zebedee Wright; died Jan. 23, 1853, aged 74." 

" Hannah, wife of Zebedee Wright, died Jan. 25, 1867. Aet. 90 yrs. 10 months." 
" In Memory of Mr. John Wright, who died March 19, 1816, in the 93 year of his age." 

Probably a Revolutionary soldier, as the name appears in Fox's list. He was one of nine men 
chosen as a committee of inspection in 1776. 

" In Memory of Mrs. Mary Wright, wife of John Wright, who departed this life Oct. loth, 1798, in the 58 vear 
of her age." 

The Wrights were among the early settlers of Dunstable. 

"In Memory of 3 children, sons and daughters of Captain Daniel and Mrs. Elizabeth Warner. 
John Ebenezer Elizabeth 

Sept. 7. Sept. 8th. Sept. 3. 

Aged 10 years. -\ged 18 years. Aged 13 years." 

Samuel Warner was the ancestor of the Dunstable Warners. He married Mary vSwallow, 
]\Iay 4, 1864. 

For an account of Rev. Thomas Weld, and Elizabeth, wife of Rev. Thomas Weld, see preceding 
pages. 

THE SOUTHWEST OR GILSON CEMETERY. 

This cemeter)- lies upon a somewhat unfrequented cross-road, or highway, known as the Gilson 
road, in the southwest part of the township, leading from the W^est Dunstable road, so called, near the 
residence of the late Stillman Swallow, Esq., to the main highway from the city to Runnell's bridge. 
It is situated abotit one-half mile from the Swallow residence, on the right side of the road, and is 
easily reached from the city by a drive of four miles and a half through some of the most productive 
and fertile lands within its territorial limits. 

The cemetery is oblong in shape and contains about one-half an acre. It is enclosed on all sides 
with a stibstantial fence of stone wall, and surrounded on three sides by a young growth of white pines 



i84 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

and birches : and, iiuleed, until within a few years, the same growth had encroached upon the sacred 
enclosure itself to that extent that the traveler would easily pass without the slightest suspicion of its 
existence, so far as being able to distinguish it, by any external evidence, from the surrounding 
forest growth. It has been cleared up, however, and is now comparatively free of bushes and trees. 

I have been unable to ascertain when and by whom this cemetery was first instituted and used. 
Its distance from the settled part of the city, however, and, indeed, from any village, and the marks 
of age exhibited in some of the graves, as well as its location in a part of the township even now 
somewhat sparsely settled and concerning which history, either written or traditional has little to say, 
would warrant the belief that it was originally used as a family burying ground. Whatever may 
have been its early origin, it is now under the control of the city authorities. 

A casual examination shows some nineteen or twent\' graves which are unmarked by monuments 
of identification ; of these eleven are to be counted in the northwest corner of the enclosure, some of 
which are marked by small granite stones, taken, evidently, from the surrounding soil : many of these 
stones are moss-grown, and both graves and stones bear evidence to the destroying hand of time. 
vSome of the graves are nearly obliterated, and in a few years longer, unless attended to, will be as if 
the\' had never been ; this is evidently the oldest part of the cemetery ; and as such, the most inter- 
esting, vet, so far as its record speak.s, the very names of those who sleep within these silent graves 
have, with their individualities, passed forever from the memor}- and knowledge of men. The)- are 
even beyond the realm of reasonable conjecture. 

There is no evidence of graves of Revolutionary or other soldiers in this cemetery. The oldest 
headstone at this date, so far as appearances and date show, is that of a child ; at this time it is lying 
flat upon the ground among the debris of other old headstones. It is of slatestone, moss-grown and 
weather-worn, and bears upon its upper front surface the familiar angel of death's head, found upon 
most of the gravestones of a century ago, and is the only stone in the cemetery thus marked. Upon 
it is the following inscription : "In memory of Leonard Fisk, son of Mr. Nathan and Martha Fisk, 
who died Aug, 3, 1798, aged 3 years and 7 months." 

Onlv one other headstone bears an earlier date than the one above mentioned, and that is situated 
in the southwest part of the cemetery. Upon it is inscribed as follows: " Hannah, wife of Benjamin 
Robbins, died Jan. 29 — 1796 — aet. 20." This headstone although bearing the earliest date of any, 
is of modern construction. 

The entire number of graves so far as one can estimate from definite and indefinite marks and 
signs, is not far from sixty, of which number thirty-seven have headstones, of which five are marble 
and the remainder slatestone. 

The following is an alphabetical list of the names of those whose graves are marked by monuments, 
taken from the monuments themselves, with date of death and age: — 

'■ Richard Adams — died Fel). 23 — 1812. Aged 56." 

" Sarali, wife of Richard Adams, died P'eb. 28, 1813, aged 63." 

"Nathan Fisk, died March 14, 1837, aged 74." 

" Martha Fisk, wife of Nathan Fisk, died July 31, 1817, aged 53." 

" Lucy Fisk, wife of Nathan FMsk, died Nov. 25, 1S43, aged 78." 

" Ralph Fisk, died Feb. 26, 1835, aged 33." 

" Nancy A. Fisk, died Aug. g, 1839, aged 9 years, 8 mos." 

" Leonard Fisk, died Aug. 3, 1798, aged 3 years, 7 mos." 

"John Gilson, died March 17, 1837, Aet. 71 years." 

"Betsey Gilson, wife of John Gilson, died March 30, 1840, aged 79." 

"John P. Gilson, died June 16, 1869, aged 75 years, 4 mos. i day." 

" Rebecca Gilson, wife of John P. Gilson, died May 30, 1840, aged 46." 

" Andrew Jackson, son of J. P. Gilson, died Feb. 15, 1828, aged i day." 

"John P. son of J. P. and Rebecca Gilson, died March 5, i833,_,\et 5 days." 

" Ruth Gilson, died June 4. i860, aged 87 years." 

"Jacob B. Gilson, died July 26, 1841, aged 68 years." 

" Jerusha Gilson, wife of J. B. Gilson, died May 22, 1821, aged 49." 

" Walter Gilson, son of J. B. and Lucy Gilson, died Aug. 28, 1811, aged 5 years 8 mos." 

" Mary Ann Holmes, daughter of Andy and Jane Holmes, died .\pril 16, 1847, aged 18 years." 

" Hannah Jewett, died .\pril 16, 1861, aged 67." 

" Rebeckah Philemeda Jewett, daughter of Daniel and Hannah Jewett, died June 10, 1840." 

"Lois Emeline Jewett, daughter of Daniel and Hannah Jewett, died Nov. 18, 1840, aged 17." 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, X. //. 185 

" Rufus Lawrence, died Dec. 16, 1846, aet. 29." 

" Henry R., son of Rufus and Mary Lawrence, dit-d April 18, 1846, aet. 4 mos." 

" Asa Newton, died Jan. 16, 1800, aged 82 \'ears." 

" Lavinia Newton, wife of .\sa Newton, died July 6, 1838, aged 27." 

"Miss Sally Newton, died Oct. 12, 1835, aged 28." 

"Mary Newton, died March 18, 1855, aged 77." 

" Hannah F. Rohbins, wife of Jothan Robbins, <lied Heb, 8, 1868, aged 99 years." 

"Benjamin Robbins, died July 19, 1848." 

"Hannah Robbins, wife of Benjamin Robbins, died Jan. 29, 1796, aged 20." 

"Sarah, wife of Benjamin Robbins, died May 12, 1861, aged 78 vrs 8 months." 

"Benjamin N. Robbins, son of Benjamin and Hannah Robbins, died March 18, 1813, aged 20." 

"Zadock Searles, died July 7, 1820, aged 48 j-ears." 

"Elizabeth, wife of Zadock Searles, died Jan. 29, 1845, aged 45." 

" Hyram Searles, son of Zadock and Elizabeth Searles, — same grave — two years." 

" .\bu, son of George D. and Sylvia S. Wilson, died .\pril 12, 1840, 6 months, 19 days." 

THE OLD SOUTH CEMETERY. 

The Old South cemetery is situated ou the west side of the Lowell road about one and one-half 
miles from the City Hall building, and is in that portion of the city which, from early colonial days, 
has been known as " The Harbor." It is in the heart of what was the more thickly settled part of 
early Nashua. How early it began to be u.sed as a burial ground is unknown. The earliest date 
appearing upon any of the headstones is upon that of Rev. Joseph Kidder, again.st the name of Joseph 
Kidder, Jr., le, November, 1811. 

The " Old South " meeting-house, as it was called, was erected about this time, and was dedicated 
Nov. 4, 18 1 2. It stood just south of this cemetery, on the spot now occupied by the dwelling-house 
of Hiram A. Holt. 

It is very possible that the use of this land as a burial place dates, substantially, with the erection 
and use of the " Old South." 

Formerly its area was about one acre, but a few years since it was increased in size by an addition 
of land on the west side, so that to-day its territory comprises about two acres. The new part is, as 
yet, unocctipied, and is in a very neglected condition. 

In the old portion there are in the neighborhood of two hundred and seventy-five graves ; of these 
two hundred and thirty-five are distinguished by headstones or monuments, nearly all of which are in 
a well presen-ed condition. A neat picket fence bounds it at the road side, and the north and south 
sides are enclosed with trim and substantial stone walls. \ broad avenue extends through the central 
part of the old grounds from east to west, and a few white pines standing singlv or in groups, — lonely 
descendants of the ancient forests once occupying the spot, — afford a grateful shade to the visitors 
and add to the (piiet beauty of the cemetery. 

In the following pages we give the names of the soldiers buried here, together with a list of all 
the inscriptions upon its monumental stones. 

REVOLUTION.ARY WAR. 

"Gen. Noah Lovewell, died May 29, 1820. Aet. 79." 

" Mary, his wife. Died Nov. 24, 1835, AE. 93." 

General Lovewell was a son of Col. Zaccheus Lovewell, and giandson of John Lovewell, the 
progenitor of the Lovewell family in Old Dunstable. He lived, as did all the family, in Dunstable, 
N. H. April 25, 1775, he and Joseph Ayers were delegates to the convention which met at Exeter for 
the purpose of appointing delegates to act for the state in the General Continental congress at Phila- 
delphia, May 10, 1775. In 1776, he was one of the committee of safety. In 1776, he was quartermaster 
of Colonel Oilman's regiment, which was ordered to New York. In 1778, he was one of a committee 
of eleven appointed to assist the delegates to the convention holden at Exeter, Jtnie lo, for the 
purpose of forming a state constitution. In December, 1778, he was chosen representative for one 
year: being the first representative elected in Nashua under the constitution. In 1786 he was again 
elected representative. In 1803 he was appointed postmaster, and was the first to occupy that posi- 
tion in Nashtia. He had three children, one of whom, Betsey, married Hon. Jes.se Bowers, whose 
descendants are still livinsj here. 



1 86 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

" Philip Abbott Roby. Born in Dunstable, Mass., Sept. 2, 1754. Died in Dun,stable, N. H., 
July 8, 1828." 

The name of Philip Roby appears in the muster-roll of Capt. William Walker's company, which 
was in Colonel Reed's regiment, and in the battle of Bunker Hill. It is probably the same man, the 
initial letter of the middle name being omitted by accident or mistake. In 1776, according to Fox, 
Philip Abbot Roby was a member of Capt. Daniel Wilkin's company, in Col. Timothy Bedell's 
regiment, which was stationed on the northern frontier. 

" Phineas Whitney. Died March 29, 1832. Aet. Si." 

He was a corporal in Capt. William Walker's company, Colonel Reed's regiment, and fought at 
Bunker Hill. 

" In Memory of Asa Moore, who died Aug. 2, 1822. Aet. 84. He enlisted from Andover, Mass." 

WAR OF 1812-1814. 

" Major Paul Morrill." 

He served on the northern frontier; was a native of Henniker. He came to Nashua in 1827, 
where he continued to reside until his death. Two of his grandchildren, Charles W. Morrill and 
Mary M. Morrill, are residents of the city. He was a sergeant in Capt. Benjamin Bradford's company. 
Enlisted April i, and served to May 31, 1813.* 

" Col. George Bowers. Captain 9th U. S. Infantry Mexican War. 1847-48. Lieut. Colonel 
13th N. H. Vols. V. R. Corps. 1862-65. Postmaster, Nashua, 1853 to 1861. Mayor, Nashua, 
1 86 1 and 1868." 

In the same lot with the remains of Colonel Bowers are two marble tablets, upon one of which is 
inscribed " Caroline," and upon the other "Abigail." 

WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

" Nathan H. Fester. Died Dec. 21, 1880. Aged 47 years." 

A member of the N. H. battalion of the ist R. I. cavalry." 

"James B. Richardson. A member of the 32d Maine regiment, Co. B. 

"John Wyman Fife. A member of the N. H. battery. Died Nov. 26, 1865. Aet. 39 yrs." 

" Charles H. Blodgett. — Died April 30, 1864. Aet. 18 yrs. 5 nios." 

He was a member of the N. H. cavalry. 

"Joel .'Vdams. Died April 16, 1828. Aet. 46." 

"Polly, wife of Joel Adams. Died Nov. 30, 1874. Aet. 84." 

" Louisa E., Daur of Joel and Polly Adams. Died June 9, 1852. Aet. 29." 

"Mary E. Adams. Died May 9, 1878. Aet. 66." 

"Joel N. Adams. Died Mar. 13, 1865. Aet. 57." 

" Georjfe McAlister, died March 14, 1839. Aet. 92." 

" Ednah, wife of George McAlister, died Dec. 17, 1846, Aet. 82." 

"James H. Atwood. Died Jan. 14, 1865. Aet. 29." 

"James Atwood. Died April 29, 1857. AEt 48 yrs." 

" Mary .atwood, wife of James Atwood. Died July 11, 1880, Aet. 76." 

"George M. Atwood. Died Oct. 14, 1879. Aet. 40." 

"Alice Atwood, wife of Geo. M. Atwood. Died July 14, 1870. Aet. 76." 

" Hon. Jesse Bowers, died June 22, 1854. Aet. 69." 

"Betsey, his wife. Died Jan. 25, 1831. Aet. 42." 

"J. Augustus Bowers. Died May 19, 1877. Aet. 65 yrs." 

"Mary, his wife. Died Jan. 3, 1852, Aet. 29 yrs." 

"Charles .\., Son of J. A. and M. A. Bowers. Died vSept. 18, 1888. Aet. 42 yrs." 

"Lucretia. Died Sept. I, 1819, Aet. 20 days." 

"John L. Died Sept. 21, 1826, Aet. 11 mos." 

"Mary F. Died Feb. 17, 1828. Aet. 20 yrs." 

"Hannah K. Died Dec. 27, 1848. Aet. 25 yrs." 

" Major Dustin I,. Died Dec. 27, 1848. Aet. 26 yrs." 

" Children of Hon. Jesse & Betsey Bowers." 

"In Memory of Mr. John Bell, who died Jan. 3, 1824, Aet. 23." 

" In memory of two children of Mr. James and Mrs. Julia Budloug. 
Julian, Sep. 18, 1825, Aet. 5 mos. 
An infant son died Nov. 21, 1825." 

*See Adjt. General Reports, 1868. 



i/ 



J/ISTOKV OF NASHUA, N. H. 187 

"Deacon PMwin Halihviii, died July 4, 1848. Aet. 48." 

"Mrs. Orpah, consort of Uea. Kdwin Baldwin, Died May 28. i8;,5. Aet. 25." 

" I.ucy Ann, daughter of Dea. Kdwin and Orpah Baldwin. Died Jnne 30, 1853. -■^et. 19 yrs. & 8 mos." 
".Sarah Brown, wife of Rodney Brown of Billerica, Mass. I'ornierly wife of Benj. .Searles of Nashua. Died 
May 25, 1870. .\et. 72." 

The above grave is in the same lot with that of Benjamin Searles. 

" Mr. John Billings, son of Mr. John and Mrs. Mary BillinKs, who died June 6, 1828. Aged 17 years." 
" Ebenezer Blanchard. Died Dec. 7 (?) 1828. Aet. 55." 
"Samuel T. Blanchard. Died Sept. in, 1836. Aet. 31." 

The Stone, upon which are the above inscriptions, is, at the pre.sent date, lying flat upon the 
ground and broken into two parts. 

"Henry J, Chapman. Nov. 30, i8i2. .\pr. ig, 1893." 

" Klizalieth B. Chapman. Mar. 23, 1810. Mar. 15, 1893." 

In the same lot is a tablet marked " Mother & Child." 

" .Sarah W".. wife of John Caldwell, died Jan. 21, 1841. Aet. 50 yrs. 8 mos. 8 ds." 

" Ze])haniah Cummings, died Sept. 30, 1864, Aet. 35 )'rs. 2 mos." 

" Elizabeth, died Oct. 21, 1839, Aet. i }'r. 3 days." 

" David E., died Sept. 3, 1841. Aet. 7 3'rs. 11 mos." 

"Children of David & Elizabeth Coombs." 

" E'reddie Combs. Born Apr. 17, 1862. Died .Aug. 1, 1S62." 

" Georgie Combs, born Oct. 11, 1858. Died Sept. 18, 1864." 

" Charles M. son of Milo & .Abby A. Dickerman. Drowned July 10, 1857. Aet. 5 yrs. 4 mos. & 16 days." 

" Elizabeth, died Feb. 3, 1819. .\Et 3 weeks & 3 days." 

"John D., died May 18, 1826. .■Vet. 24 hours." 

"Children of Dr. Ebenezer and Mrs. Hannah Dearborn." 

" Elizabeth D. Daughter of Doctor Ebenezer Dearborn and Mrs. Hannah his wife, <lied Julv 26th, 1827. .Aet. 

4 yrs. 5 mos. 7 ds." 
" In Memory of Mr. John Dickerman, who died Oct. 12, 1838. Aet. 48." 
" In memory of Sally, wife of John Dickerman, died E'eb. 18, 1864. Aet. 74 yrs. 5 mos." 
"Sarah .Ann, only Daughter of Mr. John and Mrs. Sally Dickerman, who died Aug. 24, 1825. Aet. 2 yrs. 7 mos. 

& 6 days." 
"In memory of Minot, son of Mr. John and :\Irs. Sally Dickerman, wlio died July 12, 183S. Aet. 19 yrs." 
" In niemor}' of Nelson, son of Mr. John and Mrs. Sally Dickerman, who died July 25, 1838. .\et. 21 yrs." 
" Martha, wife of Zena Davis, died Feb. 5, 1847. .Aet. 56." 

"Joseph B. Son of Mr. Joel & Mrs. Hepsea Everell, died March 30, 1827. .\et. 2 yrs. 5 mos." 
"Nellie W. Dau. of Jas. T. & Sarah A. Flint. Died June 23, 1871. .Aet. 14 vrs. 8 mos." 
"Isaac Foot. Died July 8, 1855. Aet. 93." 
"Hannah, his wife. Died Sept. 26, 1851, .\et. 73." 
" Hannah Foote, died Nov. 28, 1865, .Aet. 64 yr." 
"Elizabeth Foster, died Jan. 22, 1830. .\et. 5 yrs." 
"Benjamin F. Foster, died Feb. 12. 1830. Aet. 17 mos." 
"Children of Mr. Franklin & Mrs. Mary Foster." 

"Mary Elizabeth. Daughter of Mr. Moses and Mrs. .Abigail Foster, died .\ugust 22, 1825, .Aet. 18 months." 
"In memory of Cap. Samuel E'oster, who died May 11, 1824, Aet. 34." 
"Huldah Foster. Died Sept. 12, r875. Aet. 89 yrs." 
" Wyman Fife. June 4, 1793. Feb. 10, 1838." 
"Sarah Ingalls, his wife, Nov. 13, 1793. March 20, 1883." 
"Thomas French, Esq. Died May 3, 1846. Aet. 78." 
"Elizabeth, wife of Thomas French, Esq., died May 4, 1843, .\et. 69." 
"In memory of Joseph Nelson, son of Thomas French, Esq. & Elizabeth his wife, who died Jan. 6, 1836; 

Aet. 20." 
"In memory of Miss Caroline, daur. of Thomas French, Esq. & Elizabeth his wife, who died Jan. 19, 1825, 

Aet. 22." 
"Oliver Farwell, died May i, 1831. AE. 36 yrs." 
"Rebecca Farwell, died Nov. 11, 1840. AE. 31 yrs." 
" Son and dau. of Jo.seph Farwell, Esq. & Sophia his wife." 
"Ruth I'arwell. Died Dec. 4, 1874. Aet. 74." 
"Mr. Wyman I'ife, who died F'eb. 10, 1838. .AEt. 44." 
"Charles French. Born May 8, 181 1, Died .\pril 19, 1886." 

" Lucretia M., wife of Charles French. " Born F'eb. 2, 1814, Died Dec. 6, i860." 
"James Fife. Died June lo, 1864. AEt. 35 yrs." 
"Laura A., daughter of John .\. & Laura E'oster, died .Sep. 15, 1845. Aged 13 mos." 



i88 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

" Harlan P. Died Jan. 17, 1837. AEt. 6 ms." 

" Samuel W. Died Feb. S, 1836. AEt. 3 yrs." 

"Franklin Foster. Died Sept. 15, 1865. Aged 67 years." 

"L}-dia B. Foster. Died Aug. 22, 1834. Aged 81 years." 

"Mrs. Mary Foster, wid. of Doct. Samuel Foster. Died Dec. 3, 1861. AEt. 94." 

"Martha E., wife of Joseph W. Goss. Died in Dunstable, Jan. 13, 1880. AEt. 69 yrs. 10 mos." 

"James, son of Mr. James & Mrs. Elizabeth Goss, died Sept. 6, 1827. AEt. 5 mo. & 18 ds." 

" Mary Jane, wife of Alfred Godfrey. Died Sept. 28, 1847. AEt. 27." 

" Here lies intered the bodies of Emeline, AE. 5 ys. Who died Jan. 5, and Isaiah AE. 7 Mths., who died Jan. 

24, 1818; children of John and Frances Haseltine." 
"Isaac E. Hale, died April i, 1847. AEt. 37." 

"George A., son of Abram & Almira Hale, died Sept, 26, 1837, AEt. i yr. 8 nios." 
" Mr. William Hunt, died Oct. 3d, A. D. 1821. AEt. 20 years and 20 days." 
"Thomas Hale. Died Oct. 11, i860. AEt. 90 yrs." 
" Mary, his wife. Died Jan. 6, 1849. AEt. 79 yrs." 
"Justin, died Feb. 14, 1825. AEt. 2 ys. & 5 mos." 
" Thomas M., died Dec. 22, 1827. AEt. 2 ys. & 5 mos. 

"Children of Mr. Amos and Mrs. Rachel Hutchinson." 
"Amos Hutchinson. Died Sept. 23, 1849. AEt. 62 yrs. 10 mos." 
" Rachel P., his wife. Died Nov. 30, 1839. AEt. 73 yrs. 2 mos." 
" Amy, wife of Abraham Hale. Born Apr. 10, 1775. Died Feb. 4, 1855." 
"Joel Ingalls, died Dec. 9, 1842, aged 58 years." 

"Hannah, wife of Joel Ingalls, died May 17, 1850. Aged 67 years." 
"Father. Died Oct. 17, 1841. AEt. 51." 
"Mother. Died Dec. 19, 1879. AEt. 85." 
"Lucy. Died Feb. 3, i860. AEt. 38." 
"Mary. Died Dec. 22, 1890. AEt. 56." 
"Luther E., died June 18, 1830." 
" Mary F., died May 29, 1826." 
" Everett and FHvira. Drowned April 11, 1821." 

The above graves are in the enclosure marked as that of " Luther Johnson, 1S52." 

" Lydia, died Jan. 23, 1815, AEt. 6\-ears. ' 
" Huldah, died Jan. 22, 1815. AEt. 5 months." 
"Children of Dea. Nehemiah and Mrs. Hannah Kidder." 
" Within this square Lies the remains of 

Rev. Joseph Kidder. Obt! Sep. 1818. AEt. 77. 

Mrs. Mary Kidder. Obt. March, 1836. AEt. 97. 

Mr. Joseph Kidder, Jr. Obt. Nov. 181 1. AEt. 42. 

Miss Ruth Kidder. Obt. June, 1819. AEt. 40." 

The above inscriptions are all on one and the same headstone. Rev. Joseph Kidder was the fifth 
minister in Nashua, having been settled in 1767. 

"Moody D. Lovewell, Esq. Died July 3, 1863. AEt. 78." 

"Mrs. Lucy, wife of Moody D. Lovewell, Esq. Died Oct. 11, 1855. AEt. 59." 

" In Memory of Capt. Noah Lund, who died Sept. 5, 1827. AEt. 33." 

" Noah, son of Capt. Noah and Mrs. Lydia Lund, died May 9, 1824. AEt. 15 Mts." 

"In memory of Mr. Daniel Lund, Jr., who was drowned Sept. 29, 1821. AEt. 30." 

"Sarah Lund. Died Sept. 7, 1863. AEt. 80 yrs." 

"John Lund, died April 30, 1852. AE. 80." 

" In memory of Mr. Noah Lund, who died Jan. 25, 1S35. AEt. 45." 

" Mehitable, wife of Noah Lund. Died Jan. 19, 1882. Aged 79 yrs." 

"In memory of Mr. Thomas Lund, who died Feb., 1821, AEt. 82." 

"In memory of Mrs. Sarah, wife of Mr. Thomas Lund, who died Dec, 1831. .\Et. 84." 

"George D. Lund. Feb. 13, 1816, Feb. i, 1873." 

" Ann B. Lund. Feb. 4, 1821, Sept. 8, 1888." 

"Oliver Lund. Born April 8, 1779. Died Dec. 21, 1866, AEt. 87." 

"Orpah Lund, wife of Oliver Lund. Born Jan. 2, 1788. Died Mar. 2, 1867. AEt. 79." 

"In memorv of Miss Orphia Lund. Daughter of Jlr. Oliver & Mrs. Orpah Lund, who died Dec. 19, 1838. 

AEt. 21." 
" Charles, died Jan. 9, 1819. Aet. 4 ms. & 4 ds." 
"Calvin, died May 8, 1827. AEt. 25." 

" Calvin 2nd. Died Jan. i, 1829. Aet. i yr. &9 mos. Sons of Mr. Oliver Lund & Orpah his wife." 
"Ella Maria, daughter of Charles & Eliza Lund, died Oct. 23, 1857. AEt. 9 mos. & 23 days." 
"Jonathan W. Lund. Died Sept. 8, 1858. AE. 56." 



HISTORY OF NASHUA. X. //. 189 

"Joseph Lund. Died Aug. 21, 1835. AE. 67." 

" Betsy, his wife. Died Dec. 3d, 1863, AH. 91." 

"To perpetuate tlie memory of Miss .Sarah, dau. of Mr. Jose])h & Mrs. Hetsv I.uii.l. who died May 5, 1822. 

AEt. 25." 
"Benjamin P. Moore. Born Mar. 10, 1806. Died Jan. 20, i88g." 
" Roxana L. His wife. Born Oct. 29, i8n6. Died Oct. 25, 1891." 
"Charles P., 1834. AEt. i yr. 7mos." 
"John F., 1845. AEt. 6 yrs. 3 nios." 
" l.ucinda R., 1853. AEt 3 yrs. g nios." 
" Cliildren of Benj. P. & Roxana L." 
"John W. Moore. Died April 13, 1884. .\Et. 76 yrs." 
"George Hayward. Died Oct. 3, 1855. \IU. 21 yrs. 10 mos." 
"John Francis. Died Aug. 2, 1832. AEt. 4 mos." 
"Children of John W. and Melinda Moore." 
" .\lma Moore, 1798 — 1885." 

This last inscription was taken from a stone in Dea. Edwin Baldwin's lot. 
" Moody Marshall. Died May 22, 1881. AFH. 83 yrs. & 5 mos." 
"Sarah Beard, his wife. Died June 12. 1876. .\Et. 78 3'rs. ro mos." 

" Martha H., only daut. of Moody and Sarah Marshall, died .^ug. 5, 1827. .AEt. 2 yrs. & 2 mos." 
" In memory of Daniel J. Son of Mr. Wm. E. & Mrs. Mary McCjueslion, who died Oct. 2, 1822. .\Et. 2 yrs." 
" .\lbert Alonzo, died Jan. 21, 1837. AEt. 16 months." 
" .\n infant son, died May 29, 1837. .AEt. 12 hours." 
" Children of Mr. .\lbert and Mrs. Caroline E. Marshall." 
"Jesse W. Mudgett. Died July 29, 1857. Aged 53 years." 
"Jane C, his wife. Died Mar. 17, 1864. Aged 64 years." 

"George, son of Maj. Paul & Mrs. Lovilla Morrell, who died Oct. 9, 1S29. .AEt. 3 weeks." 
" Here are bury'd the children of Maj. Paul and Mrs. Lovilla Morrill." 
"Augustus, died Sept. 26, 1826. AEt. 7 months." 
"Andrew J., died Oct. 5, 1828. AEt. 9 mos." 
"Benjamin Nutt. Born Jan. 7. 1792. Died Dec. 16, 1869." 
" .Sophia Nutt. Born Sept. 12, 1796. Died Feb. 18, 1878." 
"Dau. of B.& L. Nutt. Died Feb. 12, 1845. AE. 2 yrs. & 7 mos." 
" In Memory of Susan .\nn Patterson. Dau. of Mr. James and Mrs. Sarah Patterson, who died Jan, 14, 1815. 

AE. 6 yrs. 4 mos. 
" George E. Richardson. Died May 21, 18S3, AE. 6i yrs. 
"Herbert Richardson. Died Jan. 3, 1886. AE. 17 yrs. 8 mos." 
".Alpha H. Richardson. Died May 22, 1857. AEt. 38 yrs. 6 mos." 
"James B. son of .Alpha & Mary H. Richardson. Died June 30, 1864. AE. 19 vrs." 
" Helen Maria, Daur. of .\lpha & Cynthia Richardson. Died Nov. 20, 1835. AEt. 5 yrs." 
".\lpha Richardson, died -April 3, 1852. AEt. 55 yrs." . 

"Cynthia Richardson. Died Oct. 24, 1874. AEt. 80 yrs." 
" Marj- Emeliue. Died Sept. 7, 1824, AEt. 8 mos. 
" Ann Elizabeth. Died Sept. 11, 1825, AEt. 6 mos." 
"Calvin Thomas. Died Feb. 8, 1827. AEt. 5 mos." 
" Sarah Cordelia. Died Sept. 29, 1829. AEt. 2 mos." 
"Children of Alpha & Cj'nthia Richardson." 
"Solomon Ralph. Born June 25, i8l2. Died March 9, 1868." 
" Mary P., wife of Solomon Ralph. Born March 14, 1816. Died Oct. 25, 1888." 
'"Allen Robinson. May 25, 1801, March 30, 1877." 

" Eunice Moore, wife of Allen Robinson, September 23, 1800, vSeptember 8, 1876." 
" Mary E. Robinson, May 13, 1830. March 10, 1831." 
"Betsey E., wife of Nathan Robbins. Died Oct. 6, 1838. AE. 30." 
"Moses. Died Sept. 19, 1831. AEt. 3 mos." 
"Walter N. Died Nov. 20, 1834. AEt. 5 yrs." 
"Children of Nathan and Betsey Robbins." 
" Luther P. Robbins, died Nov. 3, 1836. Aet. i yr. i mo." 
" Luther Prescott, died Nov. 10, 1838. AEt. i yr. 5 mos." 
" Huldah J. Robbins. Died June 25, 1839. .AEt. r yr. 2 mos." 
"Catherine H. Robbins, died March 4, 1842. .Aet. 10 yrs. 2 mos." 
" Children of Levi and Nancy Robbins." 

"Simon Roby. [See biography of Luther Roljy, his son]. Died .\ug. 2, 1849. .AEt. 62 yrs. 6 mos." 
"Betsey M., wife of Simon Roby. Died Jan. 2, 1867. AEt. 75 ys." 

" Lucy Proctor, wife of Philij) .\bl)Ot Roby. Born in Chelmsford, Mass., Mar. 22. 1763. Died in Dunstable, 
X. H., Oct. 9, 1828." 



I go HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

"Philip Abbot Roby. Born in Dunstable, Mass., Sept. 2, 1754. Died in Dunstable. X. II,. July 8, 1828." 
See preceeding page in this chapter. 

"Leonard Roby. Died May 8, 1849. AEt. 53." 

"Mrs. Hannah Roby, wife of L. Roby. Died Feb. 10, i86g. AEt. 69." 

"Francis A., son of Mr. Leonard and Mrs. Hannah Roby. Died Sept. 29, 1831. .AE. 2ys. & lomos." 
" Henry C, son of Leonard & Hannah Roby, died July 11, 1838. AKt. 7yrs. 8 mos. 9 ds." 
" ' Our little Georgie,' died Dec. 3, 1868. AEt. 3 yrs. 21 days. 
Son of David and Mary A. Richards." 
" Edward H. Spalding. [See biographj-]. March 12, 1825. June 30, 1893." 
"Lucy A., wife of E. H. Spalding. Died Feb. 13, 1859, aged 32 yrs. 3 tno. & 2 days." 
"EuiniaH. 1838—1860." 
"Harriets. 1838— 1866." 

" Rhoda, wife of Henry Fletcher and mother of Lucy .A. Spalding. Died in Lowell. Jan. 6, 1830. .Aged 31 
yrs. I nio. & 6 days." 

T-\BI.KT.S. 
"George." "Waldo." "Lucy." "Isaac." 

"M. C. R. Scott. Died June 24, 1870. AEt. 38 yrs. & 7 mos." 
"Augustus N. vShedd. Died Nov. 6, 1882. Aged 56 yrs." 
"Emma M. Shattuck. Died Oct. 26, 1888. Aged 4 yrs." 

"Orra Ella, Dau. of A. N. & O. E. Shedd. Died Apr. 23, 1856. Aged 8 mos." 
"Frederick N. Shattuck. 1873— 1892." 

"Clarissa Ann. Daughter of Mr. Jeremiah & Mrs. Mary Shattuck, died Sept. i, 1833. Aged 15 years." 
"In Memory of Mr. Jeremiah Shattuck, who died .\pril 12, 1831. .\Et. 35." 
" Lydia Whittle. Wife of Martin Smith. Died Aug. 4. 1874. Alvt. 91 yrs. 11 mos. 20 ds." 
"Benjamin Searles. Died Jan. 24, 1853. AEt. 54." 
"S.J. R." 

Thtse letters are inscribed upon a granite talilet, which stands at the head of the grave of Mrs. 
Sarah J. Robinson, wife of Horatio A. Robinson. 

" Horace C. Tolles. Died Mar. 21, 1878. AE. 66 yrs. 10 mos. 21 ds." 

"Sophia A. Tolles. Died April 13, 1888. AEt. 76 yrs. 7 mos. 12 ds." 

" Sarah .A. Daughter of Horace C. & Sophia A. Tolles. Died Nov. lo, 1869. AEt. 20 yrs. 11 mos. i da)-." 

" Hannah S., eldest daughter of Horace C. & Sophia A. Tolles. Died Mar. 10, 1S66. AEt. 21 yrs. i mo." 

" Daniel H. Taylor. Died Jan. 19, 1888. AEt. 77 yrs. 4 mos." 

" Luther Taj'lor, died .Aug. 29, 1843. AEt. 74." 

"Esther, wife of Luther Taylor and daughter of Gen. Noah Lovewell. Died Slay 12, 1859. AEt. 79 yrs. 

"In Memory of Sarah L., daughter of Mr. Ludo & Mrs. Rhoda Thayer, who died Feb. 19, 1826. .'^ged 2 yrs." 

"Sacred to the memor)' of Miss Sally Tufts of Boscawen, N. H., who died suddenly of Typhus fever while on 

a visit to her friends in this place. October 16, 1838. Aged 64 years." 
"David A. Wilson. Died Aug. 19, 1889. AEt. 74 yrs." 
"John B. Wilson. Died Oct. 21, 1887. AE. 27 yrs." 

"LouisettaB. Daughter of Louis B. & Abby .A. West. Died July 3, 1858. AEt. 10 yrs. & 8 mos." 
"Luther H., only child of Mr. Joseph & Mrs. Nancy Wilkins, died Oct. 13, 1824. AEt. I year." 
"David Wallace. Died Aug. 28, 1857. AEt. 75 yrs. 6 mos." 

" In Memorj- of Mrs. Mary, wife of David Wallace, who died Jan. 17, 1834. AE. 47." 
"Also their daughter Mary, died Jan. 16, 1834. AEt. 19 yrs. & 10 mos." 
"Sarah, wife of David Wallace, died May 14, 1839. AEt. 30." 
"Catharine W., wife of David Wallace. Died Feb. 27, 1862. AEt. 59 vr." 
" Mr. John Whittle, died .\pril 10, 1827. AEt. 68." 
" Lydia, wife of John Whittle, died Mar. 28. 1847. AEt, 84." 
" Mr. Charles Whittle, died July 11, 1822. AE. 24." 

" In memory of Julia .\nn, daughter of John & Lydia Whittle, who died Sept. 3, 1833. AFU, 29." 
" Sarah Whitney. Died April 15, 1823. AEt. 32." 
" Phinehas Whitney. Died March 29, 1832. AEt. 81." 
"Susannah Whitney. Died .\ugust 13. 1846. .\Et. 90." 

NASHUA CEMETERY. 

March 19, 1S35, the proprietors of the real e.state ot the First Unitarian Congregatianal .society in 
Dunstable passed a vote appropriating their grounds, contiguous to the nieeting-honse, for a burial 
place, under the designation of the Nashua cemetery. In addition to which, a piece of land, owned 
by Daniel Abbot, Esq., lying north of the premises above described, containing about eight thousand 
feet, was purchased and appropriated to the same use. After having disposed of twenty-nine lots by 



inSTi^RY OF NASHl'A. X. //. 191 

subscri])tion at tweiity-five dollars per lot the jiroprietors enclosed the grouiul.s with a substantial 
(uncf, — made the several paths and avenues, and divided the whole into eighty-five lots of twenty by 
seventeen feet each. Five lots were reserved as ministerial lots for the then religious societies in 
Dunstable. Four only were accepted. The first was accepted by the First Congregational society in 
Dunstable, the second by the First Congregational society in Nashua, the third by the First Methodist 
ICpiscopal society, the fourth by the Unitarian society. 

In August, 1835, an addition to the cemetery was made by the purchase of a piece of land of 
Christopher Paige, lying east of the same, containing about thirty-five thousand feet, by an association 
of individuals for that purpose, to l)e known by the name of the Nashua Cemetery additional, and 
which was divided into one hundred and four lots, two of which were ai)i)ro])riated by the proprietors 
for the use and benefit of strangers. 

The price of lots is twent^'-six dollars, with interest from June 15, 1835. The officers of the cemetery 
consist of a committee of three, a secretary and a treasurer. The present (1847) officers are Daniel 
Abbot, Jo.seph Greeley and Moses Tyler, committee ; John A. Baldwin, secretary ; Alfred Greeley, 
treasurer. 

Since the above sketch was written and published by Mr. I'ox in 1.S46, the number of graves in 
this cemetery has been steadily increasing, until it is, for its size, the most thickly populated of any 
in the city. 

It is a corporation under the statute laws of New Hampshire as they existed in 1819. It is under 
the care and control of a connnittee of three persons, who are elected annually by the society ; the 
present officers are John F. Stark and Kugene F. McQuesten, connnittee ; Solomon Spalding, 
treasurer; R. B. Prescott, secretary. 

There is a cemetery* fund for the general care of the grounds, which is being increased from various 
sources year by year, and now amounts to about $4,000. 

Many of Nashua's distinguished and honored citizens, who have departed this life within the last 
fifty years, are buried here ; among them it may not be invidious to mention the names of Peter Clark, 
Daniel Abbot, the first lawyer settled in Nashua : Hon. Charles G. Atherton, lawyer and United 
States senator from 1853 to 1859 ; Hon. George Y. Sawyer, judge of the supreme court of New Hamp- 
shire from 1853 to 1859; Benjamin T. Emerson, lawyer; Alfred Beard, the founder of The Nashua 
Telegraph ; Albin Beard, Bernard Whittemore, for many years editor and proprietor of the Nashua 
Ciazette ; Charles J. Fox, the historian; Dr. Ebenezer Dearborn, Dr. Ivlijah J. Colburn, Rev. J. 
Magee, Charles Nutt, J. D. Ottenson, Franklin Moore, Thomas J. Laton, John M. and Israel Hunt, 
Col. L. \V. Noyes, John Reed, John H. Chapman, Gen. George Stark and many others. [See 
biographies]. 

The names of the soldiers buried here are ; — 

W.\K OF THE REVOLUTION. 

" Israel Hunt. He was a soldier of the army of the American Revolution and fought as a volun- 
teer at the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775." [See biography]. 

w.\K or 1812-1814. 

Capt. Thomas Pearsons. He was captain of a company rai.sed in Tyngsborongh, Mass., and 
.stationed in Fort Warren. 

Zebediah Shattuck — Captain liradford's conipan\-. 

MKXIC.\N WAR. 

Maj. Gen. John G. Fo.ster. 

General Foster was also a veteran of the Civil War. 

cn'iL \V.\R. 

Brig. Gen. Aaron F. Stevens. Colonel 13th X. II. volunteer infantry. [See biography]. 
Brig. (ien. George P. Estey, lieutenant colonel 14th Ohio inlanlry. [See biography of Jesse 
Hstey, his father]. Caleb J. Emery. Paynia.ster U. S. N. 
George Stearns. Captain Co. F", 3dN. II. infantry. 
(7. 11. Noves, M. D., surgeon, 2d Iowa cavalry. 



192 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



George P. Greeley, M. D., assistant surgeon 2d N. H. and surgeon 4th regiments. [See 
biograph}']. 

Ueut. Col. Jas. G. C. Dodge. 

George H. Paige, Capt. U. S. A. 

John F. Gray. Private, Co. B., loth N. H. infantry. 

Geo. F. Livingston. Musician, Co. I, 3d N. H. infantry. 

Edward Livingston. Private, Co. A, 8tli N. H. infantry. 

George H. Taggard. Adjutant, 13th N. H. infantry. 

Charles Sawj-er. Adjutant, N. H. Batallion of ist R. L ca\-alry. 

Henry E. Leavitt. Private, Co. E, 8th N. H. infantry. 

Edward S. Morgan. Private, 24th Wisconsin infantry. 

James M. Laton. Private, Co. A, Sth N. H. infantry. 

G. B. Bingham. Private, Co. F, 3d N. H. infantry. 

Edward L. Holbrook. Private, ist Vermont cavalry. 

John J. Whittemore. Hospital steward, 13th N. H. infantry. 

EDGEWOOD CEMETERY. 

This cemetery is located on the north side of Amherst street, about one mile from the City Hall 
building, and until within a few years, has been known as the Amherst Street cemetery. 

The first recorded reference to it is to be found on the records of the town of Nashville, where it 
appears " that at a town meeting held July 16, 1842, it was voted that the selectmen be authorized to 
purchase a piece of ground for a liurial 3'ard and to do anything in relation thereto." 




THE CHAPEL— EDGEWOOD CEMETERY. 



This was the first town meeting held in Nashville after its separation from Nashua, June 23, of 
the same year. 

Under the provisions of said vote, the town purchased of Charles J. Fox two and one-half acres 
for one hundred dollars ; the deed of purchase being dated March 13, 1843 ; and at the same date, one- 
fourth of an acre of Thomas Pearson, in consideration of twenty dollars. 

In 1853, the towns of Nashville and Nashua united as a city, and since then, according to the 
report of the trustees of Edgewood cemetery for 1893, the city has made the following additions, viz : — 

" In 1865, by the re-location and straightening of Amherst street, a gore shaped piece containing 
about one-half acre was added on the westerly side. 

" Nov. 26, 187 1, twelve and five-twelfths acres lying on the north side were purchased from the 
heirs of Christopher Paige, consideration, $1,241.47. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



193 



" Dec. S, 1875, a small triangular piece of George Thoinpson, consideration, exchange of land. 

"Aug. 3, 1886, ten and two-thirds acres lying on the east side was purchased of George Stark, 
consideration, $1,600. 

" In November, 1889, a street called Forest street was laid out across the latter purchase cutting 
off about four acres. Upon petition of the trustees the board of mayor and aldermen, November, 1893, 
after legal hearing and viewing, re-located said Forest street along the easterly line of said land, 
thereby cutting off only about one acre, thus making the area of the cemetery now about twenty-five 
acres, bounded as follows : on the west by Amheret street, 1,080 feet ; on the south by Gushing street, 
780 feet : on tlie east by Forest street, 770 feet : on the north by unimproved land of J. F. .Stark and 
C. M. Mitchell, 884 feet on the northwest by land of .S. B. Weston, 465 feet."* 

.\fter the incorporation of Nashua as a city in 1853, it continued to be used as a public cemetery, 
uniler charge and control of the city, until, 1)\- an act of legislature, passed March 24, 1893, entitled 
"An Act creating a Board of Trustees for a Public Cemetery in Nashua," it passed into the " sole 
care, superintendence and management of said board." 




\'ir,w i\ I. 



ii> I i.\ii: 1 ]:\\\ . 



This act was accepted by the city autlnn-ities March 24, 1893. Under its provisions the following 
nanicd citizens were appointed and became the first board of trustees: Joseph W. Howard, Harry S. 
Xiirwell. William H. D. Cochrane, Ira F. Harris, William T. vSpear, Henry H. Davis, John D. 
Cluuulk-r, Charles W. White, Elmer W. Eaton and Charles E. Cuinmings. 

The first meeting of the board for organization occurred April 3, 1893, and the following officers 
were then elected: President, Charles W. Hoitt : secretary, William H. D. Cochrane; treasurer, 
William E. Spalding ; superintendent, Franklin Temple. 

Up to this date there has been no change in the men representing the board or its officers. 

Under this board of trustees many and marked changes and improvements have been made, and 
others are being made and in contem])Iation. No radical changes, however, have been made in the 
original plan of the grounds, but rather it has been preserved by the extension of its avenues into the 
new portion, so that the old and the new unite to form a symetrical and homogeneous whole. 
•Report of trustees of Edgewood cemetery for 1893. 



194 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



On Arbor day of each year since the organization of the board, by its invitation, the lot owners 
and friends have met to plant trees and shrubs ; a most commendable practice, which it is hoped may 
be continued in future years. 

Grade lines have been established in order to secure uniformity of curbing, and the water mains, 
which were small and inadequate, replaced by new and larger ones, so that the suppl)' of water is now 
abundant. 




t:«. 




VIEW IX EDGEWOOD CEMETERY. 



A chapel, sufhciently commodious, and adapted to its purpose, was erected upon the grounds in 
1886, and is still standing and in good condition. 

The cemetery contains one thousand two hundred and seventy lots and about nine hundred graves. 

Many who were, in their times, representative men and women of the city are interred here. 
Here, too, soldiers of every war in which the countr\- has been engaged, from the Revolution to and 
including the Civil War, are sleeping their last sleep. 

Below is a list of names of all the soldiers buried here, so far as known, with such short 
biographical sketches as I have been able to collect of all, except the soldiers of the Civil War. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 195 

Barker Danforth. Private, 2d"N. H. regiment. Lot 47, section H, Woodbine way. 

He was from Derry, N. H., served at Portsmouth. One of his daughters, Mrs. George H. 
Warren, is now a resident of Nashua. 

Artemus Lovejoy. Private, 2d X. H. regiment. I^ot 8, section P*, Linden way. 

PIbenezer Russell. Private, 2d X. H. infantry. Lot 40, section E, Sunflower way. 

He was born in Lyndeborough, X. H., t'eb. 17, 1794, and lived there till he was seventy years of 
age. He then moved to Merrimack, X. H., where he died. 

His father, Jedediah Russell, was a Revolutionary soldier, whf) mo\ed into Lyndeborough about 
1790, from Reading, Mass. Ebenezer enlisted in the War of 1S12-14, from Ivyndeborough when quite 
a voung man. He was stationed at Portsmouth and served three months. The name of his company 
and regiment are unknown. Two of his sisters, Mrs. Nancy U. Farmer and Mrs. Amanda M. Low 
are now li\-ing in the city. 

Mi:XIC.\X WAR. 

Leonard Morrill was a cor])oral in comjjany H, yth U. S. infantry. 

He was a native of Xashua. At the time of his enlistment Captain Hatchelder of .Manchester 
was in command of the company, but subsequently resigned and was succeeded in the comnuuid l)y 




\n:w IN i;i)iii:\\()i>D ci;mi-:ti:h'i-. 



George Bowers of Xashua. Morrill served through the war and participated in many of the most 
important battles. John White of this city, who is still living, was in the same companv. 

REVOLUTIONARY W.\R. 

Benjamin Abbott. His grave is in lot 51, section B, Linden way. 

He was in the Sth Massachusetts regiment, and was engaged in the battles of Bunker Hill, 
vSaratoga and Bemis Heights. He was also present at the execution of Major Andre, being, as he 
often said, one of the guard detailed to watch over him the night before the end. 

w.\R OK 1812-1S14. 

Capt. Allen Cross, sergeant, lot 12, section C, Jasmine way. 

Captain Cross was born in Hudson, N. H. He was a son of Levi Cross. He served his term of 
enlistment at Portsmouth, and, after his discharge from the army, was captain of a militia company. 
Levi S. Cross of this city is his son. 

Samuel B. Patterson, .sergeant, 2d X. H. regiment, lot 25, section A, Clematis way. 

He was born in Goffstown, X. H., May 25, 1791. Li the war he was stationed at Portsmouth. 
.Vfter his term of service had expired, he moved from Goffstown to Merrimack. X. H. From Merri- 
nuick he removed to Nashua, where he resided until his death, which occurred May 25, 1833. His 
family was of the old Scotch-Irish settlers of Londonderry, N. H. 



196 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



He married Polly Griffing of Manchester. Two of his sisters, Miss Cassan Dana Patterson, 
Marv E. Patterson, are livina; in this citv at this date. 



and 



WAR OF 1861- 



John H. Kilduff, 
Henry T. Pease, 
David P. Ricker, 
Edward A. Brighani, 
David I. Eastman, 
Samuel Harvey, 
Silas Hobart, 
Weston Lovejoy, 
Charles A. Otis, 
Ezekiel T. Tinker. 
Dexter G. Reed, 
Joseph Ackerman, 
Eugene J. Button, 
Haskell W. Banfill, 
Albert G. Chamberlin, 
Fred B. Stetson, 
Clinton J. Farley, 
John H. Jackman. 
George A. Wood, 
Edwin Stetson, 
George S. Eayrs, 
Elmer A. Haskins, 
Edgar C. Johnson, 
Samuel Keyser, 
Amos S. Morse, 
Clinton E. Stetson, 
George H. Andrews, 
Charles L. Brigham, 
Barclay C. Buswell, 
Jerome Thompson, 
Aldrich B. Cook, 
Joseph A. Brown, 
John H. Arbuckle, 
Edward P. Banks, 
Ai Colburn, 
Henry C. Davis, 
Peter A. Ladieu, 
Charles A. Livingston, 
Joseph Lavoy, 
Jacob McClure, 
George E. Moore, 
James M. Newton, 
Ja.son B. Reynolds, 
Frank Wheeler, 
Amos Smith, 









Lot. 


Sec. 


Wa-,. 


Private, 


Co. F, ist N. H. 


Infantry. 


I 


B 


Laurel. 


" 


" E, i.st ■' 


' ' 


27 


L 


Laburnum 


Sergt., 


" E, ist ■' 




■52 


B 


Linden. 


Priv., 


'■ M, ist " 


Cavalry. 


56 


B 


Linden. 


" 


•• _ M, ist •• 


" 


-> 


A 


Laurel. 


" 


■• B, ist " 


" 


17 


N 


Maple. 


( ( 


•■ F, ist ■■ 


Artillery. 


18 


D 


Dahlia. 


" 


'■ F, ist " 


" 


6 


E 


Linden. 


" 


" F, ist " 


" 


49 


E 


Locust. 


" 


" K, ist " 


" 


8 


J 


Camelia. 


Major, 


ist " 


" 


6 


L 


Pine. 


Capt., 


•■ F, 3d •■ 


Infantry. 


12 


A 


Central. 


Lieut., 


■■ F, 3d •• 


" 


41 


C 


Sunflower. 


Priv., 


■• A, 3d •• 




18 


C 


Marigold. 




•■ F, 3d " 




26 


B 


Foxglove. 


Corp., 


" F, 3d '■ 




49 


C 


Locust. 


Priv., 


•■ K, 4th •• 




43 


N 


Maple. 




•• B, 4th ■• 


' ' 


19 


M 


Japonica. 


Rec't., 


4th ■• 


' ' 


17 


B 


Columbine 


Priv., 


'■ A, 6th •• 




49 


C 


Locust. 


Capt., 


■■ B, 8th •• 


" 


4 


F 


Catalpa. 


Lieut., 


'• A, 8th " 


" 


6 


A 


Central. 


Priv., 


•• A, 8th " 


( 1 


19 


B 


Dahlia. 


" 


■' A, 8th " 


" 


1 1 


E 


Larkspur. 


( { 


■• A, 8th " 


1 ( 


5 


U 


Birch. 


Corp., 


■■ E, 8th ■' 




49 


c 


Locust. 


Mus., 


•• E, 9th ■' 




5 


R 


Pine. 


Corp., 


" F. 9th " 




56 


B 


Linden. 


Sergt., 


■■ C, 9th " 




1 1 


D 


Bluebell. 


" 


" F, 9th •• 


" 


25 


M 


Central. 


Capt., 


" E, loth " 


" 


2 


C 


Linden. 


Sergt., 


'■ H, loth " 




32 


M 


Heliotrope 


Priv., 


•■ L 13th ■' 




1 1 


C 


Larkspur. 




•• K, 15th •• 




10 


L 


Central. 




" K, 15th " 


" 


3 


L 


Pine. 


Capt., 


•• A, 1 8th Ct. 


" 


31 


A 


Border. 


Priv., 


" A, 7th Wis. 




20 


I 


Central. 


" 


5th U. S. ( 


Cavalry. 


13 


B 


Columbine 


Sergt., 


■■ K, 96th N. Y 


Infantry. 


18 


K 


Syringa. 


Lt. Col. 


2dU. S. S 


. S. 


I 


Ci 


Linden. 


Priv., 


" C, 17th Mass 


Infantr>-. 


35 


I 


Central. 


Sergt., 


" E, 30th " 


" 


36 


B 


Foxglove. 


Priv., 


" K, 2d R. I. 


' ' 


28 


K 


Magnolia. 


United States Navy. 




24 


E 


Larkspur. 




" 




4 


G 


Catalpa. 



WOODLAWN CEMETERY. 



This cemetery is located on the south side of West HoUis street. Its area at the present time 
comprises about twenty-five acres, consisting of the original lot and additions which have been made 
from time to time since its purchase. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 197 

Ma}' 22, 1S4S, W'illiam Morse conveyed to the town of Xaslina, for a consideration of five hundred 
and ten dollars, a lot of land with a frontage of one hnndred and nine rods and six links on the south 
side of Mollis street. This tract now constitutes the main part of the cemetery : the original deed 
excepts one acre, owned by Cole, within the boundaries. 

Nov. 2, iS4,S, John Cole conveyed to the town of Nashua the acre of land excepted in the al)Ove 
deed. Consideration, S500. 

Since the last mentioned conveyance the following additions ha\'c been made : — 

Nov. 14, 187 1, Charles B. Fletcher conveyed to the city of Nashua a lot on the south side of the 
cemetery, fifty-three rods in length by thirty-seven rods in width. Consideration, $r,200. 

Oct. 27, 1873, Charles \V. Bowen to the cit}- of Nashua, a certain parcel of land situated on the 
northerly side of Kinsley street, containing 64,960 square feet. Consideration, $671.08. 

May 15, i8go, R. M. Bowen to the city, " certain pieces or parcels of land, viz : lots Nos. 80, 81, 
82, 83, 84, 85 and 86, according to plan of grounds in deed recorded in vol. 405, page 25, Hillsborough 
Registry, situated on the north side of Kinsley street, and lot 91 situated south of the Hollis street 
cemetery." Consideration, $3,750. 

May 19, 1S90, Mary E. Atwood to the city, land on the north side of Kinsley street, being lot 88, 
on the plan. Consideration, $250. 

May 21, 1890, William J. Dickey to the city, a lot of land, with buildings, on Kinsley street, 
being lot 89 on the same plan. Consideration, $1,460. 

June 13, 1890, Lizzie T. Haines to the city, " a certain tract of laud on the north side of Kinsley 
street, being lot No. 79," on said plan. Consideration, $375. 

June 25, 1890, Joel C. Aunis to the city, lot on Kinsley street, being lot 90 on said plan. 
Consideration, (^250. 

This cemetery is in the shape of a parallelogram square. Its south side, for nearly its entire 
length, is bounded on Kinsle)' street. It is laid out with broad avenues, extending through it from 
north to south, at somewhat irregular inter\-als, and one avenue running east and west through the 
central part, llpon this main and central avenue is situate a beautiful chapel. In the northeast 
corner, near and opposite its easterly entrance on Hollis .street, is located the citj* tomb, a substantial 
structure of granite. 

Some of the finest monumental work in the city is to be found here : and it is to these beautiful 
sculptures and the neat and well preser\-ed appearance of the grounds, that its beauty and appropri- 
ateness as a burial place is made apparent to the observer, nature ha\ing done l)ut little for it 
originally. 

Tradition says that the first burial here was that of a stranger, and that a headstone, furnished 
bv the subscriptions of charitable citizens, was erected at the grave. This stone formerly stood where 
the chapel now is : it was moved to another location near by when the chapel was erected. It is stil 
standing and bears upon its face the following inscription and epitaph : — 

"Darwin S. Smedley. Died March iS, 1849. Aet. 16 years." 

"Stranger this marble slab we rear; 
To tell thy friends thy rest is here ; 
To them, to us, to passers by 
Tliv warning comes, ' thou too must die ; ' 
Therefore seek that rest above 
Where Jesus reigns, whose smiles are love." 

According to another account, Mrs. Stephen Emerson was the first person buried in this cemetery. 
Her grave is in the south side of the grounds, and, by the inscription on the stone, she was buried in 
December, '48. 

At the present time there are 12,000 graves, including those whose remains were transferred 
from the Spring Street cemetery when it was discontinued in 1872. 

Since its establishment it has been under the direct control of the town and city authorities until 
the present year, and has been known as the Hollis Street cemetery; but by an act of the legislature, 
passed March 26, 1895, entitled "An act creating a board of trustees for Woodlawn cemetery in 
Nashua," Albert Shedd, Charles H. Burke, George Phelps, Charles S. Collins, Ered C. Anderson, 
Frank C. Kellogg, Daniel F. Runnells, Henry V. Whitney and Charles W. Stevens were appointed 



198 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

and constituted a board of trustees, " who are to have the sole care, superintendence and management 
of the property, expenditures, business, prudential affairs and sale of lots located between Hollis and 
Kinsley streets in the city of Nashua." 

This act was approved by the governor, March 13, 1895. Under its provisions these grounds were 
to be "hereafter called and known as Woodlawn cemetery." 

On the ninth of April, 1895, this act and its provisions were accepted by a formal vote of the 
board of ma^-or and aldermen. 

On the sixteenth of April, 1895, the board of trustees, as named in the act, met for organization, and 
the following members were elected as officers of the association : — 

President — Albert Shedd, Office, 43 Spring street. 

Secretary — Henky P. Whitney, Office, 170 Main street. 

Treasurer — William E. Spalding, City Treasurer, First National Bank. 

vSuperintendent — George F. Sawyer, Residence, 2 Quincy street. 

STANDING COMMITTEES. 

Executive Committee — Chas. H. Burke, Daniel F. Runnells, Frank C. Kellogg. 
Finance Committee — George Phelps, Henry P. Whitney. 

Committee on Grounds — Fred C. Anderson, George F. Hammond, Charles S. Collins, 

Charles W. Stevens, Joseph W. Howard. 
President of Board of Trustees a member of all Standing Committees. 
The following list includes the names of soldiers of the Revolutionary, Ci\'il and other wars of 
the republic, whose remains are interred in this cemetery. It was furni.shed by the courtesy of Arthur 
C. Gordon, a Civil War veteran, and is believed to be substantially correct : — 

WAR OF THE RE\'OLUTION. 

" David Bailey, a soldier of the Revolutionary War." Lot 30, range 26. 

His regiment and company are unknown, but it is known that he was in the fight at Concord 
Bridge. 

David M. Fiske. " Musician of 1776. Died Oct 13, 1838, aged 78 years." Lot 17, range 9. 
Robbins. Lot 14, range 10. 

WAR OF 18 1 2-14. 

Robert Nesmith. " Soldier of 1812, died April 9, 1842, aged 78 years." Lot 17, range 9. 

Thomas Ball. Lot 3, range 4. 

He was born at Alstead, March 4, 1792. Served at Portsmouth. His son, Harvey Ball, is now a 
resident in the city. 

Joseph Nichols. Lot 38, range 13. 

He was a Londonderry man of Scotch-Irish stock. Enlisted when he was fourteen years old: 
was in the battle of Plattsburg. After the close of the war he lived in Henniker and Amherst, coming 
to Nashua from the latter place about 1841, where he resided until his death in 1865, aged 65. He 
had eleven children, seven daughters and four .sons. Four of his sons were in the War of the 
Rebellion. Two of them, Gro\'enor and William are residents of the city. 

MEXICAN W.VK. 

Col. Thomas P. Pierce. [See biography]. Lot 30, range 29. 

Cn'IL WAR. 

Fred Allen, 

Daniel Adams, 

Maj. Joseph F. Andrews, ist N. H. Ca\-alry. 

C. H. Avery, 

Bartlett, Co. H, 7 Regt., N. H. Volunteers. 

Augustus Butler, " B, 4 

J. E. Boutelle, 2 



Lot 64, 


Range 5 


" 28, 


14 


" 28, 


" 29 


" ID, 


2 


" 78, 


28 


" 28, 


" 7 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, X. II. 



199 



J. L. Brooks, 


Co. G, 


16 


R 


;gt. 


, N. II. \'()lunteers. 


Lot 48, 


Rangt 


t 


Capt. William Barrett, 


" A, 


8 






I. 


12. 






17 


John Balch, 


" C, 


4 






( t ( t 


" 42, 






19 


H. S. Daniel W. Butterfield, 


I, 


13 






( i < ( 


" 7. 






21 


Arthur Bingham. 


" B, 


3 






" " 


" 16, 






32 


George Boyson, 


" I, 


13 






1 , , ( 


" 2, 






33 


Allen S. Brown, 


" B, 


10 






t , ( ( 


" 67, 


0. 


F. 


L. 


Alfred H. Benian, 


" B, 


4 






( ( ( ( 


" 35. 


0. 


F. 


L. 


0. F. Blinn, 












" 68, 


Range 


20 


Town vS. Barrett, 


" B, 


10 




' ' 


( ( ( ( 


" 30, 






29 


Lieut. W. H. Barnes, 


" E, 


8 








" 17. 






15 


S. L. Beverly, 






U 


S. 


Navy. 


" 29, 






12 


Frank W. Burnham, 


" c, 


32 


Regt. 


, Mass. \'olunteers. 


" 83, 






21 


W. K. Banfill. 






U. 


S. 


Navy. 


" II, 






21 


Ira Caldwell. 


" B, 


I 


R« 


'gt. 


, N. H. Cavalry. 


■■ 32, 






9 


C. Chamberlain, 




10 






\'olunteers. 


" 9. 






13 


Sergt. Joel Colburn, 


" A, 


8 






" 


" 34. 






14 


Thomas \V. Cro.sby, 


" c. 


4 




" 


( ( i , 


" 20, 






18 


N. E. Cobb, 


" F, 


3 




> i 


( ( ( ( 


" 42, 






14 


Geo. B. Chapman, 


" H, 


71 






Ind. 


" 45. 






18 


Levi Case, 


" F, 


I 




' ' 


N. H. Heavy Artillery. 


" 37. 


0. 


F. 


L. 


James Cochrane, 






U 


vS. 


Navy, 


., 49. 


Range 9 


J. N. Cochrane, 








( ( 


" 


" 49. 






9 


Capt. N. J. Coop, 








( ( 


( ( 


" 14. 






12 


Robert G. Clemons, 








( ( 


' ' 


" 17. 






12 


Edward Coney, Co. 


ID 


Regt. 


, N. H. \'olunteers. 


" 8, 






13 


Lieut. Ezra Davis, 


" B, 


7 




" 


" " 


" 19. 






3 


W. H. Densmore. 


" A, 


8 




' ' 


" " 


" 16, 






7 


John Day, 


" F, 


3 




( ( 


( ( , . 


" 31, 






9 


A. W. Doying, 


" B, 


I 




( I 


I ( ( ( 


■' 40, 






13 


Geo. W. Davis, 


" D, 


28 




' ' 


Mass. 


" 9. 






15 


Paymaster S. S. Davis, 












" 31- 






2 


G. L. Donahue, 


'■ L 


II 




" 


Maine 


" 4. 






33 


Lieut. Ed. Emerson, 




6 




i 1 


N. H. 


,S3' 






7 


Nathan Eaton, 


" E, 


8 




" 




" 10, 






6 


J. W. Eaton, 


" B, 


9 




( ( 


" 


" 10, 






6 


R. G. M. French, 


'• A, 


3 




( ( 


Mass. Heavy Artillery 


" 26, 


() 


F. 


L. 


J. E. Farmer, 


" F, 


3 




" 


N. H. Volunteers. 


" 45. 


Range 7 


C. H. Fisher, 


" c. 


4 




" 


,, 


" 35. 






14 


Frank C. Flanders, 


" M, 


17 




" 


Mass. Heavy Artillery 


. " ID, 






13 


J. A. Flanders, 


" F. 


I 




< ( 


N. H. Volunteers. 


" 34. 






16 


Capt. Dan'l M. Fisk, 


" E, 


8 




" 


, , ( ( 


" 36. 






8 


L- W. Farnsworth, 


I, 


5 




" 


" " 


" 35. 






29 


E. D. Franklin, 


" E, 


8 




" 


( ( f i 


" 50, 






27 


Albert Fletcher, 




3 




" 


. , ( ( 


" 51- 






7 


Henry Fox, 






Regu 


lar army. 


" 38. 






6 


A. F. Gould, 




8 


Regt 


, N. H. Volunteers. 


'■ 54, 






27 


George Grey, ( 


Jo. F, 


I 






Heavy Artillery 


■ " 42, 






28 


Irving Grey, 


" B, 


ID 






^'olunteers. 


" 40. 






28 


C. M. Griffin, 


" A, 


8 








■' 39, 






4 


J. F. Gerry, 


" c, 


24 






Maine 


" 15, 


0. F 


. L. 


J. Greeley, 


" D, 


17 






Mass. 


" 48, 


Rang 


2 21 


David Grilson, 


" G, 


2 






U. vS. s. s. 


" 30. 






6 


C. H. Gardner, 


" c. 


16 






Mass. Volunteers. 


" 41. 




•• 


15 



200 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



William Hardy, 


Co. G, 


13 


Regt. 


N. H. 


Volunteers. Lot 52, 


Range 


9 


L. W. Hall, 


" B, 


10 




" 


" 


' 48, 


" 


12 


L. vS. Hall, 


" K, 


I 


" 


" 


Heavy Artillery. ' 


' 26, 


" 


14 


Albert Hall, 


I, 


13 


" 


■• 


\'olunteers. 


' 26, 


" 


14 


Jackson Holt, 




3 


" 


Mass. 


Battery. 


• 16, 


" 


24 


Jefferson Holt, 


" F, 


28 


Regt. 


, Mass. 


Volunteers. 


' 16, 


( ( 


24 


Geo. H. Harris, 


" E, 


4 


" 


N. H. 


w 


' 105, 


0. F. 


L. 


Nestor Haines, 




8 


" 




" 


' 34. 


Range 


5 


Isaac Hard}-, 


" E, 


15 


i ( 




( ( t 


' 42, 


•• 


9 


Sergt. Geo. A. Hayden, 


■' F, 


I 


" 




Heavy Artillery. ' 


• 76. 


•■ 


25 


Clinton C. Hill, 


" A, 


ID 






Volunteers. 


' 10, 


'■ 


29 


A. D. Holt, 


" K, 


5 


'• 




1 ( > 


■ 34. 


1 ( 


31 


J. D. Hanscome, 


) 


14 




Maine 


" ' 


' 46, 


" 


21 


M. T. Jones, 






Maine Battery. 


' 68, 


" 


19 


John Jackson, 






U. S. 


Navy. 




' 41, 


" 


22 


Archibald H. Jones, 




4 


Regt. 


, N. H. 


\'olunteers. 


' 26, 


" 


18 


J. B. Kimball, 


Co. F, 


3 




" 




' 6, 




2 


S. Maj. G. N. Kenney, 




4 




( ( 


" 


' 33. 


" 


19 


G. W. Knapp, 


Co. F, 


s 


' ' 


' ' 


t i , 


' 14. 


" 


19 


Samuel Luca.s, 




2 




N. Y. 




' 52, 


" 


17 


Capt. Chas. Lawrence, 




7 


'• 


N. H. 


" 


' 25, 


" 


16 


Joseph Norcro.ss, 


Co. F, 


8 




■' 


,. 


' 49. 


■■ 


II 


John B. Nichols, 


" B, 


4 


•■ 


" 


" 


' 38, 


•• 


13 


Sergt. Thomas Nottage, 


" F, 


3 




( ( 


" ■ 


• 16, 


" 


16 


J. McDonald, 


" D, 


5S 




Mass. 


" 


' 58, 


" 


4 


W. Mason, 


" F, 


25 




'• 




' 62, 


" 


4 


George McKean, 


" B, 


4 




N. H. 


1 1 , 


' 34, 


■' 


6 


Sergt. Chas. McGaffy, 


•■ I, 


13 




•• 


( ( L 


' 41. 




9 


G. S. Morrill, 






U. S. 


Navy. 




' 9. 


■' 


12 


B. Morrill,' 


Co. E, 


8 


Regt. 


N. H. 


\'olunteers. ' 


' II. 


■• 


12 


F. Messer, 


• B, 


2 


'• 


" 


.. 


' 21, 


■■ 


13 


Geo. H. Minard, 


" B, 


10 


•• 


< ( 


" 


' 35. 


" 


27 


Francis Morse, 


" H, 


9 


" 


" 


" ' 


' 26, 


0. F. 


L. 


Henry Miller, 


I, 


I 


" 


Conn. 


Heavy Artillery. 


■ 64, 


'• 




J. G. McDonald, 


" G, 


17 




Maine 


Volunteers. 


• 66, 


Range 


19 


Lieut. \V. H. Moulton, 


'■ L 


I 




N. H. 


Ca\'alry. ' 


' 20, 


" 


33 


Tristam F. Page, 


" L 


16 


" 


" 


\'olunteers. ' 


' 37. 


" 


32 


David Parks, 


" A, 


8 




" 




' 17. 


" 


I 


J. P. Perry, 


" A, 


8 


" 


1 ( 


( ( ( 


' 53. 


" 


10 


J. B Perry, 


" 


9 


" 


1 ( 


i 1 > 


' 39. 


( ( 


14 


S. H. Pillsbury, 


" 


8 


■' 


" 


" 


' 10, 


" 


7 


E. A. Piper, 


" B, 


28 


" 


Mass. 


" 


' 18, 


'■ 


18 


Aaron Pond, 


•• E, 


15 




N. H. 


M 


' 47. 




18 


Lieut. Jesse Pushee, 


" F, 


3 




" 


;, 


' 30. 


0. F. 


L. 


E. P. Phelps, 




9 


'■ 


" 


" 


• 26, 


Range 


12 


Granville A. Parker. 


" B, 


25 


" 


Mass. 


k ( , 


' 49. 




15 


O. H. Reed, 


•• B, 


8 


" 


N. H. 


" 


' 37. 


" 


I 


Robt. 0. Reed, 


" F, 


I 




" 


Heav}' Ai'tillery. ' 


' 22, 


•' 


25 


Charles Ross, 


" F, 


.> 




'• 


\'olunteers. 


' 21, 


" 


5 


Milton Richardson, 


•• G, 


4 




•• 




' 21, 


" 


28 


Joseph Russell, 




18 


" 


" 


" 


' 61, 


" 


28 


D. J. Rideont, 




8 


■' 


" 


.. 


' 24, 


" 


15 


C. H. Ripley, 


" E, 


I 


" 


" 


" 


' 7. 


1^5 


13 


R. K. Richardson, 












' 36, 


( ( 


15 



If /STORY OF NASHUA, .V. //. 



201 



Lieut. -Major A. i-^haw. 




Co. L 


13 Regt., N. H.Volunte 


ers 


Lot 23, 


R 


an 


^e 6 


G. E. Swallow, 




" F, 


3 " 




" 29, 






8 


Charles .Smith, 




" F, 


3 " 




" 30, 






II 


E. J. vSmith, 




" G, 


10 




" 26, 






22 


Jeroine E. Smith, 




•' K, 


27 " Mass. 




" 53- 






19 


Thomas G. Smith, 




•' K, 


5 




" 22, 






29 


Joseph Sawyer, 




■ ' 


I " N. H. Heavy 


Artillery 


2, 






25 


Winslow A. Shattuck, 




■■ E, 


8 " " Volunteers. 


" 13, 






9 


Corp. W. 0. Stearns, 




•• c. 


3 " Mass. Heavy 


Artillerj 


.'■ 60, 






24 


H. J. Sanborn, 




• E, 


10 " N. H. Volunteers. 


'■ 33, 






27 


A. J . Ste\ens, 




•' B, 


26 ■' Mass. 




" 28, 






13 


William Tiillock, 




•• F, 


17 '■ 




" 48, 






8 


\V. A. Tracy, 






6 •• N. H. 




" 29, 






18 


Oscar \V. Townes, 




" I, 


13 " 




" 5, 


0. 


F. 


L. 


Mus. N. H. Thompson, 






I " " Heavy 


Artiller}, 


• " 35, 


Range 33 


Capt. J. Q. A. Warren, 




■' E, 


8 " " \'olunteers. 


■■ 29, 






13 


E. B. Wil.son, 






iS ■' N. Y. 




" 44, 






22 


Mus. J. R. Wyman, 






9 " N. H. 




" 30, 






28 


C. 0. Whitteniore, 




■• E, 


4 




" 6, 






31 


F. J. Woochvard, 




■' F, 


9 ■■ 




" 23, 






33 


Chas. S. Wing, 




'■ E, 


II 




" 32, 


0. 


F. 


L. 


A.J. Willard, 




■' I, 


13 




" 23, 


Rang 


e 2 


Sergt. M. G. Wil.son, 




" A, 


8 




" 59, 




" 


2 


Willard Walker. 






U. S. Navy. 




" 83, 




( ( 


28 


W. A. Whitmarsh, 






6 Regt., N. H. \'olunteers. 


" 14, 




" 


29 


Capt. Luther M. Wright 




" L 


13 




" 31, 




( ( 


II 


0. Adams, 


Reg 


iment and company unknown. 




Lot 36, 


Range 12 


William Cox, 










■' 28, 




" 


28 


J. B. Case, 




" 






" 64, 




" 


18 


Phillip Engell, 










" 25, 




" 


23 


George Foss, 










" 14, 




1 1 


4 


J. W. Fletcher, 




" 






" 39, 


0. 


F. 


L. 


J. E. Griffin, 




'• 






" 8, 


Range 25 


H. W. Grover, 










" 22, 




" 


24 


F. Greenwood, 










" 28, 


0. 


F 


L. 


J. Hudson, 






" 




" 32, 


Ra 


nge 22 


B. D. Humphrey, 


Co. 


G, I \'t 


Cavalry. 




" 52, 






15 


J. B. Hobart, 


Reg 


iment and company unknown. 




" 24, 






3 


J. M. Hodgsdon, 




' ' 


( ( ( ( 




" 71, 






27 


A. H. Jefts, 




" 


1 ( , ( 




" 68, 






19 


Chas. Johnson, 




" 


" 




" 61, 






20 


W. H. Knowlton,- 




" 


., 




" 20, 






33 


Corp. G. W. Nye, 


Co. 


C. 14 R 


egt., N. H. \'olunteers. 




" 50, 






23 


Orlando Proctor, 


Reg 


iment and company unknown. 




" 77- 






28 


Moses Pomroy, 




" 






" II, 






30 


.\lfred Rudd, 




" 






" 28, 






30 


C. H. Warren, 




i i 






" 29, 






13 


Edward White, 




( ( 






" 32, 






19 


W. B. Whiting, 




t ( 






" II, 






II 


Sergt. Daniel Gibson, 


Co. 


A, 5 Regt., N. H. Volunteers. 




" 20, 


0. 


F. 


L. 



202 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

THE ROBY CEMETERY. 

The following minutes, taken from the records of the old town of Dunstable in New Hampshire 
refer, for the most part, to this cemeter}-. 

"At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable, held at Willard Marshalls in 
said Town on Wednesday 21* of April 1813 

Vpted to fence the BurN'ing Ground which lie Common with a good wall and to be built according 
to the direction of the Committee. Chose Phinehas Whitney, Thomas Roby and Samuel Pollard a 
Committee to Superintend the building of said Walls which are to be completed May i, 1814." 

"Chose the Selectmen a Committee to ascertain whether there shall be one or two Burying 
Grounds north of Nashua River in this Town and make a report at the next meeting." 

The election of the selectmen as a committee, as indicated in the last paragraph of the above 
record, appears to have been the first action taken on part of the town, so far as the records show, in 
relation to burying places in the north side of the Nashua river, and its phraseology suggests the 
question as to whether there were anj- north of the river at that date ; perhaps the report of the "com- 
mittee," which was made at the town meeting held April 26, of the same year, settles the question : 
at any rate it establishes the date of the laying out of this cemetery. It is as follows : — 

" The subscribers. Selectmen of the Town of Dunstable have laid out a Burying Yard (Burying 
Ground) in said Town in Capt. Thomas Robys District, so called, near the School House in said 
District beginning at a Pine Tree by the great Road or a Stake and Stones on the East side of said 
Road, thence North 54I2 East, 10 rods to Stake & Stones, thence North 35,'2 West, 9 Rods to 
Stake & Stones, thence South 54 ]''z West, 8 Rods to Stake & Stoues, thence by the said Road to the 
bound first mentioned." 

No action was taken on this report, apparently, at this meeting ; but, at a subsequent town 
meeting, holden Sept. 22, of the same year, it was — " Voted to accept the Burial Ground which was 
laid out by the Selectmen near the School House in Capt. Thomas Roby's District." 

From the last vote it will be noticed that, wliatever (juestion there may be as to the existence of 
a cemetery on the north side of the river previous to this earl}- date, there can be none as to the 
existence of, at least, one schoolhouse. 

There has been no change in the size of this cemetery since it was laid out. It is an enclosure of 
about one-half of an acre of land, located on the north side of the Amherst road, about one-half mile 
west of the Edgewood cemetery. It is under the control of the city. It is bounded on three sides bv 
a stone wall, with a neat picket fence upon its road frontage. 

At the present time it contains, by actual count, one hundred and twenty-five graves. Of these 
ninety are marked by monuments or headstones. 

Most of the marked graves are of comparatively modern date, and none of them show indications 
of great antiquity. 

The grounds are in an excellent state of preser\-ation. 

The following inscriptions are taken from the tombstones, and include all in this cemetery : — 

"Thomas Bowers. Died May 10, 1857. Aet. 58 years." 

" Erected to the Memory of Mr. Isaac Bowers, who died August 6, 1820, aged 60 years." 

" Mrs. Mary, wife of Isaac Bowers ; died Dec. 27, 1834. .\et. 69." 

" In Memory of Charles ,S. Bowers, son of Mr. Thomas Bowers and Mrs. Betsey, his wife, who died April 30, 

1820." 
" In Memory of Mrs. Betsey-, wife of Arch's Batchelder, who died Feb. 22, 1829. Aet. 77." 
"John Cotton. Died Dec. 3, I847. .\et. 54." 

"Sarah, wife of John Cotton. Died Oct. 13, 1885. .\ged 91 years, 7 mos." 
" Anna F. died April 5th, 1877, aged 13 years." 
" George W. died March 30, 1877, aged 15 yrs." 
" Children of B. F. & L. A. Cotton." 
"James B. Cameron. 1795 — 1852." — soldier. 
"Dorcas J. Cameron. 1805 — 1869." 
" Frances G. Cameron. 1831 — 1S60." 
"Ella F. Cameron, :852— 1862." 
"Baby." 

" Luc\- H. Clough, 1850 — 1854." 
" Eben Jewel. 1807 — 1879." 



///SVOA-)- (>/■' NASHTA. X. II. 



203 



" Robert Fletcher. Died April 2, 1887. ,Aet. 58 yrs, 2 inos. & 2 days." 

■' .\sa Fletcher. Died Nov. 17, 1880. .-^ged 59 y's, lo nios. & 24 <lays." 

" Elizabeth W. Fletcher, died .\ug. 30, 1893, aj^ed 74 y's, 2 nios. & 21 days." 

" (Soldier's grave in same lot, no stone; flag.)" 

" William Fletcher. Died March 30, 1870. Aet. 79 yrs, 3 mos." 

■' Susannah, wife of William Fletcher. Died Dec. 23, 1891. .\et. 92 yrs, 3 mos." 

" Charles, son of William & Susannah Fletcher : died Oct. 19, 1858. .Vet. 29 yrs & 6 nios." 

" Su.san Fletcher. Died Apr. 12, 1885." 

" Aet. 88 yrs, 6 mos, 21 d's." 
"William F. Farley. Died March 8. 1866." 
"(George H. died Sept. 12, 1864." 
"Charles H. died Sept. 18, 1864." 

"Children of William & Francina H. Farley." 
"William Farle}'. Died July 5, 1872. .-^et. 34 yrs, 3 mos." 
" F'rancina H., wife of William F. F'arley, died July 30, 1864." Aet 84 yrs." 
•■ Hepsabeth, wife of William Farley, died Mar. 27, 1868. Aet 76 yrs." 
"Joseph Harris. Died Dec. 2, 1868. Aet 75 yrs, 7 mos." 
"Betsey Harris. Died Jan. 25, 1862. .\et 70 j'rs, 11 mos." 
" Edah Harris. Died April l, 1879. Aet 67 yrs." 
" Sally Harris. Died Oct. 1 1, 1881. Ae»8oyrs." 
" Mary, wife of Thomas Hale, died .\pril 13, 1849. Aet 45." 

" Charles E. son of Daniel & Hanuel M. Hartshorn. Died Sept 3, 1849. .\et 2 yrs, i mo." 
" Hannah, wife of Walter Langworthy. Died Dec. 31, 1872. Aet 32 yrs, 8 mos." 
"Mary F. Daughter of J. E. & L. McKean. Died .\pril 17, 1861. .Aet. 72, 5 mos." 
"Isaac McKean. Died Jan. 28, 1869. Aged 72 years." 
" .\daline. His wife. Died Jan. 14, 1889. Aged 74 yrs, 11 mos." 
" Frederick McKean. Died March 17, 1857. .\et53yrs." 
" -\lmira, wife of Frederick McKean and daughter of Benjamin 6t Rebekah R<>l)y. I )ie<l June 26, 1838. .\et 

25 yrs." 
"Samuel McKean: died July 16, 1845. Aet 60 yrs." 
" Betsey, his wife, died Juue 2, 1876. .Aet 83 yrs." 

" Mother." 
" Betsey M. Little. Died Jan 23, 1879, aged 68 yrs." 
"Charles E. McKean. Died Dec. 19, 1874. Aet 45 yrs." 

"Brother" (only inscription on stone.) 
" In memory of Mr. Ruben Melvin who died Septr 26, 1818, aged 24 years." 
" David M. Moore, died Oct 31, 1874. .\ged 56 yrs." 
"Julia .\. Moore. Died Dec. 12, 1893. Aged 71 years." 
" Frank W. Jloore. Died .April i. 1S88. .•\ged 39 yrs." 

" Lottie H. dau. of F. W. & E. L. Moore : Died Sept 17, 1886. .\ged 5 weeks." 
" Lucy E. dau of F. W. & E. L. Moore. Died Oct 24, 1886, Aged 10 weeks." 
"Joshua Wright. Died Dec. 10, 1859. .\et 75 yrs, 9 mos, i day." 
" Rebecca W, wife of Joshua Wright. Died Feb. 24, 1852. Aet 66 yrs 9 mos, 13 days." 

The above in.scriptions were taken from the west side of a marble mominient. 
On the east face of the same monument are the following : 

" .Anna W. Wright. Died .\pril 12, 1823. .Aet i yr. 5 mos, 26 days." 

" Mark Wright. Died Dec. 24, 1828. .\et 16 yrs, 8 mos, 13 days." 

On the north face : 

"Joshua M. Wright. Died Jan 17, 1S95. .\et 85 yrs 4 nios" 

In the same lot are five tablets marked 

"Joshua M. : Anna: Mark: Michell : Father;" ( soldier's flag.) 

" Melvin Robbins. Died May 5, 1856. Aet 71 yrs 11 mos & 25 days " 

" Martha, his wife. Died Jan. 9, 1858. Aet 80 yrs, 6 mos, & 7 ds" 

" Preston Robbins. Died March 15, 1853. Aet 44." 

" Daniel Robbins, died March 9, 1876. .Aet 61 yrs." 

■■ Martha Robbins. Died July 21, 1879." 

Ill the same lot with the aoove are seven tablets in.scribed as follows : 

" Father, born .\ug. 12, 1807, died Mar. 23, 1873." 
" Mother. Born Mar. 3, 1814. Died Feb 28, 1864." 
" Charles. Born Sept. 7, 1836. Died Nov. 25, 1860." 
"Mary. Born July 30, 1841. Died Jan. 28, 1864." 
"Susan. Born Jan. ? 1832. Died I"eb. 5, 1854." 



204 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

"Harriet. Born July 4, 1845. Died Aug. 17. 1862." 

"Elizabeth. Born July 26, 1847. Died Sept 6, 1867." 

"Thomas Roby. Died May i, 1833. Aet 73." 

"Phebe. his wife. Died .Sept. 2, 1849. Aet 78." 

" In Memory of Thomas, son of Capt Thomas & Mrs Phebe Roby who died June 15, 1822. Aet 29." 

" Sacred to the Memory of Miss Hannah, daughter of Capt. Thomas & Mrs. Phebe Roby. Died Dec. 20, 1838. 

Aet 28." 
"Sacred to the memory of Mr Samuel Roby, son of Capt. Thomas and Phelie Roliy, who died Aug. 26, 1843. 

Aged 59." 
" Benjamin Roby. Died March 10, 1863. Aet. 75 yrs." 
" Rebekah, his wife. Died Jan 16, 1874. Aet 91 yrs." 

" George A. son of James & Weltha A. Roby. Died Oct. 5, i860. Aet 11 yrs & 10 nios." 
"Alice Luella, daur of Albert & Angeline S. Sargent, died Aug. 7, 1862. Aet i m, 26 ds." 
"Near by is a soldier's grave without a headstone." 
"Zachariah Shattuck. Died Feb. 20, 1893. Aet 77 yrs." 
" Sopronia E. Shattuck. Died June 3, 1877. Aet 55 yrs." 
"Abel G. Shattuck. Died Aug 2, 1880. AE 68 yrs." 
" Mary Shattuck. Died March 29, 1873. AE 49 yrs." 
"Alice Little, wife of Abel Shattuck. Died Jan. 27, i86i. AE 76 yrs." 
" Abel Shattuck. Died Jan. 28, 1863. AE 80 yrs." 
" Frank E. Born Jan. 20, 1871, died June 3, 1879." 
" George H. Born May 9, 1869. Died June 19. 1879." 

"Children of Edwin A. & Anna L. Thayer." 

SOLDIERS. 

James B. Cameron, Fletcher, Joshua M. Wright, Albert Sargent. 

THE SPRING STREET CEMETERY. 

This cemetery formerly occupied the lot of land where the High schoolhouse is now located on 
Spring street. 

Previous to the erection of the High school building this land had been, for many years used as 
a cemetery under the control of the town and city authorities, although the title to the same was in 
the Nashua Manufacturing company. 

When the erection of a schoolhouse upon the land was first broached, there was much and decided 
opposition, many of the citizens being strongly prejudiced against the location. But after considerable 
wrangling and discussion the city councils voted in favor of the cemetery site. 

On July 9, 1872, the company convej-ed the lot to the city by a quit claim deed, in which it was 
stipulated that it was to be used for the location of a public school building or buildings, and that, in 
case said land or any part thereof should be used for other purposes, it should revert to the grantor. 

The removal of the remains of the dead, therein buried, to the Hollis Street cemetery commenced 
soon after this transfer and continued until completed. The old tombstones thus removed are still 
standing in the Hollis Street, now Woodlawn, cemetery. 

THE IRISH CATHOLIC CEMETERY. 

This cemetery is situated in Hudson, on the Londonderry road, about two and one-half miles from 
the City Hall btiilding. The original lot, which contained ten acres, was conveyed by James L., John 
P. and Edgar B. Pierce, all of this city, to Rt. Rev. David W. Bacon, bishop of Portland, Sept. 6, 
1856, in consideration of one hundred and forty dollars. 

The cemetery is rectangular in shape, well laid out, and contains some beautiful and costly 
monuments. It was purcha.sed for and consecrated to the use, more especially, of the Irish Catholic 
citizens of Nashua, and within its sacred precincts lie most of their dead for the past forty years. 
Several hundred of the deceased of the French Catholics are also interred within its limits. At the 
present time it contains about fotir thousand graves. The following is a ILst of the soldiers of the 
Civil War whose remains are here awaiting the final call of the Grand Commander: — 

Maj. Timothy B. Crowley, Co. loth N. H. Volunteers. 

Quarterma.ster Thomas Sullivan, " loth " " 

Lieut. Michael C. Moran, " B, loth " " 



///STOA')- (V- X.IS/fUA, N. H. 



205 



John Haley, 

Lawrence Doyle, 

John Earh", 

John I£arl\', 2A. 

Carl Meighan, 

John Moiiagiian, 

Edward Clark, 

Thomas F. Wills, 

Michael Buckley, 

Michael Halli.sey, 

Henry Bush, 

Peter Gorman, 

James Cahill, 

Thomas Lavan, 

Peter Lavan, 

Bernard Flynn, 

Timothy O'Neil, 

Mortimer O'Neil, 

Frank Quinn, 

John P. O. Sullivan, 

John Brennan, 

Bartholemew Sullivan, 

Mellian O. Neil, 

Hugh Duffey, 

Sergt. Patrick Courtney, 

Michael Courtney, 

John Sullivan, 

Sergt. Edward Lambert, 

Maurice Nelligan, 

Michael Sullivan, 

Michael T. Sullivan, 

James McEwen, 

Dennis Lowney, 

A. F Long, 

Patrick H. Sullivan, 

Lieut. Michael Sweeney, 

Timothy Downej-, 

John P. !Murphy, 

Thomas Dee, 

John Sullivan, 

Thomas Powers, 

John O. Sullivan, 

Five unknown. 



Co. B, 10 N. H. \'olunteers, 



t ( ( t 



* ' 


,^.cl. ■' 




' ' 


K, 


Sth, " 




1 ( 


(',. 


4th •■ 




•' 


B, 


4th ■■ 
ylh 






F, 








G, 


,Scl •• 






F, 


4th 








ISt 


H 


eavy Artillery 




9th 


V( 


Dlunteers. 



ISt 



Heavy Artillery. 
\'olunteers. 



Sth " 
" D, 23d Mass. 
•• D, i6th '■ 

i6th U. S. Regiment. 
" H. loth Conn. \'olunteers. 

69th X. V. 



CEMETERY OF THE CHURCH OF ST. ALOYSIUS. 



The cemetery o{ the Church of St. Aloysius is located on the north side of West Hollis .street, 
about two miles from the City Hall. It contains six acres, more or less, which was conveyed by 
Josiah G. Graves and John C. Lund to the Right Rev. James A. Healey, bishop of Portland, by deed 
dated Jan. 12, 1880, in consideration of one dollar. 

It was purchased for and has been u.sed almost exclusively by the French citizens of Nashua. It 
contains at the present time over seventeen hundred graves. 

The following veterans of the Civil War are here interred: lunik- LeClaire, Mitchell Little, 
unknown. 



2o6 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

CEMETERY OF THE CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER. 

This cemetery is situated on the north side of the Nashua river and on the southerlj- side of the 
old Amherst road, so called. The land which constitutes the same was conveyed to the Rev. Henry 
A. Lessard by Cornelius Sullivan, by deed dated June 24, 1S90. The consideration was $1,400. It is 
a triangular shaped piece of land. This is the newest cemetery in Nashua. 







I//STON)' OF XASIIUA, X. //. 



207 



EBENEZER DEARBORN, M. 1). 

Ebenezer Dearliorn. M. D., was born at Chester, July 30, 
1793, died at Nashua, Jan. g, 1883. His father, Jonathan 
Dearborn, was a great grandson of Thomas Dearborn, 
second .son of Godfrey Dearborn, jiatriarch of the Dear- 
born family that came to America from the county of 
Devon in England earlj' in the seventeenth century and 
settled in Rxeter, now Stratham, Mass., about 1639, The 
name is one of the best known in ''nited States history, 
many of the de- 
scendants having 
held high commis- 
sions in all its 
wars and fi 1 1 e d 
high stations in 
the civil govern- 
ment and the pro- 
f e s s i o n s . His 
mother, Delia 
(Robie ) Dearborn, 
was a descendant 
of John Robie, 
who settled in 
Hampton. Doc- 
tor Dearborn 
was educated at 
Chester and Ando- 
\ er , Mass. He 
studied medicine 
with his brother, 
Edward Dearborn, 
M. D., at Sea- 
brook, and with 
Thomas K i 1 1 - 
redge, M. I)., of 
.■^ndover, JIass. ; 
he attended lec- 
tures at Boston, 
JIass., and also at 
Hanover, receiv- 
ing his degree of 
M. D. from Dart- 
mouth Medical 
college in 1821. 
Doctor Dearborn 
settled in Dunsta- 
ble, now Nashua, 
in 1816, and fol- 
lowed his profes- 
sion steadily for 
fifty years. He was 
a man of sterling 
character, skilled 

in his profession, and active and useful in public and pri- 
vate affairs. He was one of a small group of earnest and 
energetic men who laid the foundations of the prosperous 
city of Nashua of 1896. 

Doctor Dearborn held many places of trust among his 
fellow citizens, and in more than anything else that 
affected the people was a promoter of education. He 
served many years on the board of trustees of the Nashua 
Literary institution and did efficient work as a member of 
the town school committee. He was a member of the 
board of selectmen and held several other offices, besides 




KDKNHZEK DEAHIiOHN, .M. 1). 



interesting himself in whatever tended to aid in the 
growth of the town. .Vftcr Nashua and Nashville united 
and became a city he was honored by his constituents and 
was a member of the board of aldermen in i860 and in 
1861. Doctor Dearborn was a director in the Nashua State 
bank twenty years, a projector and director in the 
Worcester & Nashua railroad, a member and president of 
the New Hampshire Medical society, also a member of the 
Massachusetts Medical society. 

Doctor Dearborn was united in marriage in 1816, with 

Hannah (Davis) 
Dyson, daughter 
of John and Han- 
nah Dyson of 
Heverl}-, Mass. 
Mr. Dyson, her 
father, was born 
in England. He 
came to this coun- 
try early in life 
and settled at 
Beverly, where he 
was a prosperous 
shipping mer- 
chant and promi- 
nent citizen. Of 
their children four 
reached mature 
years and three 
are still living : 
Hannah Maria, 
born in Beverly, 
Mass.; Charles 
Ebenezer, born in 
Nashua, graduat- 
ed at Dartmouth 
college in 1842, 
dentist in Boston, 
married Caroline 
Marie Lawrence 
of I'epperell, 
ilass. ; Henrietta 
Louise, born in 
Nashua, married 
Darius R. Emer- 
son of Boston, 
merchant; Dyson, 
born in Nashua, 
married Lorinda 
Sherman, died in 
Nashua in 1894, re- 
spected by all as a 
w'Orthy citizen and 
a genial man. 

ELIJAH COLBURN, .M. U. 

Elijah Colburn, M. D., was born in Hudson, Sept. 8, 
1795; died in Nashua, Jan. 13, i88t. He was a son of 
Zacheus Colburn, born Feb. 16. 1765; died Oct. 10, 1851. 
and Rachael (Hills) Colburn, born April 10, 1785; died 
Sept. 23, 1840, and who were united in marriage at Hud- 
son, April 29, 1785. Both were descendants of the 
pioneers of Nottingham West, as Hudson was then called. 
They were a hardj', industrious and f.od-fearing race of 



208 



HISTORY O/-' .\'.V.Sy/r.-7, X. H. 



men and women who tilled ancestral acres, took good 
care of their own and sought to do their whole dutj* by 
their neighbors. In a word the Colburns and Hills of 
Hudson have been among the most progressive and hon- 
ored people of the town for nearly, if not quite, two 
centuries. 

Doctor Colburn was an apt scholar and ambitious from 
his youth. He obtained such knowledge as was imparted 
at the public schools and was graduated at the Harvard 
Medical college with the degree of M. D. in 1823. After 
obtaining his di- 
ploma he prac- 
ticed a short time 
in his native town. 
A little later, in 
1823 or 1824, he 
settled perma- 
nently in Nashua 
and was the first, 
or one of the first, 
physicians to lo- 
cate in this then 
sparsely settled 
locality. Certain- 
ly he was the first 
to travel with a 
horse, and first to 
practice to any ex- 
tent in the sur- 
rounding towns. 
It was at the time 
the foundation 
was being laid for 
the mills of the 
Nashua Manufac- 
turing company, 
of which Doctor 
Colburn purchas- 
ed the land upon 
which he built the 
residence in which 
he lived and died. 
His office for many 
3'ears was on Tem- 
ple street on the 
site of the Odd 
Fellows' building 
and during the 
latter part of his 
life in an annex 
on the north side 
of his residence on 
Main street. Doc- 
tor Colburn had a 

long and useful career. As a physician and surgeon he 
was among the very best in his generation, a man in whom 
the community put implicit confidence. Doctor Colburn's 
early struggles to obtain an education made a lasting 
impression upon his life. If any one cause more than 
another had his hearty co-operation it was this. He 
helped along those who sought to better their condition, 
and was for many years a member of the board of trustees 
of the Nashua Literary institution, and a member of the 
school committee before Nashua became a city. He was 
also one of the grantees of the Nashua Gas Light company 




ELIJAH COI.iU^HN', y\. D. 



and one of its early presidents. Doctor Colburn was also 
active in other bodies, being a member of the Unitarian 
church, and of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., of 
which body he was the worshipful master in 1843 and 
1844. In a word he lived an honorable life and fulfilled 
his duties to the community, his family and his God with 
earnest fidelity. 

Doctor Colburn was united in marriage June 22, 1826, with 
Sarah Belknap of Framingham, Mass. Mrs. Colburn was 
born Oct. 16, 1806, and is still living. She is a daughter 

of Luther Bel- 
knap, who was one 
of the most promi- 
nent men of his 
time in the section 
o f Massachusetts 
in which Framing- 
ham is located. 
He was born Nov. 
7, 1789; died Feb. 
16, 1855 ; was rep- 
resentative to the 
general court of 
Massachusetts, 
justice of the 
peace, twenty-two 
years selectman, 
and seventeen 
vears town clerk. 
His wife, Hepsi- 
bath Brown of 
Sudbury, Mass. — 
born Julj' 28, 1769, 
died Aug. 5, 1852; 
was left an orphan 
when a small child 
and was adopted 
1 1 \ h L- r uncle. 
.\dam Howe, who 
was landlord of 
the hostelry at 
Sudbury, made 
famous by Long- 
fellow's beautiful 
poem, "Tales of a 
Wayside Inn." 
She lived with 
her uncle till her 
marriage, and 
throughout her 
life was a cour- 
ageous and model 
woman, enjoying 
the respect and 
esteem of her friends, and, at her decease, leaving to her 
children a legacy of loving words. The children of Doctor 
and Sarah (Belknap) Colburn were; Luther B., born at 
Nashua, Sept. 15, 1827, died June 25, 1832; Edwin A., born 
at Nashua, Dec. 13, 1829, married Anna S. Dodge of Antrim, 
June 26, 1861, died March 5, 1892, Sarah M., born at 
Nashua, Aug. 23, 1831, married Daniel T. Tower of Boston, 
Sept. 9, 1856, died March 25, 1858; Belknap S., born July 
25, 1833, died Sept. 10, 1834; Susan E., bori? at Nashua, 
Jan. 18, 1836, married Charles F. Stetson of Duxbur}', 
Mass., June 19, 1855, died Nov. 15, 1873. 



///.V7V 'A' )■(■)/• A'./.S7/r./, A'. //. 



209 



JOSIAH G. (,UA\hS, M. LJ. 

Josiah Cr. Craves, M. I)., was 1)orn at W'alpole, July 13, 
1811, died July 6, 18S8. His father wasa well-to-do farmer 
and desired liini to follow that vocation. Ilis desire, 




HISIAll I,. l.K.W i;s, M. 1). 

however, was to fit himself for the medical profession, and 
so, contrary to the wishes of his father, he left his home 
at the age of eighteen years, and, as he often remarked in 
his later life, "with one dollar in his pocket, his mother's 
blessing on his head and a district school education," he 
started out to carve his own career. He entered the offices 
of Doctors Adams and Twitchell at Keene in 1829, and 
defrayed his expenses by teaching school and giving 
instructions in penmanship. Doctor Graves attended lec- 
tures at Pittsfield, Jlass., and was graduated at Williams- 
town Medical college in 1834, after which he spent six 
months in the office of doctors Huntington and Graves at 
Lowell, Mass. 

Doctor Graves commenced the practice of his profes- 
sion in Nashua, Sept. 15, 1834, and for more than fortv* 
years followed it with untiring assiduity. His biographer, 
B. R. Whittemore, says of him: "His success as a 
physician and surgeon has but few parallels. He loved 
his profession and gave it his best powers. He was gifted 
in a remarkable degree, with a keen insight into the 
nature of disease, and of course his success was in propor- 
tion to his fitness for his calling. He did not need to lie 
told symptoms : he knew by intuition w-here the break in 
the constitution was, and how to rebuild and give new life. 
He was made for his profession, and not his profession for 
him, which is too often the case. .A.fter several years' 
practice Doctor Graves took the degree of his profession at 
Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia. During the War 
of the Rebellion he was, by np])ointuient of the governor 



and council, a member of the board of medical examiners. 

.\ftcr retiring from the active duties of his profession. 
Doctor <;raves became interested in railroad enterprises 
111 which he ma<le heavy investments. He was a director 
in the Nashua & J^owcll railroad company and one of the 
promoters of the Texas Trunk line, of which he was presi- 
dent. He w-as a director in the Kaneuil Hall Insurance 
company of Boston, and also in the Metropolitan steam- 
ship company, and interested, pecuniarily and otherwise, 
in many enterprises at home and in different sections of 
the country. A few years before his death he purchased 
'Mound Farm" at Scituate, Mass., where he erected a few 
dwelling houses, and spent his summers. 

Doctor Graves is entitled to high rank among the self- 
made men of New Hampshire. What he was, and what he 
had came through his own unaided effort, and was the 
fruit of capacity, energy and industry. He filled a large 
place in Nashua, and was widely known as a man of in- 
flexible will, strong in his attachment to friends and 
uncompromising in all matters in which he believed he 
was right. He could say "yes" or "no" and then end the 
matter. He was a member of the fnitarian church and a 
liberal contributor to its support. 

Doctor Graves married Mar}' Boardman, daughter of 
Colonel William Boardman, a distinguished citizen of 
Nashua. There were no children by their marriage. 

EVAN B. HAMMOND, M. D. 

Evan B. Hammond, M. D., was born at Bridgewater, 
Oct. 16, 1815, died at Nashua, June 7, 1887. He was a son 
of Nathan Hammond, born Sept. r6, 1781, and Mary 
(Noyes) Hammond, born July 29, 1785. His grandfather, 
Thomas Hammond, was born June 11, 1747, and his grand- 
mother, Esther (Dole) Hammond, May 15, 1756. They 
w^ere foremost among the pioneers of Grafton county, a 
hardy, frugal, industrious and honest race of people who 
" made the wilderness blossom as a rose," and who dying 
left behind them records for piety, probity and useful- 
ness that are a source of pride and a matter of emulation 
for their descendants. It is to such men and women as 
the ancestors of the Hammond family of Nashua, that 
New Hampshire owes her proud place in the union of 
states as the birthplace of those who have guided the 
world to civil and religious freedom, led armies, fought 
great battles, inspired equitable laws, developed science 
and adorned the professions. 

Doctor Hammond was a self-made man, whose useful 
career emphasizes the possible attainment of those who 
possess courage and perseverance. He obtained all the 
knowledge possible in the district schools of his native 
place, and beyond that fought his way single-handed to 
graduation in the profession he had chosen for his life 
work. In his youth he had his every day task for a 
higher education, and finally studied medicine and sur- 
gery at New York, Boston, Dartmouth Medical college 
and Harvard Medical college, graduating at the latter in 
1840 with the degree of M. D. He settled in Nashua im- 
mediately and steadily practiced his profession for more 
than forty years. Doctor Hammond, in his thorough 
knowledge of medicine and surgery, had practical and 
common-sense method as well as a skillful and collegiate 
basis. He could read human nature "like a book" and 
was therefore enabled to prescribe effectively in all forms 
of disease and to all classes of patients. That he had the 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



confidence of the people was recognized in a marked 
degree by the attorneys of the county, who sought him 
among the first as an expert witness in difficult cases, 
knowing that what Doctor Hammond said would be 
believed in preference to the testimony of college pro- 
fessors who had abundant theory and but limited practice. 
This was due, also, in a great measure, to the use of easy 
terms and a lucid explanation that was peculiarly his own 
method. He sought to make clear rather than to make a 
mystery. He had an extensive and successful practice 
from which he re- 
tired some years 
before his death, 
mainly because of 
advancing age and 
a fracture of the 
bones of his leg 
which m a cl e it 
difficult for him 
to travel any great 
distance. Yet such 
was his reputa- 
tion, that, for sev- 
eral j'ears after 
his retirement, his 
services were in 
frequent demand ; 
especially among 
those families 
within whose cir- 
cles he had, for 
many years been 
the trusted physi- 
cian and faithful 
friend. He was 
an active member 
of the New Hamp- 
shire medical so- 
ciety. But Doctor 
Hammond was 
not alone a Nashua 
physician. He 
was an active man 
in the affairs of 
the town and later 
of the city. Good 
government, good 
schools, church 
privileges, pro- 
gress in every de- 
partment of hu- 
man endeavor, 
banking and a 
hundred and one 

things that were of concern to a citizen claimed his 
attention and found him a wise supporter. He held 
town offices from time to time and represented it in the 
legislature in 1847 and 1848. When Nashua became a city 
in 1853 he sat in her first common council, and in 1866 
and 1867 served on the board of aldermen. He was city 
physician in 1862, 1866 and 1867, and for many years 
was a member of the board of education. During Gov- 
ernor Berry's administi-ation, in the exciting days of 
the Civil War. he was commissioned examining surgeon 
for exemption from draft for Hillsborough county, and 




EVAN B. HAMMOND. M. D. 



was later appointed United States examining surgeon 
in cases of applications for pensions, a position which 
he held fifteen years to the entire satisfaction of the 
government and the veterans. Besides these public 
duties he was one of the inceptors and promoters of the 
.Second National bank, serving on the board of directors 
for many years. He was also treasurer of the Mechanics' 
.Savings bank, and, so great was the confidence of the 
people in him, he invested, safely, large sums of monev 
for friends and acquaintances. At the time of his death 

he was president 
of the York Beach 
& Harbor railroad 
and of the Crosby 
Invalid Bed com- 
pany. Doctor 
H a m m o n d was 
united in marriage 
Dec. 23, 1841, with 
Sarah Ann Adams. 
Mrs. Hammond 
was born at Wal- 
tham, Mass., 
Dec. 12, 1816. She 
is a daughter of 
Phinehas Adams, 
liorn .Sept. 4, 1789, 
and Sarah W. 
(Barber) Adams, 
born May 28, 1790, 
a daughter of 
Hamblet Barber, 
born at Warring- 
ton, England. On 
the paternal side 
she is a descend- 
ant in the seventh 
generation from 
Henry Ada m s, 
who came to this 
country from 
Devonshire, Eng- 
^S/y^^ land, in 1630. 

J^Wr Vrom Henry Ad- 

ams, fifteen gen- 
erations to Ap Ad- 
am of Wales, who 
"came out of the 
marshes of Wales, 
a frontier space " 
on which E^nglish 
troops were accus- 
tomed to march, 
to repress incur- 
sions and cut off stragglers in 1220. Mrs. Hammond's lin- 
eage is one complete record to Ap Adam. The children 
born to them are Mary L., born March, 1843; S. Anna, born 
Jan. 17, 1845, married Calvin W. Greenwood, Oct. 20, 1869; 
Catherine E., born March 12, 1847, married Charles E. 
Whitmarsh. Oct. 20, 1869 ; Elizabeth M., born Jan. 2, 1850, 
married James F. Whitmarsh, Sept. 29, 1885 ; Charles B., 
born March 20, 1853, married Mary L. Tracy, Oct. 16, 1883; 
Alice P., born Oct. 31, 1854, married Edward E. Parker, 
Dec. 20, 1877 ; Phinehas A., born June 2, 1856, married Lil- 
lian M. Bowman, May i , 1884 ; George E'., born June 8, 1858. 



///STORY O/- XASIICA. X. //. 



21 I 



NORMAN JOHN MACLHOU MOORH, M. D. 

Nonnau J. M. Moore, M. D., was bom in Aberdeen, Scot- 
land, in 1817, died in Nashua, Dec. 31, 1882. He was a 
descendant of an ancient family that for generations has 
lieen renowned in the military profession. The family 
was originally from Dorsetshire, Kng., and dnring the 
struggle at arms between Charles I. and Cromwell were 
attached to the fortunes of the latter, from whom, when 
his cause prevailed, they received grants of land at 
Saleston, near 
Canton, Ireland. 
His maternal an- 
cestors were of 
Scotch origin, his 
great grand- 
mother being the 
only daughter of 
N r m an Jo h n 
;\Iacleod, a cele- 
brated chief of the 
historical Macleod 
clan of Dunvegan 
castle. Isle of 
S k y e ; probably 
the oldest castle 
in Scotland, and 
famous in song 
and story. 

Doctor Jloore at- 
tended the schools 
on his native 
heath and at an 
early age was 
graduated at Ox- 
ford with the de- 
gree of .\. SI. He 
then, with his 
l)rother William, 
who a fterwards 
rose to the rank of 
colonel i n Her 
Majesty's service, 
entered a military 
school at S a n d - 
hurst. .After a few 
months' service 
he came to the 
conclusion that 
he had " missed 
his calling," and 
he thereupon left 
the institution and 
commenced the 

study of medicine and surgery at the University of 
Dublin, Ireland, where he received the degree of M. D. 
and a diploma. Following his graduation at Dublin he 
went to Edinburgh, Scotland, and entered the university 
at that place, again graduating with a diploma of M. D. 
Not content with the knowledge he had obtained in his 
l>rofession he became a student at the Royal college of 
surgery in London, where he had seven years of stiuly 
and was graduated in January, 1842. Doctor Moore felt 
that he was fully equipped for a broader field. He con- 
sidered several propositions from hospitals and profess- 




NOKMAN |li|l\ \l \l l.liOD .Mt)01!l;, M. I). 



ional contemporaries who desired him as a partner, but 
none met his e.xpectations. Finally he concluded to seek 
his fortune in .America, and a j'ear later we find him in 
practice in the Marine hospital at Chelsea, Mass. He 
remained at the hospital four years, when his friend. 
Doctor Smith, the head surgeon, died. Doctor Moore 
then became disturbed in mind because of preferment 
that others obtained, but which was denied him because 
of the fact that then he was not a citizen of the country, 
.ukI, influeiiceil by an ac(|Uaintance, he resigned his posi- 
tion and located in 
Derry as a family 
physician and sur- 
geon . He re- 
mained in Derry 
five years, during 
which time he be- 
c a m e w' i d e 1 y 
known. The de- 
mand for his ser- 
vice was so great 
and the location 
so circumscribed 
that he was actual- 
ly compelled to 
seek a railroad 
center. He de- 
cided to settle in 
Nashua and came 
here in 1852. Doc- 
tor Moore prac- 
ticed in Nashua 
from the year last 
mentioned to the 
day of his death, 
at one time in 
partnership with 
deorge Gray. M. 
I). It is not too 
much to say of 
liini, and we now 
(|Uote from the 
writingof a foimer 
biographer, that 
in his generation 
"he stood at the 
head of the medi- 
cal profession in 
New Hampshire. 
I'or more than a 
quarter of a cen- 
tury he was called 
in the most diffi- 
cult and delicate 
cases of surgery and he was eminently successful in 
restoring to health innumerable patients whose cases were 
considered incurable. He had a remarkable power of 
diagnosis, and his admitted skill made him a valuable 
expert witness before the courts, and although his 
modesty made him shrink from notoriety, he was often 
called in important state cases both at home and in 
remote commonwealths." Doctor Moore became a citizen 
of the United States and showed his patriotism by accept- 
ing an emergency call from the government, in 1862, and 
serving four months as surgeon in a hospital at Newburn, 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



N. C. That Doctor Moore was all that is said of him is 
in evidence in a series of resolutions passed by the physi- 
cians at the time of his death, in which they said : " That 
in the death of Doctor Moore we are deeply sensible of 
our loss of a wise counselor in times of perplexity- and 
doubt, when the lives of those intrusted to our care 
depended upon an accurate knowledge of the uature of 
the case and the most judicious and skillful application 
of the means." 

But it was not alone as a learned physician and surgeon 
that Doctor Moore 
is remembered b\' 
the people of 
Nashua. He was 
a man of perfect 
physique, winning 
in his manners, 
attractive in his 
social qu a 1 i t i es 
and a most excel- 
lent friend and 
companion. The 
Scotch blood pre- 
dominated in him. 
It made him gen- 
erous to a fault, 
kind to the poor, 
thoughtful for 
those who associ- 
ated with him, and 
enabled him to 
bear the burdens 
that were his with- 
out a murmur, and 
to award good for 
evil. In a word 
he was a rare man 
mentall}' and pro- 
fessionally. He 
possessed a sunny 
temperament and 
had a courtly bear- 
ing that was so 
unpretentious 
that even a timid 
child was at ease 
in his presence 
and soon became 
his acquaintance 
and friend. 

Doctor Moore 
was an E p i s c o - 
paliau and a mem- 
ber of the Church 

of the Good Shepherd. He was also a member of the 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire Medical societies. 
He was twice married ; first in Dublin and second at Man- 
chester, in i860, when he wedded Caroline Sears. His 
children were by his first wife, William, born in Dublin, 
Ireland, 1S42, educated at the University of Vermont at 
Burlington and at the University of Pennsylvania, gradu- 
ating at the latter with the degree of M. D., a soldier in 
the Seventh regiment, New Hampshire volunteers, who 
was promoted to sergeant-major, served two and a half 
years and died from malaria contracted in the service. 




GEORGK (1 



Nov. 25, 1868; Matilda, born at the Marine hospital in 
Chelsea, Mass., 1844, educated at the seminary at New- 
London, academy at Mont Vernon and a private school 
in Boston, nuirried John J. Whitelsy and has a daughter. 

GEORGE GR.4Y, M. D. 

George Gray, M. D., was born in Hancock, April 29, 
1829; died in Nashua, Dec. 14, 1876. Dr. Gray w-as a son 
of John and Hersina ( Knight ) Gray. His paternal ances- 
tors came from 
England in the 
seventeenth c e n - 
tury and tlieir 
descendants were 
among the pio- 
neers of the Sou- 
he g a n vail ey. 
His grandfather 
w-as a prominent 
resident of Ben- 
nington, and a 
man of sturdy 
lialiits and wide 
influence in the 
public affairs of 
his generation. 
<,)n the maternal 
side he was a 
grandson of Dea- 
con Aaron Knight 
of Hancock and re- 
lated to the Adams 
family, whose gen- 
ealogy is clearly 
traced til rough 
fifteen genera- 
tions. His father 
and motlier were 
well know-n in 
Nashua as hind- 
lord and landlady 
of the Washington 
house, a popular 
hostler y that 
stood on the site 
of Noyes block. 

Doctor Gray ob- 
tained his first 
schooling in tlie 
puldic schools of 
Nashua, at Cros- 
k.\v,'m. d. by's Literary in- 

stitute and Han- 
cock academy. Following his graduation at the last 
named institution he entered the office of liis uncle, 
Adams Kniglit, M. D., at Springfield, Vt., where he 
applied himself assiduousl}- to the study of medicine and 
surgery. After a thorough preparatory course of reading 
he entered the medical college at Woodstock, Vt., w-here 
he was graduated with the degree of M. D. His profi- 
ciency in his profession was such that the faculty named 
him as a professor and demonstrator of anatomy, a posi- 
tion which he filled with marked ability till the death of 
his father in 1851, when it became necessary- for him to 



HJSTONV OF X.IS/rf'.l. X. //. 



213 



return to Nashua and settle his hotel business and other 
affairs. This administratorship occupied his attention 
till 185.^, when he formed a partnership with Dr. Norman 
J. Moore and began practice, lie continued with Doctor 
Moore until the opening of the Civil War, when the 
partnership was dis.solved and he opened an ofTice for 
himself and continued in practice till his death. 

Doctor tiray was a man of striking ])hysique and 
attractive personality. He was democratic, a man of the 
people, a citizen who had a cordial greeting and a kind 
word for every- 
liody. Besides 
this he was one of 
the most skillful 
physicians and 
surgeons in t h c 
city and exceed- 
ingly conscien- 
tious in his atten- 
tion to patients. 
His success, both 
in regular prac- 
tice and as spe- 
cialist, was recog- 
nized by his medi- 
cal associates and 
caused his diagno- 
sis and advice to 
be sought in criti- 
cal cases; his 
services, were, 
also, in demand 
among experts in 
important cases 
before the su- 
preme court. Dr. 
Gray's death re- 
sulted from dip- 
theria, a disease 
contracted while 
attending a pa- 
tient at a t i m e 
when suffering 
from a severe cold. 
That he was sin- 
cerely mourned by 
kindred and 
friends, is attested 
by a series of reso- 
lutions passed at 
a special meeting 
of the physicians 
and surgeons o f 
Nashua. His rec- 
ord as a faithful physician and geuerous friend survives him. 

Doctor Gray was an episcopalian, a member of Rising 
Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., and of Granite lodge, I. O. 
O. F. He was also a member of the Vermont and New' 
Hampshire Medical societies and of several other bodies 
connected with his profession. He was twice married. 
His first W'ife was Margaret Stearns of Woodstock, Vt., 
who died i,.. 1865; second, (April, 1872), Julia Tilden, 
daughter of- Rev. Lucius L. and Julia A. (Ackley) Tilden 
of Nashua, who is still living. There were no children 
by either marriage. 




KDWIN COLIUK.N, .M. D. 



EDWIN A. COLBURN, M. D. 

F.dwin A. Colburn, M. D., was born at Nashua, Dec. 13, 
1829; died at Nashua, March 5, 1892. He was a son of 
Dr. Elijah and Sarah (Belknap) Colburn. (For ancestors 
see sketch of Elijah Colburn, M. D., in this work). 
Doctor Colburn was educated in the public schools of 
Nashua and graduated at the Nashua Literary institution 
of which Prof. David Crosby was principal. He then 
attended school at Derry academv, and. after a thorough 

study of medicine 
in the office of his 
father, took a two 
years' course at 
the Medical col- 
lege atWoodstock, 
\'l. .\fter con- 
cluding his studies 
at the last place 
he entered the 
-New York Medi- 
cal college at New 
York Cit}', where 
he was graduated 
with the degree of 
M. D., in 1854. 

Following h i s 
graduation he 
commenced prac- 
tice with his father 
and so continued 
until 1861. His 
father retired 
about that time by 
reason of age, but 
he continued to 
practice until 
shortly before his 
death. Doctor 
Colburn inclined 
to a quiet and well 
ordered domestic 
life, freedom from 
the cares of office 
and the anxieties 
and perplexities 
of political strife. 
In a word he was 
exceedingly mod- 
est, and, although 
he held the office 
of- city physician 
in 1861, he would 
never consent to 
be a candidate. He was passionately fond of the perfect 
horse, and during his time owned and drove some of the 
best blooded animals in southern New Hampshire. F'ol- 
lowing the sale of the family estate, the site of Odd Fel- 
lows' building, he built one of the handsomest residences 
on Concord street. He purposed to settle down to a 
quiet home life and had been in his new home but a few 
weeks, when, unfortunately, he was found under the feet 
of an unbroken colt with his skull fractured. He 
lived but a few hours after the discovery. Doctor Col- 
burn was an attendant of the I'nitarian church, and an 



214 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



honest, upright man and a citizen respected by all. 
Doctor Colburn was united in marriage June 26, 1861, 
with Anna S. Dodge of Antrim. Mrs. Colburn is a 
daughter of Alvah Dodge, born in Antrim, 181 1, and 
Lvdia (Elliot) Dodge, born at Mason, 1817. There were 
no children b)- their marriage. 



18, 



/■0' 



JAMES BONAPARTE GREELEY, M. D. 

James B. Greeley, M. D., was born in Nashua, July 
1830. He is a son 

of Col. Joseph and 1 ^ 

Hannah (Thorn- ] 
toiOGreeley. I 
The Greeleys were 
among the early 
Scotch-Irish set- ! 
tiers of Notting- 
ham West, now 
Hudson. They 
were men of stur- 
dy habits and 
thrift. C a p t . 
Samuel Greeley, 
the great grand- 
father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, 
and Joseph Gree- 
ley , grandfather 
of the same, w'ere 
at the battles of 
Lexington and 
Bunker Hill. In 
the last named 
battle Joseph was 
wounded. He was 
lame ever after 
and required the 
aid of a cane when 
walking. On the 
maternal side he 
is a grandson of 
James Thornton 
and his wife Mary, 
daughter of Rob- 
ert Parker of 
Litchfield, and 
great grandson of 
Judge Matthew 
Thornton, M. D., 
signer of the Dec- 
laration of In- 
dependence, all of 
whom resided at 

Thornton's Ferry. Doctor Greeley attended the public 
schools and was graduated from Crosby's Literary insti- 
tution. He studied two years at Pinkerton academy in 
Derry and the same length of time at Phillips' academy 
at Andover, Mass. Following a preparatory study of 
medicine he entered the medical school at Harvard. From 
Harvard he went to the medical department at Dartmouth 
college, and from Dartmouth to the University of Ver- 
mont at Burlington, then at Woodstock, where he was 
graduated with the degree of M. D., in 1856. He spent a 
year in study and practice in the Marine hospital at 



/^ ^ 




lAMES I!. GREEI.E^', .M. D. 



Chelsea, Mass., and another year in the hospitals of 
London, Paris and Edinburgh before commencing practice 
in Nashua. His success was of a most gratifying char- 
acter, and ,the future looked bright, when, in i86i, the 
flag was fired on at Fort Sumter and the blood of the 
Greeleys and Thorntons that flowed in his veins was so 
aroused with patriotic zeal that he could not content 
himself in the quiet walks of life. He entered the service 
of his countrv as assistant surgeon of the New Hampshire 
battalion. First New England cavalry, and went to the 

front. In the 
spring of 1862 he 
was promoted to 
surgeon of the 
1st Rhode Island 
cavalry, ( the name 
of the regiment 
being changed to 
that), and fol- 
lowed its fortunes 
in bivouac and in 
battle till the 
second engage- 
ment at Bull Run, 
when, while he 
was bravely per- 
forming his duty 
by attending to 
wounded soldiers 
on the field, he 
received three 
gunshot wounds ; 
one in the right 
hip, making a 
flesh wound onl}' ; 
one in the left 
arm, shattering 
the bone ; one en- 
tering the right 
temple w h i c h 
lodged at the base 
of the skull and 
remained there 
seventeen years, 
until discovered 
and removed in 
1879 b_v George P. 
Greeley, M. D., 
whose honorable 
record is given in 
this book. 

I'pon receiving 
an honoroble dis- 
charge from the 
army Doctor Greeley returned to Nashua and resumed 
practice. The hardships of the campaign in which he 
served, together with wounds and suffering, had wrecked 
his iron constitution and so, as the years passed he with- 
drew little by little from active practice and finally retired 
and spent some time in travel, visiting the Azore islands 
and other places of interest and health-restoring climate. 
Since then he has been an invalid by reason of the loyal 
service he rendered his countrj-, and has resided the 
greater part of his time at his country home at Thornton's 
Ferry. In his time Doctor Greeley was one of the best 



HISTORY OF NASirrA, N. H. 



215 



efiuippe<l physicians in southern New Hampshire, anil en- 
joyed, atone time, a large and lucrative practice in Nashua 
and vicinity where he was well known and respected. He 
was one of the best informed men in scientific subjects 
bearing on his profession ; a skilled surgeon of practice 
in hospital and field, whose ability and judgment made a 
valuable expert witness before the courts and desirable in 
consultation in difficult cases. He was city physician in 
i860. In early life and till prevented by ill health, 
Doctor Greeley attended the I'nitarian church. He is a 
member of Rising 
Sun lodge, A. V. 
and A. M., and of 
Kdward A. Ray- 
mond consistory, 
32d degree. Doctor 
Greeley was unit- 
ed in marriage at 
Hanover, June 24, 
1858, with Arabella 
McGaw Wood, 
daughter of Rev. 
Henry Wood, I). 
D., a graduate of 
Dartmouth col- 
lege in the class 
of 1S22, and of 
Princeton, X. J., 
Th ecological 
school, pastor of 
the Congrega- 
tional church at 
Hanover, s i .x 
years, editor of 
the Congrega- 
tional Journal, 
Concord ), fnited 
States consul at 
Beirut, Syria, and 
chaplain in the 
Tnited States 
navy, died at 
rhiladelphia. Pa.. 
Oct. 9, 1870. On 
the maternal side 
she is a daughter 
of Harriet Mc- 
Gaw and grand- 
daughter of John 
McGaw of Bedford 
and great grand- 
daughter of Jacob 
McGaw, whose 
wife, Hannah, was 

a daughter of Judge Matthew Thornton of Thornton's 
Kerry. Three sons were born of their marriage : Harry- 
Wood, born at Nashua, Sept. 12, 1859, had nearly com- 
pleted his medical education, when, being of decided 
literary taste, he became temporarily employed as a 
journalist; he died at Norfolk, Va.. Dec. 27. 1884; James 
Thornton, born in Nashua, July 18, 1862, physician 
and surgeon at Nashua, married Oct. g. 1895 Florence H.. 
second daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Cyrus Richardson of 
Nashua; Guy Hastings, born at Medford, Mass., Jan. r. 
1868, physician and surgeon at Hillsborough Bridge. 




r;r(ij;.\ii f. Mc(;i'Es'rK.\. m. i>. 



HUGENE F. MCQUESTEN, M. D. 

Kugene V . McQuesten, M. D., was born in Litchfield, 
Oct. II, 1843. He is a son of Isaac Mcyuesten, who was 
born Oct. 18, 1811, and Margaret A. CChase; McQuesten, 
who was born July 19, 1819, both of whom are living at 
the old homestead. Doctor Mcyuesten, on his father's 
side, isadescendant of William McQuesten, who emigrated 
from the north of Ireland. (Coleraine) in 1735, and settled 
in Litchfield. The McQuestcns are direct descendants of 

the McUisthons of 
.\rgyleshire, Scot- 
l.iiiil, many of 
whom removed to 
Ireland near the 
close of the i6th 
century. A gen- 
ealogy of the fam- 
i 1 y shows that 
among the <1 e- 
scendants of the 
McQuestens there 
have been many 
men who have 
stood high in the 
professions and in 
the councils of the 
nation. Dr. Mc- 
Ouesten attended 
the public schools 
in his native place 
and in Nashua, 
and in i860 became 
a student at Blan- 
chard academy in 
Pembroke. In 
I S63 he entered 
the sophomore 
class in the scien- 
t i fi c department 
at Dartmouth col- 
lege, but withdrew 
shortly after and 
entered, in 1864. 
Jefferson Medical 
college at Phila- 
delphia, where he 
took a three years 
course in two 
years and was 
gra<luated with 
the degree of M. 
l)..in March, 1866. 
He practiced i n 
Lynn, Mass., in 1866 and 1867, and in the last year men- 
tioned came to Nashua and was associated with Dr. J. G. 
Graves, Sen., in practice two years, wdien he opened an 
office in the Graves building on the site of Whiting block. 
The public had confidence in Doctor McCJuesten from 
the day he began practice, and, by perseverance, study, 
adaptability to his profession and a constant purpose to 
merit the approval of the ])eople, he has retained that 
same confidence and enlarged upon it to the degree that 
there is not a more widely known physician and surgeon 
in New Hampshire, or one that receives so many urgent 



2l6 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



calls, both at home and from near' and remote places, for 
consultation in critical cases. Notwithstanding all this, 
Doctor Mcyuesten has not been entirely satisfied with 
himself. He has kept in mind what too many men in his 
profession overlook : " while we live we learn," and so he 
has several times made arrangements for the care of his 
patients by other reputable physicians while he spent 
weeks and months in taking post graduate courses in 
special diseases and surgery under the eye of the best 
instructors in this country, his last study being a six 
months' course, in 1892, in the college from which he was 
graduated in 1866. Under these circumctances and con- 
ditions it will be seen that he has fairly earned his honors 
and is entitled to the words of commendation here written. 

But Doctor McQuesten is not alone a ph^-sician. He is 
a progressive citizen who takes a very earnest interest 
in the things that are best calculated to benefit the 
public. Everything that interests good citizens interests 
him, and if his judgment commends it he lends his 
influence. He has never, however, taken a very active 
part in politics, and yet his friends have occasionally put 
him forward, often against his wishes, for public office, 
his last candidacy Vieing for mayor on the democratic 
ticket in 1894. 

Doctor McQuesten is a member of the New Hampshire 
Medical society and its president at the present time. He 
is a member of the American Medical association, of the 
American Association of Railway surgeons, and the 
Nashua Medical societ)', of which he was president in 
1890 and 1891. Besides this he is a member of the execu- 
tive board of the Ktnergency hospital, an institution 
that he labored earnestly, with other local physicians, to 
establish. He is one of the surgeons of the Concord & 
Montreal railroad, and secretary of the examining board 
for pensions in Nashua. He has been a director in the 
Indian Head National bank, the Nashua Trust company, 
trustee in the New Hampshire Banking company, in the 
Nashua cemetery and the I'nitarian church. Besides 
all this he is a man who has brethren, for he is a member 
of the Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., Meridian Sun 
Royal Arch chapter, Israel Hunt council of Masters, St. 
George comniandery, K. T., and Granite lodge, I. O. O. F. 

Doctor McQuesten has been three times married. His 
first wife was Lizzie M. Spalding, daughter of Hon. Solo- 
mon Spalding, who died Nov. 26, 1877; second, Mary A. 
Howard, daughter of Joseph A. Howard of Washington, 
who died April 3, 1885; third, Anna E. Spalding, with 
whom he was united in marriage, May 26, 1887, daughter 
of William R. and Mary Abie (Ham) Spalding of 
Lawrence, Mass. His children are Philip, born at Nashua, 
Dec. 27, 1888; Josephine, born at Nashua, Feb. 7, 1890, 
and Eugene F., born at Nashua, April 2r, 1892. 

In 1880, Dr. McQuesten purchased what was then 
known as the "Hall estate," on Main street, and erected 
the handsome brick block in which he now has his office. 
In 1886 he purchased the "Harris place" on Concord 
street, and the following year built the fine brick house 
where he now resides. His home, in its surroundings and 
outlook, and its happy home circle, is one of the most 
attractive in southern New Hampshire. 

JEREMIAH CAVERNO GARLAND, M. D. 

Jeremiah C. Garland, M. D., was born in Strafford, 
Sept. 23, 1814. He was the second child and oldest son of 
Nathaniel and Lydia (Caverno) Garland. He was edu- 



cated in the public schools and academy of his native town, 
and was graduated at the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons in New York City in 1844.. He practiced his pro- 




JEllE.MlAIl (.•A\E1!N'U GAlU.AiND, .M. U 

fession at Rochester from 1844 to 1850; Nashua from 1850 
to 1857 ; Plymouth, 1857 to 1865, returning to Nashua in 
the last year mentioned and practicing till about 1890, 
when he retired. He was a careful and successful family 
physician who had the confidence of his large number of 
patients. 

Doctor Garland has been an active and public spirited 
citizen of the places where he has resided. He was a 
member of the first common council of Nashua in 1853, 
and of the board of aldermen in 1854 ; city physician in 
1857, and from 1864 to 1870. Doctor Garland was an ex- 
aminer for insurance companies for a good many years ; a 
member of the United States board of pension examiners 
eight years, and, patriot that he has always Ijeen, he re- 
sponded to the emergency call of the government in 1863, 
and went to the field as assistant hospital surgeon, where 
he remained on duty till the close of the war in 1865. 
Doctor Garland is a member of the Hillsboro Medical 
association, and has served it as president. In his re- 
ligious convictions he is a Baptist. 

Doctor Garland was united in marriage Dec. 5, 1849, 
with Harriet C. Woodman, daughter of Jeremiah H. and 
Sarah (Chase) Woodman. Of the five children born to 
them two only are living : Celia Turner, born at Nashua, 
Sept. 8, 1850, who was finely educated and a teacher in the 
Nashua High school, died May 11, 1889; Willard Parker, 
born at Nashua, May 6, 1853, city editor of a daily news- 
paper in New Jersey, died May 25, 1880 ; George Lincol,n 
born at Nashua, May 29, 1855 ; Theodore Woodman, born 
at Plymouth, Jan. 9, 1859, married Estelle S. Smith of 
New York, in April, 1888 ; Claudius Webster, born at 
Plymouth, Aug. 25, 1863, died Feb. 15, 1867. 



/l/STOR')' or X.lS/fUA, N. H. 



217 



GEORGE PRESTON GREELEY, M. 1). 

C.eorge P. Greeley, M. D., was born at Nashua, April 9, 
1S33, died at St. Augustine, Fla., Dec. 26, 1892, buried in 
the Nashua cemetery. He was a son of Ezekiel ami 
Sarah (Pollard) Greeley. He was a descendant of the 
Scotch-Irish Greeleys who settled Nottingham West, now 
Hudson. His great grandfather, Capt. Samuel Greeley, 
;iiid his grandfather, Joseph Greeley, were in the battles 
of Lexington and Hunker Hill, the latter receiving a 
wound that caused 
lameness and ne- 
cessitated the use 
of a cane the rest 
of his life. Ezekiel 
Greeley, his 
father, was a Free 
Mason, tiierchant 
and prominent 
citizen of Nashua, 
and in company 
with his brother 
built the Greeley 
block on Railroad 
scjuare. On the 
maternal side he 
was a descendant 
of the Pollards 
who settled in the 
southern part of 
Nashua, Cum- 
mings Pollard, a 
stirring man who 
built s e V e ra 1 
houses below the 
Harbor and who 
was pro ni i n e n t 
in his day in 
the affairs of the 
settlement, being 
his grandfather. 
The house ( 1895 ) 
at the corner of 
Amherst and Ab- 
bot streets built 
by the Greeley 
brothers, was pur- 
cliased by Ezekiel 
about the time of 
his marriage, and 
it was his home 
during his life- 
tinii'. It was here 
tluil the subject of 

this sketch was born. Doctor Greeley obtained his 
primary education in the public schools of Nashua and 
was graduated at the Norwich university at Norwich, 
Vt. When a youth of about nineteen he went to the 
East Indies and Australia in a merchant ship as super- 
cargo for a Boston firm with whom one of his elder 
brothers was a partner. He was absent from home 
almost a year, and during that time he determined on the 
profession in which he would enter. After his return he 
at once applied himself to the study of medicine, and he 
attended lectures at Woodstock, Vt., and Dartmouth 




UK. (,l-,(lli(.l'. V. (11!I-:KI,EV. 



Jledical college at Hanover. He was graduated at the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York in the 
autumn of 1857. Doctor Greeley practiced his profession 
at Hollis a few years, and early in the War of the Rebel- 
lion enlisted in the service of his country as assistant 
surgeon of the Eourth regiment, New Hampshire volun- 
teers. He was promoted to surgeon and remained with 
the command three years and two months. In 1865 lie 
was ap])ointe<l surgeon of the Hancock veterans. Ninth 
regiment, rnited States Veteran volunteers, in which 

corps he served 
fourteen months. 
After leaving the 
service, Doctor 
Greeley spent 
some months in 
New York, re- 
freshing his medi- 
cal knowledge, 
after which he lo- 
cated in Boston, 
where he prac- 
ticed until 1872, 
when he came to 
Nashua, practic- 
ing about ten 
years and serving 
the city one or 
two terms as city 
physician and as a 
m e m b e r of the 
board of health. 
Doctor Greeley's 
experience as a 
surgeon in the 
army was of wide 
and extensive 
character and the 
per cent, of recov- 
ery of his patients 
was among the 
largest to the 
credit of the sur- 
geons w h o were 
his associates in 
the last command 
in which he 
served. This fact 
caused him to be 
recognized as 
among the very 
first in his pro- 
fession in the 
state. After tak- 
ing up his residence in Florida in 1883, the change 
being due in a measure to the condition of his health, he 
did not practice his profession to any great extent, and yet 
it is noteworthy that his attachment to the people of his 
native state was such that when any of them who were 
journeying in the South sent for him he responded with 
alacrity. During the winter months which he passed 
yearly in Florida, he interested him.self in the care of 
his orange groves. 

Doctor Greeley was not only one of the best equipped 
men in his profession in the state of New Hampshire, 



2l8 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



but he was scholarly in other sciences and thorouyhh- 
informed in literature and history. He was a man with 
whom his equals in education delighted to hold conversa- 
tion, and although there was an air of reserve about him, 
those who knew him best realized that he but acted him- 
self. There was nothing artificial about him, and no 
bending to meet public approval or public praise. .\ 
more independent man in his professional, political, or 
other views, or more ready to express them, when oc- 
casion demanded, would be hard to find ; yet he never 
obtruded his opin- 
ions, which were 
always formed 
upon careful 
study and obser- 
vation, upon any 
one, and, whether 
in private conver- 
sation or public 
u 1 1 e ra n c e , he 
never allowed his 
natural positive- 
aud energy of ex- 
pression to lend 
him beyond the 
bounds of fair and 
honorable a r g u - 
ment, but was 
always the calm, 
d i g n i fi e d , edu- 
cated gentlenum, 
a credit to New 
Hampshire a n d 
the profession in 
which he j) e r - 
formed the work 
of his lifetime. 
He was a mem- 
ber of Rising 
Sun lodge, h.. V. 
and A. M., a Scot- 
tish rite Mason of 
the 32d degree, 
and active in John 
G. Foster Post, 
G. .\. R. Doctor 
Greeley was unit- 
ed in marriage Jan. 
lo, i85i, to Mary 
P. Dewey, daugh- 
ter of Dr. Julius 
Y. Dewey of Mont- 
pelier, Vt., who 
survives him, and 

has her home the greater part of the year at Montpelier 
and Nashua. 



CHARLES B. HAMMOND, M. D. 

Charles B. Hammond, M. D., was born in Nashua, 
March 20, 1853. He is a son of Evan B. and Sarah 
.\nn f Adams) Hammond, the lineage of whom are given 
in a summary of the career of Evan B. Hammond, M. D. 

Doctor Hammond was educated in the public schools of 
Nashua, at Crosby's Literary institute, and at Dartmouth 




DR. CIIAKLE.S li. HAMMOND. 



college, entering in 1873 and graduating in 1877 with the 
degree of A. B. and, in 1880, that of A. M. He studied 
medicine at the Harvard Medical school, from which he 
was graduated in 1880 with the degree of M. D. Doctor 
Hammond succeeds his father, retaining oiifice and pa- 
tients. The public quicklj' discovered that he was a 
worthy successor of a physician and surgeon who had 
their confidence for more than four decades and the result 
is shown in the fact that his practice rapidly increased, 
until to-day there is not a busier man in his profession in 

the state or one 
w ho is more 
sought after as an 
expert witness be- 
fore the courts, or 
for consultation in 
critical cases of 
both medicine and 
surgery. Doctor 
Hammond, fol- 
lowing in the foot- 
steps of an hon- 
ored sire, is an 
active man outside 
of his profession. 
He finds time lo 
serve the public 
in many ways. He 
is a member of the 
Harvard Medical 
Alumni as soc ia- 
tion, a member 
and censor of the 
New Hampshire 
Medical society, 
was secretary of 
the I'nited States 
board of pension 
examiners at 
Nashua from 1889 
till 1893, and a 
member of the 
Nashua Medical 
association. Doc- 
tor Hammond 
took an active and 
effective part, giv- 
ing time, money 
and surgical in- 
struments in es- 
tablishing the City 
Kmergency hos- 
pital, is a member 
of its executive 
committee and of its medical staff. He has served Hills- 
borough county two j'ears as county physician, and 
Nashua as city phj'sician and chairman of the board of 
health in 1894, doing the most effective work in its history 
in stamping out contagious diseases, and making a record 
as a conspicuous and efficient public official that was 
recognized by the city council by re-electing him to both 
positions for the year 1895. Doctor Hammond was 
elected a member of the board of education in 1892 for 
a term ending in 1898, and is counted as one of the best 
informed and most enthusiastic educators in southern 



///s/o/n' (>/■ .WIS///: I. .v. //. 



2 19 



New Hampshire. lie is in fact an enthusiast in sclinnl 
matters, and skives considerable of his time and attention 
to the study of the different methods of instruction in 
countries where the free-school system obtains; he is 
([uick to perceive aud appreciate any improvement upon 
our own, and zealous in urging its adoption. 

The zeal which he shows in looking after the welfare 
of the pupils is exhibited not less intensely in his efforts 
to aid ill providing substantial and well appointed school- 
houses. .-\t the present time he is one of the sub- 
committee of the 
school board em- 
ployed in building 
a new s c h o o 1 - 
house on I'a 1 111 
street. 

He is a mcnilier 
of R i s i n g S u n 
lodge, A. 1". and 
A. M., Meridian 
Royal Arch chap- 
ter, St. (ieorge 
commandery, K. 
T., and a Scottish 
Rite Mason of the 
32d degree. Doc- 
tor Hammond at- 
tends the Pilgrim 
Congregational 
church. 

Doctor Ham- 
mond was united 
in marriage Oct. 
16, 1883, with Mary 
h. Tracy, daugh- 
ter of William A. 
Tracy, M. I)., 
whose lineage is 
given in a sketch 
of her father in 
another depart- 
ment of this work. 
Four children 
have been born of 
their marriage: 
Tracy Bartlett, 
Harold A d a m s , 
Karl Raymond, 
and Marjorie, of 
whom only the 
two latter are liv- 
ing, the first two 
having died in 
infancy. 




.\. w ii.i' iiiiij nil 11 , M. I). 



A. WILFRED PHTIT, M. U. 

.\. Wilfred Petit was born in .St. Damase, county St. 
Hyacinthe, P. Q., Sept. 11, 1853. His ancestors were 
Phillipe Hubert Petit, born at St. Denis, P. y., in 1816, 
and Cordelia Richer, born at the same place in 1826. He 
was educated in Seminary Ste. Marie de Mounoir, P. O.. 
where he was graduated with degrees in 1873. He then 
took up the study of medicine and surgery at Victoria 
university in Montreal, P. Q., from which institution he 



received his diploma and degree of M. D., in 1877. Doctor 
IVlit located in his native town in 1877 aud practiced his 
profession till 1880, when he removed to Buckingham, P. 
O., where he remained a year. He then, Dec. 8, 1881, 
came to Nashua, and here his practice has been as large 
and successful as any of his contemporaries as one of our 
leading physicians. He is recognized, as oneof the lead- 
ing physicians, not only by the members of the pro- 
fession in Nashua and vicinity but also by his fellow 
citizens,; one who is exceedingly well versed in the 

science of his pro- 

fession and who 

attends to his 
duties assiduous- 
ly and conscien- 
tiously; these 
traits of character 
have deservedly 
gained for him 
the esteem of all 
c 1 :i s se s . Doctor 
Pe t i t ' s urbanity 
and gentlemanly 
bearing, as well as 
his knowledge of 
men and the 
world . have served 
to make him a 
welcome addition 
to society. He 
has always taken 
a lively interest 
in public affairs 
and has been a lib- 
eral contributor 
and indefatigable 
worker in the 
cause he has es- 
poused. He was 
vice president of 
the note<l P'rench- 
Canadian oonveii- 
lion helil in this 
cit\' in 1SS8, was 
one of its chief 
organizers and a 
member of the 
delegate commit- 
tee that visited 
Washington for 
the purpose of in- 
v i t i 11 g President 
Cleveland tu at- 
tend the conven- 
tion. Doctor Petit has been a memljer of the board of trus- 
tees and executive board of the ICmergency hospital since 
its organization. He is a member of St. Aloysius Catholic 
church, the TT„ion St. Jean Haptiste society, New Hamp- 
shire Medical society, and Nashua Medical association. 
Doctor Petit was united in marriage Peb. 15, 18S7, with 
.Vnna R. Chagiion, daughter of J. B. Chagnon, M. D.. 
and Victorine (Des Desnoyers) Chagnon of Fall River, 
Mass., both of whom are natives of St. Jean Baptiste, P. Q. 
The children of his marriage are Bertha Lorraine, born 
Dee. 3, 1887, and Andrea, born Feb. 16, 1889. 



HIS70RV OF XASHC'A, N. H. 



CHARLES S. ROUNSEVEL, M. D. 

Charles S. Rounsevel, M. D., was born at Dedhani. 
Mass., Aug. 22, 1839. He is a descendant of Philip 
Rounsevel, who came to this country from Devonshire, 
Eng,, in 1642, and settled in Freetown, Mass. Doctor 
Rounsevel's parents moved to Washington in 1841 and 
resided there until 1852, when they became residents of 
Charlestown, where they made their home until 1858, and 
from Charlestown went to Ilopkinton. Mass. Doctor 
Rounsevel enlist- 
ed in 1861, and was 
in the service of 
his c ou n try till 
1864, participating 
in the battles of 
Yorktown, Wil- 
liamsburg, Fair 
Oaks, Malvern 
Hill, Bull Run, 
Chantilly, Freder- 
icksburg, Gettys- 
burg, and numer- 
ous skirmishes. 
He was mustered 
out of the service 
in 1864, and from 
that time to 1870, 
traveled in Penn- 
sylvania and the 
West. From 1870 
to 1879 he was in 
New York and 
Philadelphia, and 
from 1879 to 18S4 
in Vermont. In 
1884 he came to 
Nashua w-here he 
has ever since 
practiced his pro- 
fession. He is a 
graduate of the 
Holm Medical col- 
lege, Philadel- 
phia, with the 
degree of M. D. 
in the class of 
1882. He takes 
high rank as a 
family physician 
and surgeon, and 
has a large and 
increasing list of 
patients. 

Doctor Rounsevel was united in marriage in 1882, with 
Flora M. Horton, daughter of Marcus L. and Grovia 
Horton of Windsor, Vt., a woman who took a deep inter- 
est in the Woman's Relief corps, G. A. R., and was 
treasurer of the department of New Hampshire. She 
died at Nashua. His second wife, to whom he was united 
in marriage Jan. 8, 1893, was Agnes E. Cunningham, 
daughter of William and Ellen Cunningham of Charles- 
town. Doctor Rounsevel is a member of the American 
Institute of Homeopathy and the New Hampshire Medical 
society. He is a York Mason and member of St. George 




C1I.-\1!I.KS S. 1U)LI.NSK\EL, M. D. 



commandery, K. T.. and a Scottish Rite Mason of the 32d 
degree. He is also a member of John G. Foster Post, No. 
7, Grand Army of the Republic. 

BRADFORD ALLEN, M. D. 

Bradford .\llen, M. D., was born at East Bridgewater, 
Mass., Jan. 23, 1857. He is a son of James S., born July 
3, 1831, and Mary P. (Churchill) Allen, born July 2, 1831, 
and lineal descendant of Peregrine White, the first per- 
son born in the 
old Ply m o u t h 
colony, following 
the landing of the 
Pilgrims in 1620. 
Doctor .Mien re- 
ceived his rudi- 
mentary schooling 
in his native town 
and was graduated 
at its high school. 
He entered \\\\- 
herst college in 
1875 and was 
graduated in 1878 
with the degree of 
B. S. Having de- 
cided to study 
medicine and sur- 
gery he became a 
student at the 
Harvard Medical 
college and was 
graduated in 1882, 
receiving the 
degree of M. D. 
After his gradua- 
tion at Harvard, 
he determined to 
make a special and 
thorough stud}' of 
organic diseases 
as understood and 
treated in the 
great universities 
of the Old World. 
He therefore 
crossed the ocean 
and accepted an 
appointment at 
the Rotunda ly- 
ing-in hospital, at 
Dublin, where he 
remained until he 
obtained the degree of I^. M. in April, 1883. From 
Dufilin he went to Berlin, Germauy, where he continued 
the study of obstetrics and in gynecology under the 
instruction of Professor Schroeder, meantime learning 
the language of that country and subsequently traveling 
three months in Germany, Saxony, Bohemia and Switzer- 
land. Doctor .\nen next spent six months in hospital 
work in Vienna, Austria, thus rounding out his education 
as a specialist in the diseases indicated by the degrees of 
his diplomas. Doctor .\llen returned from Vienna in 
1884, and immediately went into practice at Brockton, 



H/STOh'V OF NASH (JA, N. II. 



221 



Mass, Success was assured from the first. In 1885 he 
married a Nashua lady, and believing that the rugged 
air of New Hampshire would improve his health, settled 
here. He pro])osed to have a vacation from the cares of 
his profession and therefore he became the proprietor of 
the noted drugstore that was established by Klias S. 
Russell. Shortly after this he opened an office in Emer- 
son building on Railroad square, and ow'ing to his increase 
of practice as a ph)-sician, was soon compelled to sell out 
his drug business. .Since then he has devoted his time to 
his patients a n d 
won golden opin- 
ions, not alone 
from the learned 
men of his calling, 
but from people 
w h o m h e has 
serve d \vi t h a 
fidelity that has 
ripened into re- 
spect and friend- 
ship. Doctor Al- 
len, like most suc- 
cessful men in his 
profession, is a 
modest and unas- 
suming man, who 
"has that about 
him" which evi- 
dences this esti- 
mate of his ability 
and character. 

Doctor Allen 
attends the I'irst 
Congregational 
church and was 
an efficient mem- 
ber of the com- 
mittee under 
whose direction 
the beautiful new 
church edifice on 
Lowell street was 
erected. He is a 
member of Rising 
Sun lodge, .\. l". 
and A. M., Meri- 
dian .Sun R oy a 1 
Arch chapter, Is- 
rael Hunt council 
and St. George 
commandery, K. 
T. He is also a 
Scottish Rite 

Mason, being a member of the consistory bodies, 32d 
degree. Doctor Allen is a director of the City Guards 
club. He is also a member of the American, Massachu- 
setts, and New Hampshire Medical societies, and the 
Nashua Medical association of which he was president in 
1893. He took a zealous part and contributed liberalh- of 
his time in establishing the City Emergency hospital, 
being a charter member, a director since its organization 
and also its treasurer. Doctor .Allen was married Oct. 15, 
1885, to Mary K. Godfrey, daughter of Reuben and Mary 
(Davis) Godfrey of Nashua, both of whom are dead. 




i;uAl>i ui;u AL]-1,.\. M. 1). 



ALONZO STHWART WALLACE, .V\. D. 

.\lonzo S. Wallace, M. D., son of David and Margaret 
Wallace, was born at Bristol, Me., Feb. 17, 1847. H's 
grandfather, David Wallace, was one of the hardy pio- 
neers of New Hampshire and undoubtedly of Irish origin, 
while his great grandmother, Nancy Palmer, was of 
I';nglish descent. 

Dr. Wallace obtained his education by his own unaided 
effort and therefore it may be said that he is a self-made 

man. He obtained 
such education as 
was possible in the 
district schools of 
his native town, 
giving close atten- 
tion to his .studies 
and making an 
earnest effort to 
accomplish de- 
sired results. It 
was constantly in 
his mind, how- 
ever, t li a t he 
needed larger op- 
portunities, and 
so he attended the 
town high school . 
I'rom the high 
school he entered 
Lincoln academy 
at New Castle, 
Me. He walked 
to the academy, a 
ilistance of ten 
miles, every Mon- 
day morning, tak- 
ing food for the 
week with him, 
and returned Fri- 
ilay nights. The 
best he could do 
was to attend two 
terms a year. To 
accomplish this 
ami also assist his 
parents at the 
same time he first 
followed the sea 
during the sum- 
mers, as a sailor, 
until by dint of 
courage and ca- 
pacity he rose to 
the position of first mate of a barque. As his book knowl- 
edge increased he filled other positions of honor and 
trust, and finally teaching between terms, he at last 
graduated with class honors. It will thus be seen that if 
there was ever a young man who had high aspirations 
and who burned the midnighl oil that man was Doctor 
Wallace. 

Although at his graduation he was able to pass the ex 
amiuation re()uired to enter Howdoin college, he entered 
the JIaine Conference seminary at Bucksport and fitted 
himself to teach higher grades of studies. During this 



H /STORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



time he was superintendent of schools in his native town 
and active in many directions which might influence the 
course he had marked out for himself. From 1869 to 1872 
he was engaged in teaching in Maine and Massachusetts, 
among his positions being that of principal of the high 
school at Rockport. He also taught at two different times 
in the Reformatory school for the City of Boston, Mass., 
the second time going there as principal ; this was an 
exceedingl}' diflicult position to fill on account of the 
character of the pupils, who necessarily attend there. 
He, from the first, 
was master of the 
situation, and at 
once gained tlu- 
love and c o n fi - 
dence of the boys 
under his charge 
and the esteem 
and respect of the 
city o ffi c i a 1 s . 
While in charge 
of this important 
school he made 
the acquaintance 
of Dr. D . H . 
D u r g i n . T h c 
acquaintance rip- 
ened into friend- 
ship, friendship 
begot advice, and 
advice led him to 
.seek knowledge of 
medicine and sur- 
gery. He began 
the study of anat- 
omy and physiolo- 
gy while yet a 
teacher, and after 
extensive and 
thorough prepara- 
tion entered the 
medical depart- 
ment at Bowdoin 
college. Later he 
was a student at 
Portland and fi- 
nally he entered 
the medical d e - 
partment at Dart- 
mouth coll egc , 
Hano\'er, where 
he was graduated 
and received his 
degree in 1874. 

His preparatory course for practice was takeu under the 
instruction of Professors P'rost and Crosby of Dartmouth, 
Bracket of Bowdoin, Green of Portland, and Long Island, 
N. Y. It is safe to affirm that few men ever entered the 
profession better equipped. 

Doctor Wallace's first practice was at the Massachusetts 
State Lunatic hospital. He remained in the institution 
about six months and resigned to accept the position of 
assistant physician of the port of Boston. He was soon 
after promoted to the position of port physician to 
fill the place of his friend, Doctor Fisher, who is now 




AL(_)NZo .s. w.vi.i.Ac 1;, .\l. 1) 



superintendent of the Presbyterian hospital, N. Y. Doctor 
Wallace resigned the last position mentioned in 1879, ^nd 
it is a matter of record, and should be a source of pride 
to his family and friends, that upon his retirement he 
received an unsolicited testimonial in the form of a letter 
from the chairman of its board of health. Doctor Durgiu 
of Boston, (who still holds the position), reciting that he 
had done two-thirds of the work in an institution where 
the patients numbered two thousand annually, and that 
"to his faithfulness to duty and power of endurance," he 

had never seen a 
limit; also, that 
he regretted his 
determination to 
enter private prac- 
tice. To this was 
added another 
testimonial, wish- 
ing him "God- 
speed and honor's 
success in his new 
field." by the offi- 
cers of pul)lic in- 
stitutions at Deer 
Island. Doctor 
Wallace located, 
1879, in Brookline, 
where he had a 
large and success- 
ful practice and 
remained until 

1 888. From Brook- 
line he went to 
Rochester, where 
he remained but a 
short time. F'i- 
nally in October, 

1889, he came to 
N ash u a , p n r - 
chased the .\Ibert 
McKean home- 
stead on Orange 
street and later 
liought a farm on 
the Mollis road, 
for a summer re- 
sort for his family. 
Here he remains 
among the most 
successful and 
liusy professional 
men in the state. 
Dr. Wallace is a 
Congregational ist, 

a Canton Odd I'ellow, a Ivuight of Pythias, a member of 
the ITnited C)rder of the Ciold Cross and Pilgrim Fathers, 
a member of the Massachusetts Medical society, and New 
ILampshire Medical society, and also a member aud vice 
jiresident of the Nashua Medical association. He served 
in 1895 on the first executive committee of the F^mergency 
hospital and was re-elected in 1894. He is a trustee of the 
Nutt estate hospital. Doctor Wallace was united in mar- 
riage Nov. 2, 1876, with Mary F. Maynard, the only 
daughter of Charles and Harriet Maynard of Lowell, and 
a graduate of Lasell seminary at Auburndale, Mass. The 



///SWA'}' OF NASHUA, N. //. 



223 



childieii iif Ihcir marriage art- Arthur l.owill, lidrii in 
Lowell, Mass., Oct. 12, 1877; Kdilh Maynard, born at Kast 
Boston, March 24, 1S79; Ivlna June, born at Hrookline, 
June 8, 1S80; Ina, liorn at Nashua, !'"el). 21, 1890. 

AUGUSTUS WASHINGTON SHEA, M. h. 

Augustus \V. .Sliea, M. D.. was l}nrM in Xashua, .A.ug. 9, 
186,5. His remotest ancestors were natives of Irelanil^ 
where his father, Daniel Shea, who came to .America in 
1854, was born. 
Ilis uiother, Cath- 
erine (Mrl)onal(l) 
.Shea, w li o w a s 
also a native of the 
l)eautiful isle of 
the sea, eauie to 
this country in 
1854. He was edu- 
cated in the pub- 
lic schools win- 
iiint; the highest 
lionors, one of the 
four N'oyes' med- 
als, in the class of 
1883. He then 
studied medicine 
and surgery in the 
office of Doctor 
Charles B. Ham- 
mond, ami. being 
a young man of 
independent char- 
acter, paid his own 
way to the degrees 
of his profession 
Ijy teaching dur- 
ing the w inter 
evenings, from 
1883 to 1887, in 
the O ' D o n n e 1 1 
school. Dr. .Shea 
entered the medi- 
cal department of 
the University of 
Vermont, at Bur- 
lington in 1884, 
w here he w a s 
awarded the first 
prize for excel- 
lence and was 
graduated with 
the degree of M. 
D. in 18S7. Doctor 

.Shea then located in his native city, and at once took 
rank among the first men in his profession, his ad- 
vice and assistance in critical cases being in constant 
demand in both medicine and surgery. He served as city 
])hysician and member of the board of health in 1888 and 
r.SSi/, anil has been active in promoting the affairs of the 
ICmergency hospital, being a member of the staff at the 
present lime. He is presidentof the board of United Stales 
examining surgeons for this district and of the Nashua 
Medical association, also a member of the New Hampshire 
Medical association. Doctor .Shea is a niendicr of the 




.M'CIISTITS \V. SHEA. .M. I). 



Church of the Immaculate Conception, Court Xashua. 
(). !•'.. and division Xo. i, A. (). II. He is unniarrieil. 



FRANK tfVHRETT KITTRHL)(}E, .M. h. 

Frank H. Kiltredge. sou of Charles .\. and Maria K. 
(Chase) Kiltredge, was born at Concord, May 8, 1862. His 
immigrant ancestor was Captain John Kiltredge, (who 
was master of a ship that ])lie(l between luigland and for- 
eign ports), fled from Great Britain to .\merica in i6(k), 

and settled at 
Billerica, Mass.. 
wliere, having 
medical recipes, 
and being of a sur- 
gical turn of mind, 
h e b e c a ni e a 
prominent physi- 
cian and surgeon. 
He spelled his 
n a m e Ketredge. 
The descent is 
John, 1644, John, 
1666, John, 1685, 
John, 1709, Solo. 
nion, 1736. Solo- 
mon, 1755, Josiah, 
1787, Charles, 1829, 
l''rank E., 1862. 
There have been 
physicians and 
surgeons in every 
generation of tiie 
family since that 
time, and some of 
them noted ones. 
I )n the maternal 
side he also traces 
his lineage direct 
from English par- 
entage. 

He was ed ucated 
in the public 
schools of Nashua, 
and graduated at 
the high school in 
tlie class of 1882. 
Doctor Kiltredge 
then became a stu- 
ilent of the Uni- 
versity of Penn- 
sylvania at Phila- 
delphia, where 
he was graduateil 
with the degree of M. D. in 18,85. To Doctor Kiltredge's 
credit it should be said that he was a diligent student and 
sought secular employment during his vacations in the 
summer months and thus earned money to pay his college 
expenses. Following his graduation he took a cruise to 
the Azores as surgeon of the barque "Sarah." 

Upon his return he settled in practice in Centre Harbor, 
where he had gratifying success and remained until 18,89, 
when he returned to Nashua, and the next year, 1890, 
associated himself with .\lonzo S. Wallace. M. D.. under 
the linn name of Wallace ^c Kittredge, which prrtnerslup 



524 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



continued until April I, 1895, since which time he has 
been in practice for himself. Doctor Kittredge is a con- 
scientious and capable phj-sician and surgeon, who ob- 
tained the confidence of the community at the begintiiiig 
of his career and has held it with increasing patronage. 
He is a public spirited citizen, always ready to take an 
active part in all good works, and responds readiU" and 
cheerfully to all demands made upon his time and talents 
for the public good. He was treasurer of the Nashua Hos- 
pital association during the first year of its organization ; 
is a member of the 
Nashua Medical 
association and its 
treasurer, and a 
member of the 
New Hampshire 
Medical society 
and on its execu- 
tive committee 
for 1894 and 1895; 
he has held the 
office of county 
physician since 
18S9, is a member 
of the Indepen- 
dent Order of Odd 
Fellows, Knights 
of Pythias, Pil- 
grim Fathers, and 
Knights and La- 
dies of Honor. 

Doctor Kitt- 
redge was united 
in marriage Dec. 
21, 1887, with M. 
Lizzie Combs, 
daughter of James 
G. Combs and 
granddaughter of 
David Combs, one 
of the first settlers 
of Dunstable, now 
Nashua. Mrs. 
Kittredge was 
graduated at the 
Nashua high 
school in the class 
of 1884, and from 
that time until her 
marriage was a 
successful teacher 
in the public 
schools in this 
city. 




Fii.vxK K. RiT'i i;i;iii.i:, \i. d. 



ISAIAH G. ANTHOINE, M. D. 

Isaiah G. Anthoine, M. D., was born at Windham, Me., 
March 25, 1846. He can trace his lineage with absolute 
certainty, from the middle of the last century, when 
Nicholas Anthoine came to this country and settled at 
Marlilehead, Mass., (see Histor}' of Antrim.) Nicholas 
came from the Isle of Jersey in the British channel, which 
has long been a possession of England, though once 
a part of France and retains its French manners and 



customs to this daj-. Nicholas married Rachael Hawkes 
and their children were John, Rachael and Nicholas, Jr. 
The last named with many others, were among the pio- 
neers of New Marblehead, Me., now known as Windham. 
He married Ann Pettingill of Windham, Me. He was a 
man of note in that section of the country, and though he 
had but six weeks of schooling in all his life, was a fine 
scholar, a teacher of Latin, navigation and surveying and 
particularly proficient in astronomy. He had a telescope 
and library of astronomical works and used to calculate 

eclipses. He also 
studied medicine 
sufficiently to be 
of great use to the 
settlers who were 
then remote from 
physicians. A line 
of scholarship is 
traceable in every 
family from Nich- 
olas, Jr., to the 
present genera- 
tion. Of his chil- 
dren, John mar- 
ried Mary Oilman 
and the subject of 
this sketch w a s 
their son. Doctor 
Anthoine was but 
twelve years of 
a g e w hen his 
father died and 
hence it happened 
that, in accom- 
plishing a resolve 
he had made thus 
early in life to 
iil)tain an educa- 
tion, he was com- 
pelled to work his 
way unaided to 
graduation in his 
chosen profession. 
Doctor .Anthoine 
obtained his pri- 
mary education in 
the public schools 
of his native 
place, he became 
a school teacher 
at the age of 
seventeen, and 
worked his way to 
a complete educa- 
tion in his profession by teaching winter terms of public 
schools, and in summer working in the hay field or at 
whatever he could find to do. Meantime he entered 
Stevens Plains seminary atWestbrook, Me., now Deering, 
graduating from that school in 1868, in the college pre- 
liaratory course, class of 1872. He entered Dartmouth 
college in the autumn of the same year, but was obliged 
to go out teaching during his freshman 3'ear to obtain 
means for meeting college expenses, yet by hard study he 
kept up with his class to the junior year. Doctor 
.\nthoine now concluded to take up the study of medicine 



HISTORY OP NASHUA, N. If. 



225 



and surjjery, and for that purpose enlercil the Portland 
Scliool for Medical Instruction at Portland. Me., where 
he remained two years, his preceptors beins; I'rof. William 
Warren Green and Dr. S. H. Weeks of that city, after 
which he entered Howdoin Medical college, from which 
institution he graduated in 1S74. Doctor Anthoine located 
at Antrim, where he had a large and successful practice 
of eighteen \-ears. lie came from .Antrim to Nashua in 
1892. The departure was greatly regretted 1>\- the people 
of .\ntrini whom he had served. lie is a physician in 
whom his contem- 
poraries in the 
])rofession repose 
the fvilkst confi- 
dence, who is 
often called in 
consultation in 
diflicult cases ami 
who in this, his 
new lielil, has met 
with success that 
cannot be other- 
wise than gratify- 
ing to himself and 
friends. .\s might 
lie naturally ex- 
pected (if a man 
whose ancestors 
were of scholarly 
habits. Doctor 
.\nthi)iiu' has been 
active all his life 
in the cause of 
education. Dur- 
ing his residence 
in .-V u t r i ni h e 
served the people 
five years assuper- 
i n t e n d e n t of 
schools, resigning 
only when his 
practice became so 
large that he could 
not give the in- 
terests of the town 
the attention they 
required. Since 
coming to Nashua 
he has renewed 
his interest in the 
jieople's cause, 
and they have 
recognized the 
fact by electing 

him, in 1894, a member of the board of education for a 
term of six years, commencing Jan. i, 1895. Doctor 
Anthoine is a past grand in Odd Fellowship and a Master 
Mason. He has served the District Medical societ)- at 
Concord as its president and has been a delegate of the 
State Medical society to Dartmouth Medical college. He 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and one 
of its trustees. Doctor .\nthoine was married in .Antrim. 
Jan. 2, 1877, his bride being Kate I. Preston of .\ntrim. 
They have one son, Harry M., Ijorn Oct. 2, 1S79, and one 
daughter, Mary E., born Aug. 11, 18S5. 




ISAI All I.. AN I IliilXli. .\l. u. 



I.IITHHK F. l.OCKh:, M. D. 

Luther Eranklin I^ocke was born at I.angdon, X. H., 
Nov. 3, 1820, died at Nashua, Feb. 14, 1892. He was a 
lineal descendant of Deacon William I.ocke of London, 
Ivngland, who emigrated with other Pilgrim families to 
this country in 1635, and settled at Woburn, Mass. He 
was the oldest son of Luther and Hannah ( Willard ) Locke. 
His father, a well known trader between Boston and Lang- 
don, was a m.in of sterling (pialities of head and heart. 

On the maternal 
side he was a de- 
scendant of the 
Willards who were 
a sturdy and in- 
dustrious people 
and whose pos- 
terity has become 
p r o m i n e n t in 
many sections of 
the countrv. 

Doctor Locke, 
wlicn a boy, at- 
tended the .schools 
of his native town. 
Being reared in a 
severely rugged 
country the diffi- 
culties he had to 
surmount to ob- 
tain a higher 
education were 
numerous and try- 
ing. .\fter taking 
a preparatory 
course at Ashby 
academy and at 
Philips academy, 
.\ndover, Mass., 
he went to Mid- 
dlebury college 
and was graduated 
in 1 84 5. From 
there he went to 
Harvard and stud- 
ied medicine, sur- 
gery and dentistry 
:ind was graduated 
in 1849. He paid 
his way chiefly 
liy teaching for 
wliich he had a 
marked ability. 
In 1846 he opened 
Nashville in Central building, 



an advanced school in 

which stood where Tuttle's block now is. 

In 1850 Doctor Locke opened an ofhce in the old Good- 
rich block and practiced his profession w'ith success. As 
the years went b)- his practice increased to such an extent 
that he was compelled to give up one branch or the other. 
He gave up that of medicine. Later he opened au office in 
Fisher's block where he practiced dentistry until his death, 
(more than forty years.) 

Few Nashuans were better known or more highly re- 
garded as a citizen. He dealt extensivelv in real estate, 



226 



rirSTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



mingled with the people on a democratic plane, and did of the Boston Dental college in June, 1895, \«. now practicing 
his part to push Nashua into the front rauk of New Eng- in this city; Harriet F., a student in architecture at the 
land cities. In the dark daj'S of the rebellion he ren- Massachusetts Institute of Technology ; Eva M., astudent 

at Michigan university ; Bessie E., died 'Nov. 22, 1885. 




KATHHRINH H. HOYT, M. D. 

Katherine E. Hoyt, M. I)., was born at Bradford, Vt., 
March 27, 1864. vShe is a daughter of IMward and Anne 
M. (Merrill) Frichard, and a descendant on the paternal 
side of Lieut. Jeremiah Prichard of New Ipswich. Lieu- 
tenant Prichard served in the Revolutionary War and was 
severely wounded. His son, Col. George W. Prichard, 
became a prominent resident of Bradford, and it was at 
that place that the father of tlie subject of this sketch was 
born Nov. 29, 1S24, and where he died Nov. 28, 1870. He 
was a merchant, and held many positions of public trust. 
f)n the maternal side she is a descendant of Caleb Merrill, 
a prominent lawyer of Pittsfield, where her mother was 
liorn June 17, 1829; her second marriage being with Jere- 
niiali W. While of Nashua, in 1881. 

KatlR rine I'ricliard was graduated at llradford academy, 
Vt., in 1SS2, in a class of five young men who were pre- 
paring for Dartmouth college. The following year was 
spent in pursuing a classical course at Abbott academy, 
Andover, Mass. In October, 1884, having manifested a 
desire for the study of medicine, under the encourage- 
ment of 4ier step-father, Mr. White, she matriculated as a 
student at the Wonum's Medical college of the New York 
work at the Wonum's reformatory a* Sherborn. Mass. In 



1.1 J 11 1'.i; I', i.ot Ki:, M. D. 

dered both the state and national government valuable 
service. He served on the board of examining surgeons of 
state troops, and, niiuli In bis credit, volunteered as a 
government surgeon and inidericl important service in 
the early days of the war, during which time he made the 
fir.st authentic report of the battle of Bull Run. In addi- 
tion to this service he compiled, edited, aud published 
"Nashua's Roll of Honor," a pamphlet that contains a 
nearly complete list with notes of service, of the soldiers 
aud sailors who fought under the flag in the Civil War. 
Doctor Locke was a man of active temperament and withal 
was persevering, and thus it happened that he studied 
and solved many hard problems and invented many labor- 
saving machines and novelties that are now in use. 

He also invented, copyrighted and published a system 
of book-keeping for landlords, called the "Australian sys- 
tem." His last invention was a ventilated shoe, which he 
had just patented. 

Doctor Locke was a coninnmicanl of the Pilgrim Ccni- 
gregational church, a menilier of Ibe .\merican Scientific 
society aud several medical aud dental societies. 

Doctor I^ocke was twice nuirried. His first wife, to 
whom he was married in 1850, was Sarah V. Williams of 
Groton, Mass., who died in 1861. He'afterwards married, 
March 29, 1865, Carrie D. Barrett of Langdon, daughter of 
Aaron and Susan (Graves) Barrett, who is still living at 
the Locke homesteail on .\ndierst street. The doctor's 
children were all by his second wife; Sarah Grace, born 
in Nashua, died May 11, iSSg; Anna W., a graduate of 
Wellesley college, is now studying medicine at the I'ni- 
versitv of Michi,gan, Ann Ai-bor ; C. Gertrude, a graduate 



^ 




K.\riIl;KIXE E. IIOVT, w. u. 



InfirnKiry, and pursued a three years course, graduating 
in 18S7. The year following was occupied in hospital 
January, 18,89, she opened an office for general practice in 



///STOh')- (■'/■" A'.IS//f:i. .V. //. 



this city. and. although the first residfiil vviiuiaii physi- 
cian, she met with such encouragement anil support as to 
Kail her, on her return from a prolonged trip to California, 
in 1892, to continue practice, devoting her time entirely to 
gynecological work and obstetrics. She is a member of 
the Mew Hampshire Medical society, ami the Xew ICng- 
land hospital Medical society of Hostou. 

(}hoiu;h bowhrs, d. d. s. 

George liowers. I). I). S.. was born in IlaucocU, ()rti>l)er 
10. iS_^i ; died , at Nashua. December 29, 1893. He was a 
ilesceiiil.ini of John Howers, who w-as born at Leominster. 




(,i-,()|;ge boweks, d. ». .->. 

Mass., Seiiteuiber 12, 1757, and married Ivlizabeth Uoulille 
of that place December 11, 1783. His parents were Mark 
and .Seliiia ( Foster) Bowers, (the latter a native of Stod- 
dard i, who were married February 16. 1830, .ind niailc 
their home at Hancock. 

Doctor Bowers was educated in llie common and higii 
scliools of his native place and Appleton academy, (now 
McColluin institutej, in Mont Vernon, and was regularly 
graduated at the Philadelphia Dental college in 1S65, 
receiving a diploma and the title of D. D. S. During his 
youth he was a successful teacher in grammar schools in 
New Hani])shire and Massachusetts. He began the prac- 
tice of dentistry at Nashua in 1856, and later located in 
Hancock where he remained three years. He then re- 
moved to Springfield, Vt.. where he became a ])nimineiit 
citizen and had a successful practice fifteen years. It was 
while at this place that he attended college and received 
liis degree. In 1877 he returned to Nashua where he was 
in active and successful practice until his death. 

Doctor Bowers was ever active and influential in public 
life; but. while he was a man of strong convictions and 



decided o])inions in all political matters, his professional 
duties prevented his being an aspirant for political 
honors. He became a member of the Masonic lodge at 
Springfield, Vt., and served it for a time as chaplain. 
Later he took a decided interest in the fnitcd Order of 
the (".olden Cross, being a member of Xa.shua com- 
maudcry. which he served as grand commander. He was 
a consistent mend>er of Pilgrim church, Nashua, and 
anu>ng the foremost in all good works. He was also a 
member of the Connecticut N'alley and New Hampshire 
Dental societies. 

Doctor Howers was an upright and useful citizen who 
performed many kindly acts for his fellownien in a sim- 
l>le and quiet way. He was well read ; a thinker who was 
true to his own convictions and determined in the per- 
formance of dtity to the public and to his family, all of 
which was attested by resolutions passed at the time of 
his death by the bodies of which he was a member. 

Doctor Bowers was united in marriage December 28, 
1S58, with Urania Iv. Hrackeltof Ilolyoke, Mass.. a teacher 
in the public schools of that place. Mrs. Bowers" immi- 
grant ancestor, John Brackett, came from Scotland and 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Her parents 
were Charles Brackett, born Septembers, 1786, died April 
27, 1846, and Lucy Brackett, born Nov. i, 1793, died Sept. 
25, 1875. Four children were born to Doctor and Mrs. 
Howers: .\delbertV., born March 28, i860, died Juiie 18, 
1865; Lucy \., born l"eb. 12, 1862, died June 2 ; Horace A,. 
born December 15, 1863, died December H. 1889; George 
A., born March 31, i,S6fi, m;in'ird l-'iinnic L. Saw\'cr, Octo- 
ber 4, 1893. 

HUl^ACH A. BOWHRS, IJ. IJ. S. 

Horace .■\. Howers. D. D. S., son of George and Trauia 
1'). (Brackett) Bovvers, w-as born at Springfield, Vt.. Dec. 
15, 1863, died at Nashua, Dec. 8, 1SS9. ( F"or ancestors see 
liiography of his father.) 

Doctor Bowers was educated in the common schools 
of his native place and was graduated in the classical de- 




n()\\i;i!s. i>. I), 



partment of the Nashua High school in 1881. He studied 
dentistry in the office of his father and was graduated at 



228 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



the Uiiiversity of Pennsylvania in 18S4. receiving a di- 
ploma and the degree of D. D. S. Following his gradua- 
tion he returned to Nashua and from that time until his 




(ilSOKCE A. DOWKltS, 1). U. s. 

death was associated in his profession with his father and 
practicing intermittently at Pepperell. Mass. He was an 
admitted expert in his profession. 

Doctor Bowers was a promising young man and a favor- 
ite with all who formed his acquaintance. He was an 
attendant of Pilgrim church, the Bukle\- club at Holyoke, 
Mass., the Nashua City Guards' association, and the Con- 
necticut Valley and New Hampshire Dental .societies. 

That Doctor Bowers was highly esteemed, and that, in 
his early death he was sincerely mourned, is attested by 
the following extract from the pulilished eulogj' of a 
friend: "Professionally he was highly regarded. In his 
college work he led his class and in practice he reached 
the highest mark of perfection and did all in his power to 
keep the standard of dentistry high. Socially he was one 
of the most genial of young men, without an enemy in the 
world. He was prominent in societ}' and in the affairs of 
ever}'day life and was deeply mourned by a wide circle of 
friends and acquaintances." Doctor Bowers was a single 
num. 

GEORGE A. BOWERS, D. D. S. 

(ieorge A. Bowers, D. 1). S.. was born at Springfield, 
Vt., March 31, 1866. He is a son of George and Urania E. 
(Brackett) Bowers. (For ancestors see sketch of his 
father.) 

Doctor Bowers was educated in the schools of his native 
place and at Nashua, where he took a classical course in the 
high school and was graduated in the class of 1884. He 
began his dental education by spending a year in his 
father's office, and in October, 1885, entered the dental 
department of the University of Pennsylvania from which 
he was graduated in 1888 with the degree of D. D. S., 
meantime practicing from time to time iu Pepperell, Mass. 
Following his graduation he opened an office at Clare- 
mont, where he practiced three years, and after perfecting 
himself in his profession, in 1891, returned to Nashua and 



associated himself with his father, whose successor he is 
in the large practice and favors bestowed upon him. 

Doctor Bowers is w^idelj- known in his profession as an 
expert, evidence of which is shown in the fact that he 
has received calls to clinic in Vermont and Canada. Many 
of his original improvements have contributed not a little 
to make dentistry one of the finest of fine arts. 

Doctor Bowers is an active citizen. He is a member of 
the order of the Knights of Pythias, the Nashua City 
Guards club, Nashua Golf club, was president of the New 
Hampshire Dental society in 1894, and is an honored 
member of the Dental society of Vermont. 

He was united in marriage October 4, 1893, with Fannie 
Ij. Sawyer, daughter of Aaron W. and Fanny (Winch) 
Sawyer. ( For ancestors, see sketch of the career of her 
father.) 

GEORGE VAN NESS DEARBORN, M. D. 

(ieorge V. Dearborn, M. D., was born in Nashua, Aug. 
15, i85g. He is a son of Cornelius V. and Louisa F. 
(Eaton) Dearborn. (For ancestors see sketch of his 
father.) Doctor Dearborn was educated in the public 
schools of Nashua, and graduated at the Nashua high 
school. He entered Dartmouth college in 1886, and 
graduated in the class of 1890. He studied medicine and 
surgery at the College of Phj'sicians and Surgeons in New- 
York and at the medical department of Columbia univer- 
sity, Washington, D. C, where he was graduated with the 
degree of M. D., in 1893. He attends the First congrega- 
tional church, and is a member of the Theta Delta I'hi 




GEOllGE V. X. DEAHHORN, M. D. 

fraternity. Doctor Dearborn was united in marriage June 
18, 1893, with Blanche Velina Brown, daughter of Leonard 
R. and Luria (Palmer) Brown of Bloomington, 111. 

FRED JULIAN CROWELL, D. D. S. 

I'red J. Crowell, D. D. S., was l)orn in West Windham, 
July 15, 1859. He is a son of Joseph P. and Susan (Coljurn ) 
Crowell. On the paternal side he is a descendant of 



HISTORY OF XASHUA, A'. H. 



!29 



Samuel Crowell, who came to America about the mi(hlle 
of the eighteenth century and made a short tarry at Salem, 
Mass. He settled in Haverhill, Mass., and duritii; the 




FRKD J. CRO\Vi;i,l„ D. D. S. 

Revolutionary War served in the continental armj', rising 
to the rank of lieutenant. David Crowell, son of Samuel, 
settled in Londonderry in 1793. Jesse Crowell, son of 
David, settled in Windham in 1806, and Joseph P., son of 
Jesse, was the father of Fred J. On the maternal side he 
is a descendant of the Coburns, who came to this country 
in 1640, and of Capt. Peter Coburu of Dracut, Mass., who 
was in the battle of Bunker Hill and other engagements of 
the Revolutionary War. His son, Capt. Peter H. Coburn, 
a Dracut schoolmaster, was also in the patriot army. 
James F. Coburn, son of Capt. Peter H., born in Dracut, 
was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. 

Doctor Crowell attended the public schools of his native 
place, and, being ambitious to obtain a better education 
than they afforded, he saved from his earnings and con- 
tinued his studies as he had opportunity. He attended 
Crosby's Literary institution in Nashua and Carney's busi- 
ness college in Lawrence, after which he apprenticed him- 
self at Billerica, Mass., and learned the machinist's trade. 
In 1879 he came to Nashua, and from that time to 1884 he 
was employed at Flather's, and Warner & Whitney's ma- 
chine shops. He then studied dentistry- for a year with 
Dr. C. R. Faxon, at the end of which time he entered the 
I'niversity of Maryland at Baltimore, where he graduated 
with the degree of I). D. S., March 16, 1887. Returning to 
Nashua he again entered the office of Doctor Faxon, where 
he served as an assistant until i8go, when he located in 
Noyes block in business for himself. He has met with 
gratifying success and stands high in the profession. He 
is a member of Ancient York lodge, A. F. and A. M. 
nichuck lodge, I. (). O. F'., Evening Star, K. o( P 
Olive Branch, D. of R. 

June 26, 1895, Doctor Crowell was united in marriage 
with Klizabeth Jeanette Graham, a daughter of William 
and .\manda (Richardson) Oraham of Norton, Mass. No 
children. 



Pen- 
, and 



SETH WESTON WILLIAMS, A. B., M. U. 

Seth W. Williams, A. B., M. D., was born in Nashua, 
.\pril 15, 1849, died Sept. 20, 1879. He was a son of Hon. 
Charles and Eliza A. (Weston) Williams, f For genealogy 
see sketch of his father.; 

At the age of fifteen he went from the Nashua High 
.school to Phillips' academy at Andover, Mass., graduat- 
ing there in 1868; received his A. B. at Yale, 1873; M. D. 
at Bellevue, 1876; graduated in the German classics. Uni- 
versity of Heidelberg, 1876. He studied under Yirchou 
in Berlin in 1876 and 1877, and returning to Heidelberg, 
took a special course in microscopy, in the laboratory of 
Professor .-Vrnold and spent some time at the general hos- 
pital in Vienna, 1877. He was awarded the I'lint prize in 
physiology, 1876, and was author of the Sayre prize essay 
on "The etiology and pathology of Potts disease," in 1879. 
At the close of his senior service, while on his vacation, 
he died suddenly. At the time of his decease he had been 
assigned to the third medical division at Bellevue hospi- 
tal and was to have entered upon his duties as house 
physician Oct. i, 1879. 

Doctor Williams' course of study from 1868 to 1879, ne- 
cessitating absence from home, made him little known in 
his native city, yet from time to time testimonials reached 
his parents and friends that more than fulfilled the prom- 
ises of his youth. From Andover, his preparatory school: 
" Seth's fine mental and moral culture, his lovely charac- 
ter and splendid attainments lead us to expect great 
things of him." From class record at Yale : "To the 
preparation of his life work Mr. Williams brought a capac- 
it\- and zeal which gave ample promise of success. Purity 
of thought and action were the silent forces that drew 
about him a large number of friends." From Prof. Louis 
k. Sayre, Bellevue hospital. New York: " I was grieved 
beyond the power of language to express, to learn of the 
death of }-our brilliant son. I had formed a most pro- 
found professional regard for him and looked forward 




M.lH \\ . \\ ll.I,l.\.\l.-^, A. 1;.. M. u. 

with great jileasure to his distinguished promotion. Life 
and health was all he required to reach the highest dis- 
tinction in his profession." 



230 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. \ 

MEDICAL HISTORY OF NASHUA - i 

\ 
From its Earliest Times until the Present Date. ; 

BY CHAKIJiS B. HAMMOND. ' 

I 

WHIvN it becomes necessary to make a record of our fellowmeu, it were well to consider 1 
the times, geographical position, and purpose for which they struggled for existence. \ 
Oiir welfare and advancement depends largely upon the times in which we live, < 
and are changed often to conform to the years which are added to it. We are obliged 1 
of necessity to .so fashion and shape our lives, to a greater or less degree, as to meet the require- j' 
ments of the natural elements against which we are forced to contend in the mere matter of living. 
The climate has much to do with our general makeup. The hardiness, integrity and sturdy nature 
of our New England ancestry can in no way l)e better accounted for than from the fact that the 
severe and rigorous climate has so moulded and shaped the growing twigs as that they are best able 
to bear, to the uttermost limit, their burden of life. The purpose for which we live and the aim of 
our desires likewise share in the general work of making us what we eventually become. There is, 
perhaps, no profession which is so thoroughh- affected by these three considerations as that of the 
medical and its allied branches. 

The medical history of Nashua does not, by any means, cover the ground to the extent of reach- 
ing throughout the general historical record which has been made of our township in other matters. 
We can with difficulty account for any time prior to the Revolutionary War, and bttt nieagerly from 
that up to the year iSoo. The whole country was in a crude state of civilization, and the trouble 
with the Indians and the little unpleasantness with England, which immediately followed, had en- 
gendered in each heart a spirit of alertness and patriotic pride that greath- fostered their courage 
and developed their self-reliance. 

The lives of the physician of those days must have been similar to that of their fellowmeu ; and 
the separation or distinction due to their calling in no wise marked. They prescribed when their 
services were needed, but at other times tilled the soil like their neighbors. The inhabitants being 
scattered and few in number rendered it imperative that each professional man should be possessed 
of several trades or modes of earning his livelihood, and, for this reason, we find that the physician 
was often the school teacher, the singing master, justice, nay, even pastor of the little flock which 
had pitched its camp at that place. And this fact remains somewhat true, even to the present writ- 
ing, in our smaller and more remote towns. 

We, ourselves, can remenil)er with great distinctness that the old fashioned choir at church on a 
goodly Sunday morning was quite embarrassed as to how to proceed, in-as-much as its leader and 
bass accompaniment was obliged to attend to an imperative sick call. The leavening power of our 
cities could not extend (|uickly or far into the wilderness from lack of our modern means of convey- 
ance, and from the want of printed matter, could not inform or instruct the residents of these parts, 
even when they had the opportunity of frequent communication. 

Thus the people were forced to be self-reliant, hence their sturdiness and energv. So also with 
the physician ; he could not have within his reach the recent medical lectures of a large number of 
professors ; no skilled druggist at his command to prepare his compounds, and render the bitter 
sweet ; no warm sleigh, covered with costly furs in which to make his calls. Far different. The 
country doctor was obliged to be his own pharmacist and di.spenser of pills and herbs, and the small 
amount of literature which it was his good fortune to obtain, was more after the form of a treatise 
than a live and recent lecture or essay. 

He carried his few simples in bags made for the purpose and thrown over the saddle, and, 
astride his good horse, made his professional calls, often, in the winter, through enormous drifts of 
snow, and almost trackless and lonely forest roads so dense and dark as that only the good lieast 
himself could with great difficulty pick the way. Then, too, there was no friendly brother doctor 
near, upon whom he could call in cases of emergency, but he was obliged to be a tower of strength 
unto himself, and right nobly, so far as we may learn, has he met the full requirements demanded. 



JI/SJOK)' OI'N.ISI/U.l, X. 11. 2^\ 

His purpose in life seems iie\-er to lia\-e changed, or to have tliffered one whit from that of 
physicians of to-day. He labored with greater disad\-antages and more hardshi])s for the same end, 
signalling, with bla/ing ensign, the fact of his willingness to do good unto all and at all times. His 
indomitable ])luck and untiring energy to alla\- disease can well be a lesson to the recent graduate, 
and serve to renew his faltering, failing strength for the battle of the future. 

The medicines of these pioneer phj-sicians were few, and for the most part, simple. The more 
important drugs consisted of opium, iron, and the various barks and roots, both foreign and domestic 
in their growth, but the value of each, owing to their smallness in numl)er, was all the more 
thoroughI>- understood and a]ipreciated. The herl)s and remedies from the vegetalde world far 
exceeded those from the mineral kingdom. Their doses were ipiite sufficient, as many now living 
can affirm from exj^erience, and their reasons for the exhibition of this or that drug, if not able to be 
made plain to the modern ph\sician, were in most cases, quite as successful in acconi])lishing the 
desired results. 

Blood-letting was considered in those da_\-s to be of the utmost value and imiKnlance, if not an 
al)Sii]utc necessity-, and there was scarcely a disease which did not demand it. 

The \arious parts of the body were reckoned to be of the greatest importance in regard to the 
alistraction of blood from it. Those troubles which affected the heart, head and chest, together 
with the various forms of neuralgia and rheumatism, were cases in which bleeding was supposed to 
be most efficacious. 

We must remember that, in those times, the effort to li\-e and grow up was so great that onlj- 
the strongest and most healthy children were ecpial to the attaining of manhood's age. 

Then, too, the natural health of the people was such that there were fewer feeble children born 
into the world. Their out-door life and simple nourishment, together with the enforced labor and 
well ventilated abodes, prevented many of our most common diseases from occurring. Thus the 
idnsiciau was perhaps able to do with less drugs and fewer I'emedies and, possibly, less learning 
without necessarily increasing the death rate. Indeed, we find that they did not all have the honor 
of graduating from schools of medicine, but, with minds naturallx- gifted with great observation, 
penetration and almost perfect retentive power, the\' managed each year to become more skilled and 
efficient in their chosen work. 

Their book-learning, in the majority of cases, was limited, more especiall>- to materia medica, 
therapeutics, and clinical medicine, and added to these, they were expected to know something of 
surgery. They were tlie dentists of the place and jierformed that part of their duties by extracting 
all offending members, and, perhai)S, if \-er\- skillful, replacing, after the loss of all, 1)\- false ones, 
those which to-da\- would have been considered unjusth' sacrificed. 

Then, too, the country doctor was the only veterinary surgeon, and did not deem it at all beneath 
his dignity to render aid to his brother's ox, cow, or horse, if, perchance, his services were so 
needed. 

As we all know the times were vers- hard, and ready nione\' scarce; the inhabitants poor, 
unlettered and likewise few in number. The t)ld New England climate was cold, rigorous and 
severe in the winter .season, and equally as hot and uncomfortable during the summer months, so 
that, were it not for the natural inl)orn love and devotion to his work, there would have been fewer 
followers of the medical profession than were found. When we consider the enforced long rides, and 
the exposure to all kinds of weather and at all times during the twenty-four hours, and the smallness 
of the remuneration received, it is a wonder that we could have found aiu' physicians in Nashua 
prior to the year 1820. Indeed, they as often did receive their recompense in the shape of table 
produce or cattle fodder as in any other form of payment. 

The)- appreciated their neighbor's wants, j-es, and even anticipated them to the most self- 
sacrificing degree, and their rough, even uncouth exterior most often hid the warmest kind of an 
inner self. It is said that they were obliged to procure their medicines. from distant Boston town, a 
journey of more than forty miles, as the roads then run. The doctor would start at day-break, even 
before the rising of the sun, mounted on his faithful steed, and travel slowly through the little 
hamlets along the various streams, stopping here and there at those grand old warm-hearted 
hostelries, for which the country was then famous, and picking up now and then the general news 
and various gossips to be retailed when he should again reach home. 



232 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Arriviii"- in town he would la\- in a six months' supply, carefully and discreetly selected, not 
only as to kind and quality, but also as to quantity, so as to be within the limits of his slender purse, 
and, having satisfied himself in these respects, retire to the chop house, there to discuss the living 
questions of the day. 

It is also related that the doctor was likewise called upon during these trips to make purchases 
for friends and patients, and became, as it were, an express messenger for his neighbors. This was 
before the regular run made by the stage coaches which afterwards very effectually transacted all 
such business up to the time of the coming of the canals and railroads. 

The physician then was much nearer the hearts and homes of his little flock than now, being, 
from necessity, as often called upon to administer to their moral and mental ails as to those of a 
purely physical nature. The want and need of mutual trust and confidence has in no age been 
better exemplified than during those troubled years in which our forefathers were obliged to guard 
not only themselves but their fellow-townsmen and their homes as well. Thus, by intimate and close 
relationship, the physician became even as the patriarch of his tribe, and, in most ca.ses, well desen-ed 
the honor. 

These little trips to Boston were not altogether dista.steful to the doctor himself. He had now an 
opportunity to visit his brother practitioners and observe their methods, also to call at the few 
ho.spitals which then existed, and gather to himself the various innovations in which such places 
always abound. In this way he materially broadened his pathway in life's work and added to his 
scanty medical knowledge not a few new ideas, both of a medical and, more especially, of a 
surgical nature. 

Refreshed within and without, and having fulfilled all the trusts which were imparted to him, he 
again retraced his weary way homeward, where, for some weeks, he was the hero of the place and 
was expected, and willing, if not anxious, to repeat all the gossip and news he had so carefully 
treasured for this very purpose. And there was a sense of solid, supreme comfort even to these 
pioneer phvsicians, not unmingled with virtuous pride, to be considered the first man in the 
village. 

By the foregoing description we have tried to faithfully portray the pioneer physician of Nashua, 
covering all that time of which no authentic record can be had as to this or that especial one, even 
up to the 3'ear iSoo. Since then we ha\e the medical history fairly well recorded, in memory at 
least, if not in manuscript. Let us remember, then, that it was from men like these our good 
common-sensed physicians of to-day have had their origin, and it is due to their honesty and 
integrity, in great part at least, that we have become what we are. 

The first authentic record of any special practitioner we find to be of a certain Dr. Nathan 
Cutler, of whom it is said that he was the only physician in town during the Revolutionary War and 
for many years previous. Little more can be learned concerning this good man except that he was 
after the type of all who resided in Nashua at that time, and that he devoted himself faithfully and 
successfully to his practice. He died in Nashua and was interred in the old burying ground at the 
south part of the town. After the war, when the people became more settled and numerous, there 
came a Dr. Ebenezer Starr, who moved into the place from Dedliam. Doctor Starr married Hannah, 
daughter of Jos. Blanchard. He resided and practiced his profession in Nashua until his death 
in 1798, aged 52 years. After the father came the son. Dr. Augustus Starr, who nmrried the 
daughter of Jonathan Blanchard. Dr. Augustus Starr practiced in and about Nashua for several 
years, but we have not been able to trace his subsequent career, or whether or no he died or 
was interred in this place. 

There is some discrepancy in the various historical statements found concerning the next 
physician who settled in the town. History tells us that a certain Doctor Maynard resided and 
practiced here in the year 1803, but we also know that three years previous to that. Dr. Peter Howe 
and Dr. Micah Kklredge also came to town. Whether Doctor Maynard preceeded the other two or not 
is not certain, but it is presumable that he did. All that can be learned about him is that during the 
years 1803 and 1804 he occupied, as office and home, the old "Tontine" building and that soon 
afterward he moved to Bo.ston where he resided till death. 

Dr. Peter Howe lived here considerably longer, coming in the year 1800 or 1S03 and staying 
until 1837 or 1838. Dr. Edward Spalding, who is, at the present writing, living and enjoying the 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 233 



DCS 



.■St of health and vigor of stiinl\- manhood, recalls distinctl>- that, on his coming to this place to 
reside ])ermanently in the j'ear 1S37, Dr. Peter Howe was then a resident in the full practice of 
medicine and surgery, but that he soon after removed to another part of the country. Doctors 
Maynard and Howe were of the old type physicians, disspensing their medicines either in saddle bags 
from horseback or else using the good old two-wheel gig, which became for a while almost synonymous 
with the name physician. This same two-wheel gig, which, unfortunately, had the knack of tipping 
suddenly backward should one get into it before the shafts were firmly fastened to the lugs, was a 
sort of a connecting link between the horse's back and the more commodious four-wheel carriage 
of to-day. 

The nature of the roads and highways perhaps necessitated a vehicle of this sort to be used, so 
convenient was it to make a short turn in a narrow road and so comparatively easy in gliding over the 
rough condition of the same, to say nothing of the new and almost untravelled roads and fields. At 
any rate, they were very generally used by the physicians, some covered and some open, but all rather 
narrow and supplied with a generous leather boot for shelter from the rain. 

F"rom 1800 until the year 1830 there were three very prominent men and citizens settled in Nashua 
in the practice of the medical profession ; and they were the only ones during that period, so far as can 
he learned, that resided here for any considerable time. These were Dr. Micah Eldredge coming to 
the town in 1799 or 1800; Dr. Ebenezer Dearborn in the year 1816 and immediately commenced 
practicing although he did not receive his diploma as M. D. until 1S21 ; and Dr. Elijah Col- 
burn in the year 1826, coming here from Hudson, where he had previously practiced two or three 
years. Of all three it may be justly said " they builded their houses on a rock and the storms and 
tempests of the succeeding years of their lives were never able to shake the foundation thereof." All 
three were well learned and thoroughh- understood their profession in the practice of physic, yet they 
differed radically one from another both in general characteristics and mental peculiarities, as well as 
in physical make-up. 

Dr. Micah Eldredge was of large frame and bone, rough and very .sturdy in build, heavy, 
generous limbs and features, very dark in complexion but possessing the most kindly eyes and mouth, 
as well as the gentlest of dispositions and a most magnanimous heart. A man having a large prac- 
tice, he .studied each case clinically far more carefully than it could have been possible for him to ha\-e 
done by books or other reading. He lived in and for his patients, always ready to respond to a sick 
call of whatever nature it might chance to be and never shirking a duty either from fear or fatigue. 
He always did his best and was always ready to try. His good nature was proverbial, and he often 
compared himself to the dusk}- skinned race on account of his exceedingly dark complexion. 

The following incident is related of him by one of his former patients. This gentleman, when a 
small lad, became ill with a fever, so very prevalent in those times and the father called in Doctor 
ICldredge to attend the case. The good doctor, with all the brusqueness of the old times, forbade the 
use of water except in a very limited degree. It was thought and firmly believed that water, 
especially cold water, when drunk in large quantities, was quite injurious to one having a fever, they 
considering that it merely fed the disease and prolonged the case, with an increa.sed amount of heat. 
Therefore those who were thus afflicted were allowed to suffer the agonies of thirst until each became 
a veritable Tantalus. Thus the young boy was allowed to suffer da}^ by day, until, in an unguarded 
moment, the mother or nurse stepping out of the room, he jumped from his .stifling, feverish couch, 
sjirang to the well pump and for once drank his fill, consuming, according to his memory, nearh- a 
quart of cold well water. The parents, having discovered this state of affairs, decided that it was best 
not to inform the doctor of what had occurred, fearing, no doubt, his censure for their suppcsed care- 
lessness. Early the next morning, on his arrival, the doctor stepped up quickly to the sick bed, felt 
the moistened skin, saw the clearing tongue, and observed the brightened appearance and restful 
condition of his little patient, exclaimed gladly that he was better, and, rubbing his hands gleefully 
together, in a most cheering voice and manner said, " I knew that last medicine would go to the right 
spot and see clearly that it has helped the little chick. " And, no doubt, the doctor's opinion, from 
that time on for a considerable period, was that what that particular medicine could not do to allav 
fever was not worth mentioning. 

Doctor Eldredge's influence among the younger practitioners was very marked and they never 
had a more faithful champion for their up-hill work in getting their first start. He could hardly be 



234 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

called a studious man but rather one of great observation and closest scrutiny. After a hard laborious 
life in the following of his profession for thirty-six years, he retired by reason of his age and 
infirmities to a much needed rest, and lived until the year 1849, when he passed away grieved for by 
all with whom he ever came in contact ; a thoroughly good common-sensed doctor and man. 

Dr. Ebenezer Dearborn differed from Doctor Eldredge very materially in the matter of studious- 
ness. He was a student in the strictest sense of the word and possessed all the tastes and inclinations 
of one. He was a man invaluable as a consulting physician and one whose opinion could hardl>- be 
questioned regarding its correctness in any given case. Doctor Dearborn was a great reader and 
sought the solitude of his study at every opportunity, there to think out and over his cases, striving 
to be ready for each emergency and to anticipate all complications. He was a small man in build but 
great in thoughtfulness and kindest in charity. He was very methodical in the matter of dress and 
disposition and was more than ordinarily particular in personal politeness and carriage. Althuogh he 
was of rather a retiring disposition and a man of few words, yet he did not keep himself in the 
background but sought to give his talents to his fellow men, sen-ing the city as alderman and in 
various other public ways until his death which occurred in 1883. 

Doctor Dearborn was generous yet saving and left at his death quite a little real estate and other 
property to his famih-. 

Dr. Elijah Colburn differed much from either of the two preceding physicians. Not so great a 
student as Doctor Dearborn, nor yet perhaps so ready to learn from his cases as was Doctor Eldredge, 
yet he possessed a splendid foundation upon which to build in the matter of education, and spared 
himself not at all in assiduousness and persistency of application to his practice. He was a determined 
worker and had all the confidence in himself which is peculiar to one thoroughly understanding 
his subject. He gathered to himself a large number of patients and friends whose implicit trust and 
confidence he won and kept. Pecuniarily he received, perhaps, much more assistance from his 
patients than did either of the two preceding physicians, and the early struggles he was obliged to 
undergo in order to obtain his education taught him the value of saving all that was possible from his 
income. Like as to his patients .so also with regards to other property- of which he chanced to become 
possessed, it seemed to have the happy faculty of clinging closely to him, and, like his large and 
varied practice to grow and spread with each succeeding year, until, in his autumn of life, he had 
amassed quite a fortune. 

Like Doctor Dearborn, he was rather short of stature but more rolnist and full in bod\'. I^ossessed 
of perfect health, he was enabled to bear up under the fatiguing work of his life to a remarkable 
degree, and never seemed to grow weary with his increasing labors. During the latter years of his 
long life he was assisted much in his practice by his son Edward, who followed in his father's footsteps. 
Doctor Colburn died in Nashua, Jan. 13, 1881, aged 85 years. To the >onng well-trained physician 
of the present day, this older class of men may seem to have had .strange notions and crude ideas as to 
the management of cases coming under their care ; but, while we would not decry our present 
knowledge, nor seek to belittle the same, we would state as an incontestable fact, that the mortality 
resulting from the efforts of these pioneer physicians has never been proven to be greater than that of 
those of the present day. They, at least, understood pretty clearly the means at their command, and 
although the indespensible clinical thermometer was unknown, and the value of the stethoscope and 
aspirator undiscovered, yet these grand old men were never at loss to diagncsticate very closely the 
amount of fever present or calculate mo.st carefully as to the conditions of the chest and other large 
cavities of the body. The modern physician would fare badly indeed .should you deprive him of all 
the little assistants and aids which science has provided for his use. To the efforts and hard labors of 
these three men the medical history of Nashua even up to the year 1830 is due ; and Nashua has been 
well blessed in the possession of three such goodly citizens. Considering the hardships of the times 
in which their early battles were fought and the brilliant results of the closing years of their lives, our 
best wish is that their memories may always find a warm resting place in the hearts of our people. 

About the year 1830 or 1832 there came to Nashua a physician by the name of Chas. P. Cofhn, who 
practiced here for some few years. The most that can be learned concerning him is that he boarded 
at Mr. Thayer's house and was well liked and fairly successful in his work. He did not remain long 
however, and moved to some other state about the year 1837. 



/ffSTORV or NASHUA, N. //. 235 

Following Doctor Coffin came Dr. J. G. Graves, the senior, in the year 1834. Not a few of the 
present practicing physicians in our city will remember his jovial self-satisfied appearance and heartv 
hand-shake. A pre-eminently self-made man and one, who, having to struggle with many adversities 
during his earlier career, showed keen appreciation of all obstacles and great skill in conquering Ihem. 
Xot only in the line of his profession, but also in business ventures of various kinds did he prove to 
he very successful and succeeded in putting by quite a competence against the time of his retiring 
from active work. 

Doctor Graves, as with all physicians of those days, had a very large general practice including 
both of a medical and surgical nature, yet it may justly be said that it was through him that 
gynecology first received its impulse in our city. Heretofore there had been little or no special work 
carried on. The hands employed in our mills and other workshops, which began to be operated here 
about this time, was largely composed of young ladies causing, therefore, a relatively larger 
])roportion of the inhabitants of this class than otherwise would have been. The practitioner, 
therefore, was naturally more often called upon to treat the diseases peculiar to their sex. Doctor 
(rraves having a particular liking for these cases and a peculiar aptitude for them, they naturally fell 
into his hands, and in such numbers that he became a veritable expert in handling them. General 
surgery also held a fascination for him, and, as the workshops increased in number, opportunities 
were of greater frequency to gain knowledge in this special line. 

Doctor Graves retired from active practice in 1877, after more than forty years of hard work, to 
which he put his whole energy and indomitable force. He died in the year 1889. 

Aside from the regular autumnal attacks of the various fevers, which became often epidemic, and 
the increased number of pneumonia cases during the spring time, there had been up to this time, 
1S36, no very troublesome diseases to harass or otherwise disturb the peaceful life of our little 
connnunity. 

This state of affairs was rudely changed in the year 1837, ^'i*^! Na.shua, for the first time 
e.-vperienced a panic of that much dreaded disea.se, the small pox. 

The first ca.se sprung up in the family of Mr. William Ayers. His house then stood on the site 
of that now occupied by Mrs. Aaron W. Sawyer next to the City Hall. It seems that a woman from a 
party of tramps toiling along the dusty roadway stopped at Mrs. Ayers' door to ask for bread and 
milk for her sick babe, which she carried in her arms. Mrs. Ayers, as was the universal cu.stom in 
those da)'s, gave the woman immediatel>- wliat she asked and even more, and her own little son, 
running to the open doorway, received his death call. \'accination in those days was not so generally 
])erformed, although the protection from it was well known and believed in by most of the educated 
persons. These tramps undoubtedly being afflicted with the disease, the child in the woman's arms 
being at that time covered with filthy pustules, left the germs behind and thus, as is sometimes the 
case, while offering alms in the name of the Lord, and trying to succor and give aid to a hungry and 
perhaps starving child, her own little one is snatched with cruel force from her breast and made to die 
from that most loathsome of all diseases, shunned and feared by all, an outcast and a veritable leper 
to our senses. The existence of this case, which created a most violent panic, was not discovered by 
the attending physician and was allowed to progress to an unfavorable degree before being righth' 
diagnosticated. It was onh" on the decision of Dr. Edward .Spalding and father, who were called in 
to see the case, that it was proven to be small pox, and it was the existence of this case that decided 
Doctor Spalding to reside here permanently. The story of the panic and the reasons of Doctor 
S])aldiiig's coming here is best told in his own words. 

"After graduating, in 1837, I rode around the country with my father to see practice under him, 
and it so happened that during that fall there was cjuite an epidemic of small pox. I took a great 
deal of interest in it and used to come here with my father to see the patients. There was that fall a 
case of small pox in the family of Mr. William Ayers of Nashua. The physicians who attended were 
deceived aliout it. .Some declared it to lie chicken pox and others small pox. My father was sent for 
and I came down with him. We decided it to be small po.x. When it was known that it was small 
pox and there had been one death there was a great panic. 

"There was a great deal of fault found among the physicians, and the city sent and asked me to 
come here. My father advised me to come and I did so. We organized a hospital, now known as a 
pest house. There were two halls, and they put up a partition between them and used one of them 



236 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

for men and one for women. They removed all, who had been exposed, to the pest house, where they 
were immediately vaccinated. Several had varioloid. The pest house was in the building which is 
now where Mr. .Stark's and Mr. Bailey's office is. I remained here from that time continually. 

" It also happened that after that set of patients had been moved away and it was supposed that 
everybody was thoroughly vaccinated there was one old lady who defied the officers and would not be 
vaccinated, and assured them she would not die till her time had come. That old lady was taken sick 
and the physicians who attended her either did not know what ailed her, or else they concealed it for 
it was a very bad case. We moved the family all over to the pest house. The old lady died (her time 
had come). She was the only one who died except the child, who died before it was found out what 
the trouble was." 

There were quite a few persons afflicted with the small pox at that time, but only two deaths, as 
has been said. Many cases were of the varioloid type, due, no doubt, to the wholesale vaccination 
which was forcibly insisted upon by the local health officers. Doctor Spalding did very efflcient work 
in caring for the existing cases and also in the employment of all prophylactic measures which, by his 
advice, the authorities deemed necessary. At the present writing Doctor Spalding has reached the 
good age of 82 years, a statement which, however, is not to be construed that he is this old, except in 
the minor consideration of years.* One rarely if ever, meets a man, and much less a physician, who 
has undertaken and completed the amount of physical and mental labor that has fallen to his lot, and 
still retain the freshness and vigor of upright manhood as is expressed in his every appearance. 

Doctor Spalding first settled in Nashua as a permanent practitioner in the year 1837, a* ^ partner 
of Dr. Micah Eldredge, and from the day of his commencement, even up to his eightieth birthday, he 
has a])plied himself very closely to the varied duties devolving upon him and never allowed himself 
any considerable rest or release from their cares. He was forced, b)- reason of business in the banks 
and other large corporations, to retire practically from the practice of medicine at an early date, yet 
never has he lost that peculiar zest and love for the profession that characterizes all true physicians. 
He always was a careful and close reader of recent medical literature and there is scarcely anj- new 
theory or method of any importance of which he is in ignorance. 

The schools, city offices, banks, mills, and large estates, and, last but not least, the churches, all 
are able and willing to attest to the large benevolence and beneficence of his kind lieart, and no one 
in all the wide domain of our now flourishing and prosperous city can be found to think an unkind 
thought concerning him. At the age of eighty years he retired from most of the public positions held 
in trust to a much needed and imperative rest; but never, so long as his physical and mental qualities 
remain intact will the citizens of Nashua permit him to retreat from public view altogether, nor seek 
the less to obtain his advice and counsel on all measures which pertain to their welfare and 
advancement. 

In the year 1838 there came to Nashua Dr. Josiah Kittredge, a graduate from the Harvard 
Medical school and one having five years of previous practice in the city of Boston. Doctor Kittredge 
had received a rather exceptional education and profited much by it. He served the city in various 
ways, being city physician for the },-ears 1854 and 1855. Doctor Kittredge was a thoroughly good 
Christian man and nothing so pleased him as to be continually doing good in our schools and 
churches. There can be little learned concerning his especial work in the practice of medicine save 
that he collected about himself, during nearly twenty >-ears' stay in Nashua, a large number of 
friends and patients and was universally successful in his work. He moved to Mount Holyoke 
Female Seminary in 1836, there to become the resident physician of the school, and died at the 
home of his son in Connecticut in the year 1872. 

In the decade of years immediately following 1840 there was quite an accession to the ranks of 
the medical fraternity, — Dr. E. B. Hammond coming in the year 1840; Dr. J. F. Whittle in 1844; 
Dr. O. A. Woodbury in 1848; and Drs. B. Colby, S. A. Toothaker, H. W. Buxton, W. E. Rider 
and J. H. Graves. 

Concerning the five latter we know very little of any historical worth, save that Dr. J. H. 
Graves, a young brother of Dr. J. G. Graves, was marked out to be a very promising physician, 
being peculiarly adapted to winning friends and the trust of the community. His valuable life was 

♦Since writing the above Dr. Edward >Spalding died suddenly of apoplexv at his fishing lodge in Maine, June 22, 
1895- 



/r/sm/n- or Nashua, n. h. 237 

cut short by an early death and many are to be found even now, living, who prophesied a verj- 
brilliant career for him had he not been thus earh- removed from his field of labor. 

Dr. E. B. Hammond, a .student of Dr. J. (i. Graves, was a graduate of Harvard Medical school in 
1840, and commenced practicing the same year in our city. He was a man of force and determination 
and possessed of great will power and self reliance. 

I,ike Doctor Graves, his preceptor, the hard struggles of his earlier life produced the invariable 
effect of making his future character one of great depth and strength. During his student life his 
attention had early been turned to the eye, and at the ver\- outset of his career, he gave it especial 
studw and for those limes made quite a success as a local oculist. He removed, even during the first 
few \ears of his practice, several cataracts by the needle method, and the after success of these cases 
won him not a little distinction among the laity. He treated with more than ordinary ability cases of 
disease and injur\- to the e}-e and orl)it, especially those of ulceration of the cornea. 

.Iniong children his success was very marked, due, no doubt, to his ardent love for everything 
voung and tender. His physical make up was very robust and his early farm training which he 
received at his home in the New Hampshire hills stood him in good stead in the hard, uphill and 
laborious work of his calling. He was of large frame and .strongly built, rugged and toughened to all 
kinds of weather, and always ready to re.spond to any and all sick calls. At one time for quite a 
period of years he held the largest obstetrical practice of any physician in Nashua, and was eminently 
successful in this special branch of the work. He was possessed of a large general practice which he 
held up to the year 1885, when he retired to private life in order to give his attention to the real estate 
which he had acquired. 

During his professional life he found time to serve the public in numerous ways fostering with 
fervent care our schools and churches, and in the state and city councils was ever ready to respond to 
all public measures which he thought conducive to the best interest of the city. During the late Civil 
War he received the appointment as examining surgeon for exemption from draft, and after the war, 
for years, he was the only surgeon for the examination for pensions is this part of New Hampshire. 
Doctor Hammond died from an attack of double pneumonia in the year 1887, mourned by a large 
family and a larger circle of friends and patients. 

Dr. J. F. Whittle, as has been said, came to Nashua in the year 1844, and continued to reside and 
practice his profession here until within a few years of his death which occurred in the year 1888. He 
was the first of the school of Hahnemann to come to our town. The public, heretofore, were obliged to 
be contented with the regular or so called old-school physicians, and in those days the feeling was 
deeper and more pronounced against the homoeopathic practitioner than at any time since, inasmuch 
as the good that that class of physicians has done to the medical world, as a leavening power, had 
not as yet been demonstrated. Doctor Whittle was an enthusiastic worker and devotee to his calling, 
and being possessed of strong and vigorous powers, he was enabled to withstand the hard work which 
of necessity was an extra element against him in winning patients to his belief. vSomewhat gruff in 
voice and manner and very set in his opinions, >et withal of a kind and compassionate heart. As 
remembered during the latter years of his life he had somewhat the appearance of a patriarch of old, 
wearing a long flowing beard and hair longer than is usual, and both snow white. With eyes 
([uite dark and brows to match, he possessed quite a con\-incing look and that, no doubt, did 
much to aid him in the magnetic power he seemed to possess over his patients To the advanced 
.student in honueopathy of the present time his ideas were no doubt, crude and even harsh, but it must 
be remembered that he was one against man\-, and may, if somewhat fanatical in his work, be more 
readily forgiven from the very fact of his absolute belief. 

Following Doctor Whittle, in the year 1846, came Dr. N. P. Carter who for years kept the well 
known drug store at the end of Factory street. Doctor Carter, although not a regular graduate from 
a medical school, obtained a good education both in common school branches as well as tho.se of 
medicine and surgery from the different preceptors with whom he was associated. He practiced in 
Nashua until his death in 1868. He was a so-called botanic physician and had quite a considerable 
l)ractice which, however, was more of a medical than of a surgical nature. Doctor Carter was a very 
(piiet man, of few words and of a most kindly disposition and possessed a very charitable heart, by 
virtue of which he was well beloved by many friends and patients. 



23« 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Dr. O. A. Woodbury, practicing in the same belief as Doctor Whittle, came to Nashua in the year 
1848. He died in Nashua while in active practice, in the year 1875. Doctor Woodbury was a 
thorough and strictly conscientious Christian both in his public and private life and work. He was 
not a robust man, neither was he weakly in his physical appearance; and he managed to draw unto 
himself a very large number of patients and believers in his kind of practice, to each of whom he 
endeared himself by his noble self-sacrifice, assiduity and devotion, not only to their physical welfare, 
but also to their mental wants. He labored hard in church matters and the various societies of which 
he was a member. He will long be missed by many yet living, who, though perhaps not patients, 
loved him as an honest God-fearing man. 

During the decade immediately following 1850, there were nine physicians who came and 
practiced in Na.shua, .seven of whom made this place their home until the end of their lives. One of 
these is still living and two have removed to other parts. Their names are as follows, mentioned in 
the order of their arrival : Dr. J. C. Garland, arrived in 1850, Drs. Samuel Ingalls and N. J. Moore in 
1852; Dr. Geo. Gray in 1853; Drs. Edwin Colburn and I^. P. Sawyer in 1854; Drs. F. B. Ayer and 
W. A. Tracy in 1856 and Dr. Ezra L. Griffin in 1S58. Doctors Ingalls and Griffin removed .soon after 
to other parts but were well known and liked while they resided in Nashua. 

Dr. J. C. Garland is still living at present writing. Coming to Nashua in 1850 he has continued 
to reside here, for the most part, continually from that time. Doctor Garland is a faithful physician 
and an honest Christian, and, during his long life of practice and other labors, has fought most 
conscientiously all life's battles and won not a little distinction. Doctor Garland served as surgeon 
during the late Civil War and since then, at two different periods, has been appointed a member of the 
examining board of surgeons for pensions. He ser\-ed the city in a number of ways, being at one time 
its city physician. In all public measures his opinion has been much sought for and desired. He 
practiced in a quiet way and proved him-self a very profound thinker and sage counsellor. He retired 
some few years ago to a much needed rest, but even now, though in his eighty-first year of life, we 
can testify as to the perfect astuteness of his mind and clearness of perception. 

Dr. N. J. M. Moore lived and practiced in Nashua from 1852 until his death in 1882, a part of which 
time, however, was spent in the service of the United States Volunteer army as surgeon. He was a 
large man, phj-sicalh- and mentallj', of quick, generous impulse, and with steady indomitable pluck 
and perseverance, well skilled in the hospitals of both Ireland and England, and was ably fitted to fill 
any position in life's work from that of a professorship even to the duties of a simple country 
practitioner and patient's friend. He had great trust and implicit confidence in his own abilities. 
Nor were they misplaced. There was never an operation however hazardous, from which he shrunk. 
He leaned to the surgical side of his work b)' preference and his war experience gave additional vigor 
and impulse to this inclination. He more than once successfully performed ovariotomy and 
hysterectomy and was studious to a most remarkable degree in all things pertaining to advanced 
science. 

Dr. George Gray connnenced the practice of medicine in Nashua in 1S53 as partner of Doctor 
Moore, which partnership was dissolved soon after i860. He was very successful and held at one 
time probably the largest practice of any physician in town. He was a man of most gracious, 
pleasing appearance and address, and his ready, courteous demeanor impressed his patients and 
greatly added to his well deserved popularity. His cordial kindness and interest as an alleviator of 
all ills peculiar to the gentler sex was pre-eminent, and in personal politeness he was propriety itself. 
His early death cut short a very eventful career as a skillful ad\iser and surgeon. He died from 
diphtheria in 1876, which disease was contracted from a patient he was attending. 

Dr. Edwin Colburn followed in his father's footsteps and was identified with the interests of 
Nashua all his life. Doctor Colburn was killed most cruelly by the very animal he mo.st heartily 
loved, having his skull fractured by the kick of a favorite horse in 1892. Doctor Colburn had 
practiced over thirty >'ears and was universally successful. He was a man of few words but firm 
convictions and a good judge of all things in which he took interest. He was very kind hearted vet 
saving and left a large e.state. He had, but a few weeks previous to his death, occupied a beautiful 
house on his estate on Concord street, and was preparing to enjoy a life of ease and comfort. 

Dr. Levi P. Sawyer, brother of the well known grocer, Reuben M. Sawver, commenced the 
practice of medicine in Nashua in the year 1854. He was universally liked from the very start, and 



J/yS7VA'V OF NASHUA, jV. H. 



239 



had no trouble whatever in winning i)atients. His sterling qualities as a strictly honest and upright 
man showed themselves clearly throughout his subsequent successful, though rather short career. 
He was one of the kindest and most sympathetic of men, and the poor had good reason to mourn 
his loss. He died in the year 1.S68. 

Dr. F. B. Aver commenced business in Nashua in 1S56 as a druggist in company with Dr. \V. A. 
Tracy, botli also practicing their jirofession whenever ojiportunity offered. He did not remain long, 
however, in the practice of medicine, and soon entered the firm of Eaton & Ayer as bolibin makers, 
where he was very successful, and laid up (piite a large fortune for his family. He died in 1882. 

Dr. \V. A. Tracy also came to town in 1S56 and died in 1864, a .short eight years of professional life, 
yet enough to show his great patriotism to his country, the more self-sacrificing from the fact that he 
had a wife and young children to leave. He was one of the most painstaking and careful men in the 
profession. Strictly honest and over-scrupulous in his dealings with all men, and a close and zealous 
liractitioner, there was not during his life one cloud or spot to lay a finger upon showing a 
disreputable or dishone.st act. He was charity itself, and expected from others what he was ever 
anxious to accord to them, a fair Christian treatment. He enlisted in the ser\'ice of the United 
States early in the history of the late war as surgeon, and after having suffered from sickness and 
disea.se, returned home, at the close, to enter a competitive medical and surgical examination for the 
position of surgeon in the regular army. These examinations were very severe and most critical, 
occupying a week or more both in theoretical and practical work, they being obliged to demonstrate 
their work on sulijects provided for the purpose. In spite of the fact that there were a large number 
seeking the place, Dr. Tracy was chosen first of the four successful candidates. He never lived to 
enjoy his hard earned victory and honors, but died shortly after having received his conunission, of 
quick consumption. 

There was also a physician, who, although coming here in the >ear 1S57, did not remain, till a 
few years later, to practice medicine; his name was James B. Greeley. With the exception of a 
short residence in Massachusetts, and the time spent in the Civil War as surgeon, he has ever 
continued to reside here up to the time of his retirement from public life to his ancestral town of 
Merrimack. He had a long busy professional career, entering the army a surgeon andin spite of a 
serious wound in the head, where for seventeen long years he carried a rebel bullet, he managed to 
do quite a large professional business. His large property claimed much of his attention and he 
retired somewhat from active work even before the results of the wound in his head demanded complete 
rest. At present he is living quietly at his homestead at Thornton's Ferry, Merrimack. 

Dr. Thomas H. Gibbj-, a graduate from Har\-ard Medical school, also came to Nashua 
somewhere about 185 1 or 1852, but immediately entered the drug business and rarely practiced his 
calling. He carried on the apothecary trade in the old drug store under the Baptist church, and 
many remember him, not only as a skillful druggist but as a well read physician. He died in Nashua 
in the year 1893, aged sixtj'-six years. 

From 1S60 until 1870 there came to Nashua Dr. Geo. W. Currier, Dr. Andrew J. Gilson, Dr. E. 
F. McQuesten, Dr. Geo. F. Wilber and Dr. Geo. H. Noyes. 

Dr. Geo. W. Currier settled in Nashua in 1864, and during the following year served as a 
volunteer surgeon under the call of the governor of the State of New Hampshire. His experience 
in army life, although not long, was intense aud eventful while it lasted, in being at the time when 
men were hurried forth in enormous numbers to be slaughtered aud killed for liberty's sake. His 
kindl\' nature made him an excellent nurse as well as surgeon, and many poor wounded fellows have 
reason to be grateful for having fallen into his hands. After the war he entered into the drug 
business in connection with his profession, and at present is continuing in this same line. His 
interest in the management of his large property has compelled him to somewhat limit his work in 
the practice of medicine, but during the past thirty j^ears he has .served the city as city physician, 
and in numerous other capacities, and has always shown keen judgment and upright dealing in 
every work. 

Dr. Andrew J. Gilson came to Nashua as a practitioner in 1866, but soon removed to 
Massachusetts, where he remained for some time and then moved to some other part of the United 
States. His sta\- was rather brief and little can be learned concerning him. 



240 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Dr. E. F. McQuesten settled in Nashua in the year 1867, having practiced for a year in 
Massachusetts prior to that time. Doctor McQuesten is still in active practice in our town, standing 
unquestionabh- the first among its many practitioners. His quiet, ready warmth in all his friendships, 
his quick, intuitive sympathy with all his patients; and the happy faculty of knowing just what to do 
at all times, have won for him great distinction and renown. He controls the largest practice with the 
greatest ease. As a surgeon he is pre-eminent, having become quite prominent for the abdominal 
section and the various gynecoligical ca.ses coming under his care. As a citizen his work is 
acknowledged to be most valuable, having served in various oiSces, being at one time city physician. 

Dr. Geo. F. Wilber finst settled in Nashua in 1867. He had before this accepted the position of 
volunteer surgeon under the call of the governor of New Hampshire, and did good service during the 
remainder of the War of the Rebellion. He then commenced civil practice, and has continued to 
Iniikl up a good reputation and fortune ever since. His practice throughout the surrounding towns 
is very considerable, and many a country hou.sehold claim him for their family physician. He has 
served the city as the city physician, and is one of the foremost citizens regarding the interest of the 
town. Doctor Wilber is still in active practice and, although suffering from malaria contracted in the 
vSouth, has probably still manj' years of busy life before him. 

Dr. Geo. H. Noyes did not settle in this city until 1869, although he had been in practice at 
other places for quite a period. He ser\-ed throughout the entire war, an honor not held by many 
surgeons, and his experience there was of such a nature as to entitle him to be placed in the front 
ranks of surgeons in any part of the country. He did not enter largely into professional work at 
Nashua, owing to the fact of his being obliged to manage a large estate belonging to his parents; but 
during his life with us he took great interest in following out all new ideas and innovations peculiar 
to the practice of medicine and surgery. He died in this city in the 3-ear 1881. 

During the ten years from 1870 to 1880 there came to practice in our city the following physicians: 
Dr. Geo. P. Greeley, Dr. P. E. Dansereau, Dr. Eugene Wason, Dr. J. G. Graves, Dr. S. G. 
Dearborn, Dr. C. S. Collins, Dr. Henry G. Dearborn, Dr. R. J. Hallaren, and Dr. W. S. Collins. 

Dr. George P. Greeley first came to Nashua as a physician in 1872 or 1873, and has called this 
his home ever after until his death, which occurred in his winter home in Florida in the j'ear 1892. 
Doctor Greeley was a surgeon in General Halleck's division in the late war, and has a long war 
record which redounds to his credit. He was a cool, calculating man, alwaj's looking calmlj' on all 
sides of a ca.se in hand, and, after having formed his opinion, was firm as a rock in it. As a surgeon he 
had few if any equals in this city. His winter home took him from Nashua for so many months of the 
year that it broke into his practice, and he at last retired permanentl}- from it a few years before his 
death. In all his convictions he was a self-made, self-reliant man, and was, in spite of a seemingly 
cold exterior, ever a warm hearted, devoted, sympathetic friend and physician. He was most loyal 
to his friends, and his loss to them thus seemed doubly severe. 

Dr. P. E. Dansereau enjoys the distinction of being Nashua's first French physician, who made 
this place his home, coming here in the year 1872, and at the present time 'is in full enjoyment of 
sound health and a large practice. He is, besides being very deservedly popular among his own 
people, well known and honored by the citizens of this place. He never lacked for patients since 
starting in business, and although never prominent in politics, his opinion is often sought regarding 
the interest of his own people, and his large, honest heart is always ready to assist them in any way 
possible. He has been very successful and at the present time is possessed of a fine property, which, 
as a home-loving man, he enjoys with comfort and pride. 

Dr. Eugene Wason first began business in Nashua as a druggist, having bought out Dr. N. P. 
Carter's drug store on Factory .street. However, in 1872 he graduated from the Han-ard Medical 
school and commenced practicing in this city. He soon removed to Londonderry, and later to 
Massachusetts and then to Milford, where he is at present located. 

Dr. J. G. Graves, a nephew of Dr. F. G. Graves, the .senior, came here a second time as a 
practitioner in 1873, and has remained here until present writing. He practiced in Nashua for three 
or four years immediately following 1857. He has been quite successful and holds a large number of 
patients. He is at present assisted by his .son. Dr. Irving F. Graves. Dr. J. G. Graves is a quiet 
unassuming man, but one of great force of character, and. although not a politician, is thoroughly 
interested in all the city affairs. He has probably many years of active work still before him. 



n/STORV OF NASHUA, jV. H. 241 

Dr. S. G. Dearborn came to Nashua in the year 1873. He had previously practiced in Milford 
and also served as surgeon in the late War of the Rebellion. Since coming to our city he has become 
])rominent as a gynecologist. His renown as such is not limited to Nashua, but is known throughout 
New Hampshire and the adjoining states. His practice among us has been great, but still greater 
among those outside the city. His success is well attested by the large property which he has 
accumulated by his efforts. Owing to infirmities of age, he has been obliged to limit his practice 
pretty much to office calls. He is ably assisted by his son. Dr. F. A. Dearborn. 

Dr. C. S. Collins, practicing in the belief of Hahnemann, came to our place in uSjs, and for ten 
or twelve years attended faithfully to a large paying practice, which, by his untiring efforts, he had 
built up for himself. His stay in the medical jirofession was limited to so few years by the fact that 
his large interest in the Londonderry Lithia water company demanded his whole attention. His life 
while in the practice of physic was full of that energy and indomitable pluck and vim which has 
since so markedly characterized his commercial career. He early entered politics and served 
faithfully both city and state. He has the honor of having at one time been both city physician and 
member of the board of health. His subsequent life is more fully elaborated among the business men 
in another part of this history. 

Dr. Henry G. Dearborn came to Nashua in the year 1S75, and died here in the year 1S86. 
During the eleven years of his stay with us he won a ho.st of friends. His full, round, smooth-shaven 
face, and jolly quizzical expression was always welcome to every household. He was essentially' a 
familj- doctor; one to whom father, mother and children were etjually dear, and to them likewise 
endeared. His compassionate heart and ready assistance were universally known and gratefully 
accepted by a large number of patients and friends who were members of the mystic circle. He was 
very successful as a practitioner and his early death cut short a very busy life. He had just 
purchased his passage to Europe, and was making ready to enjoy a little ease and comfort, when 
cruel death snatched all from him. His brother, Samuel G. Dearborn, and his nephew, Frank A. 
Dearborn, both physicians, retained the greater part of his practice. 

Dr. R. J. Hallaren came to Nashua about the year 1875, and was the first Irish physician to live 
here until his death, which occurred in 18 . He had a sharp, ready mind, keen, caustic wit, with 
an incomparable native repartee which won him man}- friends and patients. He was universally 
successful and at his death had laid up quite a little competence. 

Dr. \V. S. Collins arrived in town about the year 1878 or 1879, and remained until his death in 
1S91. He came to assist his son, Dr. C. S. Collins who preceded him by a few years, and whose 
practice in the homoeopathic line had .so grown at this time as to demand another practioner of that 
school. The two, father and son, practically controlled that class of patients for some years, not only 
in the city, but in and about the surrounding towns. Dr. W. S. Collins was a very careful and 
conservative man and many were reckoned among his patients who always before were most 
antagonistic to the homceopathic faith. It may be said that in and about this time there was a decided 
drift to that belief, more so than at any other period. Both father and son united to cement the bond 
of friendship between the two schools of medicine and the good effects of their labors in this line have 
never been lost, but will always .shine as a marked contrast to the feeling among a like class in other 
places. 

vSince the 3-ear 1880 there were nine physicians located in Nashua whose stay was of too brief a 
character for an}- extended report other than the .statement that they each won many friends and were 
all well liked. The biographies of some of them can furnish a further account of their lives. Their 
names were as follows: Dr. John Nottage, Dr. C. C. lUlis, Dr. M. H. Tierney, Dr. A. M. Spalding, 
Dr. W. H. Dinsmore, Dr. N. E. Guillet, Dr. \V. I. Hlanchard, Doctor Conroy, Dr. G. H. Greeley. 
Dr. A. M. Spalding is a nephew of Dr. Ivdward Spalding, and is at present located in New York City 
with his brother. Dr. Geo. Spalding. He is ph)'sician to several ])uhlic in.stitutions and has more than 
average success. Dr. John Nottage died earl\- in his practice and the others are scattered throughout 
the countrj-. 

Also since 1880, and who are now enjoying the full benefits of their ])ractice, have settled the 
following named physicians: Drs. C. B. Hammond and J. N. Woodward in 1880: Dr. A. W. Petit in 
i8,Si; Dr. (>eo. A. Underhill in 1883; Dr. C. S. Rounsevel in 18S4; Drs. Bradford Allen and R. B. 
I're.scott in 1S85; Dr. A. W. Shea in 1887; Dr. Ella Blaylock in 1888; Drs. Katerine E. Prichard, F. 



242 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

E. Kittredge, J. A. Lagace, M. T. Lajoie. and A. vS. Wallace in 1889; Dr. H. H. Jewell in 1890; Drs. 
I. F. Graves, B. G. Moran, and F. A. Dearborn in 1891; Dr. I. G. Anthoine in 1892; Drs. J. T. 
Greeley, R. V. Vaillancour, and Eniile Simard in 1893; Drs. Guertin and Matte in 1S94; and Drs. 
Valcour and Nntter in 1895. 

The biographies of nearly all of these have abundantly elaborated their lives and it would be but 
dull repetition to try to give a full account of them at this place. Dr. R. B. Prescott, who served in 
the late war, now limits his practice to the eye and ear and has become quite well known in the 
adioining towns. Dr. C. B. Hammond is the son of the late Dr. E. B. Hammond and has always 
made Nashua his home, keeping his father's office as his own. Dr. J. N. Woodward came to town a 
stranger, but is now one of its be.st known citizens. Dr. A. W. Petit is a Frenchman and enjoys the 
honor of controlling the largest French practice of any local physician. Dr. C. S. Rounsevel is a quiet 
vet extra busy man, practicing in the homoeopathic faith. Dr. Geo. A. Underhill was born and reared 
here and is quite prominent as an educator. Dr. Bradford Allen also camea stranger to town but now 
has a large, pri\'ate practice. Dr. A. W. Shea, one of the brightest of all the physicians here, a 
Nashua born citizen, controls the bulk of the Irish practice in our city and also has an extra amount of 
work among the best class of people in the American families. Dr. Ella Blaylock and Dr. Katherine 
E. Pritchard are the only two lady physicians of whom Nashua can boast, either in the past or present, 
and their success is a guarantee that their stay here is one of profit to themselves as well as to their 
patients. Drs. F. E. Kittredge, J. A. Lagace and M. T. Lajoie are all j-oung physicians, well 
liked and quite successful. To rightly appreciate Dr. A. S. Wallace we must have knowledge of his 
life in other places; of his unconquerable thirst for learning in his earlier days and of his hardships in 
obtaining it ; of his energy and pu.sh in finishing his medical education and of his ability and skill 
in the management of the difficult positions he has been called upon to occupy. His history in Nashua 
is short in time but abundantly fruitful and prolific of good results. He has a firm, convincing 
character and is stanch and true in all his friendships and beliefs. His practice is one of the 
largest, and the good labor he has already performed is much appreciated by his friends and patients. 

Dr. H. H. Jewell is a homoeopathic practitioner and with Doctor Rounsevel controls that class of 
patients in this city. Drs. I. F. Graves, B. Qt. Moran and F. A. Dearborn are all young in the work 
but have already made their mark. 

Dr. I. G. Anthoine is another practioner who has seen a large amount of labor in the field of 
medicine before coming to Nashua. His skill has evidently preceded him, for in the short three 
years of his stay with us he can boast of an extra large number of patients. He is more than 
successful, and by the interest which he has kindly taken in our public institutions he shows a keen 
appreciation for the good and welfare of all. In the years to come he will form an important part in 
the city's history. 

The remainder of those coming to Nashua are young both in years and in the field of labor 
chosen for their life's work. They are all earnest and conscientious workers, striving each year to 
add new laurels to their crowns. We boast, in no idle manner, of a collection of good, honest men, 
second to no other city in the country ; a set of heart}-, earnest workers, who scorn to harbor petty 
jealousies and hard feelings one against another: who are not at all envious, but on the contrary find 
great rejoicing in the success of each. And thus, as it has been in the past, may it ever be in the 
future, for no better wish could we have for our medical fraternity than that it shall never be less 
closely united in the bonds of true friendship as is exemplified by the practitioners of Nashua at 
the present time. 

The gradual influx of physicians from time to time has been pretty nearly in proportion to the 
increase of inhabitants during the same periods. From iSoo to 1820 there was no very great increase 
of people, the number of inhabitants in 1800 being 862 and in 1820 only 1142. In 1830 the number 
jumped to 2417 and again in 1840 to 5960. The cause of this sudden increase no doubt can be 
attributed mainly to the starting up of the various mills. The demand for physicians was materially 
increased, and hence we find that while during the period covered by 1800 to 1830 there was but three 
or four doctors in the place, immediately after 1830 and up to 1S40 the numljer was nearly doubled. 
Since 1S40 the number of inhabitants increased slowly up to 1850, as did the physicians. Another 
marked increase in the number of physicians occurred during the decade of 1850 to i860, and it is 
observed that during that time some five or six thousand more people made Nashua their home. This 



J 11 STORY OF NASHUA, N. If. 243 

increase has lieen more gradual since then even u]) to the present writing. It is worth remembering 
also, in connection with these statements, that the arrival of the French residents of our town brought 
with it the demand for physicians of their own nationality and, as has been already stated, Dr. P. H. 
l)ansereau was the first to make Nashua his ]K-rmanent abiding place. The number of French people 
were so few prior to the year 1851s as to make no material showing in the enumeration of inhabitants; 
but in the period covered by 1S58 to 1S72 there arrived here nearly 1200 French people. Many of 
these made Nashua their ])ermanent home. The demand lor this class of laborers has increased 
steadil\- \ear by year, the whole number of French now within our town limits being nearly one-third 
the whole number of inhabitants; and that, too, estimating the city's popidation to be at the present 
time, 25,000. The number of French ])h\sicians has increased in about the same ratio, there being 
now nine to thirty odd doctors located here. Among the Irish i)eople the change has been less 
marked, and while there are now four thousand Irish inhabitants the city has only two Irish 
lih\ sicians. 

The various innovations and improvements made in regard to our sanitary condition have been 
slow but sure and permanent. Years ago, early in the twenties and even up to the fifties, when there 
were jiracticallx" no sewers and the peojile drank from the old fashioned wells, there were, at each 
autumn time and even throughout the summer aliundant cases of typhoid fever, dysentery, and other 
kindred diseases. On the adoption of the system of sewerage and the supply of pure water the whole 
trouble pretty much ceased. I remember that one of the older physicians said, that during his early 
practice, in the autumn months he would have anywhere from twenty to thirty cases of typhoid fever 
to treat: but that since the city had put in the sewers and given us Pennichuck water he rarely had 
more than eight or ten. This goes to pro\e the efficacy of good drains and pure water in eliminating 
disease. The well water was all right until the increase of people, settling .so -close together, had 
polluted the soil, then it became a veritable poison to the system. We have at the present time a very 
complete sewerage system, the refuse of all .sewers being eventually carried away by the Merrimack 
river. Of our water supply we can proudly claim one of the best in all the New England cities. 
Nearly all the city is so elevated from the level of the Merrimack as to make it an easy matter to effect 
good drainage of it, and, unless the supply of the Nashua is cut off beyond the city, we should be free 
from anv great danger of epidemic from this source. The supply of the Pennichuck for drinking 
purposes is sufficient for a considerably long period granting our steady increase; and no anxiety will 
be felt on account of scanty water supply for many years. 

Dr. Josiah Kittredge was Nashua's first city physician, holding this office in 1855. The city 
reports from 1854 to 1865 are so meagre in detail as to give no very clear idea as to the amount of work 
the city physicians were called upon to perform. And even since that time there have been quite a 
number of years in which no regular report has been passed in by the city physician. The work, 
however, has gradually increased so that, as is seen by the city ph^'-sician's report of the year 1894, 
there were 2,686 cases for which his services were demanded. Dr. C. B. Hammond holds the office of 
city plu'sician at the present time. 

In regard to the board of health we find that the first board was formed in 1857, and consisted of 
Thos. G. Banks, John Atwood and Thos. Pearson, Jr., neither of the three being physicians nor was 
there, until lately, a board of health made up entirely of physicians. The present board of health 
consists of Dr. C. B. Hammond, chairman; Dr. M. T. Lajoie, clerk; and Dr. Jas. T. Greeley. 

A few of the physicians of Nashua recognized the need of some organization among the medical 
profession for mutual benefit, protection and good fellowship. The subject of a society was agitated, 
and, pursuant to a call from Drs. Geo. A. Tuderhill and W. I. Blanchard. sixteen of them met at the 
olfice of the latter, Monday evening, January 19, 1891, to consider the advisability of forming a local 
medical society. 

After some discussion it was voted to organize and call the society the Na.shua Medical association. 
An election of the following phj'sicians as officers for the ensuing j-ear took place: president, E. F. 
McQuesten; first vice-president, W. I. Blanchard; .second vice-pre.sident, I. F. Graves; secretary, K. 
1-;. Prichard ; treasurer, F. V,. Kittredge: executive committee, C. B. Hammond, B. Allen and A. 
\V. Petit. A committee was appointed to draw up resolutions and by-laws. It was voted that the 
societv should meet one evening in each month for literary purposes, a paper to be read by some 
member, to be followed by di.scussion. 



244 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

At the second meeting the by-laws were adopted, and upon the resignation of Doctor Prichard as 
secretarj', Doctor Shea was elected to fill that office. Doctor Graves resigned as second vice-president 
and also w-ithdrew his name from the society. It was voted that all physicians and dentists holding a 
diploma from a recognized medical or dental college should be eligible to membership. 

An initiation fee of five dollars was charged and a monthly tax. 

The following physicians and dentists were elected to membership : 

Ella Blaylock, Alonzo S. Wallace, A. W. Petit, Geo. A. Underbill, C. B. Hammond, Frank 
E. Kittredge, A. W. Shea, H. H. Jewell, W. H. Dinsmore, \V. I. Blanchard, S. G. Dearborn, 
Bradford Allen, C. S. Roun.sevel, I. F. Graves, Geo. W. Currier, M. H. Tierney, G. H. Greeley, 
Katherine E. Prichard, Eugene F. McQuesten, Geo. F. Wilber, P. E. Dansereau, B. G. Moran, 
James T. Greeley, N. E. Guillet, C. A. Neal, M. T. Eajoie, Chas. E. Faxon, T. A. McCarthy, 

Dr. Hazzard of Hollis. 

For a time the regular monthly meetings were held in the office of Dr. W. I. Blanchard. Later, 
room II, Masonic Temple, was secured and comfortably furnished for the use of the association. 
This was held for about a year when the society deemed it unnecessary to rent a room for their 
exclusive use, gave it up, and the meetings since that time up to the present date have been held in 
the office of Drs. Wallace and Kittredge. 

Soon after its organization the society formulated a price li.st for professional services which was 
signed by nearly every physician in the city. This was to be, and, I believe, has been adhered to 
excepting in cases where charity demanded otherwise. 

Dr. Bradford Allen served as president for 1892. During this year the subject of a hospital was 
discussed, and a committee appointed to take the necessary steps for the organization of the Nashua 
Hospital association, thus creating a movement which, though allowed to slumber for some time, 
about a year later resulted in giving to the city a much needed institution. 

For some reason unknown to the writer, during the latter part of 1892, the interest among the 
physicians seemed to grow lax and no meetings were held in 1893. In January, 1894, a renewed 
enthusiasm was aroused, the association called together and a large number responded. 

Dr. A. W. Shea was elected president, and the meetings once more assumed their former tone of 
energy. 

In January of this present j^ear, 1S95, Dr. A. S. Wallace was elected president. 

With the exception of the time noted in 1892 and 1893, the meetings of this association have been 
regularly held and usually well attended. 

Papers of much interest and practical value have been read by its members. Well known 
physicians from other cities have delivered lectures to the society. Not only has the association been 
a benefit from a literarj' standpoint, but its influence has been conducive to a general good fellowship 
among the physicians of the city, bringing them together in social and professional intercourse and 
creating a feeling of harmony such as the profession in very few small cities enjo}^ 

It was not until 1S93 that a general interest was awakened in Nashua for hospital accommo- 
dations : prior to that time the sick, poor and the injured had been cared for in unsuitable apartments 
at the almshou.se, the City Hall and police court buildings. The increasing number of accidents 
yearly, from the manufacturing and railway corporations, led the physicians of the city to make an 
appeal to the city government and to charitably disposed persons for the means to treat urgent and 
necessitous cases in accordance with approved modern .scientific methods. This appeal was satis- 
factorily responded to by the city councils in appropriating two thousand dollars ; and by the 
churches, various other societies and the benevolent individuals in donating money and house 
furnishings. 

In 1889 several meetings were held to encourage hospital relief. The first meeting was held 
February 11, and there were present E. M. Shaw, W. D. Cadwell, F. W. Estabrook, Dr. Chas. B. 
Hammond, Dr. W. I. Blanchard, Rev. Geo. W. Cirover, Chas. H. Burke and Geo. B. French. Capt. 
E. M. Shaw was chairman and Dr. Chas. B. Hammond, secretary of the meeting. The meeting 
adjourned to the thirteenth of February, when by-laws and articles of association were presented and 
adopted. On March i the association met and elected Captain Shaw its president and Geo. B. 
French, secretary for the ensuing year. Mr. W. D. Cadwell was elected treasurer. On the third 
day of April a meeting of the association was held for the election of members and the appointing of 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 245 

coinniittees. Nothing further was done until May 19, 1892, when articles of agreement were drawn 
up constituting a voluntary corporation to be known as the Nashua lunergency Hospital association, 
and the first meeting of the association was held May 23. This meeting was held in Masonic Temple 
and was largely attended. Dr. Bradford Allen was chairman and Iv. H. Wason, clerk. Articles 
of agreement constituting the Nashua Emergency Hospital association were drawn up and 
signed by forty leading citizens, and this number was augmented at subsequent meetings. These 
articles were duly recorded by the city clerk under the seal of the city, and by the secretary of state, 
under the seal of the state, in accordance with the provisions of the public statutes. The first annual 
meeting of the association was held June 27, 1892. Wm. D. Cadwell was elected president: K. H. 
Wason, secretary; Charles H. Burke, treasurer, and a governing board of fifteen. The second 
annual meeting was held at the City Hall building June 20, 1893. Williams Hall was elected 
president; E. H. Wason, secretary, and Dr. F. E. Kittredge, treasurer. A board of fifteen trustees, 
for 1893-4. was elected as follows: — 

For one year— Edw^ard Spalding, M. D., Lester F. Thurber, Bradford Allen, M. D., W. I. 
Blanchard, M. D., E. H. Wa.son. For two years — C. B. Hammond, M. D., James H. Tolles, Thomas 
W. Keeley, Frank L. Kimball, Frank Barr. For three years — Wm. D. Cadwell, \\. F. .McQuesten, 
M. D., Chas. S. Bussell, A. W. Petit, M. D., A. S. Wallace, M. D. 

The following members from the board of trustees were elected as the executive committee : — 

E. F. McQuesten, M. D., chairman, W. I. Blanchard, M. D., secretary, A. S. Wallace, M. D., 
A. W. Petit, M. D., J. H. Tolles. And the finance committee was made up as follows: Frank L. 
Kimball, C. S. Bussell and L- F. Thurber. 

The second annual meeting was productive of early results, and on July 31, upon recommendation 
of the executive committee, the association leased for a term of three years a building on vSpring 
street owned by Dr. C. S. Collins. Measures were at once taken to put the building in proper 
condition for the reception of patients, and the dedicatory exercises were held October 9, 1893. The 
hospital staff for the first j-ear included the following physicians: — 

E. F. McQuesten, F. E. Kittredge. C. B. Hammond, M. H. Tierney, H. H. Jewell, G. F. 
Wilber, A. W. Petit, R. B. Prescott, A. S. Wallace, J. N. Woodward, Bradford Allen, W. I. 
Blanchard, C. S. Rounsevel, A. W. vShea, I. G. Anthoine. 

The first patient was received into the hospital October 17, and the whok- number ef emergency 
cases admitted during the first year was one hundred and one. 

The third annual meeting of the hospital association was held June 19, 1894, and elected as 
president, Henry B. Atherton, clerk, l\. H. Wason, treasurer. Dr. Bradford Allen. Le.ster F". 
Thurber, Dr. Bradford Allen, E. H. Wason, and Dr. J. X. Woodward were elected trustees for the 
term of three years. The executive committee for 1894-5 '^^'^^ made up of the following jihysicians: 
Drs. J. N. Woodward, A. vS. Wallace, C. B. Hammond, A. W. Petit and A. W. Shea. 

The Emergency hospital has from the start fulfilled its object in the treatment of emergency 
ca.ses and no institution in the city is more appreciated. In order to meet the requirements of this 
community a much larger building than the one now in use should be erected, that would 
accommodate both medical and surgical cases. A city of twenty thousand inhabitants needs a general 
hospital, first class in all its appointments, one that will furnish patients with the best care and insure 
to the public isolation of all communicable diseases. • ' 

I am indebted to Dr. F. li. Kittredge and Dr. E. F. McQuesten for the matter relative to the 
above subjects. 



246 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



DAVID CROSBY. 

Prof. David Crosby was born at Hebron in 180S, died at 
Nashua, Feb. 26, 1881. His father was a well-to-do farm- 
er who believed that a common school education would 
answer all the needs of his children. When, therefore, 
the subject of this sketch had graduated at the academy 
in his native place, and expressed a desire to pursue his 
studies elsewhere, he was informed by his stern parent 
that he could not hope for pecuniary aid from him. To 
most young men 
similarly situated 
the lukew-armness 
of a parent and the 
with -hoi ding of 
means necessary to 
accomplishing so 
laudable an under- 
taking would have 
proven an insup- 
erable obstacle to 
success. Not so 
with David Cros- 
by. Opposition 
and discourage- 
ment but nerved 
him to accomplish 
his resolve. He 
therefore started 
out with a fixed 
purpose to make 
the most of every 
opportunity that 
promised to lead 
to the end his am- 
bition sought. In 
fact, he labored 
diligently at what- 
ever his hands 
found to do; col- 
lected money for 
a denominational 
fund ; canvassed as 
a book agent; 
taught district and 
private schools, 
and in these and 
other employment 
earned the money 
necessary to pay 
his expenses while 
pursuing his stud- 
ies at Kimball 
Union academy. 
After graduatingat the last named institution he was 
compelled to face a hard struggle to sustain himself. He 
taught school at Newport and other places, practiced self- 
denial and economy, and finally, in 1833, was graduated 
with high honors in the class with Edward Spalding of 
Nashua, Asa Fowler of Concord, Samuel Sawyer, after- 
wards judge of the supreme court of Missouri and member 
of congress, John Lord, and others who became distin- 
guished in the professions. 

Professor Crosby intended to settle at Newport, but, on 
receiving an invitation from a college friend to take 




D.W'ID CK().SIiV. 



charge of a school in Nashua, changed his plans, and, in 
1834, came here and engaged in teaching a private school,* 
and at the same time, restoring discipline among young 
people w-ho had become notoriously unruly. He remained 
here about six months and then accepted a place in the 
faculty of the New Hampton institution. He had, how- 
ever, become greatly attached to Nashua and her people. 
Moreover he had a feeling that southern New Hampshire 
offered a legitimate field of labor, and therefore he 
returned here and, in 1836, became principal of a high 

school. In 1840 
Professor Crosby 
founded, and 
caused to be in- 
corporated, the 
Nashua Literary 
institution, a sem- 
inary of learning, 
located o n P ;'. r k 
street, which 
flourished nearly 
forty years and of 
which he was the 
honored head and 
principal until, by 
reason of failing 
health and the 
infirmities of age, 
he was, in 1880, 
compelled to dis- 
continue it. H e 
could not, how- 
ever, content him- 
self in idleness aft- 
er more than fifty 
vears of active life, 
and so, although 
unable to see, he 
instructed classes 
at his home on 
Church street, 
making fro m 
memory the most 
minute and care- 
ful e X p I a nations 
with clear and log- 
ical analysis and 
summing up. He 
followed this work 
till five or six 
weeks before h i s 
death, or till too 
feeble to longer 
continue. It may 
thus be said that he died in harness, inthe work of a pro- 
fession he had honored. 

Professor Crosby started out in life as a Congregationalist, 
but, in 1835, his views became changed with regard to 
baptism, and he thereupon united with the Baptist church, 
in which he was a consistent and influential member to 

*A pupil of the school hassiud of him: " I have;i distinct impression of 
Professor Crosby as he stood on the platform and addressed us; erect, 
resolute in aspect, the pose of his head, shape of his mouth, flash of his 
eye and ritig of his voice all indicated firmness of purpose and promptness 
in action." 



HISTORY OF NASHdA N. H. 



247 



the close of his life. In all matters pertaining to public 
morals he was a Puritan of Puritans. lie being a student 
of books, he had little or no sympathy with the emotional 
masses of the people. What men and women were think- 
ing and doing, what new craze they were chasing, was 
but a small part of his knowledge. Whenever he dis- 
covered any departure from the rigid rules of the 
forefathers he inveighed against the offenders, and, with 
the courage of conviction, expressed his views in the 
pulilic print and in public assemblies. His attitude, 
however, seldom provoked controversy. The people 
recognized his honesty, and, although having their own 
wa}-, (dancing in halls of learning, traveling on Sunday, 
railroad trains, etc.,) respected him accordingly. It was 
because of these unalterable principles, because he lived 
above the " madding crowd," and could not, and would 
not, bend to public opinion, that he was not advanced as 
a lawmaker or selected b)' his fellow citizens as a 
niunicii)al officer. The only record of public service that 
can be found indicates that he represented Ward Pour in 
the board of aldermen in 1862 and 1863. 

Professor Crosby early espoused the anti-slavery cause, 
and in this, as in all the concerns of life, he acted upon a 
sense of conviction, as he knew no such word as expedient, 
and was not moved by impulse. It was his nice sense of 
fair and impartial justice that moved him, and by his mode 
of reasoning b}' the higher law that caused him to be 
pronounced and outspoken. P'aint-heartedness in a great 
cause, the cause of God and humanity, was not one of his 
characteristics. He spoke his mind freely, with dm 
respect to the convictions of others, and yet with earnest 
emphasis that left no shade of doubt concerning his 
attitude to the main question. It is remembered of him 
that all his impulses were for the freedom of the slave; 
that at the very door of the house where he lived and died 
he had assured the flying bondman of his sympathy, fed 
him, and from his purse assisted him on his weary journey 
to the safe refuge of the English flag. This he freely did, 
and when questioned he answered with Spartan severity, 
" David Crosby takes the responsibility! If there is any 
broken law that should be vindicated, take my property ; 
and if that does not satisfy the demand, take my body !" 
Surely the plumed knights of the middle ages, the stor}- 
of whose sacrifices in the cause of the Christian religion 
are the brightest pages of history, were not braver in the 
performance of duty than was this plain and unassuming 
man of peace and letters. Thus it was that a true man's 
life work was done, was well done. Thus it was that his 
life was rounded out and made complete, so that when 
his last hour came there were no regrets, no accusing 
conscience, no halting at the door of the unknown, no 
worrying about destiny, but a calm and peaceful end, 
resigned, satisfied. 

Professor Crosby was united in marriage July 19, 1836, 
with Louisa S. Huuton of Unity, who shared his labors 
and his principles, and who was seven years principal of 
the female department of his institution. There were no 
children by their marriage. Mrs. Crosby survived her 
husband lint a few years. She died respected and esteemed 
by a wide circle of friends and ac(|uaintances. 

JOHN HARRISON GOODALE. 

Hon. John H. Goodale was born at Deering, Oct. 2, 1816. 
died at Nashua, Nov. 11, 1890. He was a son of Jonathan 



and Sarah Goodale, whose ancestors were worthy people 
and among the pioneers of that rugged part of Hills- 
borough county. 

Mr. (ioodale attended the common schools of his native 
place and fitted for college at the Newbury seminary. In 
1836 he entered the Wesleyan university at Middletown, 
Conn., where he was graduated in the class of 1840. 
P'oUowing his graduation he entered upon the career of 
schoolniasler. He taught at Ncwbtirv, Vt.. in 1841, at 



m <^ *' 



>i».' 





|OH.\ II. GOOD.M.Ii. 

Columlius, Oa., from 1842 to 1846, and in the seminary at 
Northfield from 1846 to 1848. Mr. Goodale was a gifted 
writer on all the topics within the range of newspapers 
and magazines, and during the years he devoted to 
teaching was a frequent and welcome contributor to 
current publications. His composition attracted public 
attention and friends therefore induced him to accept 
an ailvantageous position as editor of the Manchester 
Democrat. 

In 1857 he obtained control of the Manchester Daily 
.Vmerican, and in his new field of endeavor was outspoken 
and progressive. He refused to be hedged in by party 
lines. Moreover the great humanity of the man asserted 
itself, and, obeying what he considered the verdict of 
conscience, he espoused the doctrines of the anti-slavery 
wing of the Republican party and wielded a power in the 
state second to no man in his time. In fact he developed 
and controlled the anti-slavery sentiment to the degree 
that he made a United States senator and unmade him 
when he failed to keep his pledges. Mr. Goodale was 
superintendent of schools for Hillsborough county from 
1836 to 1859. He disposed of his interest in the newspaper 
in 1S61. From 1861 to 1864 he travelled extensively in 
southwest and on the Pacific coast, made a large collection 



248 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



of minerals and settled for a time at Crescent City, where 
he resumed his profession of teacher and remained until 
1867. From 1867 to 1869 he traveled extensiveU- in 
British Columbia and Alaska, and was present in the 
territory at the transfer of Alaska to the United States as 
correspondent of the San Francisco Press, meantime 
adding to his knowledge of geology and gathering 
information that he afterwards made serviceable. 

Mr. Goodale then returned to Xew Hampshire and took 
up his residence in Nashua. During the three succeeding 
years he traveled in the state collecting specimens of 
minerals, renewing old acquaintances and regaining lost 
prestige in the field of politics. He succeeded in these 
purposes, as he did in every undertaking of his long and 
useful career, and when the votes were counted in Ihe 
spring of 1871, it was discovered to the surprise of both 
the old parties that his friends had the balance of power 
in the legislature. When that body met a compromise 
was effected and Mr. Goodale became secretary of state, a 
position that he filled with ability and skill, and to the 
general satisfaction of both political parties. Mr. Goo<lale 
was an active member of the board of education alnios 
from the lieginning of his residence in Nashua to the close 
of his career, and served the city as superintendent of 
public schools from 1875 to 1878, being one of the most 
popular and efficient men that ever held the office. He 
was a trustee of the public library for many years and at 
the time of his death. 

Mr. Goodale was never idle. When public affairs did 
not engage his attention he became a traveler, and 
wherever he went he was in search of knowledge, and 
adding to his collection of minerals and Indian relics, of 
which he claimed to have the largest collection of any 
private individual in New England. His last extended 
pilgrimage was in 1879 and 1880, and was through the 
Southern states. But Mr. Goodale's honorable record 
does not end here. During the anxious days when foreign 
insurance companies withdrew from the state leaving 
property practically unprotected from loss b}^ fire, the 
people found in Mr. Goodale the old champion they had 
followed to many victories. Hand in hand with other 
leading citizens he fought the battle that carried the day 
and established substantial companies. He showed his 
patriotism by investing money when it was believed bv 
many that nothing but loss could ensue, and, by prudent 
management, being president of the Indian Head company, 
made every risk secure and earned handsome dividends 
for the stockholders from the start. 

Mr. Goodale persuaded himself in 18S0 that he had 
retired from the activities of the world, but it is a fact that 
he did some of his best work after that date, for, besides 
settling some large and intricate estates — among the 
number that of John Mooney of Northfield, who left funds 
for the Orphans' home at Franklin, and the New Hamp- 
shire seminary at Tilton — he wrote the History of Nashua 
that is published in the History of Hillsborough county, 
which, taking into account that he was limited in the 
matter of space, is a substantial monument to his dili- 
gence, perseverance and ability. Mr. Goodale attended 
the Unitarian church and in early life was an Odd Fellow. 

As a lecturer and public debater Mr. Goodale was 
equally as brilliant as teacher and editor. His retentive 
mind was a complete encyclopjedia of historical and 
political knowledge, and there was hardly a theme in the 
domain of science on which he was not conversant. His 



lectures on mineralogy and geology were in purest English 
diction, clear in explanation and logical deduction ; 
educational in every statement and analysis, while his 
political and general addresses were refined and scholarU". 
As a conversationalist few, if any, of his contemporaries 
excelled him. There was a charm of manner, a deferential 
acquiescence to an opponent, a polite and polished de- 
mocracy about him that made him a most companionable 
man in any and all surroundings. He was a man who 
never exhibite<l temper, and who was never known to be 
ruffled, and it is to these attributes, coupled with his hon- 
esty and learning, that his biographer attributes a good 
share of his success, particularly in the field of politics, 
that crowned his career. 

Mr. Goodale was twice married ; first, Dec. 26, 1848, 
with Celestia T. Mooney, daughter of John Mooney of 
Northfield, who died Oct. 12, 1863; second, Jan. 19, 1871, 
with Josephine B. Atkinson, daughter of Daniel C, and 
Mehitable (Tilton ) Atkinson of vSanbornton Bridge, now 
Tilton. Four children were born bj- his second marriage, 
one of whom is living ; Charlotte Atkinson Goodale, born 
at Nashua, May 26, 1875, and at the present time, January-, 
1895, a sludent at Wellesle}- college in Wellesley, Mass. 

CORNELIUS VAN NESS DEARBORN. 

Cornelius V. Dearborn was born at Corinth. Vt., Maj- 
14, 1S32, died at Nashua. April iS, 1886. He was a son 
of Samuel an<l Fanny Dearborn, and could trace his 
lineage to a Puritan immigrant. His name was in com- 
pliment of an able Vermont statesman who filled the office 
of governor in that state and represented the government 
as minister to Spain. When four years of age his mother 
— whose intelligence and womanly virtues had been the 
life and light of the home — died, and as soon as he was 
able he joined his brother in the labor of the farm. 

Mr. Dearborn attended the district school a few weeks 
in summer and ten or twelve weeks each winter. When 
fifteen years old he attended the spring term of the 
Corinth academy, and continued to do so at intervals for sev- 
eral terms later. In the winter of 1848-49, his seventeenth 
3-ear not yet completed, he taught the school of a neigh- 
boring district. His success warranted his continuance as 
a teacher in the vicinity' for the five following winters. 
He continued his farm labor at intervals and in the 
meantime developed a mechanical capacity in the making 
of farm implements and the erection of buildings. A 
natural aptitude which was of great service in niaturer 
years. 

Soon after attaining the age of eighteen Mr. Dearborn 
determined to enter upon a course of study preparatory to 
a professional life. Before leaving Corinth he commenced 
the stud}' of law with Rodney Lund, a young man who 
had commenced practice in that vicinity. In March, 1854, 
at the suggestion of his maternal uncle. Dr. W. W. Brown, 
he went to Manchester, and renewed his law studies in 
the office of Isaac W. Smith, with whom he remained 
untill his admission to the bar ; in the fall of 1855, he 
opened an office at Francestown. The town afforded a 
safe opening for a young practitioner, but not one for 
large profits. During his residence in Francestown he 
espoused the anti-slavery cause and in 1856 became a 
zealous advocate of the principles of the Repubi.'can party. 

In 1857 he was elected county treasurer, and re-elected 
in 1858. It was the first public position that he had held 



///.V 7V )A' ) • OF NASHUA, N. H. 



249 



and its duties were satisfactorily discliarj^ed. In 1858 lie 
removed to l'eterl)oroui;!i, occnpyinj; the office of K. S. 
Cutter, who had recently been appointed clerk of the 




COKNEr.HS \ . DKAIiliOliX. 

courts for llillsborouijh county. lie resided in Peter- 
lioroutfh till 1S65. During this time he was in partnership 
with Charles G. Cheney, and afterwards with Albert S. 
Scott. He represented the tow-n in the legislature in the 
years of 1861 and 1862, being a member of the judiciary 
committee. 

In 1863, while a resident of I'eterborough, he was ap- 
pointed by the governor one of the bank commissioners of 
New Hamjishire. In that capacity he became acquainted 
with the extent and ])eculiarities of the financial institu- 
tions of the state. In 1864 and 1865 he actively superin- 
tended, in his otTicial capacit)-, the converting of the state 
banks of discount into the national banks of the present 
system. In March, 1866, he was appointed examiner of 
the national banks for the state of New Hampshire, a 
position he continued to hold until his death. 

In the summer of 1865 he removed to Nashua for the 
]Hirposeof continuing the practice of his profession. .\n 
accidental purchase led to a change of occupation. The 
Nashua Weekly, Telegrajih had for many )'ears 1)een edited 
by All)in Beard. Under him The Telegraph had acquired 
a marked popularity, but owing to the death of Editor 
Beard it hail lost patronage and influence. He at once 
entered upon the duties of financial manager and editor, 
Richard W. Berry being his partner. Under his control 
The Telegraph rapidly recovered patronage and .secured a 
place among the progressive newspapers of the state. At 
the end of two \-ears, however, his health failed, and a 



change of occupation became a necessity. He disposed of 
his interest to Orren C. Moore, and resumed the practice 
of law. 

During the time he resided in Nashua, Mr. Dearborn 
contributed largely to the improvement of real estate, to 
the erection of improved school buildings and to the 
reconstruction and greater efficiency of the public .schools, 
being an enthusiastic member of the board of education 
many years, and in 188,5 its president. Mr. Dearborn was 
register of probate from May 13, 1868, to June 13, 1873, and 
city solicitor in 1868 and 1869. He was for many years 
treasurer of the Mechanics' Savings l)ank, and the prime 
mover and first cashier of the Second National bank. He 
was also a member of the board of directors of the Nashua 
and I,owell railroad, and treasurer for many years of that 
corporation ; also treasurer of the I'nderhill Edge Tool 
conii)any whose affairs he raised to a very prosperous 
condition, besides taking an active part with Orren C. 
Moore, John H. Goodale and others in forming the 
Capitol Fire Insurance company and Indian Head Mutual 
Fire Insurance conqjany at a time when brave words and 
a firm stand were required to further the interests of the 
state. In 1885 Mr. Dearborn was the Republican candi- 
date for mayor of Nashua, but, largely owing to sickness 
which prevented him from giving his personal attention 
to the management of his cani])aign, was defeated by a 
few votes. 

The foregoing are but few of many trusts that were 
confided to the care and judgment of Mr. Dearborn, and it 
is but justice to his memory to add that he performed 
every duty to which he was called with courtesy and 
u])rightness that won for him the confidence of the com- 
munity. He was a member of Altemont lodge, A. F. and 
A. M., Peterboro', Pennichuck lodge, I. (). O. F., and the 
First Congregational church, and in matters of religious 
belief, as in politics and the transaction of every day 
affairs, he was tolerant even to liberality, conceding to 
others the utmost freedom of opinion and action. 

Mr. Dearborn w-as united in marriage in June, 1857, with 
Louisa Frances Eaton, daughter of Moses W. and Louisa 
S. Eaton of Francestown, and granddaughter of Dr. 
Thomas Eaton, a physician of long and extensive practice, 
and one of the most extensive farmers of his time. His 
two surviving children are sons ; the older, John Eaton, 
born November, 1862, the younger, George Van Ness, 
born in .\ugust, i86g. 



OILMAN C. SHATTUCK. 

Gilman C. Shattuck was born in Nashua, Oct. 23, 1834. 
He is a son of Gilman and Mary J. (Conant) Shattuck, 
and a descendant of William Shattuck, who came from 
England to America in 1640, and settled at Watertown, 
Mass. As the settlement of the country increased the 
descendants of this worthy man became widely scattered ; 
the father of the sutjject of this sketch being a native of 
Hillsborough, from which place he removed to Nashua 
about the time the first mill was started, 1825. 

Mr. vShattuck was educated in the district schools of 
Nashua and took a special cour.se of study at the New- 
Hampton Literary institution, after which, in 1853, he 
entered into active business with his father, then one of 
the leading flour and grain merchants of Nashua. He 
continued in this line of business until 1886, since then he 



250 



HISTORY OF NASHl'A, N. H. 



has given his time to financial matters anil the promotion 
of a few private enterprises. 

Mr. .Shattuck has not confined himself, however, to 





^-^ 







(.1 I.M A \ I , 



■- 1 1 \ I in k , 



business. He has fonnii time lo serve his fellow-citizens 
in manv wa\-s, and to do the things ever}- true man ought 
to do to assist the many causes that are the very bond of 
society. He was a member of the common council in 1871 
and 1872, and served his ward in the board of aldermen in 
1873, and in 1876 and 1877 he was honored by his party 
with the nomination for the mayoralty. Mr. Shattuck 
has served the people a good many years on the board of 
trustees of the public library, and nine years on the board 
of education, of which body he was president one year. 
.\s a member of the .school board Mr. Shattuck exhibited 
superior and peculiar qualifications. He is a constant and 
regular attendant of the sessions, aud a thoughtful and 
earnest participant in its deliberations; being a strong 
believer in, and advocate of the public school system pre- 
vailing in this country, and regarding it as the palladium 
of national growth and pro.sperity, he was especially 
earnest and zealous in his endeavors to advance the schools 
of Nashua to the highest grade of excellence consistent 
with prudent and wise management. He has been treas- 
urer fora long time of the Peterborough railroad, and is 
trustee of the Nashua Savings bank. Mr. Shattuck is a 
member of the Pilgrim Congregational church, president 
of the Young Men's Christian association, and a member 
of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M. No citizen of 
Nashua is more highly regarded, and deservedly so, than 
Mr. Shattuck. 

Mr. Shattuck has been twice nuirrieil ; first, Oct. 25 
1855, with Caroline W. Barnes of Hillsborough, who died 
May 5, i856 ; second, Oct. 22, 1868, with EstelleM. Barnes 
of Cambridge, Mass. He has six children living, the 
eldest by his first wife ; Estelle C, graduated at the Nashua 
high school, now a teacherat the Mount Pleasant primary 
school; Arthur G., graduated at Nashua high school, 
clerk in Boston & Maine railroad office; P'annie C. ; 
Harold B., graduated at the Nashua high school and now 
at Dartmouth college; Helen 1!., and Roger C. 



SAMUEL TUCK. 

Major Samuel Tuck was born in Candia, Oct. 19, 1814, 
died in Nashua, April 19, 1882. He was a son of [Deacon 
.Samuel and Margaret (Smith ) Tuck of that town. 

He was educated in the public schools of his native 
place and for a time was a resident of Manchester. In 
1842 he moved to Nashua, and from that time until his 
death was a dealer in fanc}' goods and millinery. 

Major Tuck was one of the most active and influential 
citizens of his generation. Although inclined to con- 
servatism in his actions, he was a man of liberal views, 
on all questions of public interest, with strong convic- 
tions and decided opinions ; which, once formulated in 
his mind, he was both able and willing to express in fitting 
and forcible language when time and occasion demanded. 
He served the town as constable and the city as city 
marshal in r86i, justice of the peace, member of the board 
of education and city government, and represented Ward 
Five in the legislature. He was active in military circles 
and was a member of Col. George Bowers' staff with the 
rank of major ; and also a member of the celebrated 
company known as the Governor's Horse guards. He 
was a memlier of the Baptist church and a teacher in the 
Sunday school; of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., of 
the Consistory of .Scottish Rite Masons, thirty-second 
degree, and of one of the Odd Fellows' lodges. No 
Nashuan of the years his home was here was better known, 
or more active in efforts to advance its interests and give 
it a good standing in New England. 

Major Tuck was united in marriage with Mary F'oster, 
daughter of James and Betsey Foster of Nashua. Her 
maternal grandfather was Col. James Wilson, a Revo- 




SA.Mi;iil, TUCK, 
lutionary soldier. The only child of their marriage is 
Andrew J. Tuck, born at Nashua, May 2, 1845, and who 
married Almira H. Clark, a native of Charlestown, Mass. 



HISTORY OF NASI/ [/A, N. II. 



251 



ALBERT HARVEY SAUNDERS. 

Albert H. Saunders was born in North Providence. K. 
I., April 3, 1831. He is a son of Henjaniin and Elizabeth 
W. (Carpenter) Saunders, both of whom were natives of 
Rhode Island and descendants of early Enjjlish settlers. 
Mr. Saunders was educated in the schools of Newbury- 
port, Jlass., Dununer aca<lcniy at Byfield, Me., entered 
at Williams collei^e in Williamstown, Mass., and finished 
his education under private tutors. His home was in 
Newbury port un- 
til 1852. .\fter 
leaving school he 
accepted a position 
as paymaster of 
the Ocean mills, 
at Newburyport, 
Mass., which his 
father built and 
operated. He re- 
mained there two 
years and then 
went to California, 
and a little later 
to Central .\meri- 
ca, where he was 
eniploj^ed for a 
short time on the 
Panama railway. 
Returning to New- 
burj'port in 1854 
he made a study 
of architecture for 
a year, and in 1856 
came to Nashua 
and followed that 
calling and the 
occupation of a 
civil engineer un- 
til 1857, when he 
became superin- 
tendent of the 
mills of the Jack- 
son compan\-, of 
which his father 
was agent. He re- 
mained there until 
1866, and during 
the time gave his 
attention at odd 
hours to mechani- 
cal drawing ami 
the development 
of various devices 

and machines which he patented and which proved 
profitable to him. .\fter resigning his situation at the 
Jackson mills he established a machine shop of his own 
on Main street, just south of the Vale mill, and engaged 
in manufacturing his invention. He had at one time the 
largest experimental shop of the kind in New England. 
His main patent was a sizing and distribution machine for 
cotton mills; he also invented and manufactured a card- 
grinder, which was well known under his name. Mr. 
Saunders was the inceptor of a nail setting machine, 
(dependent upon vibratory motion), used in shoe niauu- 




Ai.MKnr ii.\K\ i:-! ^.AU.NUl,);.-- 



factories. Not alone these lalior saving machines, Imt 
-several others of equal importance to manufacturers are 
the result of his thought, capacity and patience. In 1888, 
Mr. Saunders gave up the e,xacting business in which he 
had been occupied so many years and at times engaged 
in field work as a civil engineer and in office work as an 
architect. Hrackett's shoe manufactory and several other 
prominent buildings, including .\mherst street fire-engine 
house, than which there is nothing in the state more 
creditable, being wholly his designs and built under 

his superinten- 
dence as cit)' en- 
gineer, a position 
which he held for 
four years. 

.Although Mr. 
Saunders' life has 
been a busy one 
he has found time 
to devote to other 
matters. He rep- 
resented the city 
two years in the 
common council 
and was for a short 
time in the service 
of his country, 
being compelled 
to retire because 
of ill health. He 
was a member of 
the legislature 
from Nashua in 
1S62, i863and 1864, 
an era when party 
passion ran high 
and when men 
with the courage 
of their convic- 
tions were essen- 
tial to the welfare 
of the state. Mr. 
Saunders is not 
only a man of 
ideas, as shown by 
his inventions, but 
has a talent for 
expressing them 
in plain and com- 
]>rehensive lan- 
guage. In fact he 
is an earnest de- 
bater and speaker 
when aroused, and 
usually carries his point. In late years he has served his 
ward several times as moderator. Mr. Saunders was a 
cli.-irter member and first master of .\ncicnt York lodge, 
A. E. and A. M. 

Jlr. Saunders has been twice married: first with 
Abby \V. Hatch of China, Me., who died in Nashua; 
and .second, with Caroline E. Parks of Stowe, Mass. 
Eleven children have been born to him, of whom .seven 
are living: William Edwin, .\lfrcd Whitin, Ik-njamin 
Perry, Charles Henry, .\rthur Lamb, Oertrude May, and 
Caroline E. I'. Saunders. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



JOHN N. BARR. 

John N. Barr was born at Bedford. Sept. 22, 1S19. He 
is a son of John and Sophia (Richardson) Barr. His 
immigrant ancestor was born 1704, at Ballymony, county 
Ireland, and married Ann McPherson. He came to 
.Vmerica in 1740 and settled at Londonderry. Later the 
family settled at Goff.stown. The descent is James, born 
1704; Samuel, born 1754. married Margaret Boies, and 
.settled at Henniker. whence he removed to Bedford ; 
Thomas, 1784, 
married Abigail 
Palmer; John, 
father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, 
born 1789, married 
first, Nancy Dun- 
lap, second, So- 
phia Richardson, 
third, Clarissa 
Eaton. He was 
one of the most 
prominent and in- 
fluential citizens 
of Bedford, serving 
the town several 
years as select- 
man, treasurer, 
and in other 
offices. He was 
also a worthy 
member of the 
P r e s b )• t e r i a n 
church at that 
place. 

Mr. Barr was 
educated in the 
schools of his 
native place a n d 
was graduated at 
its high school. 
At the age of 
twenty years he 
came to Nashua 
and entered the 
employ of Merrill 
& Kimball, dry 
goods dealers, 
where he was 
employed five 
years as a clerk. 
He then formed a 
co-partnership, in 
the same business, 

with Mark W. Merrill, one of his former employers, under 
the firm name of Merrill & Barr. Ten years later the 
partnership was dissolved and he went into the hardware 
business with his brother, the firm being J. N. & M. Barr. 
He remained in this business four years, after which he 
formed a new partnership with his former partner under 
the firm name of Merrill & Barr, and engaged in the flour 
and grain business. This partnership was continued until 
Mr. Merrill retired from trade and then a new partnership 
was entered into with E. F. Knight, under the firm of J. 
N. Barr & Company, and the business continued until the 



present time. During all the years of Mr. Barr's residence 
in Nashua, he has been an active man in the Olive street 
church and its successor, the Pilgrim church, doing 
evervthing in his power to promote the welfare of his 
fellow-men, giving liberally of his means for its support 
and for the advancement of its missions and holding for 
many years the office of deacon. Mr. Barr represented 
Ward One in the board of aldermen in i86i and 1862, and 
has held other positions of honor and trust, having served 
as administrator of several large estates. Few men are 

better known i n 
Nashua and its im- 
mediate vicinity 
than Mr. Barr and 
none are more 
highly regarded 
and respected. 

Mr. Barr has 
been twice m a r - 
ried, first, June 18, 
1844, with Mary 
Annis French, 
daughter of Eben- 
ezer and R h o d a 
{ Coburn ) French 
of Bedford, who 
died June 15, 1883 : 
second , with Sarah 
E. Dodge, daugh- 
ter of Ira and Sarah 
(Fitch) Dodge of 
fi r o t o n , Mass. 
Four children 
were born by h i s 
first marriage; 
Henrietta, born 
Feb. II, 1847, died 
July 30, 1848; John 
Henri, born Aug. 
10, 1848, married 
Jennie Frazier, o f 
Weare, who died 
March 28, 1875; 
second, Abby Isa- 
belle Batchelder 
of Milford; Frank, 
born Dec. 2, 1851, 
married Alice 
Cooper of Nashua , 
EttaM., born July 
19, 1853, married 
Edwin F. Knight 
of Nashua. 




J(lll.\ N. li.VUK. 



SOLON S. WHITHED. 

Solon S. Whithed was born at Northfield, Mass., Nov. 
22. 1837. He is a son of Darius and Mercy (Johnson) 
Whithed. His immigrant ancestor, GadWhithed, came to 
this country from England in the eighteenth century and 
settled at Phillipston, Mass., where Darius, the father of 
the subject of this sketch was born, March 12, i8og: died 
in Lowell, Mass., Dec. 7, 1877. On the maternal side he is 
a descendant of I^uther and Grata Johnson of Lancaster, 
Mass., where his mother was born Jan. 6, 1815; died at 



HISTORY OJ- \.IS//UA, A'. //. 



253 



Lowell, Mass., Feb. 5, 1S54. Mr. Whittled attended tlie 
schools at Great Falls, N. II., to which place his 
parents removed when he was a child, and, becoming 




&<JL(),\ S. WIlITllKD. 

a resident of Lowell, Mass., in 1846, was graduated at 
the high school in that city, class of 1855. Soon after 
his graduation he was employed for a few years in the 
hydraulic engineering department of the Locks and Canals 
company. In the summer of 1S57 o"" 'S.'iS ^^^ was one of 
the assistant engineers under t'riah .-\. Boyden, the most 
celebrate<l hydraulic engineer of that time, in a series of 
experiments on the horizontal turbine wheels at the 
Nashua Manufacturing company's mills to determine the 
ratio of loss or gain of power at different heights, veloci- 
ties and quantities of water striking on the floats or 
buckets of various sizes and curves of the turbine system. 
In November, 1858, heentered the emplo)' of J. C. .\yer & 
Com])any of Lowell, where he remained until May, 1866, 
when became to Nashua as correspondent for R. P. Hall 
& Company, and in 1878 he became manager of the same 
business, a position which he stills fills. During his 
residence in Lowell he was a member of various local 
organizations, and since his residence here he has been 
prominently identified with several institutions, being a 
trustee and on the investing board of the New Hampshire 
Banking company, and Guaranty Savings bank, and a 
director in the First National bank. He is also one of the 
executors and trustees of the Nutt estate. Mr. Whilhed 
has served the city six years as a member of the board of 
education, and has several times declined to be a candi- 
date for the mayoralty. He is a republican in politics 
and was president of the Blaine and Logan club in 1880. 
He is a niendjer of the Universalist church, the Fort- 
nightly and City Guards clubs, and a citizen who is earnest 
in his advocacy of whatever his judgment commends for 
the advancement of the interests of Nashua. 

Mr. Whilhed has been twice married : first. Sept. 4, 1S62, 
with .\lmira R. Fisher, daughter of Samuel S. and .\lmira 
f .\damsj Fisher of Lowell, who died June 18, 187S; second, 
.\pril 14, 1880, with Ellen H. Gates, daughter of Josiah 
and Harriet N. (Coburn) Gates of Lowell. One daughter 
was born of his first marriage: Almira M., born Dec. 15, 
1870, married Fred W. Norton of Nashua, Get. 24, 1894. 



WILLIAM PROCTOR DANE. 

William V. Dane, son of Timothy and Rhoda B. (Proc- 
tor) Dane, was born at Merrimack, Feb. 12, 1840. His 
immigrant ancestor, on the paternal side, Rev. Francis 
Dane, came to America from England in the eighteenth 
century and settled at Danvers, Mass. His descendants, 
like most of those of the early settlers, scattered in many 
directions, the branch to which Mr. Dane belongs being 
among the pioneers of New Hampshire. On the maternal 
side he is a descendant of William and Rhoda (Bagley) 
Proctor, who were born at Salisbury, Mass., and in early 
life settled in .^ndover when it was almost a wilderness. 
His grandfather, James Proctor, was a Revolutionary 
soldier. The Proctors were of English origin and the 
Bagleys were Scotch. Proctor academy at .Vndover was 
n.LMied in honor of the family. 

.Mr. Dane became a resident of Nashua in his youth, 
and was educated at the Mount Pleasant school, gradu- 
ating there when it was a high school. In 1857 heentered 
the employ of Gage, Murray & Co., local manufacturers of 
card board, with w honi, and their successors, he remained 
until 1868, when he established himself in New York City 
as a jobber in foreign and domestic paper and card board, 
in which business he is still engaged. Mr. Dane's home 
is in East Orange, N. J., but he has always nuiintained 
a livelj- interest in everything that pertains to Nashua 
and has written for The Telegraph many valuable articles 
of a historical character. Mr. Dane was united in mar- 
riage March 11, 1876, with Arabelle Louise Osborne, 
daughter of .\lexander and Susan (Deniing) Osborne 
of Brooklyn, N. Y. Five children have been born of their 




WILLIAM 1". DANE. 

marriage: Ivlizabelh Proctor, Feb. 10, 1S77; F;dilli Louise, 
March 17, 1879; Rhoda Proctor, Aug. S, 1880; Gertrude 
Walniarlh, June 20, 1882; William Proctor. Jr.. Jan. 4, 1886. 



254 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



CHARLES JAMES FOX. 

Charles J. Fox was born in Hancock, Oct. 28, 1811. died 
in Nasliua, Feb. 17, 1846. He was a son of Jediali and 
Sarah (Wheeler) Fox and of the sixth generation in 
descent from Thomas and Rebecca Fox, who came to 
Concord, Mass., from F,ngland as early as 1640. 

Mr. Fox attended school at Amherst and at Appleton 
academy, now McCollom institute. Mont Vernon, and was 
graduated at Dartmouth college in 1831. He studied law 
at Yale college 
and afterwards 
witli Daniel Abbot 
at Nashua, with 
w h o ni he was 
afterwards asso- 
ciated in practice. 
In 1837 he repre- 
sented Nashua in 
the legislature. 
His ability ami 
learning was 
quickly recog- 
nized and in 184" 
he was appointed 
by Gov. John 
Page commis- 
sioner to revise, 
codify and amend 
the statute law of 
New Hampshire. 
His associates 
w ere Joel Par- 
ker and Samuel 
D. Bell. Owing 
to official duties 
Judge Parker took 
no part in the 
revision. The re- 
port of the com- 
mission was adopt- 
ed by the legisla- 
ture Dec. 23, 1842, 
and Mr. Fox and 
his associates were 
highly compli- 
mented by that 
body. Mr. Fox 
began collecting 
material for the 
history of the old 
township of Dun- 
stable in 1840 and 
wrote the greater 

part of it in that year, although he resumed work on his 
manuscript from time to time as he had opportunity, and 
so continued until his death. It was completed and pub- 
lished following his death in 1846, and from that day to 
the present time has been conidered a standard work. 
Mr. Fox was a member of the Unitarian church and a 
teacher in its Sunday-school. Mr. Fox was united in 
marriage June 30, 1840, with Catherine Pickman Abbot of 
Nashua. (For ancestors see sketch of her father). One 
son was born of their marriage: E. W. P'ox, M. D., a 
resident of Philadelphia. 




JAMES H. FASSETT. 

James H. Fassett is a son of James B. and Ellen (Mor- 
rill) Fassett ; he was born at Nashua, January 11, 1869. 
(For ancestors see sketch of his father, James B. Fassett.) 
Mr. Fassett was educated in the public schools of his na- 
tive place and graduated in the high school in 18S6. The 
same year he entered Dartmouth college as a freshman. 
During Mr. Fassett's college course he ranked high as a 
scholar in one of the largest and brightest classes gradu- 
ated at that fa- 
mous seat of learn- 
in g for m a n 3" 
y ears. H e was 
also very popular 
with his fellow- 
students both for 
his geniality and, 
also, for his prow- 
ess as an athlete ; 
his fame in the 
latter respect still 
surviving there, as 
is evinced by his 
being lately tailed 
upon to address 
the college, on 
''Dartmouth 
night," upon ath- 
letic matters at 
H anover . H e 
graduated at Dart- 
mouth after a 
four years' course, 
in the class of 
1890. Upon his 
graduation he re- 
turned to Nashua, 
and, after a short 
period of inac- 
tivity, was elected 
principal of the 
Mount Pleasant 
grammar school, a 
position which he 
filled with marked 
ability and success 
for two 3'ears and 
until he resigned 
to accept the office 
of superintendent 
of the public 
schools of Nashua 
in the spring of 
1893, a position to which he was elected b^- the board of 
education, and which he still holds, November, 1896. 

He has made an able and efficient superintendent, and, 
by attending closeh- to the details of his work, and the 
general wants of the schools, and keeping in line with 
the trench of advancement and improvement in methods 
of management, performed his duties to the entire accept- 
ance of the public. Mr. Fassett is a member of the Uni- 
tarian church and a member of its choir. He is a thir- 
ty-second degree Mason and a Knight Templar. He is 
unmarried. 



j.\.Mi-> 11. f.\.s.s|.:tt. 



HISTORY Oh NASHUA, N. //. 



255 



EDUCATIONAL 

BY ja:\ii-;s h. iwssktt. 

IT IS almost impossible to obtain any exact data of the earl\- schools of Nasluia. The records, 
in most cases, are entirel\- wantini;, and where they exist they are extremely vague and 
indefinite. The first accurate account is hardly to the credit of the town. In 1730 Dunstable, 
under indictment of the su]:)erior court, was comi)elled to open school. The following is the 
law under which the indictment was made ; " Tliat each town in the province having the number 
of fiftv householders, shall be constantl_\- jirov-ided of a schoolmaster to teach children to read and 
write, and when any town has one hundrecl families or householders, there shall also be a grammar 
school set \\\i and kept. And some discreet person of good con\-ersation, well instructed in the 
tongues, shall be procured to be master thereof. Every such schoolmaster to be suitably encour- 
aged and paid by the inhabitants; and the selectmen of towns are hereby empowered to agree 




■^ (acitooL Buildings) 



with such schoolmaster for salary and to raise money by way of rate upon the inhabitants to pay the 
same. If any such town shall neglect the due ob.servance of the law for the space of six months 
it shall pa}' a penalty of twenty pounds." 

In 1721 this law was so amended that instead of the town being subject to the fine of twenty 
pounds, the selectmen were held responsible should the town be without a school for one month. 

In the year 1730 the town, then consisting of more than fifty householders, was indicted under 
the above. The town then voted that "it be left with the selectmen to provide and agree with a 
person to keep a writing school in the town directly, and that the sum of ten pounds be granted and 
raised for defraying the charges in the last mentioned concern and other town charges." History 
is silent as to just what part of this ten pounds went to swell the jKK-ketbook of the schoolmaster. 



256 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

For many years following no record can be found of any vote to raise money for school pur- 
poses. In 1746 two schools were kept, one at the house of John Searles, near Salmon brook, and the 
other at the Gordon house near Reed's pond. As there were no school houses at that time, it was 
necessary that the school be kept in private dwellings. The branches taught were reading, writing, 
arithmetic and .spelling. The materials used in school work were most primitive. Paper was 
unknown and when slates were needed, as they frequently were, strips of birch bark were used, 
with a leaden bullet hammered out for a pencil. Thev had no arithmetics, the master "setting the 
sums" on each slate for the pupil. The New Testament was used almost exclusively as a reading- 
book and spelling book as well. 

In 1749 we find the first mention of the school committee, and that the town was divided into 
districts. There were five of these, two on the north side of the river and three on the south. It 
may be of interest to know that the first committee consisted of John vSnow, Ephraim Butterfield 
and Ephraim Adams. One hundred and forty pounds were raised to support the schools under 
these committees. The next mention we have of any school in the town is in 1761, when one 
hundred pounds were rai.sed for "schooling and houses." From this date on, there was rai.sed 
every year more or less money for the support of schools; some years only twenty pounds and in 
others two hundred pounds. 

In 1772 the town refused to appropriate money for school houses, l.)Ut, in 1775, a motion was 
carried and eighty pounds was raised for that purpose. The first schoolhouse was erected near 
the old burying ground on the Lowell road in the south part of the town, but upon the opposite 
side of the brook from the spot where the present schoolhouse stands. A schoolhouse of this 
time was usuall>- a small unpainted building. Along three sides of the schoolroom were placed 
slabs upon which the older pupils wrote and worked their sums. These slabs were fastened upon one 
side to the walls of the building, the other being supported by legs driven securely into auger holes 
in the floor. 

For seats, hewn planks were used into which stakes were driven for legs. Inside of this outer 
circle were slab seats for the younger children. This arrangement made it necessary for the children 
to sit facing the walls with their backs towards the teacher. In the center of the room was placed 
the "master's" desk, and from his throne he watched with "eagle eye" the work of the youths 
under his charge. 

One may easily appreciate the feelings of the mischievous boys who, with their backs toward the 
teacher, were never certain when he was not looking at them. This feeling of insecurity must have 
been heightened by the knowledge that there lay on the master's desk a hickory switch long enough 
to reach every boy in the room, and that too without moving from his chair. 

On the third side of the school room was a huge fire place, with large flat stones used for 
andirons. Inasmuch as the chimney was never very high, and green wood was usually burned, the 
fir,st part of the morning exercises was conducted in a cloud of smoke. The building of the fire was 
allotted to the older boys who took turns in attending to this duty as well as to the splitting of the 
wood. The older girls kept the room swept and cleaned. The windows were small and placed high 
so that the attention of the children should not be distracted by outside affairs. 

To schools of this description our ancestors trudged, fortunate if they lived near the school. 
Many, however, were compelled to walk several miles, and that too after having helped their fathers 
with the chores or their mothers with the household duties. 

Certainly the lives of the children were filled with hard work. This was an advantage to the 
schools of that time in one great particular. The children looked upon their school duties not as 
hard work, as do the children of to-day, but as a relief from the drudgery which they had at home. 
For this reason the amount of "schooling" which the children obtained in their single term of sixteen 
weeks was remarkable. 

It is found by the records that the pay of the school mistress at that time was about one dollar 
a week. In 1796 the town voted to raise two hundred pounds for the purpose of building .school- 
houses and, as a preventive against any disputes which might arise as to the location of these 
buildings, a special committee was chosen to fix the location of the schoolhou.ses should the district 
disagree upon the same. That the people of Dunstable early appreciated the importance of 



HISTORY or NASHUA, N. H. 257 

singing in the schools is evidenced by the fact that in iSio the town voted to raise fifty dollars for 
the purpose of hiring a teacher of singing. 

In the early part of the century, there seems to have been no schoolhouse north of the Nashua 
river. The .schools were held in private houses. In 1S16 a schoolhouse was built at the junction 
of the Concord and Manchester roads, where General .Stark's residence now^ stands. In 1S33 the 
schoolhouse was found inadequate and was moved back upon the north side of Rural street w'here 
it was enlarged and served for school purposes many years. It is now u.sed as a dwelling house. 

The recorded history of our schools begins to be complete about the year 1840. Then the 
school officials published a more or less elaborate report of the schools under their charge. At that 
time there were eleven districts. No. i being situated near the old burying ground on the Lowell 
road. 

In the report for 1839 the following complaint was made of a lack of funds: "The sum of money 
which the town is by law compelled to appropriate for the support of schools has heretofore been 
extremely limited, the whole amount of money being so inadequate that it has accomplished little 
more than to commence the schools and get them into successful operation." 

A meeting was held in January, 1840, at which a resolution was passed appointing a committee 
to dex'ise means for placing a bell on the schoolhouse in district No. 3, "in order to prevent all 
mistakes regarding the time of commencing school." Whether or not the bell was purchased we 
have not been able to ascertain, but doubtless the steps of the laggard were hastened by its tones. 
It is rather interesting to note that the committee, in the report for 1S41, recommended the purchase 
of thermometers, in order that the temperature might be duly recorded. It must have been some- 
what of a debatable question in those days where the thermometers should be placed. For if the 
rei)ort of the committtee in regard to the structure of the buildings at that time is to be believed, 
the temperature would be anything but uniform in different parts of the schoolrooms and the 
teacher must have used considerable ingenuity in locating the exact point in the room where the 
temperature would be considered normal. There is one recommendation which one of the committee 
made at this time which should be recorded, as commendable now as well as then, "that reading 
and reciting in concert be abolished and that more individual work be done by the teacher among 
the jnipils." 

The greatest fault that seems to have existed in the Nashua schools at this time was the lack 
of interest taken in them by the parents, and the consequent irregularity of attendance by the 
pupils. In every report this is found to be the case and the fact was much lamented by the commit- 
tees. Many methods to correct this evil were devised; the schoolhouse doors were closed at the 
beginning of the session, excuses were abolished, and many other schemes were tried, but all .seemed 
to have failed. 

The true rea.son for this lack of interest is very evident to one connected with school affairs at 
the present day. In one of the reports comment is made upon the inadvisability of the habit which 
many of the children had of aiding pupils reciting. 

All teachers at this time were elected by the prudential committee of the town, but were 
subject to an examination by the superintending committee of the schools. It happened in many 
cases that the prudential committee, for prudential or economical reasons, brought forward candi- 
dates whom the superintending committee found wanting in all the requirements necessary in a 
teacher. When this happened the prudential committee was obliged to find a more acceptable 
candidate. 

The lack of suitable schoolhouses was felt in the past, as well as in the present. The following 
is quoted from the report of 1842: "The prosperity of school depends, in a greater degree than we 
are apt to realize, upon the condition of the schoolhouse. No one enjoys public worship to the full 
extent when the meeting-house is cold, filthy, or improperly ventilated, and the same principle is 
equally applicable to schoolhouses. Even our horses and cattle are housed or sheltered according to 
the season and their natural wants, but the comfort of our children is often most unwisely and 
inhumanely neglected." 

The following sentence in lieu of the above is easily understood: "Considering the state of their 
-schoolhouse and the means of the district, it would have suffered no loss could the wind which 

>9 



258 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

unroofed the building last year have paid the visit at an hour when the house was empty and made its 
work of dilapidation more complete." 

In speaking of the condition of the schoolhouse then known as district No. 3, on the site of the 
present Mount Pleasant, the committee made the following comment ; " And should the citizens erect 
an elegant town house (Nashville) for the men to occupy oue day in the year, it should be left 
without windows until a new schoolhouse is built, in order to equalize the comfort of the rising and 
the risen generations." 

In Nashville the districts, during the year 1843, were renumbered. The schoolhouse at 
feelvidere was called No. i. Mount Pleasant No. 2, the house on Amherst road No. 3, and the one on 
Hollis road No. 4. In 1.S45 there was a primary school built in the eastern part of district No. 2, on 
North Central street. The scholars passed from this school to the higher grades in Mount Pleasant. 

At this time there was held a summer school for writing, lasting two or three weeks. It would 
appear from comments made upon this school by the committee, that during these four weeks the 
scholars received their only drill in writing, and they, thinking this inadequate, recommended that a 
regular writing period be taken each day in school. 

In 1846 the committee advised the use of slates by the smaller children, to whom, evidently, their 
use had previously been forbidden, "Serving if for no other purpose," as they said, "to enable 
them to bear the difficult task of sitting still." The light which this throws upon the method of 
teaching children at this time needs no comment. 

The holding of teachers' institutes was spoken of with great interest by the school managers, 
and all teachers were advised to attend. The committee also recommended in 1S47 the establishing 
of a high school. In 1848-9 regular lessons in writing were given in all the schools, and this was 
found to be more efficient than to have two or three weeks devoted entirely to writing. 

\'ocal music was also generally introduced. During the year 1849 a high school was incorporated 
in district No. 2, now known as Mount Pleasant, under the Somersworth act, namely: To empower 
school districts to establish and maintain high schools. The organization took place on the twelfth 
of May, 1849. A new, costly and convenient schoolhouse had been built, having accommodations 
for eighty pupils in the upper or high school, seventy-two in the intermediate and eighty in the 
primary. Mr. Samuel Alvord was engaged as principal. 

Following the action of the citizens on the north side of the river, in 1851 a high school was 
organized on the south side, the West Pearl street school, and a Mr. Stone was elected to take charge 
of the same. He was succeeded in the winter term by Mr. W. B. Chute, a very efficient teacher. 

There seems to have been at this time a decided increase in the interest felt in the public schools. 
They had more visitors and there was a general awakening in the cause of education. 

Two years later, in 1S53, the high school was removed from Pearl street to the new high school- 
house on Main street. This new high school building was looked upon with great pride b)- the 
townspeople. In March, 1S54, the essential work of grading the schools systematically and adopting 
through them all a thorough and progressive course of study was accomplished. And by this their 
work was rendered far more complete and effectual than e\-er before. The differences between the 
primary, intermediate and high schools was clearly drawn. The high school started with, the 
following subjects, adopted as the course of study: Arithmetic, English grammar, algebra, natural 
philosophy and the Latin language. With our present rich curriculum, these subjects seem meagre 
indeed. In 1856 it was recommended by the committee that no child under five years old be allowed 
to attend school. Before this, children four years old, and even three, were frequently sent to school 
by their parents. The requirements for admittance to the high school are interesting, as they show 
what the connnittee expected of the lower schools. Colburn's arithmetic must have been completed, 
the common school arithmetic through fractions, Bullion's grammar as far as prosody, parsing begun, 
Colton's and Fitch's geography complete, history of the United States, reading and spelling. 

Upon the reuniting of Nashua and Nashville, the schools went on as before. There was a high 
school maintained at Mt. Pleasant and one also at the Main .street. In connection with the former, it 
is but just to mention the name of Hiram D. Wood, who taught the high school on the north side of 
the river for so man>- years faithfully and well. 

In 1867 the school year of district No. 3 had to be .shortened to 30 weeks for a lack of sufficient funds. 
The next year it was recommended that all the districts in the city unite to form one high school. 



///STOA'V OF NASHUA, X. II. 259 

111 [S69 this was hrmiolu i„io cfftct. Tlic f(iIIo\viiig sentence is ([noted from the school report of 
this time : " Hereafter tlie high school will be composed of the first class of scholars selected from the 
entire city." The same year saw the entire school system of the city put in exact form. Printed rules 
and regulations were also adopted. These were written in the most commendable way and stood 
practical!)- unchanged up to 1S93, when, under press of circumstances, they were carefully revised. 
.\t this time the superintending school committee, feeling that they were unable to do justice to the 
supervision of the schools, voted to elect a superintendent. The board of education consisted of eight 
iiieinbers, one from each ward. They were i)i-esided over by the mayor of the city. Mr. Eben H. 
Davis was elected as the first su])erintendent. iMr. Davis is now superintendent of schools at Chelsea, 
Mass., and is the author of the celebrated Davis readers. His work in organizing our school system 
at this time cannot be overestimated. Mrs. Ann S. Noyes gave during the year §1000, the interest of 
which was to be expended in the ]nirchase of four silver medals. 

An epidemic of that dreaded disease, small jxix, cau.sed the schools to be closed for a considerable 
period during the >'ear 1870. 

Chas. H. Merrill, whom many well remember as an excellent instructor in music, began his work 
in connection with the public schools in the year 1S72. This teacher placed the music of our schools 
upon a very high plane, which has been ably sustained through the present time. 

In 1873 work was begun on the present high school building. Two evening schools were also 
started, one at West Pearl street and the other at Belvidere. Two years later the present high school 
was occupied, and on June i, Mr. T. W. Hussey, who had been principal of the high .school for over 
seven years, resigned and, at the beginning of the fall term, Edward .A. Kingsley was elected in his 
place. 

Upon the occupation of the present high school the Main street building was remodelled into eight 
rooms suitable for the lower classes and the pupils who had formerl>- attended the Old Brick on West 
Pearl street were transferred to this place. 

During the winter vacation the primary school on North Central street was burned and has never 
been rebuilt. 

(ireat credit is due Superintendent ,S. Arthur Bent for introducing into our schools logical and 
modern methods of teaching primary children. To him is largely due the excellence which character- 
izes our lower grades. It is also but just to speak here of the Hon. John H. Goodale, of his long and 
interested support of the Nashua schools, botli as a member of the school committee and as 
superintendent. 

In 188 1, the school house on Chandler street was completed. This was named the O'Donnell 
school after Rev. Father O'Donnell, a most respected member of the school board. I'nder his benign 
influence many matters which might have caused difficulty were made smooth. 

In 1877 Erastus B. Powers was elected principal of the high school. There has been no name 
more prominently connected with the high school of our city than has that of E. B. Powers. His 
influence is felt even at the present day. 

lixcellent recommendations were made by Supt. P'rederick Kelsey that more extended use of 
supplementary reading be introduced into the schools and that a city training school for teachers be 
established. 

During October, 18S4, the schools were closed on account of an epiikiiiio of scarlet fever. 

In 1884, E. J. Goodwin, now ])rincipal of the high school at Newton, Ma.ss., was elected principal 
of our high school. Mr. Goodwin was a man of marked ability and a most excellent instructor. 
Under .Superintendent Williams, a i)laii was iiitnxluced by which the parents were kept in close touch 
with the work of their children. Cards were made out by the teachers on which was plainly indicated 
the work of the pupil. That sy.stem, with certain modifications, is at present in use. By it, the final 
examinations held at the end of the year, when children were mo.sl unfit to be examined, were 
aliolished. 

In the years 1885 and '86 si)ecial instructors in drawing and phvsical culture wereelected. Their 
work at this time was particularly useful to the .schools. Military training in the high school was 
adoi>ted in 1887. I'nder the able instruction of G>en. Elbert Wheeler ami Col. Jason E. Tolles, this 
organization has maintained a most commendable position. 



26o HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Lemuel S. Hastings, in the summer of 1889, was elected principal over the high school in the 
place of J. H. Willoughb)^ resigned. 

During 1891, Hon. Fred Gowing, now state superintendent of public instruction, was elected 
superintendent in place of Mr. O. S. Williams, who resigned for a more lucrative position in Dedham, 
Mass., in this year, also, E. W Pearson accepted the position of mu.sical director. 

The year 1890 is to be particularly noted by the adoption, for thefirst time, of a regular systematic 
course of study. This has done an immense good by unifying the work of the schools in different parts 
of the city. 

In 1891 the board of education adopted the method by which the pupils were promoted from grade 
to grade, not by the perfunctory examinations, but by a direct estimate of the pupil's ability by the 
teacher. 

When, in the spring of 1893, Superintendent Gowing assumed the broader duties of the State 
vSuperintendency, James H. Fassett was elected to fill his position. 

In 1894 two important departures were made, namely, the introduction of the kindergarten and 
the establishment of a training school for teachers, in the new building on Amherst street. 

IMPORTANT PRIVATE SCHOOLS. 

There is no name connected with the educational history of Nashua which arouses among the 
people so many keen recollections of school days as does that of Prof. David Crosby. Profes.sor Crosby 
was born at Hebron, New Hanip.shire, in the year 1808. His parents were too poor to give him the 
education for which he was ambitious, and Crosby was therefore compelled to work his way through 
Kimball Union academy and afterward through Dartmouth college. He graduated at the latter 
institution with high honor in the class of 1833. 

For .several years after graduation he was engaged in teaching at different places throughout the 
state and always with marked success. 

In 1840 Professor Crosby founded the Nashua Literary institution. This school under his careful 
management, in which he was ably seconded by his wife, was kept in a flourishing condition over forty 
years 

Professor Crosby was a man of stern and forbidding exterior but was in reality warmhearted and 
sympathetic. His manners stern and hard toward the delinquent older boys, was always kind toward 
the children. His favorite subject was mathematics and he had, it is said, such a clear and concise 
way of stating a problem that it was impossible for the pupil not to understand. 

The school became a noted one and many pupils came from a distance to attend. 

Some of our brightest minds have obtained their start in education from this excellent instructor. 
Professor Crosby died February 26, 1881, but his strong rugged personality still lives in the memory 
of his pupils. 

During the year 18S3, Father Milette started a Parochial school in the basement of St. Aloysius 
church. It opened with five hundred pupils and eight sisters were employed to take charge of them. 
In June of the same year the new building was started. The following November it was ready for 
occupancy. This school continued under the charge of the sisters until 1889, when the boys' .school 
was erected and the Brothers were brought in to take charge. From this time on the boys have been 
separate from the girls. At present there are about seven hundred children in attendance, three 
hundred and fifty boys and three hundred and sixty girls. To take charge of these there are employed 
nine si.sters and eight brothers, one of whom, Brother Theofridus, acts as a supervising principal. 
The school in all its parts has the impress of the personality of its founder. Father Milette. 

In the fall of 1884, Rev. Father Houlihan, pastor of the church of Immaculate Conception, 
bought the old "Indian Head House." This was turned into a parochial school by making 
extensive repairs and alterations. In September, 1885, the school was formerly opened and placed in 
charge of the Sisters of Mercy. It continued in a very prosperous condition for six years, at the end 
of which time. Rev. Father E. E. Buckle, believing it to be for the best interest of the school to be 
nearer the center of population, sold the Indian Head House site and purchased a large lot of land on 
the west side of Spring .street. Upon this was erected a modern brick building which was dedicated 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



261 



as the vSchool of the Sacred Heart. The course of study followed is made to conform as closely as 
possible to that of the public schools. 

Under the supervision of Sister Ku])heniia, the present principal, the school work is well and 
ably carried on. 

In the parish o( Father Lessard during the year 1886, was started a parochial .school. It began 
in the basement of the church of St. Francis Xavier, but during the .spring of '87 the present school- 
hou.se was erected. The school opened with an attendance of one hundred and fifty. There are now 
attending two hundred and seventy-five children. The corps of teachers has been increased from 
three to six and is now conducted under the principal, Sister Lucia. 

It has been the endeavor of the author, in this brief Kducational Hi.story of Nashua, to obtain 
facts and data from original sources so far as possible. This is particularly true in relation to the 
history of the public schools. All or nearl>- all the facts have been taken directly from the school 
reports issued by the boards of education. 



3 



O^u^i^cyiL/ rf. 'jydu^^t^^c.^C^CZ 




NAS11U.\ LrnCKAUV INSirrUTK. 



262 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



JOHN GRAY FOSTER. 

Gen. John G. Foster. V. S. A., was born iu "White- 
field, May 27, 1823. died in Nashua, Sept. 2, 1874. He 
was a son of Perle}- and Mary (Gray) Foster, who became 
residents of Nashua in 1833. They were descendants of a 
long line of Scotch-English ancestors who bore conspicu- 
ous parts in the field and forum of the mother country. 
No records could be found, however, by which to compile 
their genealogy. 




JOHN G. FOSTER. 

John Gray Foster was a Nashua boy, who. during his 
youth, showed a decided inclination to the profession of 
arms. He was captain of several military companies and 
between him and George Bowers. Thomas G . Banks and 
George H. Whitney there was for many years a friendly 
rivalry. Following school days in Nashua he became a 
student at Hancock academy, and subsequently- fitted for 
West Point at Crosby's Nashua Literarj- institute. His 
appointment, in 1842, to the military school was obtained 
through the influence of Charles G. Atherton, then 
member of Congress from this district, and as the events 
of his life show, he proved himself worthy of the confi- 
dence of that eminent man. Lieutenant Foster graduated 
at the institution in i846, ranking number four in a class 
with McClellan, Reno, Sturgis, Stoneman and Oakes, 
names now famous as commanders in the Union army, 
and with Jackson and Wilcox who were numbered with 
the best tacticians in the Confederate army. 

At his graduation Foster was at once appointed brevet 
second lieutenant of engineers. He was assigned as as- 
sistant engineer in the bureau at Washington in 1846, and 
during 1847-48 was attached to a company of sappers, 
miners and pontoniers in Mexico, where he was engaged 



in the siege of Vera Cruz from March 9 to 29, 1847 ; at the 
battles of Cerro Gordo, April 17 to 18 ; at Contreras in 
August ; at Churubusco and Molino del Rey. In the 
storming party of the latter place, which took place Sept. 
8, 1847, he was severely wounded in the hip. He was 
then granted a sick leave of several months, which he 
spent with his friends in Nashua. Upon his return to the 
service he was successively breveted first lieutenant and 
captain for gallant and meritorious conduct in the memor- 
able engagements already mentioned. 

Following the war with Mexico Captain Foster was en- 
gaged for a number of years upon the fortifications of the 
coast, and was also at the coast survey office in Washing- 
ton. From 1855 to 1857 he was assistant to the professor 
of engineering at West Point, and in 1858 he was engaged 
in building I'ort Sumter. July i, i860, after fourteen 
years' continuous service, he was commissioned as full 
captain of engineers. In 1861 he was chief engineer of 
the fortifications of Charleston harbor, being engaged in 
strengthening the works in anticipation of an attack upon 
them, and was also in command when the garrison of 
Fort Moultrie was transported to Fort Sumter. He was 
engaged in the historic defence of the last named fort 
during its bombardment, (being second in commanil 1, 
and was present when it surrendered and was evacuated. 
.\pri] 12 to 14. 1S61. He was breveted major for his 
gallantry. 

ITpon his return to the North he built several fortifica- 
tions, and. Oct. 23, 1861, was appointed brigadier-general 
of volunteers, and, with the Burnside expedition, he par- 
ticipated in the capture of Roanoke, Feb. 8, 1862. He 
was at the capture of Newburn, N. C, and at the Ijom- 
bardment of F'ort Macon, and from July i, 1862, to July 
13. 1863, was in command of the department of North 
Carolina. It was here that several New Hampshire regi- 
ments came under his command. He participated in all 
the encounters of that campaign, and, July 18, 1862, was 
appointed major-general of United States volunteers. He 
was subsequentl}- appointed to command the department 
of Ohio, where he served from Dec. 12, 1863. to July 9. 
1864. when he was obliged to ask relief in consequence of 
some injuries received by the fall of his horse. In 1863, 
he was nmde a major in the corps of engineers. I'. S. A.. 
for gallant and meritorious services in the field during 
the Rebellion. 

After the close of the war General Foster was stationed 
for some time in the department of Florida, and. in 1869, 
while on temporary duty in the department of engineers 
at Washington, he was detached, b}- reason of feeble 
health, for special service in Boston harbor, where he in- 
stituted and completed several needed improvements 
necessary to navigation. During this period he spent a 
portion of his time with his venerable mother at his old 
home in Nashua. 

General Foster was a man of commanding figure and 
the very beau ideal of a soldier. In his deportment he 
was a quiet, unpretentious man whose gallant career in- 
spired the respect of those with whom he came in contact 
and whom to see vipon the street or about the city on foot 
or in his carriage was to admire. There was no displaj' 
iu private life, no fustian about General Foster, and in 
camp or in battle he always displa3-ed tact, wisdom, mili- 
tary skill, a w-atchful care of his subordinates that won 
their approbation and made him a leader deserving the 



HISTORY OF NASin-A, X. //. 



263 



confidence reposed in him by his j;oveiiinienl and by his 
countrymen. In fact he became during the war one of 
those central figures whose career was watclied with pe- 
culiar interest and pride by the people of Nashua. 

General Foster, in honor of whom the Grand Army 
post in the city was named, was buried with military 
honors. The funeral took place at the Church of the Im- 
maculate Conception, business was su.spended, public and 
private Ijuildiugs draped in mourning and a fitting eulogy 
pronounced by Rev. Robert J. Fulton, S. J., of Boston. 
.Vmong the mourners were many distinguished people 
from near and remote places. Col. Thomas P. Pierce, a 
prominent citizen of Nashua and a comrade of the gener- 
al's in the Mexican war, marshaled the civic cortege, and 
Generals Thoni, Burnside, Tyler, Stevens, Stackpole, Gor- 
don, .Stephen and Whitticr guarded the hearse, while 
John G. Foster post, G. A. R., Col. George Bowers, com- 
mander, another Nashua comrade of the general's in the 
Mexican war, and a detachment of United .States regulars 
escorted the procession to the grave, in the Nashua ceme- 
tery, where Very Rev. John O'Donnell, V. G., read the 
Catholic burial service. 

General Foster was twice married ; at Baltimore, Md., 
Jan. 21, 1851, by the Most Rev. Archbishop Eccleston, 
with Mary L. Moule, daughter of Col. Samuel Moule. 
Mrs. Foster died at New York, June 6, 1871 ; in Wash- 
ington, Jan. 9, 1872, at vSt. Matthew's church, with Nannie 
Davis, daughter of George M. Davis. One daughter was 
born to him by his first wife, Annie M., born at Balti- 
more, Md., Nov. 3, 1851, married Lieut. Henry Seaton, U. 
S. A., at the cathedral in Boston, April 26, 1870. Mrs. 
Seaton has two sons. 

GEORGE BOWERS. 

Col. George Bowers, son of Jesse and lietsey (Love- 
well) Bowers, was born in Old Dunstable, .\pril 22, 181 7, 
died in Nashua, Feb. 14, 1884. (For genealogy see sketch 
of his father). 

Colonel Bowers was educated in the pulilic schools and 
at Cro.sby's Literary institute. Inheriting a passion for 
military service he identified himself even as a boy, 
with the local companies and later commanded the 
famous Light Infantry companv-. When w-ar was declared 
between the United .States and Mexico, he was com- 
missioned, March II, 1847, by President Polk, first lieu- 
tenant in the Ninth I'nited States infantry. From the 
time the command left Newport, R. I., — his captain being 
on detatched service — to the close of the campaign, he 
commanded his company and endured all the fatigues and 
hardships incidental to a country infested by guerillas, 
and a climate of an enervating character. In the san- 
guinarv battles of Contreras and Churubu.sco, he fought 
with great gallantry and distinguished himself for un- 
flinching bravery and the science of arms to the degree 
that his services were recognized by General .Scott and 
rewarded with a brevet captaincy, .\gain in the awful 
slaughter at El Molino del Ray, when out of 2,400 en- 
gaged 800 fell in forty minutes, Captain Bowers won honor 
and recognition from his superiors by his courage an<l 
fidelitv. At the storming of Chapultepec he bore a con- 
spicuous part and was among the first to reach the 
ditches. His company was in advance and having no 
scaling ladders he placed himself in a stooping position 
against the wall, his broad shoulders forming a bridge 



upon which his men made the first leap to carry the forti- 
fication. For his coolness and bravery in this action he 
again received deserved mention in official congratulations 




GEORGE ROWERS. 

to the army. He was with his command when the west- 
ern gates of the City of Mexico were seized, and on the 
following day w-as assigned a conspicuous position in 
placing the flag of his country on the Palacio of the 
Montezumas. He attained the full rank of captain in 
December, 1847, and remained in command of his com- 
pany until the regiment was ordered home in 1848, when 
he received an honorable discharge and at once returned 
to the pursuits of ])eace in his native town. 

In 1S53 he was appointed postmaster of Nashua by his 
old commander and friend. President Pierce, and was re- 
appointed by President Buchanan in 1857. During this 
time he organized and commande<l the Granite State 
cadets, the members of which distinguished themselves a 
few years later in the Civil War. In March, 1861, having 
served eight years as postmaster, he was elected maj'orof 
Nashua. Meantime Governor Goodwin tendered him the 
colonelcy of the .Second New Hampshire volunteers, but 
the duties of his office were such that he could not accept. 
\ few months later, however, he accepted a commission 
as lieutenant-colonel of the Thirteenth regiment. New 
Hampshire volunteers, and went to the front in that 
command, .\rriving at the seat of war in .September, 
1862, the regiment received its baptism of fire at the ter- 
rible battle of Fredericksburg, where Colonel Bowers 
bore himself with that same cool and intrepid heroism he 
had dis])laved on the plains of Mexico. During the fol- 
lowing winter he was ever zealous in the care of his men, 
and particularly during the siege of Suffolk in which the 
regiment bore an active part, and where, in the engage- 
ment on the Nansemond, May 3, 1863, he commanded. 
But the severe and arduous duties of the Virginia cam- 
paigns began to make inroads on his heretofore strong 
constitution and he fell a victim to the malaria of the 
lowlands, and, although unwilling to resign, he was com- 
pelled by reason of ill health to leave the front. In No- 
vember, 1863, he was transferred to the Tenth regiment. 
Veteran Reserve corps, with which he served for over two 



264 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



years, being in command of the Broom street barracks in 
New York city during the troublesome period following 
the draft riots and subsequently at Baltimore and Wash- 
ington, commanding the regiment at the grand review. 
He was honorably discharged in November, 1865, and re- 
turned to his home and engaged in mercantile pursuits. 

Colonel Bow-ers .served the city as mayor again in 1868, 
and after that he retired from political strife. When the 
Orand Army of the Republic was organized he became 
one of its earliest champions. He was a charter member 
of John G. Foster post and upon its organization was 
unanimously chosen commander, serving as such two 
years. In 1879 he was elected department commander to 
which position he was re-elected in 1880. When he as- 
sumed the latter position the interest in the order had 
somewhat flagged but he nearly tripled its membership. 
He commanded a battalion of New Hampshire veterans at 
the dedication of the Boston Soldiers' monument in 1877, 
and delivered the address at the unveiling of the soldiers' 
monument at Manchester in 1879, and at Lakeport in 
1880. He served the national encampment as junior vice- 
commander in 1880. The same year at the Fourteenth 
National encampment he was appointed on the committee 
to consider the subject of woman's work for the G. A. R., 
which resulted in the organization of the Woman's Relief 
corps. Colonel Bowers was of commanding figure, noble 
presence and bearing, and every inch the beau ideal soldier 
of poetry and romance. Courtly, dignified, yet affable 
and gentle to all, he made real the dramatist's lines, " He 
was a knightly gentleman and as brave and true a soldier 
as ever in the fire and smoke of battle, mid the rattle of 
musketry, and the deep toned thunder of artillery, 
planted the victorious standard of his country on an 
enemy's wall." 

Colonel Bowers was twice married : first with Caroline 
M. Bacon ; second with Abigail E. Bacon. One son was 
born to him bv his first marriage, George P. Bowers. 

JOHN FENNIMORE MARSH. 

Col. John F. Marsh, son of Fitch Pool and Mary Jane 
(Emery) Marsh, was born in Hudson, Feb. i, 1828. He 
is a grandson of Samuel and Sarah (Pool) Marsh, who 
were among the early settlers of Nottingham West, now 
Hudson, and noted as a hardy, industrious and prosperous 
family. The paternal descent is from George Marsh, 
who came to America from Norfolk county in England in 
1635 and settled at Hingham, Mass. His ancestors on the 
maternal side were Scotch-Irish and prominent people in 
colonial days. 

Colonel Marsh was educated in the public schools of 
his native town and at Crosby's Literary institution in 
this city. His j'outh was spent upon his father's farm. 
He was an enthusiast in the military companies of those 
days, and desired above all things else to enter the mili- 
tary academy at West Point. Failing to reach the goal of 
his ambition he enlisted in the spring of 1847 in Capt. 
George Bowers' company, Ninth United States infantry, 
(Col. Truenian B. Ransom), and served through the war 
with Mexico. He participated in all the engagements 
from the plains of Pueblo to the storming of Chapultepec, 
where he saw his colonel shot through the head, and wit- 
nessed the capture of the City of Mexico. Colonel Marsh 
remained with the regiment until it was disbanded, 
August, 1848, at Fort Adams, Newport, R. I. Returning 



to the avocation of peace, he became a schoolmaster for a 
short time and then sought the Eldorado of the Pacific — 
going overlanil, in the spring of 1849, through northern 




JOHN F. MARSH. 

Mexico as captain of an organization of thirty-seven men 
who had rendezvoused at Galveston, Texas, where he 
spent three or four years in the gold mines. In 1855 he 
was appointed by the government special agent in the 
postal service between California and New York, and a 
year later President Pierce, (in whose brigade he had 
served in the Mexican War), commissioned him post- 
master at Hastings, Minn., of which place he was mayor 
in 1859, anfl where he was in office until i86r. 

When the war broke out, his patriotism and military 
spirit were again aroused, and he entered the service, Jvine 
17, i85i, as first lieutenant of company B, Sixth regiment 
Wisconsin volunteers, and Oct. 25, 1861, was promoted to 
a captaincy. He was in the battle at Gainesville, and, at 
the second engagement at Bull Run, was wounded. Upon 
being appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Twelfth regi- 
ment New Hampshire volunteers, he resigned his cap- 
taincy in the Sixth Wisconsin infantry and went to the 
front in the former command in September, 1862. He was 
with that gallant regiment at Fredericksburg, and in the 
battle of Chancellorsville was severely wounded in the 
hip, from the effects of which he is still a sufferer. Being 
incapacitated from active service in the field, he was 
commissioned, Jan. 22, 1864, lieutenant-colonel of the 
Twenty-fourth regiment United States Veteran Reserve 
corps; April 20, 1865, he was commissioned colonel of the 
Twenty-fourth United States colored infantry, which he 
declined ; March 15, 1865, he was commissioned colonel 
by brevet, for "gallant and meritorious conduct in the 
battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863." In the 
spring of 1864, by order of the secretary of war, he made 
a special inspection of all the military prisons west of 
Washington where confederate prisoners of war were 
confined, reporting to the war department the condition 
and treatment of the prisoners and as to the efficiency of 
the troops acting as guards. During the last year of the 
war he served on a board for the examination of candi- 
dates for commissions in the military service. His 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, X. II. 



26r, 



comrades credit him with beiiifj a strict disciplinarian, 
and a soldier withouL reproach. 

Ciilonel Marsh's home, from the time he entered the 
service in the Twelfth in 1862 to 1874, was in Nashua. In 
the fall of 1865 he engaged in the manufacture of surface 
coated paper under the name of the Nashua Glazed Paper 
company. In 1867 he was appointed United States pen- 
sion agent at Ccmcord, and in 1868 he sold out his paper 
business and it was incorporated with the Nashua Card 
and Glazed Paper company. In 1S74 he established the 
Springfield Glazed Paper company, of w'hich he retains 
the control and management at the present time. Colonel 
Marsh is a quiet man who bears the honors to which he is 
entitled, by reason of the service he has rendered his 
countr}' and the dangers he has passed, with a modesty 
characteristic of brave and true men. In civil life he has 
held many positions of honor and trust. He is a member 
of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and \. M., and Meridian Sun 
Royal Arch chapter of this city ; is a companion of the 
military order of the L,oyal Legion of the United States, 
commandery of Massachusetts. 

Colonel Marsh has been twice married ; first, Jan. 22, 
1849, with Harriett L. Warren, daughter of Cyrus and 
Susan fWinn) Warren of Hudson, who died Dec. 21, 1875; 
second, Aug. i, 1878, with Mrs. Ida M. Phillips. Five 
children, all by his first marriage, were born to him ; two 
sons who died in infancy; Kate Aubrey, at Hudson, Aug. 
.1, 1853, died at Montreal, Canada, March 20, 1872; Susan 
Isabella, at Hudson, May 18, 1855, died at Springfield, 
Mass., Nov. II, 1884; Frank W., at Hastings, Minn., Oct. 
5, 185S, now residing at Springfield, Mass. An adopted 
daughter, Mrs. Nella Phillips Shuart, lives at Roch- 
ester, N. Y. 

ELBRIDGE JACKSON COPP. 

Col. IClbridge J. Copp, son of Joseph M. and Hannah 
(Brown) Copp, was boru at Warren, July 22, 1844. His 
ancestors came from the north of Ireland early in the 
seventeenth century, and settled at what afterwards be- 
came widely known as Copp's Hill, Boston. Members of 
the family became pioneers in the settlement of New 
Kngland, and it is through the branch that made their 
homes in New Hampshire that the subject of this sketch 
traces his paternal lineage. On the maternal side he is a 
direct descendant of the Putnam family of Connecticut, 
his mother being a great niece of Gen. Israel Putnam of 
Revolutionary- fame. 

Colonel Copp obtained his education in the common 
and high schools of Nashua. In 1861, although then but 
sixteen years of age, he enlisted as a private sohlier in 
the ranks of the Third regiment. New Hampshire volun- 
teers. In 1862 he was appointed sergeant-major of the 
regiment and soon after was promoted to a second lieu- 
tenancy. His soldierly bearing, faithfulness under trying 
circumstances, enthusiasm and superb courage when the 
battle was on, won the admiration of his superiors in rank 
and secured for him a commission as adjutant of the 
regiment in 1863. He was then but eighteen years of 
age and was the youngest commissioned officer in the .ser- 
vice who had risen from the ranks as a private. Colonel 
Copp served for a time as assistant adjutant-general on 
the staff of Colonel and acting Brig. -Gen. Louis Bell, who 
was killed at P'ort P'isher, and held his commission until 
mustered out in October, 1864, on account of disability 
from wounds. 



That he was not a carpet knight or a soldier who shirked 
the bugle call to battle there is abundant evidence in his 
gallant record, a record that does honor to his native state, 
and in which he has every reason to take pride. At Dru- 
ry's Bluff, in front of Richmond, while under a murderous 
fire, he was wounded in the shoulder, but so earnest was 
he to be with his comrades of battles and hardships, so 
devoted was his patriotism, that he joined his command 
before his wound was fairly healed, and was again in his 
saddle when the movement was made at Deep Bottom. 
In this terrible and unsuccessful assault made by Haw- 
ley's brigade, and when inside the enemy's fortification. 
he was shot through the body and left among the dead. 
His feeling was, as he once said to the writer of this 
sketch, that only his head remained to him and that his 
wound was mortal. He was rescued bv a member of 







^E^^^^^hTv 





i;i.i;i!ii)<;k j. fui-p. 

General Hawley's staff, and was one of but few of his 
regiment among the hundred or more who were wounded 
in the engagement and escaped being taken prisoner. 
Under skillful treatment at the Chesapeake hospital, at 
Fortress Monroe, he recovered so as to be removed to his 
home. He has never fully recovered from his wounds 
and is often a great sufferer for weeks at a time. 

Following the war Colonel Copp traveled for a time in 
the West for a Chicago and Indianapolis book concern, 
but finally wearying of the road, he settled in business in 
Nashua with his brother, Capt. Charles D. Copp. a gallant 
veteran of the New Hampshire Ninth. In 1878 Colonel 
Copp was appointed register of probate for Hillsborough 
county, a position which he has filled with such marked 
ability and courtesy that he has been elected biennially 
ever since. He has not, however, in the years since the 
war, abated any of his military ardor. Ou the contrary. 



266 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



lie was commissioned captain of the Nashua City guards 
in 1878, and by drilling and discipline gave it a standing 
second to none in the state. In 1S79 he was promoted to 
the rank of major of the Second regiment, New Hamp- 
shire National guard ; a few months later he was advanced 
to lieutenant colonel, and in 18S4, upon the promotion of 
Col. D. M. White to a brigade commander, was commis- 
sioned colonel. When his five years had expired he was 
urged to accept a new commission, but believing this 
would be unfair to other deserving officers who had 
earned promotion, he declined the honor. Even then 
his interest in the military of New Hampshire did not 
cease, for he at once assumed the task of organizing a 
stock company, and by the most zealous labor succeeded 
in erecting in Nashua the finest armory in the state. He 
is a member of the Congregational church, Ancient York 
lodge, A. F. and A. M., Pennichuck lodge, I. O. O. F., 
John G. Foster post, G. A. R., and the Massachusetts 
commandery of the Loyal Legion. As a citizen he is 
active in all good work for the public weal ; as a friend 
he is steadfast and true, and in his home life he is the 
ideal American gentleman. Thus, in Colonel Copp, 
Nashua, New Hampshire and the country has a veteran 
as patriotic, brave and true " as ever, 'mid fire and smoke, 
planted the victorious standard of his country on an 
enemy's walls ; " as a citizen to know is to respect. 

Colonel Copp was united in marriage June 9, 1869, 
with S. Eliza White, daughter of James and Rebecca 
{ McConihe) White of Nashua. Two daughters were born 
of their marriage: Charlotte Louise, married Frederick 
B. Pearson ; Edith Alice. 

JAMES GRANVILLE MCDONALD. 

James G. McDonald was born in Gorham, Me., Oct. 3, 
1832, died in Nashua, Feb. 19, 1893. He was a son of 
James and .\bigail (Sturgis) McDonald, and a direct de- 
scendant of Brian McDonald of the McDonald clan, who 
came to .\merica from Glencoe, Scotland, about 1686. 
The descent includes John McDonald, who married the 
daughter of an English clergyman and settled in York 
county, Me., and Joseph McDonald, grandfather of the 
subject of this sketch, who was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionarj' War. His grandmother, Rachel (Webb) McDon- 
ald, was the daughter of Eli Webb, of Windham, Me., 
also a Revolutionary soldier, whose ancestors came from 
Redriff, Eng., early in the eighteenth centur)'. On the 
maternal side he was a descendant of Jonathan and Tem- 
perance (Gorham) Sturgis, English settlers of Gorham, 
Me., (which place was named in honor of Colonel John 
Gorham, father of Mrs. Sturgis), and James and Mary 
(Roberts) Sturgis. James Sturgis and Benjamin Roberts, 
his great-grandfathers, were Revolutionary soldiers. 
They were all worthy people and their descendants have 
honored the state, fought in the battles of their country, 
and filled high positions in the nation. 

Mr. McDonald was educated in the public schools of 
his native town. He learned the stone mason's trade and 
became one of the best known contractors in New Eng- 
land in that line of business. He built some of the 
heaviest stone abutments, piers and bridges on the Port- 
land & Ogdensburg, the Boston & Maine, the Concord 
& Claremont, the Pemigewassett Valley, Portland & 
Rumford Falls, and other eastern railroads, and laid the 
foundations of several of the largest cotton and pulp mills 



in New England. Mr. McDonald resided at Gorham 
until he was thirty-three years of age, after that at New- 
port, Newton and Sandown, coming to Nashua in 1873 




JAMES U. .MeDOXALD. 

and making this place his home until his death. .\1- 
though interested in everything pertaining to the ad- 
vancement of Nashua, he did not, owing to the fact that 
his business was elsewhere during certain seasons of the 
year, take a conspicuous part in municipal affairs. His 
great aldlit}-, however, was recognized by the people and 
he was elected street commissioner for the year 1892. He 
was a man whom everyone highly regarded, for he was 
generous, social and upright in all his dealings. Mr. 
McDonald enlisted April 11, 1863, at Portland, Me., in the 
Seventeenth regiment, Maine volunteers, and served 
until the close of the war. He was a York rite mason of 
the thirty-second degree and member of Edward A. Ray- 
mond consistory. He was also a member of Granite 
lodge, I. O. O. F., Watananock tribe of Red Men, Nashua 
lodge, K. of P., and John G. Foster post, G. .\. R. In re- 
ligious affiliation he was a Universalist. 

Mr. McDonald was united in marriage March 13, 1853, 
w^ith Emil)- F. Parker, daughter of Isaac and Anne 
(P'loyd) Parker of Gorham, Me. Mrs. McDonald is of 
English descent. Three children were born of their mar- 
riage: Angle, born Dec. 14, 1858, died July 9, 1863 ; Etta, 
born April 29, 1864, died May 30, 1865; Annie, born Oct. 
4, 1865, married Frank A. Rogers. 

ALBERT N. FLINN. 

Albert N. Flinn was born at Biddeford, Me., October, 
1846. He is a son of Samuel and Clarice (Langleyj 
Flinn. During his youth he lived with his parents at 
Holyoke, Mass., Davenport, la., and Chicopee, Mass., 
and, in 1857, became a resident of Nashua. He obtained 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 



267 



liis ccUicalion ill Uk- connnoii schools in the places where Annie H. (Wadleigh) Noyes of Nashua. One son was 
his parents had their home and by private study, obser- born to him by his first marriage: Albert Adams, born in 
vation and experience. In September, 1861, he enlisted Jnh', 1S71. 

JAMES STEELE. 

James Steele was born at Antrim, Dec. 12, 1839. He is 
a son of James and Susan (Monahan) .Steele, and a grand- 
son of .Samuel and Nancy Steele, early settlers of Antrim. 
On the maternal side he is a descendantof John and Annie 
Jlonahan of rrnncestown. Mr. Steele was educated in 
the public schools of his native place. He came to 
Nashua in 1852 and his home has been here ever since. 
When the Civil War broke out, in i86r, he wasamong the 
first to enlist. He served three months in the First regi- 
ment, New Hampshire volunteers, and when his term 
expired re-eulisted in company F, First New Hamp- 
shire heavy artillery, in which command he endured 
the dangers and hardships of war until the close of the 
conflict in 1865. .Since the war he has been engaged in 
several enterprises, but about twenty years ago he settled 
down as a dealer in pianos, organs and musical merchan- 
dise, and is now one of the leading merchants of the city, 
doing a prosperous and lucrative business, which is 
annually increasing in volume, having already attained 
such magnitude as to place him among the leading dealers 
in his line. Mr. .Steele is a stirring, thriving citizen 
whose proverljial good fellowship has gained him a mul- 
titude of friends. He is a member of the board of trade 
and a citizen who can always be counted on to contribute 
more than his just proportion, both in money and labor, 
to the things that advance the interests of individuals 
and the city. In fact, Mr. Steele is a loyal Nashuan every 
day in the ^-ear. He is a member of Pennichuck lodge, 
I. O. O. F., and the New Hampshire club; he attends the 
Main .Street M. E. church. 




AI.BEKT .X. I'l.lNN. 

in the Fourth regiment New Hampshire volunteers, and 
lie followed the fortunes of that command in all its hard- 
ships and privations, participating in all its battles and 
skirmishes, and was mustered out .September, 1864. Mr. 
Flinn followed the occupation of a merchant both before 
and after the war. He was employed for a time, 1S65, as 
a clerk in a store in Savannah, Ga., then went into the 
grocery business for himself at Mt. Vernon, Ga. Tiring 
of the South he returned North and went into the dry- 
goods business at Manchester. Six or seven months later 
he left Manchester and went to Chicago, where he fol- 
lowed the same line of trade until 1867, when he returned 
to Nashua and has since had his home here. He has been 
employed as a clerk and has been in the drygoods busi- 
ness in company with Charles F. Stetson, under the firm 
name of Stetson S: Flinn, and he has been a busy man in 
several enterprises and in public affairs. Mr. Flinn rep- 
resented Ward Four in the board of aldermen in 1884 and 
1885, and July 28, 1885, was appointed postmaster. His 
administration was marked with many added improve- 
ments and conveniences, including the introduction of 
the letter carrier system, that were highly satisfactory to 
the ])ublic and gave him such popularity that upon the 
return of the Democratic party to power he was again 
appointed, June 17, 1894, to that responsible position, the 
duties of which he discharges with courtes}- and efficiency. 
He believes in the future of Nashua and is a liberal con- 
tributor to the things that aid the people. Mr. Flinn was 
for some years the treasurer and manager of the .\erated 
Oxygen C<)m])Ound company and a director in the Secur- 
ity Improvement company. He is a communicant of the 
F;piscopal church and is a member of John G. Foster 
post, G. A. R. 

Mr. Flinn has been twice married : First, in 1870, with 
Augusta .-Vdams, daughter of Charles and Hannah (Greeley) 
Adams of Hudson, who died in 1874 ; second, Sept. 4, 1877, 
with Klizabeth Kent Noyes, daughter of S. Homer and 




JAMES STEELE. 

Mr. Steele has been twice married : first, 1859, with 
Jennie P. Chamberlin, and second, 1892, with .\daline 
S. Fstey. He has one sou by his first marriage, Fred 
.\. Steele, M. D., who resides in Ipswich, Mass. 



268 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON BADGER. 

George W. Badger was born at Coiiipton, P. Q.. May i6, 
1832. He is a descendant in the eighth generation of 
Giles Badger, who came to America from England in 




(■EORiJE \v. badg?;k. 

1643 and settled at Newbury. Mass. The descent fsee 
memoir of Badger family) is John Badger, married Han- 
nah Swett, merchant at Newbury; John Badger, Jr., 
married Rebecca Brown, merchant at Newbury ; Joseph 
Badger, married Hannah Peaslee, merchant at Haverhill, 
Mass.; General Joseph Badger, born at Haverhill, 1722, 
married Hannah Pearson, settled at Gilmanton, an officer 
in the Revolutionary War, judge of probate court Straf- 
ford county, member of state council 1784, 1790 and 1791, 
an active and efficient officer and a friend and supporter 
of the " institutions of learning and religion," died in 
Gilmanton, 1803 ; Major Peaslee Badger, born in Haver- 
hill, Mass., 1756, moved to Gilmanton with parents 1765, 
married Lydia Kelley of Lee, major in the militia and 
was prominent in the affairs of the state, died at Gil- 
manton, Oct. 13, 1846; Thomas C. Badger, father of the 
subject of this sketch, Viorn in Gilmanton, married Mary 
Crosby of Lyme, and in his early manhood took up a 
tract of land at Conipton, near the line between the 
United States and Canada, where several of his children 
were born. The memoir from which the foregoing was 
compiled, shows that members of the family in ever}' 
generation have filled high stations in all the professions 
and have honored their ancestr}- in field, forum and the 
private walks of life. 

Mr. Badger was educated in the public schools of Hat- 
ley P. O., to which place his parents removed when he 
was a child. At the -^ge of twenty years he settled in 
Manchester, where he took up the trade of an ornamental 
and fresco painter and remained employed until i860, 
when he came to Nashua and established himself in the 
same business, in which he has remained till the present 
time. Mr. Badger has decorated the interior of many 
churches, public and private buildings of the state, and 
has always stood at the head of the profession. He has 



also attained something more than a local fame as an 
artist in oils on canvass; his pictures of game birds, 
fish and animals, painted from life from subjects captured 
by himself, for he is a keen sportsman, an enthusiastic 
lover of the rod and gun, as well as a great admirer of the 
beautiful in nature, exhibit him as one who is richly 
endowed with true artistic impulses and possessed of far 
more than ordinary powers of expression and skill in 
delineation. 

August 23, 1862, he enlisted in company I, Thirteenth 
regiment, New Hampshire volunteers, and went to the 
front in that command. He was honorably discharged 
April 7, 1863. Mr. Badger served Ward Four three years 
on the board of selectmen, was a member of the common 
council in 1874 and 1875, and of the board of aldermen in 
1876 and 1877. He has also represented his ward five or 
six years on the board of inspectors of the checklists, in 
the legislature in 1879 and 18S0, and on the board of 
assessors in 1892, 1894, 1895 and 1896, declining a nomina- 
tion in 1893. Mr. Badger is a member of Rising Sun lodge, 
A. F. and .A. M., Meridian Sun, Royal Arch chapter, Israel 
Hunt council, St. George commandery, K. T. and is a 
Scottish Rite mason of the thirty-second degree, being a 
member of Edward A. Raymond consistory. He is also 
an active member of John G. F'oster post, G. A. R. As a 
citizen he has always been earnest and efficient in advocacy 
of the causes of the people, quick to respond to the needs 
of the distressed and a man who can be relied upon to 
do his full share in whatever promises to advance the 
interests of Nashua. He is a Congregationalist. 

Mr. Badger was united in marriage in October, 1853, ^t 
Nashua, with Philista Miller, daughter of Thaddeus and 
Hannah (Ewell) Miller of Sutton, P. O. Two daughters 
w-ere born to them, Helen, born 1855, died 1856 ; Clara 
p;., born 1857, married Fred S. Piatt of Plattsburg, X, Y., 
now residing at Poultney, Vt. 

FRANK GARDNER NOYES. 

Col. Frank G. Noyes was born iu Nashua, July 6, 1833. 
He is a son of Col. Leonard W'. and Ann Sewall (Gardner) 
Noyes. (F'or genealogy see biographical sketch of his 
father). Colonel Noyes was fitted for college at Phillips' 
acadeni)' at Andover, Mass.- He entered college in 1849 
and was graduated in 1853. Colonel Noyes read law jn 
the offices of Rufus Choate and Sidney Bartlett in Boston, 
and attended lectures at the law school of Harvard univer- 
sity, where he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. 
in 1856, and was admitted to practice inthe courts of 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Immediately there- 
after he settled at Clinton, la., and formed a co-partner- 
ship with Nathaniel B. Baker, ex-governor of New Hamp- 
shire, remaining in active practice of the law till Sumter 
was fired upon in 1861. Then the blood of his patriotic 
ancestry was aroused and he offered his services to Gov- 
ernor Kirkwood, the famous war governor of Iowa, and 
was commissioned aide-de-camp on his staff. During the 
year that followed he had an active part in organizing 
troops, and then President Lincoln commissioned him 
commissary of subsistence with the rank of captain. He 
went to the front at once and served throughout the war, 
participating in most of the important campaigns in the 
west and southwest, notabh' in the battles of Shiloh, 
Helena, Yazoo Pass and Vicksburg. After the capture of 
Vicksburg he went to New Orleans with the thirteenth 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 



269 



army corps to which he was attached, and was engaged in 
the fight at Mobile bay when Farragut made his famous 
]>assage of the forts. In May following he was ordered to 
Cralveston, Texas, where he served as chief of his depart- 
ment, on the staffs of General Granger and II. G. Wright, 
when he was honorably discharged in November, 1865, 
having been promoted by the president to be chief com- 
missarv of subsistence, thirteenth army corps, with the 
rank of lieutenant-colonel. In March, 1867, he was ap- 
pointed consul to Panama, and in 1868 he returned to 
Iowa where he engaged in manufacturing and remained 
until 1879, when he returned to Nashua. 

Colonel Noyes since returning to Nashua, has not prac- 
ticed his profession. He has given his time to the 
care of his property, 
to the advancement of 
city improvements, to 
the service of his com- 
rades and other mat- 
ters incepted for the 
general welfare of the 
people. He was mus- 
tered in John G. Foster 
Post, G. A. R., in 1889. 
In 1 89 1 he served the 
state department as 
inspector, in 1892 he 
was elected senior vice 
department comman- 
der, and at the twenty- 
sixth annual encamp- 
ment in 1893, he was 
chosen department 
coniman<ler by a very 
large majority. He 
also served on the 
staffs of Generals Alger 
and Veazey, comman- 
ders-in-chief of the 
National encampment 
in 1890 and 1891. In 
1891 Colonel No\'es was 
unanimously elected 
president of the New" 
Hampshire Veterans' 
association. He was 
one of the early mem- 
bers of the niilitarv 
order of the Loyal 
Legion, and has been a 

companion of the New York commandery more than 
twenty-seven years. Besides this Colonel Noyes is a Free 
Mason, and before returning to Nashua for some time 
captain -general of Holy Cross commandery, Knights 
Templar of the jurisdiction of Iowa. 

Colonel Noyes is a man of superior executive ability 
and whatever he undertakes is accomplished in a thorough 
manner. His services to his comrades as department 
commander were enthusiastic and valuable in more ways 
than one and of lasting benefit to the order, while his 
earnest labor to promote the happiness of those veterans 
who make an annual pilgrimage to The Weirs is recog- 
nized with hearty thanks by every loyal citizen. He is a 
man of recognized ability as a lawyer, of high attainment 
in literary composition, an art critic of indejiendent 




FKANK U. NOYES. 



judgment— witness the magnificent figures on the Nashua 
soldiers' and sailors' monument, which were fashioned 
under his direction — and one of the most effective public 
speakers in the state, many of his orations and speeches 
—especially at the dedication of the Nashua monument 
and his Memorial day addresses — being gems of rhetorical 
finish and gracefulness. The colonel isalso a campaigner 
of ability and has honored the democratic party of New 
Hampshire many times by making a speaking tour of the 
state. He has always declined civic preferment, several 
nominations for high oflfice having been offered and per- 
sistently refused by him. 

As a citizen Colonel Noyes is active and energetic, ever 
ready to extend his aid and influence to any and all under- 
takings and enterprises 
which have for their 
object the improve- 
ment of the city and 
the happiness of its 
inhabitants; he has 
been an active member 
of the board of trade 
from its organization, 
taking part in its de- 
liberations and work- 
ing vigorously to ad- 
vance all its plans in 
the line of public 
improvements. 

The colonel is an 
ardent sportsman, both 
in lake and field; and 
numerous trophies of 
tlic chase in his pos- 
session attest his skill 
as a marksman and 
hunter; but perhaps 
he is more especially 
fond of the gentle 
sport of w h i c h old 
Isaac Walton wrote so 
learnedly and lovingly; 
he devotes many of his 
leisure hours to the 
jnirsuit of the gamey 
denizens of the beauti- 
ful lakes and streams 
of New Hampshire, as 
well as those in the 
wilds of Maine and 
Canada where his skill as an angler is well known. 

Colonel Noyes was united in marriage Nov. 20, 1856. with 
Hannah E. Richardson of Lowell. Mass. His children 
are Anna Gardner, who is now (January, 1895) the wife 
of Sheridan V. Read, consul of the United States at Tien 
Tsin, China, born Oct. 25, 1857; Clara L. H., who, 
together with Miss Helen Walter her friend and business 
partner, has for several years been at the head of a private 
school in New York City, born Oct. 20, 1S59; Grace 
Richardson, born July 20, 1862, married Leon Mead of 
New York, Nov. 12, 1865, and Elizabeth G. G., now un- 
married and living with her sister Mrs. Read in Tien 
Tsin, China. Colonel Noyes has also had born to him 
three sons, all of whom died before reaching the age of 
five vears. 



2j:o HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

MILITARY HISTORY 

To THE Close of the War with Mexico ; Including Indian Wars, The Revolution, 

War of i8i2 and the Mexican War. 

BY FRANK G. NOYKS. 

THE military histor\' of tlie old town of Dunstable, and Nashua, its lineal descendant and 
successor in New Hamp.shire, comprises a large part of the military history of New 
Eno-laiid. Whether or not the earlier settlers of Dunstable were stimulated by the same 
love of country as their late successors, thirteen hundred and fifty-five* of whom went from 
Nashua to the front in the War of the Great Rebellion, to save the life of the republic from the hand 
of traitors who had placed their deadly grip on its throat, is not for the present historian to theorize 
upon. It is enough to say that those early settlers lived in a state of constant danger from attacks 
by the savages, and that, on occasion, they displayed as great valor and heroism as any people in the 
history of the world. 

Instead of dilating upon reasons or causes, the limits of this chapter will only permit such 
narration of facts as research proves to be authentic. The records inform us that the lines which 
divided the ancient township of Dunstable and established that portion which now comprises 
the township of Nashua, were made by official authority of the crown of England represented in the 
colony of Massachusetts in the year of our Lord, seventeen hundred and forty-one. 

In narrating the military history of Nashua, it woul seem proper, therefore, to begin at no more 
remote date than the year in which those lines of division were drawn ; but the history of the two 
towns of Dunstable (Massachusetts and New Hampshire) is so closely woven together that it seems 
necessary to begin at an earlier date than the year 1741. 

A large portion of this narrative, up to the war with Great Britain in 1812, is extracted from 
the History of the Old Township of Dunstable by Charles J. Fox, (Nashua, 1846). The present 
writer or compiler desires to give full credit to Mr. Fox for whatever maj- be used herein from his 
valuable history, but it has not been deemed necessary to give repeated and continued credits by 
quoting Mr. Fox's name. Therefore whenever the writer has extracted full paragraphs or pages 
from Fox's history, they will appear in quotation marks. 

Prior to the date of incorporation of the town of Dunstable b}- the state of New Hampshire, 
(April 4, 1746), the old township of Dunstable had acted under a charter obtained from the general 
court of Massachusetts in the year 1673. That charter included all the territory comprised in what 
was afterwards Dunstable in New Hampshire, and is now Nashua. 

The careful student of history has learned that after the lapse of many years it becomes 
extremely difficult and sometimes impossible to discover with certainty exactly when certain events 
occurred and especially to locate exactly where the actors in such events resided. In his researches, 
the present writer has met such .stumbling blocks. The records and rolls are ver}- misty as regards 
the actual home or residence of many soldiers and sailors who doubtless ought to be credited to 
Dunstable in New Hampshire; /. c, to Nashua, but whom the writer, in his endeavor to hew 
straight to the line of truth, is unable to claim absolutel)-. 

The Indians of the Merrimack valley were divided into small tribes, called the Nashaways, 
Penacooks, Naticooks and Pa\rtuckets. On account of their nomadic life, their territoria 
boundaries are very indefinite, but the Pawtuckets had their headquarters at the falls which per- 
petuate their name, just above the present city of Eowell ; the Nashaways, in the valley of the 
Nashua river and about its mouth ; the Souhegans or Naticooks, on the fertile tract on the stream 
of the same name; the Penacooks occupied Penacook (now Concord), near the mouth of the 

•The names of thirteen hundred and fifty-five men who served in the Union army or navy dnring the War of the 
Rebellion, 1861-5, and with whom the town of Nashua should be credited, are deposited in the corner-stone of the 
soldiers' and sailors' monument, which was laid with imposing ceremonies May 30, 1889. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 271 

Coiitoocook river, aiul the Wamesits dwelt at the falls in the Concord river, near Lowell. These 
tribes together with the Nashoba.s, who had their head<iuarters in the forests of Littleton, Mass., 
are believed to have numbered in 1674, about one thousand people. 

The Indians dwelt in wigwams, dressed in skins of wild animals, subsi.sted on fish or game 
with which the streams and forests abounded, and on Indian corn, beans and squashes, which their 
women rudely cultivated, using a large clam shell for a hoe. They parched the corn and pounded 
it in mortars made of stone. Their skin was copper-colored ; their hair long, straight and black ; 
they wore moccasins, made of untanned deer or bear skins, on their feet ; for money they made use 
of shells, called wampum, strung upon a belt, and their weapons were the tomahawk, made of stone, 
the bow and arrow, and the scalping knife (iron or stone). 

Prior even to the year 1675 when the war with Philip, the powerful and wily .sachem of the 
Wampanoags, commenced, and which was ended only by his death, when danger, conflict and 
privation were the common lot of the settlers who toiled and worshipped with their rifles by their 
sides, the lovelj- valley of the Salmon brook had been settled. It is also probable that some coura- 
geous white men had laid their hearthstones in the beautiful valley of the Watananock (Nashua). 

" Passaconaway* was sachem of the Penacooks and held rule over all the Indians from the 
Piscataqua to the Connecticut, and all down the Merrimack. He resided at Penacook, and the 
Naticooks, Pawtuckets and Wamesits were subject to his power. He had been a great warrior and 
was the greatest and ' most noted powow and sorcerer of all the country. 't He died before 1670, at 
the great age of one hundred and twenty. ' In 1660, not long before his death, at a great feast and 
dance he made his farewell speech to his people. In this he urged them, as a dying man, to take 
heed how they quarrelled with their English neighbors, for though they might do them some harm, 
yet it would prove the means of their own destruction. He told them that he had been a bitter 
enemy to the English, and had tried all the arts of sorcery to prevent their settlement, but could by 
no means succeed.' " + 

This declaration made a great impression, for we find that Wannalancet, his second son and 
successor, after the eldest son, with the more restless part of the tribe, had removed into Maine, was 
ever after a friend to the whites. 

In the summer of 1675 King Philip's War commenced which involved nearly all the Indians in 
New England. They combined for a war of extermination and all throughout New Eagland were 
burnings, massacres and devastation. Groton and Chelmsford were destroyed and hundreds killed 
or carried into captivity. 

At such a period the settlers of Dunstable were indeed in a perilous situation. They petitioned 
the colony for relief. September 8, 1675, instructions were given by the governor and council to 
Capt. Thomas Brattle and Lieut. Thomas Henchman to take various measures for the better security 
of the settlement. They were ordered, § 

"First : To draft fifty men and form garrisons at Dunstable, Groton and Lancaster. 

" Second: To appoint a guardian over the friendly Indians, at each of their towns, who should 
oversee them, and prevent all difficulties or dangers which might occur upon either side. 

"Third : To ' send a runner or two to Wannalancet, sachem of Naamkeak,|| who had withdrawn 
into the woods from fear,' and to persuade him 'to come again' and live at Wamesit. 

"Fourth; To inform the Indians at Penacook and Naticook that if they will live quietly and 
peaceably, they .shall not be harmed by the English. 

•Cookin's History of the Christian Indians. 2 Am. .Xnliq. Collections. 

tHnl)l)ard's Indian Wars. 

tGookin. Hubbard. 4 N. H. Hist. Coll. 23. 

§Military Records, Massachusetts, 1675, page 252. 

llPawtucket falls and vicinity, .\moskeag, properly Namaskeak is the same word. It is said to meau "the great 
fisihing place," and was a favorite of the Indians. The Merrimack received this name for some distance around the 
falls, as it did other names at other places, or, as is quaintly expressed by an Indian in a letter of May. 1685, to the 
governor : " My place at Malamake river, called Pannukkog (Penacook, ) and Natukhog (Xaticook,) that river great 
many names." i Belknap, appendix, 508. 



2 72 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

"These in.structions were immediately and strictly obeyed. The garrison* at iJunstable was 
strengthened. Lieutenant Henchman took charge of the Indians at Wamesit. Runners were sent 
out to Wannahincet, but they did not prevail upon him to return until the close of the war the next 
summer. Captain Mosely, with his choice company of one hundred men, making Dunstable his place 
of rendezvous, marched up to Naticook and Penacook to disperse the hostile Indians who were said 
to be gathered there for the purpo.se of mischief. ' When the English drew nigh, whereof they had 
intelligence by scouts, they left their fort, and withdrew into the woods and swamps, where they had 
advantage and opportunity enough in ambushment to have slain many of the English soldiers, without 
any great harm to themselves, and several of the young Indians inclined to it, but the sachem, 
Wannalancet, by his authority and wisdom restrained his men, and suffered not an Indian to appear 
or shoot a gun. They were very near the Engli.sh, and yet though they were provoked by the 
English, who burned their wigwams and destroyed some dried fish, yet not one gun was shot at any 
Englishman.'! \A'annalancet is said to have been restrained by the dying speech of Passaconaway, 
his father. 

" The winter of 1675 was a time of fear and of trial. Never had the 'the Indian enemy' been 
more active or dreaded. Even the 'Christian Indians' had communications with their hostile 
brethren, and the whites began to suspect them of treachery. The alarm increased to such a 
degree that every settler left Dunstable except Jonathan Tyng.J With a resolution which is worthy 
of all praise, and of which we with difficulty conceive, he fortified his house; and although 'obliged 
to send to Boston for his food,' sat himself down in the midst of his savage enemies, alone, in the 
wilderness, to defend his home. Deeming his position an important one for the defence of the 
frontiers, in February, 1676, he petitioned the Colony for aid."*! 

"The Petition of Jonathan Tyng Humbh- sheweth : 

"That yr Petitioner living in the uppermost house on Merrimack river, lying open to ye enemy, 
yet being so seated that it is as it were a watch house to the neighbouring towns, from whence we 
can easily give them notice of the approach of the enemy, and may also be of use to the publique in 
many respects ; also are near unto the place of the Indian's ffishing, from which in the season thereof 
they have great supplies, which I doubt not but what we may be a great means of preventing them 
thereof; there being never an inhabitant left in the town but myself. 

" Wherefore, your Petitioner doth humbly request that j^our Honors would be pleased to order him 

three or four men to help garrison his said house, which he has been at great charge to ffortify, and may 

be of ser^-ice to the publique : your favour therein shall further oblige me as in duty bound to pray for 

a blessing on your Councils, and remain Your Honorables' humble servant, 

Jonathan Tyng." 
"Dun.stable, Feb. 3, 1675-6. "|| 

" This petition was granted immediately, and a guard of several men despatched to his relief, 
which remained during the war. This plantation was never deserted, and he thus became the earliest 
permanent settler within the limits of Dunstable. 

"February 25, 1675-6, an attack was made by the Indians upon Chelmsford, and several buildings 
were burned. Colburn's garrison on the east side of the Merrimack was strengthened, but nearly all 
the outer settlements were deserted. A few days later, March 20, another attack was made, and 
Joseph Parker wounded. 1 There was no surgeon in tlie vicinity, and an express was sent to Boston 
to obtain one." 

* Garrisons or forts were usually euviroued by a .strouij wall of stone or liewii timber, built up to the eves, at which 
point the roof extended horizontally a little distance, through which was a gate or door fastened with bars or bolts of 
iron. They were lined with brick or thick plank. ,Some of them had portholes for musketry. 

tGookin, in 2 Am. Antiq. Coll. 463. 

+ Tyng's house probably stood not far from Wicasuck falls, below Tyngsborough village. 

g See original petition. Mass. Military Records, 128. 

il What was called Feb. 3, 1675, when the year ended in March, is Feb. 3, 1676, if we consider the year as ending in 
December, and in order to designate this, all dates occuring in the months of January, February, or March, previous 
to A. D., 1751, are described in the above manner. The true date is Feb. 3, 1676. 

t He was a settler of Dunstable, and constable from 1675 to 1682. 



s 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 273 

A garrison was maintained at Mr. Tyng's by a part of Captain Moseley's famous company, and 
at the expense of the colony, until August, 1676. 

The Indian war with King Philip,* the Narragansetts, and the other Indian tribes was ended in 
August, 1676, by the death of Philip and the destruction of his forces. The settlers returned to 
their deserted homes and the settlement received new life and vigor. But the settlers had not 
escaped all danger or alarm. March 22, 1677, a party of Mohawks, always the enemy of the 
English, suddenly appeared in Dunstable, at the mouth of the Souhegan. Their appearance is thus 
described in a letter from "James Parker at Mr. Hinchmanne's farme, ner Meremack, and forwarded 
to the honred Govner and Council at Hostown. Plast, post hast.t 

"Sagamore Wannalancet come this morning to informe me, and then went to Mr. Tyng's to 
informe him, that his son being one the other sid of Meremack river over against vSouhegan upon 
the 22 day of this instant, about tene of the clock in the morning, he discovered 15 Indians on this 
sid the River, which he soposed to be Mohokes by ther spech. He called to them ; they answered, 
but he could not understand ther spech : and he having a conow ther in the river, he went to 
hreck his conow that they might not have ani ues of it. In the meantime they shot about thirty 
guns at him, and he being much frighted fled, and come home forthwith to Xahamcok, wher ther 
wigwames now stand." 

In consequence of this alarm a company of scouts under Lieut. James Richardson,! traversed 
the valle>- of the Merrimack during the whole season to ward off any threatened attack. A garrison 
was also maintained at the expense of the colony. But in September, 1677, a party of French 
.Mohawks from Quebec suddenly came to Naamkeak, (near Pawtucket falls), with whom was .said 
to be the brother of Wannalancet, and carried him with all his trilie to Canada. They did no 
damage to the English, however, although they had suffered so many provocations, and now enjoyed 
such an opportunity for revenge, " being restrained as is supposed by Wannalancet." 

After this for a time the settler enjoyed the blessings of peace. He no longer feared an 
ambuscade in every thicket, nor listened in the night watches for the prowling footsteps or the 
warwhoop of a dusky foe. 

Charles II., the Merry Monarch of England, and Eouis XIV. of France were at war no longer. 
The " Treaty of Nimguen"<i was the protection of Dunstable. "The deserted cabin was again 
tenanted, the half-cleared field was cleared and tilled, and new cabins sent up their smoke all along 
our rich intervales." 

"In 16S9 the war with the French, known as King William's War, broke out between the French 
and ICnglish. It was occasioned b}- the revolution of 1688, which drove James II. from the throne and 
England (the French taking up arms for King James), and lasted until 1698. The French excited, 
by means of the Jesuits, nearly all the Indian tribes to arm against the English, and the history of 
the frontier during this period, the darkest and bloodiest in our annals, is a succession of deva.stations 
and massacres. In these bloody scenes the Penacooks were not idle. Almost every settlement upon 
the frontier was attacked, and several hundred men, women and children were either killed or carried 
into captivity. 

" Dover suffered by a stealthy attack without the least warning, on June 28, 1689, and Major 
Waldron and more than fifty others were killed or taken pri.soners. An attack on Dunstable was 
plotted, but was discovered by two friendly Indians, who informed Major Henchman, commander of 
the fort at Pawtucket falls, of the intended attack. That officer at once aroused the settlers to a sense 
of their imminent danger, by the fearful news : ' Jnlimatt fears that his chief will be quickly done at 
Dunstable.' " || 

The inhabitants retired to the garrisons which were fortified and preparations were made for 
defence. The assembly immediately ordered two companies of mounted troops of twenty men each to 
Dunstable and Lancaster, "for the relief and succor of those places, and to scout about the heads of 

* King Philip after destroying thirteen towns and six hundred cohmists was shot at Mount Hope, .^ug. 12, 1676. 

t3 N. H. Hist. Coll., 100. 

J Mass. Military Records, 1677, ]>. 519. 

SJuly ji, 1678. 

!1 [ N. H. Hist. Coll., 223. 



274 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

these towns and other places adjacent to discover the enemies' niotions, and to take, surprise, or 
destroy them as they shall have opportunity." July 5, 1689, another company of fifty men was sent 
to Dunstable and I^ancaster as a reinforcement and twenty men to Major Henchman at Pawtucket, as 
a guard for the settlers. vSeveral matters seemed to render an attack upon Dunstable imminent, but 
the timely warning to Major Henchman, the mounted scouts, the garrisons and the precautions of the 
settlers baffled all the wiles of the savages and the danger passed away. 

"On Nov. 29, 1690, a truce was agreed upon until the first of May, which was strictly observed, 
and the inhabitants passed the winter without attack and in security." 

But in the summer of 1691 the dogs of war were again let loose. Small scouting parties attacked 
many of the settlements. Dike beasts of prey they came without warning and retired without 
detection. Hostile Indians suddenly appeared in the town and attacked the house of Joseph Hassell 
senior, on the evening of Sept. 2, 1691. Hassell, his wife, Anna Hassell. their son, Benjamin Hassell' 
and Mary Marks, daughter of Patrick Marks, were slain and scalped. Thev were all buried upon a 
little knoll where Hassell's house stood, and a rough stone or boulder marks the spot.* This stone 
or boulder bears the following inscription :t 

Site of 
Indian Massacre 

of 

Hassell Family. 

Sept. 2, 1691. 

" On the morning of September 28 the Indians made another attempt, and killed Obadiah Perry 
and Christopher Temple. There is a rock in the channel of Nashua river now covered bv the 
flowage of the water, about thirty rods above the upper mill of the Na.shua corporation, which was 
called • Temple's Rock,' and was reputed to be near the spot of his murder. It is said that they 
were also buried upon the spot just described. Perry was one of the founders of the church and a 
.son-m-law of Hassell. All of these are original settlers, active, useful and influential men, and all 
of them town ofiicers, chosen but a few weeks previous. 

''The actors in those scenes have passed away and even tradition has been forgotten The onlv 

bv t^e Re' J"w t ^^\7^""^f "-^ °f the massacre, is the following scrap, noted down probably 
by the Rev. Mr. Weld, not long after it occurred :— ^ y 

" Anno Domini 1691. 

Joseph Hassell, senior, ) were slain bv our Indian 
Anna Hassell, his wife, \ enemies on Sept. 2nd in 
Benj.' H.assell, their son, ) the evening. 

the eve'lh'J ^'"""^ '''' '"^''" "' ''"''"''" ""-"""'' "^^ ^'^^" ^^' ^^^ ^"^^^ ^^^ ^ S^P^- -^d, m 

th. t"*^T'''-'^J'T'''"'! Christopher Temple dyed by the hand of our Indian enemies September 
the twenty eighth day m the morning." v^cpLcmuer 

" ^t Ais time there were several garrisons in Dun.stable, and a number of soldiers stationed there 

men Mr 7' " '"'"" ' " "'""^ °' ^'"^ '^^^^^^^^"^ "^^'^^ ^ ^ ^°^1--. ' Dunstable town, seven 
a Hol^en-s b"'^T"""' "" """ ' ""'^""'^ ^o^'-rA's, three men; Edward Colburn's, (p^bab v 
at Holden s brook) four men ; and at Sargeant Varnum's four men.' These continued n the pa • 
and service of the country until Nov. 17, 1692, and perhaps still longer % ^ ' 

The war lasted till 1698, when a treaty of peace was concluded between France and En^^land 

^-xi iQi.s time and for fifty years after its settlement, Dunstable was a 

* Hassell's house stood on the north bank of Hassell's brook for Wal^v k 1 
more than sixty rods from where it empties into Salmon brool "' '* " "°" — ^^^^ called) not 

t The writer has been unable to learn with certaintv wV,e„ „ 1 ,. 

boulder, but vouches for its having been thrrelTeptelj^ "' "'°'" *'^ '°^"'P*'°" ^™^ Pl-ed upon the 

} Mass. Military Records, 1692. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 275 

frontier town, and during the greater jiortion of this time, the country was involved in an Indian war. 
With nothing but a dense wilderness between the savages and the inliabitants, they were constantly 
exposed to surprise and massacre. 

•■ Dunstable must have been peculiarly fortunate to have escaped scatheless, while Dover, Ports- 
mouth, Ivxfter, Durham, Haverliill, Andover, liillerica, Lancaster and Groton, upon both sides of 
us, and even in the interior were ravaged almost yearly. This is not at all probable, and though 
most of the private and local history of that day is forgotton, we find vague hints in ancient chronicles 
and records, and vaguer traditions, nameless and dateless, which indicate that the story of Dunstable, 
if full)' told, would be a thrilling romance." 

It seems to be proper to insert here some legendary or traditional hi.story of Joe Kuglish, a 
Irieudly Indian, who resided in Dunstable. He was a grandson of Masconnomet, sagamore of 
Agawam, (Ipswich, Mass.), and as such was noted and influential. Belknap says, "He was much 
distinguished for his attachment to the white inhabitants. In a previous war (to that of 1703) he had 
been taken prisoner in the vicinity of Dunstable and carried to Canada, from whence, by his shrewd- 
ness and sagacitN', he effected his escape and returned to his friends at Dunstable." 

Joe English was quite a hero in these regions in those days, and a hill in New Boston, very 
abrupt on one side, and a pond in Amherst are still called by his name. A tradition is current that 
Joe was once pursued by an Indian on this hill, and finding it impossible to escape otherwise, he 
allowed his pursuer to approach him very closely and then ran directly toward the precipice, threw 
himself suddenly down upon a large ledge with which he was familiar, while his pursuer, unable to 
arrest his course and unconscious of danger, was dashed to pieces at the bottom. 

Many other anecdotes are related of Joe but our space will not permit their repetition. One of 
the traditions leads us to believe that a party of English was attacked by the Indians on Pennichuck 
brook in the north part of Dunstable and all were killed except four persons, one of whom was Joe 
English, whom they took prisoner and sent to Canada whence he escaped and returned to duty as a 
soldier at Dunstable. Whether or not the numerous stories told of this faithful Indian friend of the 
whites are authentic, they can not be vouched for. We know that he was captured and escaped from 
captivity, but how or when no record discloses. " It appears from a grant made bj- the general court 
of Massachusetts, June 14, 1698, to 'Joseph English an Indian escaped from French captivity' that 
he had just returned, and the sum of £6 was allowed him as a recompense for his services."* On 
July 27, 1706, Joe English was slain by the Indians while acting with another soldier as escort or 
guard to Captain Butterfield and his wife on a visit from Dunstable to friends in Chelmsford. The 
attack was made a little south of the state line, at or near Holden's brook. "Many stories were 
related of his courage, fidelity and hairbreadth escapes. His death was lamented as a public loss. 
The general assembly made a grant to his widow and two children ' because he died in the service of 
his country.'! His memory, though humble, was long cherished as one who fell by the hands of his 
own brethren on account of his friendship for the whites." 

It was also during this war, in 1697, that Mrs. Du.stin was captured at Haverhill, and escaped by 
killing her captors while they were asleep at the mouth of the Contoocook river in Concord, N. H.J 
This was considered one of the most remarkable and heroic exploits on record. In her lonely wander- 
ings down the Merrimack homeward the first house she reached was that of John Eovewell, father of 
"worthy- Captain Lovewell," which stood on the north side of Salmon tirook a few rods north of the 
Allds street bridge. 

Although Dunstable suffered little during the war from actual injuries, yet con.stant exposure to 
the tomahawk and scalping knife and the fre(|uent alarms preventeil its growth. In i6,So there were 
thirty families in the town, while in 1701 the number did not exceed twenty-five. The settlement had 
more than once been nearly deserted and very few improvements were made. 

"E;arl\- in the summer of 1706, Colonel Scluuler of Albany gave notice to Governor Dudley of 
New Hampshire, that a party of Mohawks, two hundred and seventy in number, were marching to 
attack Piscataqua. 'Their first descent was at Dunstable, July 3, 1706, where they fell on a house 

• Mass. Military Record, 169S, Journals, 590. 

t Joe English's signature was a bow with the arrow drawn to its head. History of Rowley, 373, 381. 
t A handsome monument with suitable inscription was erected in the year 1874, near the mouth of the Contoocook 
river to commemorate this exploit. 



2y6 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

that hadtwentv troopers posted in it, who by their negligence and folly, keeping no watch, suffered 
them to enter, which tended to the destruction of one-half their number. '* This was, it is said, at 
'the Weld garrison.' " 

"A more particular account of this attack has been preserved which is as follows. These 
troopers, who were mounted scouts, ' had been ranging the woods in the vicinity and came towards 
night to this garrison. Apprehending no danger, they turned their horses loose upon the interval, 
piled their arms and harness in the house, and began a carousal to exhilarate their spirits after the 
fatigues of the day. A party of Indians had lately arrived in the vicinity, and on that day had 
designed to attack both Weld's and fJalusha's garrisons. One of their number had been stationed to 
watch each of these garrisons, to see that no assistance approached and no alarm was given. A short 
time previous to the approach of the cavalry the Indian stationed at Weld's had retired to his party, 
and reported that all was safe. 

"At sunset a Mr. Cununings and his wife went out to milk tlieir cows, and left the gate open. 
The Indians who had advanced undiscovered, started up, shot Mrs. Cummings dead upon the spot, 
and wounded her husband. They then rushed through the open gate into the house with all the 
horrible yells of conquering savages, but started with amazement on finding the room filled with 
soldiers merrilv feasting. Both parties w^ere completely amazed, and neither acted with much 
propriety. The soldiers, so suddenly interrupted in their jovial entertainment, found themselves 
called to fight when entirely destitute of arms, and incapable of obtaining them. 

" The greater part were panic struck and unable to fight or fly. Fortunately all were not in this 
sad condition. Some six or seven courageous souls, with chairs, clubs, or whatever they could seize 
upon, furiously attacked the advancing foe. The Indians, who were as much surprised as the soldiers, 
had but little more courage than they, and immediately took to their heels for safety ; thus quitting 
the house defeated by one quarter their number of unarmed men. The trumpeter, who was in the 
upper part of the house when the attack commenced, seized his trumpet and began sounding an 
alarm, when he was shot dead by an Indian upon the stairway. He was the only one of the party 
killed. 

" Cummings who was wounded had his arm broken, but was so fortunate as to reach the woods 
while the Indians were engaged in the house. That night he lay in a swamp in the northerl}^ part of 
Tyngsborough, about a quarter of a mile west of the great road, and a few rods south of the state line. 
The next day he arrived at the garrison near Tyngsborough village. 't 

" There were several of these garrisons in town to which the inhabitants fled in tinres of danger 
like the present, and where they usually spent their nights. ' The\' were environed by a strong wall 
of stone or of hewn timber built up to the eaves of the houses, through which was a gate fastened by 
bars and bolts of iron. They were lined either with brick or plank. Some of them had port holes 
for the discharge of musketry.' They were generally built of logs, and had the upper story 
projecting three or four feet beyond the lower story walls, for the purpose of greater security. t 

"This last account of the attack contradicts that of Penhallow in some particulars, but as Penhal- 
low, who wrote the history of the Indian wars of that period, was an officer, and a cotemporary, his 
statement that half the number of troopers were destroyed is most probably correct. The circum- 
stances of the surprise corroborate it. In a cotemporary journal of Rev. John Pike of Dover, the 
attack is thus mentioned: 'July 3, 1706, Captain Pearson of Rowley marching with his troops to 
Dunstable, and being posted with part of his troops at one Blanchard's house, while they were at 
supper in the chamber, the enemy had slyly turned Blanchard's sheep into his corn, which he and his 
wife going out to restore, were both slain. The doors and gates being open, the enemy entered the 
house, killed Pearson's trumpeter with three other troopers, and wounded five more. At last they 
were driven out of the house with the loss of one Indian. Pearson was much blamed for not setting 
his sentinels out.'S 

♦ Penhallow. i N. H. Hist. Coll., 48, 49. 

ti N. H., Hist. Coll. 133. 

J Allen's Chelmsford, 148. 

Si Pike's Journal. 3 N. 11. Hist. Coll. 56. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 277 

"There is discrepancy and confusion in these accounts, probably arising from the fact that two 
attacks are blended together. Penhallow is probably correct in his statement that the conflict with 
the troopers, and the death of Mrs. Cummings occurred at Cunimings' house. HIanchard's garrison 
was at some distance fro-.: this scene, and he with most of his family, and others not mentioned by 
Penhallow or Pike, were killed at the same time, as appears by the following extracts from the ancient 
records of the town. From these it would .seem that the garrisons were attacked ' at night.' 

■• Nathaniel Hlanchard dyed on July the 3rd at night 1706. Lydia Blanchard, wife of Nathaniel 
Blanchard, and .Susanna Blanchard, daughter Nath'l Blanchard, dyed on July 3 at night in the 
year 1706. 

" Mrs. Hannah Blanchard dyed on July the 3rd at night in the year 1706. 

"Goody Cunimings, the wife of John Cummings died on July the third at night, 1706. 

" Rachel Galusha died on July the 3rd, 1706. 

"After that, on the same day," says Penhallow, "a small party attacked Daniel Galusha's house, 
who held them in play for some time till the old man's courage failed, when on surrendering himself 
he informed them of the state of the garrison ; how that one man was killed and only two men and a 
boy left, which caused them to rally anew and with greater courage than before. Upon which one 
man and the boy got on the outside, leaving only Jacob (Galusha) to fight the battle, who for some 
time defended himself with much bravery, but overpowered with force and finding none to assist him, 
was obliged to quit and make the best escape he could. But before he got far the enemy laid hold of 
him once again, and yet by much struggling he rescued himself. Upon this dav they burned the 
house, and next day fell on Amesbury."* 

"Galusha's garri.son was about two miles west of Weld's garrison on Salmon brook, at a place 
formerly called Glasgow, where Henry Turrell now lives. t Pike mentions the attack, but in a manner 
to show that our accounts are very imperfect. ' Near about the same time, or soon after, they 
assaulted another house belonging to Jacob Galusha, a Dutchman. The house was burned, some 
persons were killed and some escaped. The whole number said to have been slain in Dunstable at 
this time was nine persons. " + 

"In a note to ' Penhallow's Indian Wars,' by John Farmer, the following more particular account 
of this attack is given : 'The savages disappointed in this part of their plan, (the attack on Weld's 
garrison) immediately proceeded to Galusha's, two miles di.stant took po.s.session of and burned it. 
One woman only escaped. Had the company at Weld's armed and immediately pursued they might 
probablj- have prevented this disaster : btit they spent so mticli time in arming and getting their 
horses, that the enemy had an opportunity to perpetrate the mischief, and escape nninjured." 

" The woman above mentioned, when the Indians attacked the house, sought refuge in the cellar 
and concealed herself under a dry cask. After hastily plundering the house, and murdering, as they 
suppo.sed, all who were within it, the Indians set it on fire, and immediately retired. The woman, in 
this critical situation attempted to escape by the window but found it too small. She however 
succeeded in loosening the stones till she had opened a hole sufficient to admit of her passage, and 
with the house in flames over her head, she forced herself out and crawled into the bushes, not daring 
to rise for fear she should be discovered. In the bushes she lay concealed until the next day, when 
she reached one of the neighboring garrisons. "is 

" In the records of the general court of Massachusetts, mention is made se\eral times of these 
conflicts. The sum of ^4 was granted to 'Robert Rogers of Rowley,' who was 'one of Captain 
Peirson's company when attacked bj- the Indians at Dunstable, and was wounded by a spear run into 
his breast. 'II The sum of ^lo was also allowed to Captain Peirson, ' for the scalp of an Indian 
enemy slain the last summer b}- him and his company at Dunstable, to be by him distributed and 
paid to such of his troops, and the inhabitants of said town, that were at the garrison when and where 
the Indian was slain.' " 

* I X. H. Hi.st. Coll. 49. 

t Henry Turrell at the age of ninety years now (September, 1895,) lives on tlie same farm where his father, the 
Henry Turrell mentioned here, lived and died. — [Kd.] 

* Pike's Journal. 3 N. H. Hist. Coll. 56. His name was Daniel. 
§ I N. H. Hist. Coll. 133 : note, i Uelknap, 173 : note. 

I Mass. Military Records. May 26, 1707. 



278 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

INDIAN WARS FROM 17O3 TO 1713- 

" In the summer of 1702, it was proposed by the general court to build a trading house for the 
Indians and a fortified garrison 'at Wataanuck,'* as the settlement at Salmon brook was then called, 
but owing to the lateness of the season the intention was not accomplished. 

" Oct. 24, 1702, Governor Dudley informed the house of representatives that he was going to 
Dunstable on Monday to meet several of the Penacook Indians there, ' who were come to speak with 
him.' He was absent until October 29, but the results of his interview whatever they might be, did 
not allay the fears of the general court. Believing from the movements of the Indians that prepara- 
tions for the defence of the frontiers should be made, they passed the following order :t 

" ' Nov. 10, 1702. The winter being too far advanced for the erecting of a trading house for the 
supply of the Indians at Penacook, and for fortifying the garrison at Wataanuck in the count}- of 
Middlesex — Resolved, that a convenient house next adjoining thereto, such as his excellency shall 
direct, be fitted up and fortified for that purpose with hewn timber and a suitable garrison posted 
there for the defence thereof ; the fortification not to exceed forty feet square." 

"This was probably the old fort, or 'Queen's Garrison,'! as it was called, which stood about 
sixtv rods easterly of Main street in Nashua, and about as far northerly of Salmon brook, near a 
cluster of oaks on the premises now owned by Elbridge G. Reed. Some traces of the fort were 
to be seen until within a few years. Here a small garrison was posted, as appears by the following 
return to the governor and council, dated Dec. 25, 1702, which contains the list of the soldiers then 
at the garrison. S 

"William Tyng, lieutenant; John Bowers, sergeant; Joseph Butterfield, drummer; John 
Spalding, John Cummings, Joseph Hassell, Ebenezer Spalding, Daniel Galusha, Paul Fletcher, 
Samuel French, Thomas Lund. " Jox.vthan Tvng, Lt. -Colonel." 

"In 1703 war was renewed between France and England. It lasted until 1713, and was called 
' Queen Anne's War.' The Indians, as usual, took part with the French, and in August, 1703, a 
general attack was made upon all the frontier settlements. Terror and devastation reigned every- 
where. Within a few weeks more than two hundred whites were either killed or captured. The 
general assembly being sensibly affected by these massacres, offered a bounty of /'40 for every 
Indian scalp. ' Captain Tyng was the first who embraced the tender. He went in the depth of 
winter, (1703-4,) to their headquarters, at (Pequawket,) and got five for which he received two 
hundred pounds. 1| 

" He afterwards became a major, and it is said 'was a true lover of his country, and very often 
distinguished himself as a gentleman of good valor and conduct. 'II The Indians did not forget the 
slaughter of their friends, or their national law of blood for blood, although its execution might be 
long delayed. In 17 10 he was waylaid b}- them between Concord and Groton, and so severely 
wounded that he soon after died.** 

"It was probably soon after the commencement of this war that the garrison of Robert Parris was 
surprised, and himself and family massacred. He lived in the southerly part of Nashua, on the Main 
road, on the farm which adjoined that of Rev. Mr. Weld on the north. tt He was a large landed 
proprietor, and had been selectman and representative of the town. 'The Indians in one of their 
predatory excursions attacked his house, and killed him, his wife, and oldest daughter. Two small 
girls, who composed the rest of his family, ran down cellar, and crawled under an empty hogshead. 
The savages plundered the house, struck with their tomahawks upon the hogshead, but neglected to 
examine it, and departed leaving the house unburned, probably fearing that the flames would alarm 

*This name, or rather Watananuck, was the one given by the Indians to the falls in the Merrimack near Taylor's 
falls l)ridge ; to the little pond in Hudson about a mile easterly of these falls ; to Salmon brook and Sandy pond ; and 
to the whole plain in which Nashua Village in Nashua now stands. It is the same word as Outanic. 

t Military Records, 1702, page 336. 

X Queen Anne. 

§ Mass. Military Records, 1702. 

11 Penhallow. i N. H. Hist. Coll. 27. This was Capt. John Tyng, eldest son of Col. Jonathan Tyug of this town. 

tPeuhallow. i N. H. Hist. Coll. 60. 

**Allen's Chelmsford, 35. 

tt Proprietary Records of Dunstable. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



279 



the neighbors. The orphan girls were sent to Charlestowu, Mass. , and there brought up. One of them 
married a Richardson, and the other a Goffe, father of the celebrated Colonel Goffe, whose posterity 
are numerous in this vicinit\-.* 

"In January, 1706, 'the trading house at Wataanuck in Dunstable, being now u.seless, they (the 
house of representatives,) were not willing to continue to support a garrison there. To which his 
excellency returned answer, that he made no further use thereof than as a convenient post for lodging 
some of the persons being under pay and at hand for the relief of Groton and the near parts upon an 
attack, and for scouting, and not as a fortress or garrison.' From this circumstance, at this time 
probably little danger was anticipated. 

"In April, 1706, the sum of /,"io was granted by the general assembly to Samuel Butterfield who 
had been 'taken captive by the Indians, cruelly treated, and stripped of all, having killed one of them, 
and knocked down two others, after they seized him. ' No hint is given of the time or place of 
capture. 

"After the date when Joe English was slain (July 27, 1706), we find no further mention of dam- 
age done by the Indians in Dunstable for several years, although many bloody attacks were made 
upon other neighboring and frontier towns. There were incursions, indeed, and alarms, for in 
March, 17 10, it was 'voted and agreed upon by the inhabitants that the selectmen should take care in 
order to obtain some help and assistance from the country, by a petition to the general court.' This 
was done only incases of great emergency. A company of 'snow men' were kept scouting, and 
ordered here for the protection of the settlement, under Colonel Tyng, and garrisons established at 
several places at which the settlers dwelt. The history of the frontiers until the close of Queen 
Anne's war in 1713, is but a series of attacks, burnings, captivities and massacres. 'From 1675 
to 1 7 14 it is estimated that Massachusetts and New Hampshire lost 6000 young men and male children, 
including those killed and those who were made captives without ever being recovered.' 

" In November, 171 1, the inhabitants still lived principally in garrison houses, where soldiers 
under the pay of the colony were stationed constantly for their defence. From a return of the number, 
location, and situation of these garrisons made to the general court at that time, it appears that there 
were seven garrisons, containing thirteen families and eight^'-six persons, in this town. This perhaps 
did not include the whole number of families in town. If it did, the number had dimini.shed more than 
one-half since 16S0, so disastrous had been the effects of the long and bloody wars. 

" The following is a list of the garrisons, number of families, number of male inhabitants in each 
garrison, number of soldiers stationed in each garrison, and the whole number of inhabitants in each 
garrison. 'The Queen's garrison' was probably Wataanuck at Salmon brook. t 





Names or (iarrisons. 


h 
p-a 


% 2, 
1 




— 


I 

2 

3 

4 

% 

7 


Col. (Jonathan) Tyng's, 
Mr. Henry Farvvell's, 
Mr. (John) Cunimintrs' 
Col. (Sam'l) Whiting's, . 
Mr. (Thomas) Lund's, 
Queen's Garrison, 
Mr. (John ) Sollendine's. 

Total 


I 

3 

2 
3 
I 
2 

I 


I 

3 
2 

° 

I 



6 

2 
2 
I 

4 
4 


8 
28 
21 

8 

21 




13 


^ 


It) 


S6 



" It was probably some time during this war that Richard Hasscll, a son of Joseph Hassell killed 
in 1691, was taken captive by Indians on Long hill in the .south part of the town and carried to 
Canada. 



* Parris is not improbably the same name as Pierce, since Jan. 8, 1702, we find recorded under marriage of Jane 
Pierce, alir Parris. — Town Records. 
t Mass. Mili ary Records, 1711. 



28o HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

•■ Thus feeble and suffering had been the condition of the settlement for many years. Fear and 
desolation reigned everywhere. Compelled to dwell in garrisons, and to labor at the constant peril of 
life, how could the settlers thrive? Dunstable was scarcely more advanced in 1714 than it was in 
1680. so disastrous had been the effects of the long and bloody wars. Many of the most useful 
inhabitants had been slain or taken captive, heads of families especially. Some had removed to 
places more secure from Indian depredation, and deserted all. Few, very few emigrated to what 
might well be termed ' the dark and bloody ground,' and it was no time for marriage feasts when the 
bridal procession might at every step become a funeral one, and the merry laugh be drowned by the 
rifle and the war whoop. 

"The war on the part of the Indians," says Bancroft, " was one of ambushes and surprises. They 
never met the English in open field ; but always, even if eight fold in number, fled timorously before 
infantry. But they were secret as beasts of prey, skillful marksmen, and in part provided with fire- 
arms, fleet of foot, conversant with all the paths of the forest, patient of fatigue, and mad with a 
passion for rapine, \-engeance and destruction : retreating into swamps for their fastnesses, or hiding in 
the greenwood tliickets, where the leaves muffled the eyes of the pursuer. 

" By the rapiditv of their descent they seemed omnipresent among the scattered villages, which 
they ravaged like a passing storm, and for years they kept all New h^ngland in a state of alarm and 
excitement. The exploring party was way-laid and cut off, and the mangled carcasses and disjointed 
limlisof the dead were hung upon the trees toterrif>- pursuers. The laborer in the field, the reapers 
as they went forth to the harvest, men as they went to mill, the shepherd's boy among the sheep, were 
shot down by skulking foes whose approach was in\-isible. 

" Who can tell the heavy hours of woman? The mother if left alone in the house feared the 
tomahawk for herself and children. On the sudden attack the husband would fly with one child, the 
wife with another, and perhaps one only escape. The village cavalcade making its way to meeting on 
Sunday, in files on horseback, the farmer holding his bridle in one hand and a child in the other, his 
wife seated on a pillion behind him, it may be with a child in her lap as was the fashion in those days, 
could not proceed safely, but at the moment when least expected bullets would come whizzing by them, 
discharged with fatal aim from an ambuscade b>- the wayside. The forest that protected the ambush 
of the Indians secured their retreat. They hung upon the skirts of the English villages ' like light- 
ning on the edge of the cloud.' "* 

"' Did they surprise a garrison ? Ouicklw' writes Mary Rowlandson of Lancaster, ' it was the 
dolefullest day that ever mine eyes saw. Now the dreadful hour is come. Some in our house were 
fighting for their lives : others wallowing in blood : the house on fire over our heads, and the bloody 
heathen ready to knock us on the head if we stirred out. I took my children to go forth, but the 
Indians shot so thick that the bullets rattled against the house as if they had thrown a handful of 
stones. We had six stout dogs but not one of them would stir.' 

" ' The bullets flying thick, one went through my side, and through my poor child in m\- arms.' 
The brutalities of an Indian massacre followed. 'There remained nothing to me,' she continues 
being in captivity, ' but one poor wounded babe. Down I must sit in the snow with my sick child, the 
picture of death, in m}- lap. Not the least crumb of refreshing came within either of our mouths from 
Wednesday night till Saturday night, excepting only a little cold water. One Indian, and then a 
second, and then a third would come and tell me : Your master will quickly knock your child on the 
head. This was the comfort I had from them ; miserable comforters were they all."t 

" Such was the life of the early settlers of Dunstalile, and could our plans unfold the bloody scenes 
and heart touching events which have here taken place, their stor\' would be as .strange and thrilling 
as that of Mary Rowlandson. These scenes have indeed passed away, and their actors are well nigh 
forgotten, but we ought never to forget that our soil has bsen sprinkled with their blood, and that to 
them we owe most of the blessings which we enjoy." 



* 2 Bancroft's United .States, 102. 

t Mary Rowlandson's Narrative, 12 — 15. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 281 

INDIAN ATTACK OF 1724. 

The story of Indian massacre in the year 1724, as narrated by Mr. Fox, is so clear, concise and 
authentic that the editor of this chapter will quote it bodily, eliminating therefrom such passages 
only as are not deemed essential for this historj-. 

" After the close of Queen Anne's War, by the ratification of the treaty of peace between France 
and England, at I'trecht, a treaty was made with the Indians at Portsmouth, N. H., in July, 1713, 
and quiet reigned throughout the frontiers for many years. The emigrants pushed their settlements 
farther and farther into the wilderness, and the smoke curling up from many a cabin along the green 
hillsides, and in the rich valleys, gave signs of advancing civilization. The distant Indians, 
however, were still hostile and treacherous, although, being deserted by France, they were compelled 
to make peace. 

"In 1717 they began to be more and more in.solent, killing the cattle and threatening the lives of 
the settlers, and occasioned so much alarm that a fast was ordered. These outrages were imputed to 
the instigations of the French missionaries, the Jesuits, who were jealous of the growth of the 
English plantations. In August, 17 17, however, a congress was held with them at Arrowsick on the 
Kennebec river, and the treaty of 17 13 was renewed.* This apparent friendship lasted but a .short 
time, owing, as was said, to the advice of Father Rasle and the Jesuits, for in 1720 they began to 
threaten again, and in June, 1722, attacked the settlement at Merry Meeting bay, on the southern 
shore of L,ake Winnipisiogee, and ' carried off nine families. 't 

"During all the previous Indian wars, Dunstable was the frontier town, and therefore exposed 
to greater dangers than its more interior neighbors. Now other settlements had commenced beyond 
us, although yet in their infancy, and incapable of affording much protection. As early as 1710 
settlements were made in Hudson. Londonderry (then called Nutfield) was settled in 1719, and 
Litchfield (then called Brenton's Farm, or by its ancient Indian name, Naticook) in 1720. Chester 
was also settled in 1720, and Merrimack and Pelham in 1722. During the years 1722-3-4, frequent 
ravages were committed and much alarm excited. As we look around on our beautiful villages and 
thicklj' peopled towns, we can scarceh' realize that a little more than a century ago the yell of the 
Indian was heard even here, and the shriek of the murdered settler went up to heaven with the flames 
of his desolated home. 

" In the summer of 1723 the Indians attacked Dover and Lamprey river, and, fearing an attack 
upon the settlements in this vicinity, a garrison of thirty men was posted in Dun.stable. It was still 
considered a frontier town, and was the rendezvous of all the scouting parties which traversed the 
valleys of the Merrimack and the Nashua. The scouts were drafted from the different regiments, 
and were con.stantly out upon excursions against the Indians. In November, 1723, Capt. Daniel 
Peeker arrived at Dunstable with such a company from Haverhill, and having received recruits here, 
marched to Pennichook brook, Souhegan, Anconoonook hills, Piscataquog, Amoskeag, Annahooksit, 
Contookook, Cohasset, (Goffe's Falls) and Beaver brook, but 'discovered no enemy.' A small party 
was sent out by him 'under the command of Jonathan Robbins of Dunstable,' and were gone several 
days but without success. J 

" At the same time a company under the connnand of Lieut. Jabez Fairbanks of Groton was also 
scouting up and down the Nashua. In this company were six men from Dunstable, viz : Joseph 
Blanchard, Thomas Lund, Isaac Farwell, Ebenezer Cummiugs, John Usher, and Jonathan Combs. 
Upon a petition from the selectmen of the town, stating its exposed situation, and the necessity that 
they should be allowed to stay at home to guard it, they were all discharged, upon the condition, 
however, that thej- should perform duty at Dunstable. S 

" In the winter and .spring of 1724, Lieutenant Fairbanks and his comijany were scouting al)out 
' Nashuway river,' ' Nisiti.sit hills,' 'The Mines,' or Mine falls, ' Penichuck pond,' 'Naticook,' 
' Soulieganock,' ' Nesenkeag,' ' Dunstaljle meeting house,' and other places in this vicinity. In 

*Penhallow. i N. H. Hist. Coll., 89. i Helknap, 189. 
t Belknap, 201. 

t Mass. Recorils, Journals of Scouts, pai?e 47. Robbins was a volunteer, and a lieutenant under Captain I.ovowell 
iu 1725. 

§Mass. Military Records, 1723, pages 1 11-145. 



282 HISTORY OF NASHUA, X. H. 

Mav, 1724, men were at work planting both north and west of Nashua ri\-er, and a part of this 
company were posted here as a garrison.* 

" In Auo-ust, 1724, the English sent a body of troops to attack the Indian town at Xorridgewock, 
Me. The town was surprised, and a large number of Indians slain, together with Father Ra.sle, the 
Jesuit, their priest, who was considered by the English as the instigator of all these outrages. By 
this attack the eastern Indians were much alarmed and weakened. But about this time a party of 
French Mohawks, to the number of seventy, made an incursion into this neighborhood. ' September 
4, they fell on Dunstable and took two in the evening. Next morning Lieutenant French with 
fourteen men went in pursuit of them, l)Ut being waylaid, both he and one-half of his men were 
destroyed. After this as many more of a fresh company engaged them, but the enemy being much 
superior in number, overpowered them, with the loss of one man killed and four wounded. 't A more 
particular account of this mournful event has been preserved and collected from various sources with 
much care and labor. It must prove interesting, at least to the descendants of the actors in these 
scenes, many of whom still reside among us, and may serve to make us all realize more fully the 
nature, extent and worth of the sufferings of these into who.se labors we have entered." 

"The two captives mentioned above were Nathan Cross and Thomas Blanchard. They had 
been engaged in the manufacture of turpentine on the north side of the Nashua, near the spot 
where the upper part of the city now stands, and were seized while at work and carried off by the 
Indians. As there were at that time no houses or settlements on that side of Nashua river at that 
place, these men had been in habit of returning every night to lodge in a saw mill on the south side 
of the river. This mill was probably John Lovewell's which .stood on Salmon brook at the bridge, by 
the house of Miss Allds, the mud sills of which are now visible. The night following their capture 
they came not as usual, and an alarm was given, as it was feared they had fallen into the hands of the 
Indians. 

"A party consisting of ten of the principal inhabitants of the place, beside their leader, started 
in pursuit of them under the direction of Eieut. Ebenezer French. In this company was Josiah 
Farwell, who was next year lieutenant at Pequawkett under Eovewell. When this party arrived at 
the spot where these men had been laboring, the\' found the hoops of the barrels cut and the turpen- 
tine spread upon the ground. From certain marks made upon the trees with wax mixed with grease, 
they understood that the men were taken and carried off alive. 

" In the course of the examination, Farwell perceived that the turpentine had not ceased spreading 
and called the attention of his comrades to this circumstance. They concluded that the Indians had 
been gone but a short time and must Ise near and decided on instant pursuit. Farwell advised them 
to take a circuitous route to avoid an ambush ; but unfortunateh' he and French a short time before 
had a misunderstanding and were then at variance. French imputed this advice to cowardice and 
cried out, ' I am going to take the direct path ; if any of you are not afraid let him follow me.' 
French led the way and the whole of the party followed, Farwell following in the rear. 

" Their route was up the Merrimack towards which they bent their course to look for their horses 
upon the intervals. At the brookt near Satwych's (now Thornton's) Ferr}- they were waylaid. The 
Indians fired upon them and killed the larger part instantly. A few fled, but were overtaken and 
destroyed. French was killed about a mile from the place of action under an oak tree lately standing 
in a field belongiilg to John Lund of Merrimack. Farwell in the rear, seeing those before him 
fall, sprung behind a tree, discharged his piece and ran. Two Indians pursued him. The chase was 
vigorously maintained for some time, without either gaining much advantage, till Farwell passing- 
through a thicket, the Indians lost sight of him, and probably fearing he might have loaded again, 
they desisted from farther pursuit. He was the onl>- one of the company that escaped. 

"A company from the neighborhood immediately mustered and proceeded to the fatal spot to find 
the bodies of their friends and townsmen. Eight of them were found and conveyed to the burying 
place. 'Coffins were prepared for them and they were decently interred in one capacious grave.' The 

* Mass. Records, Jourual of Scouts, page 51. 
t Penhallow. 1 N. H. Hist. Coll., 109. 

t Naticook l)rook, the stream which crosses the road just above Thornton's. The scene of the andjush must have 
been near the present highway. 



///STORY OF N.lS//(/A, N. H. 2^^ 

names of these persons given in tlie Boston News Letter were Lieut. Ebenezer French, Thcn.as Lun.l 
Oliver Farwell and Kbene/er Cnnimings who belonged to Dunstable, and all of whom excei)ling the 
last, left widows and children, Daniel Baldwin and John Burbank of Woburn and Mr. Johnson of 
I'lainfield. 

•• Cross and lihuK-hanl, lla- fir.st named, were carried to Canada; alter remaining there some time 
they succeeded, by their own exertions, in effecting their redemption, and returned home.'* 

The gun owned and use.l by Cross was carefully preserved by his descendants, and is now in the 
possession of the Xashua Historical society. 

'■The place of their interment was the ancient l)urial ground near tlie stale line, in whicli there 
is a monument still standing, with the following inscrijition, copied verbatim et literatim. 

" Memento Mori. 
Here lies the body of Mr. Tlioiiuus I, unci 
who departed this life Sept. 5th 1724 in the 

42ud year of his age. 
This man with seven more that lies in 
this grave was slew all in a day by 
The Indians." 

"Three other grave stones stand close beside the aljove, very ancient, moss covered and almost 
illegible. One was erected to ' Lt. Oliver Farwell, aged 33 years; ' one to ' Mr. Ivbene/.er Cummings, 
aged 29 years,' and one to ' Mr. Benjamin Carter, aged 23 years.' 

"It is related by Penhallow, that after the first attack 'a fre.sh company engaged them" but 
were overpowered 'with the loss of one killed and four wounded.' The Indians, elated with their 
success, moved forward to Nashua river, and this second fight is said to have taken place at the 
ancient fordway, where the highway crossed the Nashua, and very near its mouth. It was i)robably 
at this time that the circumstance occurred which has given to that portion of the village its name. 
Tradition reports that the Indians were on the north side of the river and the hjiglish on the south, 
and that after the fight had lasted a long time across the stream without decisive result, l)oth parties 
drew off, and that after the Indians had departed, upon a large tree which stood by the river .side, 
near the Concord railroad bridge, the figure of an Indian's head was found carved bv them, as if in 
defiance. Such was the origin of 'Indian Heatl.' 

"There is another version of the account, indeed, which relates, that a fight once took place 
there between the whites and the Indians; that the latter were defeated, and all of them supposed to 
be slain; but that one escaped, and carved upon a tree the Indian head as a taunt and a threat of 
vengeance. 

"Sometime during this year, William Lund, 'being in the service of his country, was taken 
prisoner by the Indian enemy and carried into captivity, where he suffered great hardshijis and was 
obliged to pa}- a great price for his ransom.' The time, place and circumstances of his capture and 
return are not known, and this brief record is all that remains. "t 

Lovewell's war and Lovewell's fight have always been surrounded with a halo of romance. An 
expedition in the fall of 1724 was incepted and led b}- Capt. John Lovewell of Dunstable against the 
Pequawketts, a fierce tribe of Indians that had their headquarters in the region between Lake Winni- 
pisiogee in New Hampshire and a pond near Fryeburg, Me., since known as Lovewell's pond. 

Inasmuch as the bold Captain Lovewell and several of his men were from Dunstable, it is deemed 
pardonable to insert herein something more than a mere reference to that war and to the bloody and 
fatal fight at Pigwacket, in which the brave leader was shot dead, "pierced through by an Indian 
ball " and the whole company defeated. As narrated by Mr. Fox, the story is as follows : — \ 

"In consequence of this attack, and of the devastation everywhere committed by the Indians, 
John Lovewell, Josiah Farwell and Jonathan Robbins petitioned the general as.sembly of Massachu- 
setts for leave to raise a company and to scout against the Indians. The original petition, signed by 
them is still on file in the office of the secretary of state in Boston, and is as follows.- — 

*l!elknap, 207: note. Maiuiscript correetions thereof Iiy John I'armer, in the possession of the late Isaac 
Spalding. 

t Mass. Military Records, 1734. 
t Fox's History, page no, et seq. 



284 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

"The humble memorial of John Lovell, Josiah Farwell, Jonathan Robbins, all of Dunstable, 

sheweth : 

" That your petitioners, with near forty or fifty others, are inclinable to range and to keep out in 
the woods for several months together, in order to kill and destroy their enemy Indians, provided 
thev can meet with incouragement suitable. And your petitioners are imployed and desired by many 
others, humbly to propose and submit to your honors' consideration, that if such soldiers may be 
allowed five shillings per day, in case they kill any enemy Indian and possess their scalp, they will 
imploy themselves in Indian hunting one whole year, and if within that time they do not kill any, 
they are content to be allowed nothing for their wages, time and trouble. 

John Lovewell, 
Josiah Farwell, 

•■ Dunstable, Nov., 1724." Jonathan Robbins." 

" Lovewell* was a man of great courage and fond of engaging in adventurous enterprises. He 
was particularly successful in hunting wild animals, and in time of war was engaged in exploring the 
wilderness to find the lurking places of the Indians who ravaged the settlements in New England. 
His father, it is said, had been an ensign in the army of Cromwell and a soldier under the famous 
Captain Church in the great Narraganset Swamp fight and his sons inherited his military taste and 
ardor. This petition was granted, changing the conditions into a bounty of /'loo per scalp. The 
company was raised and a commission of captain given to Lovewell. They became greatly distin- 
guished, first by their success and afterwards by their misfortunes. 

" Lovewell was then in the prime of life and burning with zeal to distinguish himself. With his 
company of picked men he started upon an excursion into the Indian country. The headquarters of 
the Pequawketts, a fierce and dangerous tribe, were in the region between Lake Winnipisiogee and 
the pond in Fryeburg, Me., since known as 'Lovewell's pond.' It was called Pequawkett, is filled 
with lakes, ponds and .streams affording excellent fi.shing and hunting, and embraces the present towns 
of Conway, Wakefield, Ossipee, Fryeburg, etc. Dec. 10, 1724, while northward of Lake Winnipi- 
siogee, the party came ' on a wigwam wherein were two Indians, one of which they killed and the 
other took, for which they received the promi.sed bounty of one hundred pounds a scalp, and two 
shillings and si.x pence a da)- besides.'! 

" Other similar expeditions had been attempted, but without much success. Some had fallen 
into ambuscades, and some after long and dangerous journeys through the pathless wilderness had 
returned without meeting an enemy. But the success of Captain Lovewell roused their spirits and 
he determined upon another excursion. This company was soon augmented to eighty-eight, t He 
marched again, Feliruary, 1725, and- visiting the place where they had killed the Indian found his body- 
as they had left it two months before. Their provisions falling short, thirty of them were dismissed 
by lot and returned home. 

" The remaining fifty-eight continued their march till the)- discovered a track, which they 
followed until they saw a smoke just before sunset, by which thej- judged that the enenu' were 
encamped for the night. This was Feb. 20, 1725. ' They kept themselves concealed till after mid- 
night, when they silently advanced and discovered ten Indians asleep around a fire by the side of a 
frozen pond. Lovewell was determined to make sure work, and placing his men convenienth', ordered 
a part of them to fire, five at once, as quick after each other as possible, and another part to reserve 
their fire. He gave the signal by firing his own gun, which killed two of them. His men firing 
according to order killed five more on the spot. The other three starting up from their sleep, two of 
them were immediately shot dead by the reserve. The other though wounded attempted to escape by 
crossing the pond, but was seized by a dog and held fa.st till they killed him. 

" Thus in a few minutes the whole company was destroyed and some attempt against the frontiers 
of New Hampshire prevented ; for these Indians were making from Canada well furnished with new 
guns and plenty of ammunition. They had also a number of spare blankets, moccasins and snow- 
.shoes, for the accommodation of the prisoners which they expected to take, and were within two days 
march of the frontiers. 

* This famous Indian fighter was from near Salmon brook in Xashua. 

t Penhallow. i N. H. Hist. ColL, 100. i Belknap, 208. 

t So says Report of Committees on the subject in Mass. Records— Towns. 172S. 



irrsroRY of Nashua, n. h. 285 

" The pond where this exploit was performed is at the head of a branch of Salmon Falls river, 
in the township of Wakefield, and has ever since borne the name of Lovewell's pond. The action 
is spoken of by elderly people at this distance of time," says Belknap in 1790, from whom the above 
is chiefly taken, "with an air of exultation, and considering the extreme difficulty of finding and 
attacking Indians in the woods, and the judicious manner in which they were so completely surprised, 
it was a capital exploit." 

"The brave company, witli the ten .scalps stretche<l on hoops and elevated on poles, entered 
Dover in triumph, and proceeded thence to Boston, where they received the promised bounty of one 
hundred pounds for each scalp out of the public treasury.* 

" Penhallow adds that 'the guns were .so good and new that most of them were sold for seven 
pounds ($23.33) a piece. The plunder was but a few skins, but during the march our men were well 
entertained with moose, bear and deer, together with salmon trout, some of which were three feet 
long, and weighed twelve pounds a piece. 't .Scarcely had Lovewell returned from this successful 
excursion, when Capt. Eleazar Tyng of this town, collecting a large company of volunteers, many of 
them also from this town, marched into the wilderness. They scouted around Pemigewasset river 
and Winnipisiogee lake for a month but returned without accomplishing anything.]; 

"'Encouraged by his former success, and animated still,' as Penhallow says, 'with an uncommon 
zeal of doing what service he could,' Lovewell marched a third time into the wilderness, intending 
to attack the Pequawketts in their headquarters on Saco river. Ju.st before he left, it is said, that 
being at a house in what is now Nashua, he was warned to be upon his guard again.st the ambuscades 
of the enemy. He replied, 'That he did not care for them,' and bending down a small elm beside 
which he was standing into a bow, declared 'that he would treat the Indians in the same way.' 
This elm is still standing, a venerable and magnificent tree. 

"He set out from Dunstable with forty-six men, including a chaplain and surgeon. Two of 
them proving lame returned. Another falling sick, they halted and built a fort fortified by pointed 
stakes, on the west side of Ossipee pond. Here the surgeon was left with the sick man, and eight of 
the number for a guard. The number of the company was now reduced to thirty-four. § 

"The names of this brave company are worthy of preservation, and their numerous descendants 
may trace back their descent to such ancestry with pride. They were Capt. John Lovewell, Lieut. 
Josiah Farwell, Lieut. Jonathan Robbins, Ensign John Harwood, Ensign Xoah Johnson, Robert 
I'sher and Samuel Whiting, all of Dunstable; Ensign Seth Wyman, Corporal Thos. Richardson, 
Timothy Richardson, Ichabod Johnson and Josiah Johnson of Woburn ; Eleazer Davis, Joseph 
Farrar, Josiah Davis, Josiah Jones, David Melvin, Eleazer Melvin and Jacob Farrar of Concord: 
Chaplain Jonathan Frye of Andover; Seargt. Jacob FuUam of Weston; Corporal Edward Lingfield 
of Nutfield, (now Londonderry) ; Jonathan Kittredge and Solomon Ke3'es of Billerica; John Teffts, 
Daniel Woods, Thomas Woods, John Chamberlain, Elias Barson, Isaac Lakin and Joseph Gil.son of 
Groton; Abiel Asten and Ebenezer Alger of Haverhill, and one who deserted them in battle, and 
whose name has been considered unworthy of being transmitted to posterity. 

"Pursuing their march northward they came to a pond about twentj^-two miles distant from the 
fort, and encamped by the side of it. Early the next morning May 8, 1725, (May 19, new style,) 
while at their devotions they heard the report of a gun, and discovered a single Indian standing on a 
point of land which runs into the pond more than a mile distant. They had been alarmed the 
preceding night by noises round their camp, which they imagined were made by Indians, and this 
opinion was now strengthened. They suspected that the Indian was there to decoy them, and that a 
body of the enemy was in their front. 

•Belknap. 208. The original journal of tliis cxpeililion. in Lovewell's hanil writing, is still preserved among the 
l)apers in the office of the secretary of state at Boston. Many of the company were from this town, but the names 
of few have been preserved. Beside the officers already named, and those who accompanied them to Petjuawkett, 
were Zaccheus Lovewell, Thos. Colliurn, Peter Powers, Josiah Cumniings, Henry I'arweU, \Vm. .Vyers. 

+ 1 N. H. Hist. Coll., 113. 

J Mass. Records. Tyng's Journal, 1725. 

§ The report of the committee upon Lovewell's tour says that he started with forty-seven men, three of wlioni 
returned home sick and lame. Military Records and tour, 1728. They had his muster roll before them. 



,86 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N . H. 

" A consultation being held they determined to march forward, and by encompassing the pond, 
to gain the place where the Indian stood. That they might be ready for action they disencumbered 
themselves of their packs, and left them without guard at the northeast end of the pond, in a pitch 
pine plain, where the trees were thin, and the brakes at that time of the year small. Penhallow 
adds that fearing a snare, 'the captain calling his men together, propo.sed, whether it was best to 
eno-ao-e them or not?' They boldly replied, ' That as they had come out on purpose to meet the 
enemy, they would rather trust Providence with their lives and die for their country, than return 
without seeing them.' Upon this they proceeded.* 

"It happened that Lovewell's march had crossed a carr\ing place, by which two parties of 
Indians, consisting of forty-one each, commanded by Paugiis and Wawha, who had been .scouting 
down Saco river, were returning to the lower village of Pequawkett, distant about a mile and a half 
from this pond. Having fallen on this track they followed it till they came to the packs which they 
removed, and counting them found the number of his men to be less than their own. They therefore 
placed themselves in ambush to attack them on their return. The Indian who stood on the point, 
and who was returning to the village by another path, met them and received their fire, which he 
returned and wounded Farwell and another with small shot. I^ieutenant Wyman firing again killed 
him and they took his scalp. 

■' Seeing no other enemy they returned to the place where they had left their packs, and while 
they were looking for them the Indians rose and ran towards them with a horrid yelling. A smart 
firing commenced on both sides, it being about ten of the clock. Captain Lovewell and eight more 
were killed on the spot. Lieutenant Farwell and two others were wounded. Several of the Indians 
fell, l>ut being superior in numbers they endeavored to surround the party, who, perceiving their 
intention, retreated hoping to reach a shelter behind a point of rocks which ran into the pond, and a 
few large pine trees standing on a sandy beach. In this forlorn place they took their station. On 
their right was the mouth of a brook at that time unfordable; on their left was the rocky point. 
Their front was partly covered with a deep bog, and partly uncovered, and the pond was in the rear. 
The enemy galled them in front and in flank, and had thenr so completely in their power, that had 
they made a prudent use of their advantage, the whole company must either have been killed or 
obliged to surrender at discretion, being destitute of a mouthful of sustenance, and escape being 
impractical)le. 

" Under the conduct of Lieutenant Wyman, they kept up their fire, and showed a resolute 
countenance all the remainder of the day, during which their chaplain, Jonathan Frye, Ensign 
Robbins, and one more were mortally wounded. The Indians invited them to surrender by holding 
up ropes to them, and endeavored to intimidate them by their hideous yells, but they determined to 
die rather than to yield. By their well directed fire the number of the savages was thinned, and their 
cries became fainter, till just before night they quitted their advantageous ground, carrying off their 
killed and wounded, and leaving the dead bodies of Lovewell and his men unscalped. The shattered 
remnant of this brave company collected themselves together, and found three of their number 
unable to move from the spot; eleven wounded, but able to march: and nine only who had received 
no hurt. All the rest, eleven in number, were slain. 

" It was melancholy to leave their dying companions behind, but there was no possibility of 
removing them. One of them. Ensign Robbins, t desired them to lay his gun by him charged, that if 
the Indians should return before his death, he might be able to kill one more. After the rising of the 
moon they quitted the fatal spot, and directed their march towards the fort, where the surgeon and 
guard had been left. To their great surprise they found it deserted. In the beginniiig of the action 
one man (whose name has not been thought worthy to be transmitted,) quitted the field, and fled to 
the fort. Here, in the style of Job's nressengers, he informed them of Lovewell's death, and the 
defeat of the whole company, upon which they made the best of their way home, leaving a quantity 
of l)read and pork, which was a seasonable relief to the retreating survivors. 

" The fate of the survivors was scarcely less pitiable than that of the dead. ' Lieutenant Farwell, 
(of Dunstable) and the chaplain, who had the journal of the march in his pocket, perished in the 

* 1 N. H. Ilisl. Coll., 1 14. 

I Rdlibiiis livcil on I.oii.i; hill, in the .south pnrt o( Nashua. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 28- 

woods for want of dressing Ihcir womuls, Mr. I'rye languished three days and died.' ' He was a 
very worthy and promi.sing young man,' says Penhallow, 'and graduated at Harvard college in 1733.' 
'Mr. Farwell held out until the eleventh day, during which time he had nothing to eat but water and 
a few roots which he chewed.' Josiali Jones 'after long fatigue and hardships got .safe into Saco." 
Solomon Keyes ' being wounded in three places, lost so much blood as disabled him to stand any 
longer; but by a strange Providence, as he was creeping away, he saw a canoe in the pond which he 
rolled himself into, and by a favorable wind, without any a.ssistance of his own, was driven so many 
miles on, that he got safe into the fort. JUeazer Davis was the last that got in, who, after wandering 
about many days, and being nearly famished, came at last to Berwick, and' thence to Portsmouth. 
The others, after enduring the most severe hardshijis, and meeting many providential escapes, came in 
one after another. They were received not only with joy, but were recom])ensed for their valor 
and sufferings, and a generous provision was made for the widows and children of the slain. 

"Mr. Wyman, who distinguished himself in such a signal manner, was, at his return, presented 
with a captain's connnission. lidward Lingfield was also made an en.sign, and the general assembly 
gave the sum of fifteen hundred pounds to the widows and orphans."* 

"'In I vSamuel, xxxi. chap., 11, 12, 13 ver.ses,' says Peidiallow. ' it is recorded in the immortal 
honor of the men of Jabesh-gilead, that when some of their renowned heroes fell by the hands of the 
Philistines, they prepared a decent burial for their bodies.' Now .so soon as the report came of 
Captain Lox-ewell's defeat, about fifty men from New Haiupshire, well etjuipped, marched into 
Pequawkett for the like end, but were not so happy as to find them.t But in the spring another 
company from Dun.stable, under the comnrand of Col. (Eleazer) Tyng, went to the scene of the action, 
and having found the bodies of twelve, buried them, and car\-e(l their names upon the trees where 
the battle was fought. At a little distance they found the Indian graves which he opened, in one of 
which he found the celebrated warrior, Paugus, 'a vile and bloody wretch,' as Penhallow 
mildly adds. 

"The news of Lovewell's defeat and death reached Dunstable before the twentieth day of May. 
All was consternation and grief. What reports were brought by the sur\-ivors we know not, but 
immediate attack upon the town was feared by the inhabitants. The alarm extended through the 
settlements, and even reached Boston. The governor ordered Col. Eleazer Tyng into the wilderness 
to protect the frontiers against the anticipated invasion of the victorious foe. The state of excitement 
and alarm which pervaded the town may be conjectured from the following petition addressed to the 
governor and council of Massachusetts.! 

" The petition of the selectmen of Dunstable, 

Humbly sheweth ; 
"That whereas your honors hath found it necessarj- to order Colonel Tyng and his men into the 
woods, on the said occasion of Captain Lovewell's defeat, we are extremely exposed and weak, bj' 
reason of so many of our fighting men being cut off last summer, and so many killed now in the 
province's service. We would beg leav-e to represent to your honors our case as very sad and 
distressing, having so man\- soldiers drawn out, and our inhabitants reduced to so small a number by 
the war. Several families have removed, and more arc under such discouragement, not daring to 
carry on their planting or any other business, that they fully design it. We hope your honors will 
take our deplorable circumstances into your compassionate consideration, and order such measures to 
be taken for our defence and support, until our men return, as you in your wisdom shall think fit. 
And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. 

S.VMUKi, P'rkxch, I John Ci\mmings, 

Joseph Snow, Selectmen. John Ci'mmings, Jr., 

Joseph French, ^ Nath'i. Cimimings, 

John- Lovewki.i., Jon.vth.vn Cummings. 

Jon.N French, Jon.vth.vn Combs. 

'■ l)unstal.)le. May 20, 1725." 

* IVnhallow. 1 X. II. Hist. Coll., I iS. 

tl'iKler Capt. Josepli Blanchanl, of this town, in Jnly, 1725. Mass. Military Records, 1725. 

t Military Records, 1725, pa<;c 2.vs- 



288 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



"John Lovewell, the aged father of Captain Lovewell also petitioned the general assembly at the 
same time, for 'some assistance from the country to defend his garrison, or that he must leave it to 
the enemy.'* 

" The petitions were granted. A guard of twenty-five soldiers was posted in town. Companies 
of scouts under Capt. Seth Wyman, Capt. Joseph Blanchard and Captain Willard, were scouring the 
valleys of the Merrimack and the Nashua, during the whole summer and autumn, but no enemy 
appeared. With Joseph, a Mohawk, as a guide, and Nessa Gawney for an interpreter, they ranged 
as far as Penacook, ' Winipisocket,' aJid ' Cocheco path,' but excepting killing a moose and a bear 
between Dunstable and Penacook, they found nothing. t 

"This incursion into the headquarters of the Pequawketts, and the destruction of Norridgewock, 
alarmed the Indians so much that they resided no more at either place until after the peace. Nor 
after this did they commit any serious depredations. Their power was broken. ' Our encountering 
them at such a distance was so terrible and surprising,' says Penhallow, 'that they never formed any 
body after.' These conflicts were the themes of eulogy throughout the New England settlements. 
The names of their actors were upon all men's tongues 'familiar as household words.' The story of 
'worthy Captain Lovewell' was the subject of many a ballad, and was sung by every fireside. The 
mother taught it to her child to excite in him a hatred of the ' Indian enemy,' and to set before him 
an example of valor and patriotism, which he was to imitate when he should become a man. 

" Public gratitude kept pace with private enthusiasm. In addition to the gifts above cited, 
other donations were made, and the township of Pembroke, first called ' Lovewell's Town,' was 
granted by the general assembly of Massachusetts, ' in May, 1727, to Captain Lovewell and his brave 
associates in consideration of their services against the Indians. The whole number of grantees was 
sixty, forty-six of whom accompanied Lovewell in his last march to Pequawkett, and the remainder 
were among the sixty-two who attended him in his first enterprise.'! 

"Of this company-, as has been said, seven or more belonged to Dunstable, including nearly all 
the officers. Of these every man was killed or wounded. Captain Lovewell, Ensign Harwood and 
Robert Usher were killed on the spot. Lieutenant Robbins was left on the field mortalh- wounded. 
Lieutenant Farwell died on the march home. Samuel Whitney was wounded, and probably died not 
long after, as no mention of him is found in the records of the town after May, 1725. Noah Johnson 
was so severely ' wounded in the fight as to be disabled ' for many years, but was the last survivor of 
the company. In 1727 a pension of ^,10 per annum for seven years was granted him b}- the colony of 
Massachusetts, and after its expiration in 1734, the sum was increased to £1^ per annum, and contin- 
ued for many years. § He died at Pembroke, Aug. 13, 1798, in his hundredth year. The grand- 
children of some of these still survive in this town and vicinity. 

" Several of the ballads which were written to commemorate this event, one of the most impor- 
tant in our early history, have been preserved. If they do not possess high poetic merit, they 
answer well the purpose for which they were designed. ' Let me make the ballads of a people,' said 
the great Chatham, 'and I care not who makes the laws.' There was deep wisdom in the remark, 
and such ballads, rude though they were, nurtured the free, bold, self-sacrificing spirit, which wrested 
Canada from the French in 1755, and finally achieved our independence. One of the oldest of these 
ballads, composed, as is said, the year of the fight, 'the most beloved .song in all New England,' is 
here inserted. || 

* Mass. Military Records, 1725: original petition, page 263. 

tMass. Military Records, 1725: page 263. 

$ Farmer's N. H. Gazetteer. Pembroke.— There seems, however, to be an error in this— the report of the com- 
mittee upon the subject of the grant says, that the whole number was eighty-eight, of whom sixty-two were in the 
second expedition, and twenty-six in the last as well as in the second expedition. 

§ Johnson, it is said, occupied the farm on the south side of the Nashua at its mouth, extending probably as far as 
the house of Judge Parker. Lovewell is said to have occupied the farm near Luther Taylor's house. 

11 Drake's Book of the Indians, 132. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



289 



SONG OF LOVEWELl.S'S FIGHT. 



t)f worlhy Caplaiu Lovcwcll 1 purpose now to sing, 
llow valiantly he served his country and his king ; 
He and his valiant soldiers did range the woods full wide, 
And hardships the}' endured to quell the Indians' pride. 

'Twas nigh unto I'igwaeket, on the eighth day of May, 
Thev spied a rebel Indian soon after break of day ; 
He on a bank was walking, upon a neck of land, 
Which leads into a pond as we're made to understand. 

Our men resolved to have him and traveled two miles 

round, 
Tntil they met the Indian who boldly stood his ground ; 
Then speaks up Captain Lovewell, "Take you good 

heed," says he, 
" This rogue is to decoy us I very plainly see. 

"The Indians lie in ambush in some place nigh at hand, 
" In order to surround us upon this neck of land ; 
"Therefore we'll march in order, and each man leave his 

pack, 
"That we may briskly fight them when they shall us 

attack." 

They come unto the Indian who did them thus defy; 
As soon as they come nigh him two guns he did let fly. 
Which wounded Captain Lovewell and likewise one man 

more,* 
But when this rogue was running they laid him in his 

gore. 

Then having scalped the Indian they went back to the 

spot 
Where they had laid their packs down, Imt there they 

found them not ; 
For the Indians having spied them when they them down 

did lay, 
Did seize them for their plunder and carry them away. 

These rebels lay in ambush this very place near by, 

So that an English soldier did one of them espy ; 

And cried out, "here's an Indian;" with that they 

started out 
As fiercely as old lions, and hiileously did shout. 

With that our valiant English all gave a loud huzza. 

To show the rebel Indians they feared them not a straw ; 

So now the fight began as fiercely as could be ; 

The Indians ran up to them but soon were forced to flee. 

Then spake up Captain Lovewell when first the fight 

began, — 
" Fight on ni)- valiant heroes ! j-ou see they fall like rain ;" 
For as we are informed, the Indians were so thick, 
A man could scarcely fire a gun and not some of them hit. 



Then did the rebels try their best our soldiers to surround. 
But they could not accomplish it because there was a pond, 
To which our men retreated and covered all the rear ; 
The rogues were forced to flee them although they skulked 
for fear. 

Two logs that were behind them so close together lay, 
Without being discovered they could not get away ; 
Therefore our valiant English they traveled in a row, 
-\nd at a handsome distance as they were wont to go. 

'Twas ten o'clock in the morning when first the fight 

begun, 
And fiercely did continue till the setting of the sun, 
Excepting that the Indians some hours before 'twas night. 
Drew off into the bushes, and ceased a while to fight. 

But soon again returned in fierce and furious mood, 
Shouting as in the morning, but yet not half so loud ; 
For as we are informed, so thick and fast they fell, 
Scarce twenty of their number at night did get home well. 

And that our valiant English till midnight there did stay. 

To see whether the rebels wouUl have another fray ; 

But they no more returning they made off toward their 

home, 
.\nd brought away their wounded as far as they could 

come. 

Of all our valiant English there were but thirty-four. 
And of the rebel Indians there were about fourscore ; 
And sixteen of our English did safely home return ; 
The rest were killed and wounded for which we all must 
mourn. 

Our worthy Captain Lovewell among them there did die ;t 
They killed Lieutenant Robbius, and wounded good 

young Frye,} 
Who was our English chaplain; he many Indians slew, 
.\nd some of them he scalped when bullets round him flew. 

Young Fullani, too. I'll mention, because he fought so 
well. 

Endeavoring to save a man, a sacrifice he fell ; 

And yet our valiant Englishmen in fight were ne'er dis- 
mayed, 

But still they kept their motion, and Wyman Captain 
made. 

Who shot the olii chief Paugus which did the foe defeat ; 
Then set his men in order and brought off the retreat ; 
.\nd braving many dangers and hardships by the way, 
They safe arrived at Dunstable the thirtieth day of yi-Ay . 



♦Liciittnant Farwell of Nu.shua. 

t The powder horn worn by Lovewell in tliis H^ht is prcse 
family, and the cellar of the house where he lived is 
distance from Salmon brook in Nashua. 



\ Robbins was from Dunstable. Frye was a son of Kev. Mr. Frye of 
i in the Andover, as before mentioned. Their notions were all Jewish, and in 
till visible a little slaying the "Heathen Indians" they thoujfht themselves obeying the 
voice of God. 



:90 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



"The statcmfiit in llie last verse that Paugus was killed by Wynian is not correct. He was 
slain by John Chamberlain, who afterwards settled in Merrimack. After the heat of the conflict was 
over, weary and faint, Paugus and Chamberlain both went down to the pond to quench their thirst, 
and to wash out their guns which had become foul l)y continued firing. There they met and at once 
recognized each other, for Paugus was known personally to many of the company. Seeing the 
u.seless condition of each other's guns, they tacitly agreed to a truce while they were cleaning them, 

" During this jirocess some words were exchanged and Paugus said to Chamberlain, ' It is you or 
I.' Cautiously but with haste they proceeded in their work, for it was a case of life or death. Paugus 
had nearl\- finished loading, and was priming his piece when Chamberlain struck the breech of his 
gun violently upon the ground, thus causing it to prime itself, and shot Paugus through the heart, 
the bullet of Paugus at the same time grazing the head of Chamberlain.* 

Thus ended ' Lovewell's War.' Deep and universal was the gratituile at the restoration of peace. 
Well might the people rejoice. For fifty years had the war been raging with little cessation, and 
with a series of surprises, devastations and massacres which .seemed to threaten annihilation. ' The 
scene of this desperate and bloody action is often visited with interest to this day, and the names of 
those who survived are yet repeated with emotions of grateful exultation.'! And a century after 
upon that spot strangers came together, from a broad and populous region won from the savages in 
that conflict, to pay their tribute of gratitude, with festive celebration, song and eulogy to the 
waning memory of ' Lovewell's Fight.' + 

"After this fight no other attack was made by the Indians upon this town, although many years 
subsequently, during the French wars, the inhabitants were alarmed at the ravages committed in the 
neighborhood at Bedford, Pembroke, Dunbarton, Concord and upon Connecticut river. Garrisons 
were built and armed scouts kept out constantly, but the frontiers were now beyond us. Sometimes, 
indeed, individual Indians appeared mysteriously, seeking the life of some offending settler who had 
slain a relative, to appease his restless spirit by the sacrifice of 'blood for blood.' Such tales they 
tell of Chamberlain, the slayer of Paugus, of Ford, and others noted in fight, and how, mysteriously 
disappearing, the layer in wait became the victim. 

"Perilous conflicts, providential escapes and strange adventures were thickly woven in the 
romance of our early history, but the remembrance of most of them has passed away utterly, and of 
others but dim and doubtful traditionary shadows remain. These traditions, handed down from the 
survivors long since departed, too direct and circumstantial to be entirely fictitious, and fixing neither 
time, nor place, nor actors of the scene, meet the enquirer at every step in his investigations and 
excite longings and questions which cannot be gratified. If there were indeed 'tongues in trees, 
books in the running brooks,' and ' sermons in stones,' what thrilling tales might not some of our old 
denizens of field and forest unfold. 

" Many anecdotes which have been handed down, if not entirely authentic are at least character- 
istic of the times in which they are said to have occurred, and probably po.ssess some foundations. 
The following are specimens ; — 

"A part>- of Indians, it is said, once came suddenly upon Ford, ' the Indian fighter,' so that he had 
no chance to escape. He was splitting logs for rails, and had just driven in his wedge and partly 
opened a log. Pretending to be very anxious to complete the work, he requested them to put their 
hands in the cleft, and pull it open, while he drove in the wedge. Suspecting nothing they did so, 
but watching his opportunity he dexterousl>- knocked the wedge out instead of in. The log closed 
tight upon their fingers, and held them fast, and the whole party became his prisoners." 

"At a later period an Indian appeared in Dunstable enquiring for 'Joe Snow,' who at some 
former time had slain his kinsman. The duty of revenge had long been transmitted, and the desire 
nourished ; and the descendants of the aggrieved and restless warrior had now come thus far through 
the wilderness, even from Canada, guided liy tradition alone, to avenge and pacify his spirit. This 
errand, however, was \-ain, for 'Joe Snow' had long ago departed." 

♦Rev. Mr. Syinme's ii.Trrativc of the fight. .Mien's Cheliiisfonl, 37. 
t North American Review. 

Jits centennial anniversary was celebrated on the spot of the fight, in h'ryeburg, Me., May 19, 1S25. when an 
adilres.s was delivered by Charles S. Davis of I'ortland. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 291 

"At some period during Lovewell's war. William Cummiugs of this town was wounded bj' the 
Indians, but how, when, or where, no record tells, l-'or his wounds he received the sum of £\o from 
the colonial treasury."* 

"An Indian once called upon Chamberlain at his saw-mill, intending to waylaj' him on his re- 
turn homeward at nightfall, through the fore.st. It was a time of peace, but Chamberlain suspected 
the character of his pretended friend, and the motive of his visit. While engaged in his work, he in- 
vited the Indian to examine the wheelpit, and seizing the o])porUinilv, knocked him on the head with 
a handspike without compunction." 

"Among those indefinite traditions, which have been assigned to a jjcriod subsequent to Lovewell's 
war, is the following: A party once went from this town to the eastward upon a hunting expedition 
in early winter. While absent they were attacked by a party of predatory Indians, and nearly all of 
them were killed. A few escaped and returned home bringing the sad tidings of the death of their 
companions and neighbors. 

"One man, however, who was left in the held for dead, survived. His name was Whitney, and he 
Ii\-e(l in what is now the southerly part of Nashua, near lyong hill. He was too weak to think of 
returning home alone through the trackless and unpeopled forest, so he Ijuilt him a hut of logs, and 
bark, and branches of trees, and there passed the winter, subsisting chiefly on roots and cranberries. 
In the spring another party went out to find and bury the dead, and came to this hut which they sup- 
posed to be that of an Indian. As thej- approached they saw something stir within it. One of the 
party fired, — a groan followed, but the victim, to their great astonishment and grief, proved to be the 
unfortunate Whitney. He was just preparing to return home, having survived his wounds and all the 
perils and harships of a winter in the wilderness, only to perish by the hands of his own friends and 
townsmen." 

Alter Lovewell's war, the territory in this section had for a number of years a period of tran- 
([uility. The >ell of the savage was not heard, and the "settlers felt so great security that they 
plunged into the wilderness in everj- direction." The outlands in Dunstable were taken up and .soon 
" the wilderness was aliv-e with population." 

As early as 1726 a settlement was made in Concord, and between the j-ears 1730 and 1740, Not- 
tingham, (on the east side of the Merrimack), Rumford or Merrimack, (on the west side of the 
Merrimack), Litchfield and Hollis were set off and incorporated, followed very soon by Souhegan 
West, (Amherst). Dunstable was no longer a frontier town, which may account for its inununity 
from frequent attacks b)- the Indians. 

In the year 1745 the Indians committed much havoc in the frontier settlements around and above 
us. It was probably in the 5'ear 1747 that Jonathan Harwell and Taylor were capttired by the Indians, 
while htmting in the south part of Nashua. They were in captivity three years, having been carried 
to Canada and sold to the French, but were then released and returned to their friends. (Mr. Fox 
has recorded in his history that a daughter of Farwell, Mrs. Rachel Harris, a granddaughter of Noah 
Johnson, one of Lovewell's men, was still living in Nashua in the year 1840). 

In the year 1748 another treaty of peace — that of Aix-la-Chappelle — was entered into between 
George II. of England and Louis XV. of France, those two countries mutually restoring their 
conquests. England yielded up Cape Briton (Louisburg), whose capture had shc-d such tjlory on the 
colonial arms, and received in return Madras. 

From that time (1748) onward, the inhabitants of Dunstable suffered so little at home from the 
redmen that it is deemed proper to close here an\- further mention of Indian warfare, and repeat with 
Mr. Fox " exposed for so many years to the dangers of a border warfare, every citizen was a soldier. 
The story of Indian atrocities, and French in.stigation had been handed down from father to son, and 
not a few had shared personally in the conflicts. To hold a connnission was then a high honor, and 
an object worthy of any man's ambition, for it was only bestowed upon those who had given proofs of 
courage and capacity. Every officer might be called at any moment into actual ser^•ice. The military 
spirit was fostered as a duty, and New England freedom, which placed in the hand of every child a 
gun as well as a spelling-book, made nece.ssarily of every child not less a marksman than a scholar. "t 

♦Mass. Military Records, 1734. 
t Fox's History. Page 159. 



292 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Added to the natural hostilit}' of the redman, the almost continual wars between France and 
Kngland was a chief cause of the frequent attacks upon the early settlers by the savage. One or the 
other of those great rival nations always sought and secured some of the Indian tribes as allies. 

Let us now leave this record or narrative of Indian depredations, incursions and massacres, with 
the statement, believed to be true, that it is more than three-quarters of a century* since the last 
Indian living in New Hampshire died in a remote cabin in upper Coos. 

The peace declared between France and England in 1748 was broken in 1755 by the "seven 
years' war," commonly known in this section as the "Old French War." 

Early in this war (1755) an expedition under Gen. Sir William Johnson was planned against 
Crown Point. A regiment of five hundred men was raised in New Hampshire for this purpose, and 
the command of it was given to Col. Joseph Blanchard of this town. One of the companies of this 
regiment was the famous Rangers, of which Robert Rogers was captain, and John vStark (afterwards 
general ) was lieutenant. 

" Parties of them were frequently under the very walls of the French garrisons, and at one time 
killed and scalped a soldier near the gate of the fort at Crown Point. Late in the autumn the forces 
were disbanded, and the regiment returned home. One of the companies composing the regiment 
went from Dunstable and the vicinity, and was conunanded b}- Capt. Peter Powers of Hollis. Among 
the officers of the regiment we find the names of Jonathan Lovewell of this town connnissar}-. Rev. 
Daniel Emerson of Hollis chaplain, and John Hale of Hollis surgeon."! 

The home of many of the famous troop known as Rogers' Rangers was in Dunstable. Fox 
justly says of them : — 

"There is scarcely in the annals of America a company of troops more famous than ' Rogers' 
Rangers.' Their life was one scene of constant exposure, and their storj- reminds one of the days of 
romance. The forest was their home, and they excelled even the Indian in cunning and hardihood. 
Everywhere the}- wandered in search of adventures, fearless and cautious, until their very name 
became a terror to the enemy. Ever in the post of danger when the army was advancing, they 
scouted the woods to detect the hidden ambush, and when retreating they skirmished in the rear to 
keep the foe at bay. If any act of desperate daring was to be done, the Rangers were ' the forlorn 
hope.' At midnight they traversed the camp of the enemy, or carried off a sentinel from his post, as 
if in mockery. Their blow fell like lightning, and before the echo had died away or the alarm 
subsided another blow was struck at some far distant point. They seemed to be omnipresent, and 
the enemy deemed that they were in league with evil spirits. The plain, unvarnished tale of their 
daily hardships and perilous wanderings, their strange adventures, and 'hair breadth 'scapes ' would 
be as wild and thrilling as a German legend. 

"Of this company, and of others similar in character, a large number belonged to this town. 
The records are lost and their names are principally forgotton. Besides the two colonels, Blanchard 
and Lovewell, and the commissar}', Jonathan Lovewell, it is known that the sons of Noah Johnson, 
the last survivor of Lovewell's fight, were in the war, both of whom were killed. One of them, 
Noah, was an officer, and was killed at the storming of Quebec, fighting under Wolfe. Nehemiah 
Lovewell was a lieutenant in 1756, and a captain in 175S and 1760. Jonathan Farwell, William 
Harris, Thomas Killicut, Thomas Blanchard, Jonathan Blanchard, Eleazer Farwell, Benjamin 
Hassell, James Mann, Ebenezer Fosdick, Bunker Farwell, John Lanison, Simeon Blood, Thomas 
Lancey, Ephraim Butterfield, John Carkin, James French, Henry Farwell, Nathaniel Blood, Joseph 
Combs, John Gilson, James Harwood, John Huston, Joshua Wright, William Walker, John Harwood 
and William Lancey, were also out during the war, as was also Lieut. David Alld, and the gun which 
he then carried is .still in the possession of his daughters. 

"In the expedition of 1760 Colonel Goffe commanded the regiment which mustered at Litchfield. 
His destination was Crown Point and Canada. A select company of Rangers was formed from the 
regiment, and the command given to Capt. Nehemiah Lovewell of this town. As a specimen of the 
military dress and discipline of the time, the following order is inserted. It is copied from Adjutant 
Hobart's record, and is dated Litchfield, May 25, 1760; — 'Colonel Goffe requires the officers to be 

*.\. D. 1896. 

t5 N. H. Hist. Coll., 217, 218. I Belknap, 319. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 293 

answerable that the men's shirts are changed twice every week at least; that such as have hair that 
will admit of it must have it constantly tyed ; they must be obliged to comb their heads, and wash 
their hands every morning, and as it is obsen-ed that numbers of the men accustom tliemsclves to 
wear woollen nightcaps in the day time, he allows them hats; they are ordered for the future not to 
be seen in the day time with anything besides their hats on their heads, as the above mentioned 
custom of wearing nightcaps must be detrimental to their health and cleanliness; the men's hats to 
be all cocked, or cut uniformly, as Colonel Goffe pleases to direct.' "* 

In the year 1759 another regiment of one thousand men was furnished by New Hampshire. Col. 
Joseph Blanchard having died in 1758, the command of the regiment was given to Col. Zaccheus Love- 
well of this town, a brother of Capt. John Lovewell. One or more companies of this regiment were 
from this neighborhood, and served with the main army under Lord Amherst and did good service at 
the capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. The next year (1760) still another regiment of eight 
hundred men was raised, chiefly from this vicinity, and commanded by Col. John Goffe of Bedford. 
They were present at the capture of St. John's, Chamblee, Montreal and Quebec, which wrested all 
Canada from the French and put an end to the w-ar. 

From the close of this war there is but little to mention about the military affairs of our people 
until the agressions of the mother country, having become unbearable, were openly resisted and cul- 
minated in the War of the Revolution. 

DUNSTABLE IN THE REVOLUTION.ARY WAR. 

The limits to which the compiler of this chapter is restricted will not permit, nor indeed does the 
editor believe it to be either necessary or advisable to narrate herein, in an extended way, the causes 
which led up to the open resistance of the North American Colonies to the aggressions of the " mother 
country," which culminated in the War of the Revolution. But the editor of this compilation of the 
military history of Dunstable (Nashua) — crude, imperfect and unsatisfactorv as it necessarily must 
be — believes that a brief statement should be made of the condition of the parties most deeply 
interested and the attitude that Great Britain had assumed toward her dependent colonies. 

The penal acts passed bj- the parliament of Great Britain in 1774 dissolved the moral connection 
between the two countries and begun the Civil War. The estrangement of the colonies from the 
mother country had been growing and increasing for years. At first no one desired or even dreamed 
of absolute separation. As a rule no more loyal hearts beat than those in the breasts of the 
colonists. None dreaded more than the}- a possibility that the tension of the chords of affection 
which bound them to the mother country sbouUl be strained to the breaking point. But the 
continued aggressions upon the rights of the people ; the declarations of the omnipotence of 
parliament; the openl}- avowed imperious doctrine of the necessity of submission; the unalterable 
determination to enforce taxation without representation, became at length unbearable, and three 
millions of people, the genuine descendants of a valiant and pious ancestry, determined to throw 
off the yoke and rallied to the banner of freedom with the cry "resistance to tyrants is obedience 
to God." 

The king of England (George III.) ruled as well as reigned. His heart knew no relenting: 
liis will never wavered. Though America were to be drenched in blood and its towns reduced to 
ashes; though its people were to be driven to struggle for total independence; though he himself 
should find it necessary to bid high for hosts of mercenaries from the Scheldt to Moscow, and, in 
quest of savage allies, go tapping at every wigwam from Lake Huron to the Gulf of Mexico, he 
was resolved to coerce the thirteen colonies into submission. 

Experience has proved that England regards as just and honorable whatever is advantageous 
to herself or disastrous to a rival. 

The colony of Massachusetts Bay was considered by England as the most recalcitrant of all the 
North Americans, and the town of Boston was the headquarters of the dissatisfied ; therefore 
Massachusetts and Boston must be punished. An act was passed by the mother country closing 
the port of Boston, transferring the board of customs to Marblehead, and the seat of government to 

•Regimental Records, in secretary's office, Concord. 



294 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

.Salem. This act reached Boston on May lo, 1774, the day of the accession of Louis XVI. to the 
throne of France. 

As soon as the port act was recei\-ed, tlie Boston committee of correspondence invited the 
uei"-hboring towns to a conference "on the critical state of public affairs." May 12 Metcalf 
Bowler, the speaker of the assembly of Rhode Island, came before them with the cheering news 
that, in answer to a recent circular letter from the body over which he presided, all the thirteen 
governments were pledged to union. Committees from the towns of Dorchester, Roxbury, 
Brookline, Newton, Cambridge, Charlestown, Lynn and Lexington joined them in Faneuil hall, the 
cradle of American liberty. 

They felt themselves to be citizens not of "little democracies" of their towns, but of the 
whole world of mankind. Light broke upon them from their own truth and courage. Placing 
Samuel Adams at their head, and guided by a report prepared by Warren of Boston, Gardner of 
Cambridge and others, they agreed unanimously on the injustice and cruelty of the act by which 
parliament, contrary as well to natural right as to the laws of all civilized states, had, without a 
hearing, set apart, accused, tried and condemned the town of Boston. But, to make a general union 
of the colonies possible, self-restraint must regulate courage. These liberty-loving men knew that 
a declaration of independence would have alienated their sister colonies, and they had not yet 
discovered that independence was the desire of their own hearts. 

On the twenty-eighth of May, 1774, the assembly of New Hampshire, though still desiring to 
promote harmony with the parent land, began its organization for that purpose. New Jersey, 
South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and New York quickly followed, and in three weeks, less time 
than was taken by the unanimous British parliament for the enactment of the port bill, the 
continent, as one great commonwealth, made the cause of Boston its own. 

The "Sons of Liberty" of New York advocated the policy of an immediate suspension of 
commerce with Great Britain; but they also proposed — and they were the first to propose — "a 
general congress." These recommendations they forwarded through Connecticut to Boston, with 
entreaties to that town to stand firm; and in full confidence of approval, they applied not to New 
England only, but to Philadelphia and through Philadelphia to ever}' colony at the south. 

Such was the inception of the continental congress of 1774. In Rhode Island, at Providence, 
on the seventeenth of Maj', in the same year, after full discussion, the freemen voted to promote " a 
congress of the representatives of all the North American colonies." 

The rescue of freedom, even at the cost of a Civil War, a domestic convention of the people for 
their own internal regulation, and an annual congress of all the colonies for the perpetual assertion 
of common rights, were the polic>' of Virginia. These principles were finally adopted by all the 
colonies. 

And so the fire of freedom burned steadily and strong until the fatal day at I^exington, when 
the first blood shed by the patriots cemented the union of the colonists in their determination to 
resist oppression or die in the attempt. 

In the disparity of numbers Lexington common was a field of murder not of battle, but, as was 
said by Clark of Lexington on its first anniversary, "From the nineteenth of April, 1775, will be 
dated the liberty of the American world." The patriot blood shed at Lexington aroused all the 
colonies to action. With one impulse they sprang to arms; with one spirit thej' pledged themselves 
to each other; with one heart the continent cried " Liberty or death! " 

On the day after Lexington, the Massachu,setts committee of safety gave by letter the story of 
the preceeding day to New Hampshire and entreated assistance ; but before the summons was 
received, the ferries of the Merrimack were crowded \t\ men from New Hampshire. By one o'clock 
of the twentieth upwards of sixty men of Nottingham assembled at the meeting-house with arms and 
equipments under Cilley and Dearborn; before two they were joined by bands from Deerfield and 
Epsom; they set out together and by sunrise of the twenty-first paraded on Cambridge common. 

The veteran John Stark, skilled in the ways of the Indian, the English, and his countrymen, 
able to take his rest on a bear skin with a a roll of snow for a pillow, eccentric, 1)ut true, famed for 
coolness, courage and integrity, had no rival in the confidence of his neighbors and was chosen 
colonel of their regiment by their unanimous vote. He rode in haste to the scene of action, where 
his command became a model for its discipline. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 295 

By the twenty-third there were already about two tliousand men from New Hampshire in camp 
around Boston. Hundreds of volunteers from Connecticut, with Israel Putnam as their leader, and 
hundreds more from the colony of Rhode Island seized their firelocks and followed. 

The New England volunteers were men of substantial worth, of whom almost everyone 
represented a household. The members of the several companies were well-known to each other; 
kiKiwn to the old men who remained at home, and to all the matrons and maidens. They were sure 
to be remembered weekly in the exercises of the congregations ; and nnjrning and evening in the 
usual family devotions they were commended with fervent piety to the protection of Heaven. 

The camp of liberty was a gathering in arms of schoolmates, neighbors and friends; and the 
British army in Boston was beleaguered round from Roxbury to Chelsea by an unorganized mass of 
men, each with his own musket and his little store of cartridges. But the British officers, possibly 
from fear of the American marksman, dare not order a sally. History was being rapidly made, and 
the compiler having perhaps devoted overmuch space thus far, to the beginning of the Revolutionary 
War, feels that he must move on more rapidly, and reach the battle of Bunker Hill, that terrible 
fii;ht in which soldiers from New Ham])shire and from our Dunstable formed so conspicuous a part. 

In the meantime a great deed had been achieved on the tenth of May, 1775, by eight)'-three 
men under the command of the "Green Mountain Boy," Kthan Allen, who captured the fort at 
Ticonderoga. 

.\ few hours after the surrender of Ticonderoga, the second continental congress — that body 
which, the next year, gave to the country and the world the immortal Declaration of Independence — 
met at Philadelphia. 

Let us now narrate as briefly as possible the part that our New Hampshire Dunstable took in the 
Revolution. In this narration the text of the story as told by Mr. Fox will be chiefly used. A few 
changes will be made and there will be added thereto and interpolated therein, such words and 
jmssages as the researches of the compiler seem to find necessary or to warrant. 

It is impossible to ascertain with correctness how many soldiers from this town served in the 
arni\- during the long and bloody struggle of the colonists with the mother countr\- during the years 
of the War of the Revolution, 1775 to 17S3. Not one now survives. The names of the few that are 
given hereinafter were collected by great exertion and labor " from the records of the town and musty 
papers on file ; from legislative journals ; from company or regimental returns in the ofHce of the 
.secretary of state; from vouchers and loose memoranda accidentally preserved, and from personal 
in(juiry of descendants." 

" During the long succession of encroachments which preceded and caused the Revolution, the 
inhabitants of this town were not indifferent. They had watched the storm as it gathered and 
knew its consequences must be momentous. After the establishment of the boundary line in 
1 74 1, which severed us from Massachu.setts, no right to send a representative was conceded for manj^ 
years. At that period this right was a favor granted by his majesty through his ' beloved and trust- 
worthy Benning Wentworth, governor of his majesty's province of New Hampshire,' and bestowed 
only upon the loyal and obedient. In 1744, however, when a collision with England began to be 
very generally expected, the general assembly of New Hampshire claimed for itself the exercise of 
this right, and allowed certain representatives from towns not heretofore represented a seat and a 
voice in its councils. Immediately a petition was presented from this town, asking the privilege 
of representation, which was granted.* 

"September, 1774, Jonathan Lovewell was sent as a delegate to the convention, which met at 
ICxeter soon after, for the purpose of choosing delegates to the first continental congress. At the 
same town meeting the town voted to raise a sum of money ' to purchase a supply of ammunition,' 
and also voted to pay their proportion of the ' expen.ses of the delegate to the grand continental 
congress,' which met at Philadelphia the same month, and which published a declaration of rights 
and formed an ' association not to import or use British goods.' From this time every movement for 
liberty met with a hearty response. 

"January 9, 1775, Joseph Ayers and Noah Lovewell were chosen to represent the town in the 
convention which met at Exeter, April 25, 1775, for the purpose of ajipointing delegates to act for 

* 2 Province Papers. Town.s. 253. In secretary's olTice. 



296 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



this state in the grand continental congress, to be held at Philadelphia, May 10, 1775. At this 
meeting, with a spirit characteristic of the times and evidently anticipating a Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, they chose 'Samuel Roby, Jonathan Lovewell, Joseph Eayers, Benjamin Smith, John 
Wright, Benjamin French, James Blanchard and John Searle, a committee of inspection to see that 
the result of the late continental congress be carried into practice, and that all persons in this town 
conform themselves thereto.' 

"Another meeting of this convention was holden at Exeter, May 17, 1775, at which the same 
delegates attended, and which after several adjournments formed a constitution for the government 
of the state. The constitution, which is dated Jan. 5, 1776, was the earliest one formed in the 
United States.*! It was adopted at the suggestion of the continental congress of May, 1775, but it 
was a bold .step, for it was a denial of the right of England to rule over us, and a virtual Declaration 
of Independence. It provided for a house of representatives and a council of twelve men to be 
chosen by the house, and to form a separate body like our senate. There was to be no governor, but 
the powers of the executive were vested in the council and house jointly. If the dispute with Eng- 
land continued longer than one year, the members of the council were to be chosen by the people. 
Of this council, Jonathan Blanchard of this town, was a member in 1776. 

" From the first the people of New Hampshire, who, as the royalists complained, ' had never set 
any good example of obedience,' were desirous and prepared for a collision ; and no sooner did the 
news of the fight at Eexington on the nineteenth of April, 1775, reach the state, than the whole 
population rushed to arms. In these movements the citizens of Dunstable were among the most 
zealous ; and the military spirit derived from their fathers, and the military experience of many in 
the French wars, was roused at once into activitj- by the noise of the conflict. Instantl}' they hurried 
to Concord to avenge the blood of their fellow citizens. Who and how many were these ' minute-men ' 
we do not know ; but the town paid over $110 for their expenses. Within less than a week a company 
of sixty-six men was organized at Cambridge, under Capt. William Walker of this town, forty of 
whom, including the officers, were also from Dunstable. The following is the company roll : — 1| 



* James Brown, ist lieutenant, 

* Daniel Warner, sergeant, 
♦John Lund, sergeant, 

t William A. Hawkins, sergeant, 
t Francis Putnam, sergeant, 

* Medatl Conib.s, corporal, 

* AVjijah Reeil, corporal, 
*John Lovewell, corporal, 

* Phineas Whitney, corporal, 

* William Harri.s, drummer, 

* Paul Woods, fifer, 

* Simeon Butterfield, 

* Peter Honey, 

* Paul Clogstone, 
*Joel Stewart, 

* Philip Roby, 

* Jonathan Harris, 
•William Harris, Jr., 
•Archibald Gibson, 

* Benjamin Whitney, 
♦Jonathan Danforth, 

* David .\dams. 



' William Walker, captain. 
Jason Russell, 

* Benjamin Bagley, 
Moses Chandler, 

* Eliphalet Bagley, 
t Stephen Chase, 

t Joshua Severance, 
} Xehemiah Winn, 
{Joseph Greeley, 
•David Adams, Jr., 

* Nehemiah Lovewell, 

* Henry Lovewell, 
•William Roby, 2d lieutenant. 

* Eleazer Blanchard, 

* Richard Adams, 

* Ebenezer Fosdick, 
♦William Butterfield, 
•James Gibson, 

David March, 
•John Snow, 

Moses Chamberlain, 
t Nathan Abbott, 
tXimothv Darling. 



t Daniel Brown, 

t Theodore Stevens, 

t Henry Lovejoy, 

t Eliphalet Blanchard, Jr., 

t Henry Stevens, 

+ Jonathan Gray, 

t Isaac Brown, 

tAsa Cram, 

tHart Balch, 

t Stephen Blanchard, 

•Abel Danforth, 

• Simeon Hills, 
•James Harwood, 

• Ichabod Lovewell, 
•Jacob Blodgett, 

Silas Chamberlain, 
Mansfield Tapley, 
•Oliver Woods, 

• Nehemiah Wright, 
t Israel Howe, 
♦Jonathan Emerson, 



" The whole male population of the town at this time between the ages of sixteen and fifty was 
only one hundred and twenty-eight; so that nearly one-half the able-bodied inhabitants must have 
been in the army at the first call of liberty, a month before the battle of Bunker Hill. From no 
other town in New Hampshire was there so large a number in the army, as appears by the returns ; 

§4N. H. Hist. Coll. 

II In the oflice of the secretary of state. 

♦ From Dunstable, f From Wilton. { From Hudson. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 297 

and we record a fact, so honorable to their patriotism and courage, with a feeling of no little pride. 

■' The convention which met at Ivxeler, AjMil 25, 1775, a few days after the f^ght at Lexington, 
organized two regiments for the assistance of llieir brethren in Massachusetts. But the men were 
not to be recruited : they were already in the field. Within two week.s, more than two thousand men 
from New Hami)shire had joined the arm>- around Boston, or more than one seventh of the whole 
lu)]nilation of the state, l)etween the ages of sixteen and fifty. P'roni these the two regiments were 
formed and placed under the command of Colonel Stark and Colonel Reed of which this company 
formed a jiart. 

• It may be a matter of curiosity worthy of record to give the ab.stract of returns of population, 
nund)erof soldiers in the army in May, 1775, nund)er of males between the ages of sixteen and fifty 
not in the army, and ratio of soldiers to the male population. This had been required at an early 
period by the convention, in evident anticipation of a rupture with the mother country, in order to 
ascertain our actual condition and resources. The original returns also included the number of arms, 
deficiencies, quantity of powder, all of wdiich are now in the ofTice of the secretary of state, and 
furnish an admiral)le specimen of the forethought of the patriots of that day.* 







'■i 


Z 


„y. 


» 






C 


C 


c 


;: 






CT- 


„ 3, 


■sg. 


'= s 






r* ^ 


< 1 






Counties. 


5' 
3 


So 

5 s= 


5o 


= - 

3-1; 


III 






5' 




S 2 


5 2 








s 


'< 


^ 












« 


Rockingham, . 


.■^7.850 


927 


4.^7 


6,383 


I22'3 in 100 


-Strafford, . . 


12.7I3 


275 


lOS 


2,282 


1034 in 100 


Hillsborough, . 


15.948 


650 


87 


2,723 


19/^ in 100 


Cheshire, . . . 


10,659 


,1/6 


7 


2,009 


iSK in 100 


Grafton, . . . 


3,880 


156 


24 


834 


153,4: in 100 


Total, ... 


81,050 


2,384 


656 


14,231 


i4>^inioo 



"From this table we may gather some facts which will enable us to appreciate more fully the 
spirit and the sacrifices of that period. More than fourteen hundred of the whole male population of 
the state, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years, were in the army in May, 1775, or nearh- one 
out of every five who was able to bear arms. Our own county, old Hillsborough, excelled them all, 
however, having at that time in the army more than nineteen in every hundred males, between sixteen 
and fifty, or at least one-quarter part of all the able-bodied inhabitants. A few days after the battle 
of Bunker Hill, another regiment from New Hampshire, under the command of Colonel Poor, joined 
the army at Cambridge. 

" Previous to the battle the New Hampshire troops were stationed at Medford, and formed the 
left wing of the American army. 'These troops,' says Major Swett,t ' were hardy, brave, active, 
athletic and indefatigable. Almost every soldier equalled William Tell as a marksman, and could 
aim his weapon at an oppressor with as keen a relish. Those from the frontiers had gained this 
address against the savages and beasts of the forests. The country yet abounded with game, and 
hunting was familiar to all ; and the amusement most fa.shionable and universal throughout New 
luigland was trial of skill with the musket.' 

"At eleven o'clock on the morning of the battle, the New Hamp.shire troops received orders to 
reinforce Colonel Prescott at Charlestown. 'About fifteen charges of loose powder and balls were 
distributed to each man, and they were directed to form them into cartridges inunediately. Few of 
the men, however, posses.sed cartridge boxes, but employed powder horns, and scarcely two of their 
guns agreeing in calibre, they were obliged to alter the balls accordingly.'! 

"As soon as the British troops landed at Charlestown, the New Hampshire regiments were ordered 
to join the other forces on Breed's Hill. A part were detached to throw up a work on Bunker Hill, 
and the residue, under Stark and Reed, joined the Connecticut forces under General Putnam, and the 
regiment of Colonel Prescott, at the rail fence. This was the very point of the Briti.sh attack, the key 



* I X. H. Hist., Coll., 231. Original returns in scrri'tary's olVice 

t Bunker Hill Battle, 20. 

t Major Swett's Bunker Hill Battle, 40. 



298 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



of the American position. Here Captain Walker's company was formed, awaiting the attack. To be 
stationed there, in the post of danger, was a high honor, and well did the New Hampshire troops 
merit it, although not a few paid for the distinction with their lives. 

"As soon as the British moved forward to the attack, our troops under Stark, engaged in fortifying 
Bunker Hill under the direction of Putnam, joined their brethren. The battle commenced. The 
Americans, forbidden to fire upon the enemy until 'they could see the whites of their eyes,' swept 
them down by companies. Again and again were the British driven back, and not until their scanty 
supply of ammunition was exhausted, and the British assaulted the works at the point of the bayonet, 
did the Americans retire from their position. Even then they retreated like the lion, disputing every 
step with stones and clubbed muskets, and lay upon their arms during the night at Winter Hill, 
directly in the face of the enemy. 

" The number of Americans engaged in the battle was fluctuating, but may be fairly estimated at 
little more than two thousand men. Their loss was one hundred and fifteen killed, three hundred 
and five wounded, and thirty captured ; in all four hundred and fifty. The New Hampshire 
regiments lost nineteen men killed, and seventy-four wounded, a large proportion of those engaged. 
The British loss was one thousand and fifty-four, including eighty-nine officers. One regiment, the 
WeLsh fusileers, lost every officer except one.* 

" None of Captain Walker's company were killed ; two only were wounded — Joseph Greeley and 
Paul Clogstone. The latter died soon after. William Lund of this town, however, who was in 
another company, was killed in the battle. The original return of Captain Walker, including articles 
lost by the company, in the battle and in the retreat, is now on file in the office of the secretary of state. 
It is as follows : ' vSix great coats, thirty-one shirts, twenty-four pairs of hose, eighteen haversaks, one 
pistol, one fife, two guns, one cartridge bo.x, five straight body coats, two jackets, ten pairs of trousers, 
six pairs of leather breeches, two pairs of shoes, twelve blankets.' The unusual heat of the day com- 
pelled them to lay aside their knapsacks, which were lest in the excitement and luirryof the retreat." 

The editor of this chapter has been unable to learn with certainty 
what flag, if any, the New Hampshire soldiers used for their colors 
at the battle of Bunker Hill. 

The "embattled farmers " of Lexington had neither uniforms nor 
colors ; but two months later, at the fight at Bunker Hill, when the 
American minute men had become more like a trained army, there 
were flags in their lines. These ensigns were apparently of sev- 
veral different designs and patterns. One is described as red, 
bearing only the defiant motto, "Come if you dare." Another, is 
chronicled by Lossing, on the authority of a Mrs. Manning, whose 
father was a soldier in the battle. It was blue, with a white canton 
(juartered by a red St. George's cross, and a pine tree in the top 
inner corner. In liis well-known picture of the fight which hangs in 
the rotunda of the capitol at Washington, John Trumbull has painted 
a red flag with a white field, bearing a green pine tree. His authority 
is not known, and he may or may not have been correct. 

Engravings of these two flags are given on this page, and it is 
probable that the volunteers from Dunstable fought under one and 
perhaps both of these flags. 

The pine tree appeared on several Revolutionary flags. It was 
a favorite symbol of New England and is familiar to coin collectors 
on the colonial money. When Washington was besieging the British 
forces in Boston, his floating batteries on the Charles river carried a 
white banner bearing a green pine tree and the words, "An appeal to 
Heaven." This same flag was among those at Bunker Hill, for 
General Warren is said to have rallied his men by pointing to the inscription on their standard. t 





* 2 N. H. Hist. Coll., 145. Mrs. Adams' letters. Original papers in office of secretary of state. 
tRichard H. Titherington in Munsey's Magazine, July, 1895. pp. 401, et seq. 



HISTORY or NASHUA, N. H. 2^^ 

" The bond of allegiance to Great Britain was severed by this battle, never to be again united. 
The people of New England expected a Declaration of Independence, and awaited it impatiently, long 
before the Fourth of July, 1776. In February, 1776, we find the officers of this town warning the 
annual meeting, not as heretofore, 'in his majesty's name,' but, ' in the name of the people of the 
state of New Hampshire.' 

"At this meeting the 'spirit of '76 ' was strongly manifested. ' Samuel Roby, Noah Lovewell, 
William Walker, Joseph Eayrs, Joseph French, Jr., Capt. Benjamin French and Thomas Butterfield 
were chosen delegates to the county congress.' 

"Jonathan Lovewell, Robert Fletcher, Joseph Eayrs, Capt. Benjamin French, Noah Lovewell, 
.Samuel Roby, Joseph Whiting and Thomas Butterfield were chose a committee of safety." 

"Samuel Roby, Benjamin Smith, Thomas Butterfield, John Searls, David Alld, James Blanchard, 
William Walker, John Wright and Henry Adams were chosen a committee of inspection to see that 
no British goods were sold in town." 

■In November, 1776, in consequence of the great depreciation of paper money, the exorbitant 
prices asked by the speculators who had forestalled the markets, and the consequent discouragement 
to the exertions of those who were laboring to sustain the heavy public burdens, a meeting was 
holden at Dracut to petition congress and the state legislature upon the subject ; and to devise such 
other measures as might be necessary for the protection of the people. A large number of delegates 
were present, and Dunstable was represented by Capt. Benjamin French, Capt. Noah Lovewell and 
Joseph Flayrs. The convention met November 26, 1776, at the house of Maj. Joseph Varnuni, and 
prepared a petition to the legislature, praying that the resolves of the continental congress of 1775, 
respecting prices, might be enforced more strict!}'.* 

" Early in 1776 New Hampshire raised three regiments of two thousand men, which were placed 
under the command of Colonels Stark, Reed and Hale. They were sent to New York to join the armv 
under General Sullivan for the invasion of Canada. They proceeded up the Hudson, and down the 
lakes to Canada, but were obliged to retreat to Ticonderoga. A part of Captain Walker's company 
enlisted in these regiments. They suffered severely, and lost one-third of their number by sickness 
and exposure.! Of those who were in the army at this time, in the company commanded by Capt. 
William Reed, and said to belong to Dunstable, we find the following names : Joel Lund, ensign, Silas 
Adams, James Blanchard, Peter Honey, John Wright, Jr., Jonathan Butterfield, John Lovewell, Oliver 
Wright, Nehemiah Wright, Daniel Wood, Timothy Blood, Asa Lovejoy, Daniel Blood, Jonathan 
Wright. 

" The following persons were in the company of Capt. Daniel Wilkins, in Col. Timothy Bedell's 
regiment, which was stationed on our northern frontier; Philip Abbot Roby, Ebenezer Fosgett (or 
Fosdick), Joseph Farrar, James Harwood and Reuben Killicut. 

" In July, 1776, Capt. William Barron raised a company for Canada, in which there were the fol- 
lowing Dunstable men : John Lund, first lieutenant, Richard Whiting, second sergeant, Abijah Reed, 
third sergeant, John Fletcher, second corporal, Ivphraim French, Benjamin Bailey, Charles Butter- 
field, William Butterfield, Abraham Hale, John Comb, Thomas Blanchard, Thomas Killicut, Israel 
Ingalls, Medad Combs, Levi Lund, Thomas Harris, Peter Henry, James Jewell, William Stewart. 

" In consequence of the loss sustained hy the New Hampshire regiments, Jonathan Blanchard of 
this town was sent by the legislature to Ticonderoga in October, 1776, to recruit the army. In 
December, 1776, Captain Walker of this town raised a company from Dunstable and vicinity. It was 
attached to a regiment commanded by Colonel Gilman of which Noah Lovewell of this town was 
quartermaster, and ordered to New York. Among those who enlisted we find Phineas Whitney, Silas 
Swallow, Joseph Dix and Jacob Adams. 

In 1777, also, three regiments, consisting of two thousand men, were raised in this state for three 
years and placed under the command of Colonels Cilley, Hall and Scammel ; Stark and Poor having 
been promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. The same quota of troops was furnished by New 
Hampshire during the war, besides voluntary enlistments in other regiments, which were very 

*2 N. H. Hist. Coll., 50. 
1 1 Belknap, 370. 



;oo 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



numerous. In every levy of two thousaud men, the proportion to be furnished by this town was about 
sixteen. More than twice this number, however, must have been constantly in the army.* 

" In March, 1777, the town offered a bounty of one hundred dollars to every soldier who would 
enlist, and a large number joined the army. Besides those already mentioned we find the following : 
Jonathan Emerson, lieutenant in Cilley's regiment ; James Blanchard, quartermaster in Scammel's 
reo-iment ; John Butler and James Harwood killed at Hubbardton, Vt., July 7, 1777, on the retreat 
from Ticonderoga, John Manning taken prisoner there, and afterwards re-taken ; Simeon Butterfield, 
David Alld, Israel Ingalls, John Lund, William Gibbs, Paul Woods, Eliphalet Manning, John Man- 
ning, James Seal, Isaac Adams, Noah Downs, Jeremiah Keith, who served in a Massachusetts 
regiment ; Ephraim Blood, William Mann and John Crocker, in the artillery corps. Just before the 
battle of Saratoga, Lieutenant Alld returned for volunteers, and a large number from this town and 
vicinity- hastened to join the army, and arrived in season to compel and witness the surrender of 
Burgoyne. In November, 1777, the town voted to raise 'seven hundred and thirty-five pounds lawful 
money to defray the extraordinary expenses of the present war.' 

"By the constitution of 1776 no provision was made for a governor, or any chief executive officer 
of the state. The legislature was itself the executive, and upon every adjournment, therefore, it 
became necessary to give to some body the power of acting in case of emergency during the recess. 
This power was vested in a committee of safety, varying in number from six to sixteen, composed of 
the wisest, best and most active men in the different sections of tlie state, and those who had shown 
themselves the truest friends of their country. Their duty was like that of the Roman dictators — 
' ne quid respublica detrimenti caperet ' — to take care that the republic received no injury; and a 
corresponding power to effect this object was given them. Of this most responsible committee, two 
members belonged to this town. Jonathan Lovewell was a member from June 20, 1777, to January 5, 
1779, and Jonathan Blanchard from Januarj- 6, 1778. t 

"The complaints of the people respecting the high prices of all the necessaries of life still 
continuing and the recommendations of congress having no effect upon many of the extortioners, it 
was then recommended that a convention should be holden at New Haven, Conn., January 15, 177S, 
to be composed of delegates also appointed by the legislatures of the several states. Its object was 
'to regulate and ascertain the price of labor, manufactures, internal produce, and commodities 
imported from foreign ports, militarj' stores excepted, and also to regulate the charges of inn-holders, 
and to make report to the legislatures of their respective states.' Jonathan Blanchard of this town 
and Col. Nathaniel Peabody were appointed delegates from New Hampshire, and acted accordingly. 

" After the Declaration of Independence, which was the abolition of all existing government, it 
became necessary to form some plan of government, both for the state and the union. The people in 
their primary assemblies had commenced and carried on the Revolution, and they entered with the 
same zeal into the discussion of their political rights and duties, and the best mode of preserving and 
perpetuating them. Feliruary 9. 1778, in town meeting, 'the articles of confederation formed by the 
honorable continental congress having been taken into consideration were consented to unanimously.' 

"April 17, 1778, Capt. Benjamin French and Dea. William Hunt were chosen delegates to the 
convention, which was to be holden June 10, 1778, for the purpose of forming a constitution for the 
state. We may see with what jealousy the people watched their servants, and regarded the powers 
of government, from the fact that they appointed a committee of eleven, viz: Cyrus Baldwin, Joseph 
Whiting, Robert Fletcher, Jonathan Lovewell, Capt. Daniel Warner, Joseph Eayrs, Capt. Benjamin 
Smith, Lieut. David Alld, Col. Noah Lovewell, Lieut. Joseph French and Lieut. Jacob Taylor 'to 
a,ssist said members during the convention's session.' So early was the right of instruction claimed, 
practiced and acknowledged. A bill of rights and a constitution were drafted accordingly, and an able 

*The regiment of militia to which Dunstable was attached, was then commauded by Col. Moses Nichols of Am- 
herst. It embraced the following towns, containing the number of males between the ages of sixteen and fifty, in each 
respectively: Amherst, three hundred and twenty-one; Nottingham West (Hudson), one hundred and twenty-two; 
Litchfield, fifty-seven ; Dunstable, one hundred and twenty-eight ; Merrimack, one hundred and twenty-nine ; Hollis, 
two hundred and thirty-four; Wilton, one hundred and twenty-eight, Rindge, twenty; Mason, one hundred and 
thirteen. This was the basis for all drafts for soldiers for the army. In May, 1777, one hundred fifty-five men were 
drafted from the regiment, or one in every eight. 

t2 N. II. Hist. Coll., 30. 



IHSTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 301 

address to the people issued, signed by John Langdon, president of the convention. Hut the people 
wouhl not sanction either. Their exiierience of royal usurpation and the fear of giving too much 
]H)\ver to their rulers prevailed, and both were negatived by a great majority. This town ' voted 
unaninimisly to reject them.' 

"In August fourteen men went from this town to Rhode Island, as volunteers, with Col. Noah 
Lovewell. The town voted to pay them a bounty of about thirty-fne dollars each. Of this number 
were James Jewell, Eleazer Kisk, Isaac Foot and others. During this year a very large number of 
soldiers from this town were in the army in New York and at the vSouth. 

"In December, 1778, Col. Noah Lovewell was chosen 'representative for one vear,' being the 
first representative elected by the town under the constitution. 

"How many soldiers were furnished to the army from this town during that long and bloody 
struggle, it is impossible now to ascertain with correctness, but the number continued to be very large 
during the war. It is estimated that New Hampshire sent to the army at various times, 14,000 men, 
a number nearly equal to the whole able-bodied population of the state at the commencement of the 
wars, and of whom 4,000 died in the service. 

"The whdle male population of this town in May, 1775, between the ages of sixteen and fifty 
years, was only one hundred and twenty-eight, and nearly every inhabitant, either as a volunteer 
upon an alarm, or as a drafted man, was at some period in the service. They were in almost every 
fight from Bunker Hill t" Vorktown, and their bones are mouldering upon nuuiy a battlefield from 
Massachusetts to Virginia. When the news of 'the Concord fight' flew hither on the wings of the 
wind, our 'minute men' saddled their horses and ha.stened to the scene of conflict, and, although 
tlie>- did not reach there in season to share in its dangers, they formed a portion of that iier\- mass 
of undisciplined valor which 'hung upon the steps of the retreating foe like lightning on the edge of 
the cloud.' They were at Bunker Hill in the po.st of danger and honor, and shared largely in the 
glory of that day. The\- were at Ticonderoga, where, borne down by sickness, by pestilence, and by 
want, they were compelled to retreat, fighting step b_v step, in the face of a victorious enemy. They 
were at Bennington, under Stark, where the first gleam of light broke in upon the darkness which 
was lowering over our prospects, cheering every heart to new efforts, and at Stillwater and Saratoga, 
where this first omen of victory was converted into a triumph most glorious and enduring. 

" They wintered at Valley Forge with Washington, where, 'without shoes or stockings, their 
pathway might be tracked b>- their blood.' They were at Trenton and Princeton, where, under the 
very eye of Washington, they surprised and captured the Hessians, and gave new hope and courage 
to the disheartened nation. They fought at Germantown and Monmouth, and at the memorable 
conflicts on Long Island. At Monmouth, the New Hampshire regiment, under Cilley and Dearborn, 
was 'the most distinguished, and to their heroic courage the salvation of the armj- was owing.' 
General Washington acknowledged the service, and sent to enquire what regiment it was. ' Full 
blooded Yankees, by G-d, sir,' was the lilunt reply of Dearborn. And at Yorktown, when the whole 
British army capitulated, they were there with Scammel, a glorious and fitting finale to the great 
Revolutionary drama, whose opening scene was at Lexington. 

"Of those who, during this long period, when the fears of even the stout-hearted prevailed o\-er 
their hopes, and darkness seemed resting upon their freedom, rallied around the standard of their 
country, and perilled 'their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor' in its defence, not one now 
survives. Their service was no holiday sport, and to them, their exertions, and their sufferings, do 
we all owe the Ijirth-right of our liberty." 

The following li,st of soldiers from that part of Dunstable which is now in New Hampshire has 
been gathered from Fox's history and from all the sources to which the compiler has had access. 
Some of the names sound strange to Nashuans of the present day, but most of them are known posi- 
tively to have served in the armies of the Revolution from 1775 to 17.83. The names of those who 
were in the battle of Bunker Hill are taken from the lists of rolls prepared by Col. George C. Gihnore 
of Manchester, who has devoted several years of careful research in his effort to make them accurate. 
The compiler hereof desires to make grateful acknowledgement to Colonel Gihnore for his cheerful 
assistance in going over and comparing his voluminous papers with the writer. 

In 189 1 Colonel Gihnore published a " Roll of New Hamp.shire soldiers at the battle of Bennington, 
Aug. 16, 1777." In his introduction to that roll Colonel Gihnore uses the following words: "In 



302 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

April, 1775, when the British soldiers held Boston, two thousand New Hampshire men were in the 
ranks under command of Stark, Prescott, Reed and others, and on June 17, 1655, names appear on the 
rolls as taking part in the battle of Bunker Hill. 

The battle of Bennington was fought Aug. 16, 1777, under command of Gen. John Stark with 
two thousand men, of whom one thousand four hundred and sixtj'-seven were New Hampshire men as 
appears by the rolls, or seventy-five men out of every hundred. A goodly number of these men were 
from Nashua, but it has not seemed to be advisable to list them separately. There is no doubt that 
perhaps hundreds of Nashua men, other than those named below, served their country in the Revo- 
lution, but it is now impossible to get accurate lists of them from the fact that official rolls are now 
nowhere to be found. If such rolls ever existed they may have been burned in the war office, when 
the British destroyed the city of Washington in the year 1812. At all events, the researches of the 
compiler as well as of others who have given far more time to the matter have failed to discover 
them. 

LIST.* 

David .\dams,* David Adams, Jr.,* Henry Adams, Isaac Adams, t Jacob Adams, t Richard Adams,* Silas Adams,t 
David Alld,JohnAlld,Ebeiiezer Bancroft,} Jonathan Bancroft, Benjamin Bayley,*Eliphalet Bayley,* Eleazer Blanchard,* 
James Blanchard, t quartermaster of Scammel's regiment, John Blanchard, t Nathaniel Blanchard, Oliver Blodgett, Jacob 
Blodgett,* James Brown,* lieutenant, John Butler, killed at Hubbardton, Vt., July 7, 1777, Abel Butterfield, Charles 
Butterfield, Jonathan Butterfield, t Josiah Butterfield, Samuel Butterfield, t Simeon Butterfield,* Thomas Butterfield, 
William Butterfield,* Ephraim Blood, t Daniel Blood, t Reuben Blood, t Simeon Blood, t Timothy Blood, t Moses 
Chandler,* Moses Chamberlain, § Silas Chamberlain, § Thomas Clark, John Cockle, t John Clogstone, Paul Clogstone,* 
died at Cambridge, July 15, 1775, of wounds received in the battle of Bunker Hill, Thomas Colburn,* Joseph Combs, 
died in the army, Medad Combs,* corporal, John Conery,t Samuel Conery, Stephen Conery.t William Cox, William 
Dandley, James Dandley, Abel Danforth,* Jonathan Danforth,* John Davidson,* Castor Dickinson, (colored), Joseph 
Dix, Noah Downs, t Jonathan Emerson.* lieutenant under Cilley, Jonathan Emerson,* Joseph Farrar, David Fisk, 
Eleazer Fisk, Nathan Fisk, John Fletcher, Isaac Foot, Ebeuezer Fosdick,* Richard Francis, Benjamin French, Jr., 
killed in the army, John French, Theodore French, William Gibbs,t Archibald Gibson,* James Gibson,* David 
Gilson.t David Gilson, Jr.,t Abraham Hale, Jonathan Harris,* died in the army, Ebenezer Harris, William Harris,* a 
drummer, William Harris, Jr., Archibald Harrod, James Harrod.t died in the army in December, 1777, James Harwood,* 
killed at Hubbardton,Vt., July 7, 1777, John Harwood, Thomas Harwood, Simeon Hills,* Abijah Honey, Calvin Honey, t 
died in the army, John Honey, John Honey, Jr., died in the army, Joseph Honey, t Peter Honey,* Peter Honey, Jr., 
died in the army, William Honey, Israel Hunt, Sr.,ll W^illiam Hunt, Israel Ingalls, James Jewell, Nathaniel Jewell, 
Jeremiah Keith ,+Nathaniel Kemp, Reuben Killicut, Charity Killicut, Joseph Lamson, Jr.,t Thomas Lancy, William 
Lancy, Asa J.ovejoy, Henry l/ovewell,* Ichabod Lovewell, John Lovewell, sergeant,* § Jonathan Lovewell,t Jonathan 
Lovewell, Jr., Nehemiah Lovewell,* Noah Lovewell, t quartermaster of Colonel Gilmore's regiment, Richard Love- 
well, Stephen Lovewell, (colored), Levi Lund, Joel Lund,t an ensign, John Lund,* sergeant, Jonathan Lund, Samuel 
Lund,* Thomas Lund, William Lund,* killed at Bunker Hill, William Mann,t killed in the army, Eliphalet Manning, t 

John Manning, taken prisoner at Ticonderoga and afterwards retaken, Ebenezer Perrj-, Thomas Perry, t Pike_ 

William Powell, Jonathan Powers, William Quinton.t Abijah Reed,* corporal, David Reed, t Benjamin Robbins, John 
Robbins, Jr., Philip .\. Robey,* William Robey,* William Robey, second lieutenant, .\bbot Roby,* Samuel Roby, 
Thomas Roby, William Roby, an ensign, and died in the army, Jason Russell,* James Seal,t Daniel Searles, John 
Searles, Daniel Shed.t David Smiley, t Benjamin Smith, John Snow, Jr.,* Joseph Snow, died in the army, Joel Stewart,* 
Joseph Swallow,* Silas Swallow, t Mansfield Taplin,* § Benjamin Taylor, Benjamin Taylor, Jr.,t Jacob Taylor, Ben- 
jamin Temple, Levi Temple, William Walker,* captain in Reed's regiment and major, Daniel Warner,* sergeant, 
(quartermaster), Joseph Whiting, Oliver Whiling,t Samuel Whiting, t Benjamin Whitney, t Phineas Whitney,* 
Sylvanus Whitney,* Daniel Wood.t Oliver Woods,* died at Cambridge, Oliver W'oods, Jr., Paul Woods,* fifer, John 
Wright, Jr. ,t Jonathan Wright, t Nehemiah Wright,* Oliver Wright. t 

♦Those persons to whose name * is appended were in the battle of Bunker Hill; those with t appear from the 
records to have belonged to this town ; the others are derived from various sources hereinbefore mentioned. 

} Resided on the southern border of the town and were called of Dunstable, though afterwards living in 
Tyngsborough. 

§The names of these men are found on Colonel Gilmore's list as being in Walker's company. It is uncertain 
where they resided at time of enlistment, perhaps at Newbury, Vt. Colonel Gilmore has reason to believe they were 
Nashua men, although he does not credit them to this town. The compiler gives Nashua the benefit of the doubt. 

ll Israel Hunt, Sr., was born in Beverly, Mass., Aug. 27, 1758, and served in the army during the Revolutionary 
War. .\lthough he could not be credited to New Hampshire during the war, he was a resident and a prominent 
citizen of Nashua from the year 1802 to the day of his death on March 2, 1850, a period of nearly fifty years. He 
volunteered in Dunstable for the war of 1812, but on account of his age and infirmities he was not accepted. (See 
biographical sketch). 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 303 

WAR OF i,Si2. 

Fox's history seems to be strangely deficient concerning the part taken by the inhabitants of 
Dunstable in the war with (ireat Britain in 1812-15. But it is not strange when one is brouglit to the 
knowledge that neither the archives of the United States nor the state of New Hampshire, nor the 
town itself, contain an\- roll of soldiers and sailors, from which such men as fought in that war — and 
ought to be credited to Nashua — can be correctly cjuoted. The state of New Hampshire furnished a 
large number of men for the War of 1812. But only authentic rolls of those troops were filed in the 
war department at Washington, and the authorities there declined to allow copies of them to be made. 
Therefore, for many years, and indeed prior to 1867, the rolls of the officers and men of New Hamp- 
shire in the War of 1812 were wanting on our .state archives. In that jear — 1867 — General Grant, 
then acting secretary of war, issued an order directing the assistant adjutant-general of the United 
States army, in charge, to furnish to the adjutant-general of New Hampshire such rolls and papers as 
he might wish to copy. 

These rolls were then copied, and were published in the report of the adjutant-general for the 
year ending June i, 1868.* Therefore, while it is true that rolls are preserved that give the names of 
men who served from New Hampshire, it is also true that those rolls are incomplete for our purpose, 
because they fail, in a large majorit}' of cases, to state the towns wherein such men resided or from 
which they enlisted. Con.sequently the writer has found it impo.ssible to obtain a complete and 
accurate list of the names of the men from Nashua who served their country in that w-ar. 

"Coming events cast their shadows before." On Nov. 11, 1811, President Madison had called an 
extra session of congress and laid before it the state of our relations with Great Britain and recom- 
mended preparations for war. Congress was convinced not only of the hostile intentions of Great 
Britain who had committed a series of aggressions long continued without apology or redress, but also 
that there was " no hope of a change of policy on the part of that haughty power, and that a resort to 
arms was the only alternative for maintaining our rights, sustaining the national honor and protecting 
our citizens." Therefore, on June 18, 181 2, the twelfth congress passed an act declaring war against 
Great Britain. 

Anticipating this result, our general goverinnent had been making active preparations for war. 
President Madison made requisition on the governor of New Hampshire for its quota of militia pur- 
suants to an act of congress of April 10, 1812. On May 29, 1812, Gov. John Langdon issued general 
orders for detaching three thousand, five hundred men from the militia of the state and organizing 
them into companies, battalions and regiments, to be armed and equipped for actual ser\-ice, and in 
readiness to march at the shortest notice. These orders were duly obeyed. The declaration of war 
found the militia of New Hampshire in as flourishing a condition as it had ever been at any period of 
its existence. 

The governor, William Plumerof Epping succeeded John Langdon, June 5, 1812, who, from his 
j)Osition was commander-in-chief of the militia, though not a military man, was one of energy, 
patriotism, method and good executive ability. His predecessors in that office without an exception 
had been men engaged in the Revolutionary struggle, and had learned by experience the worth of 
a well regulated militia, and had carried out the maxim, "in time of peace prepare for war." The 
adjutant-general was a soldier of the Revolution and had been in that position since the adoption of 
the constitution, and many of the officers of the militia had been his comrades in arms in that great 
struggle. Such being the situation of our militia, compliance with the requisitions of the general 
government was met with the greatest promptness.! 

In this war the state of New Hampshire not only had to furnish her quota of troops for the general 
government, but also to defend her seaboard and northern frontier. The harbor of the Piscataqua and 
the navy yard at Portsmouth were in danger, as was also the "Coos country," and the safety of our 
territory demanded the attention of the state government. In 1813, five companies of the militia were 
detached, four of them being .stationed at Portsmouth, under Major Bassett, and one, under Capt. H). 
H. Mahurin, at Stewart.stown, in the "Coos country." In 18 14 an attack from the Briti.sh fleet off 

•Report of .iiljutant-geiieral of New Hampshire, 1868, p. 10, et seq. 
t Report of a(ljutant-}i;eneral of X. H. 1868. 



,„, HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

our coast was expected to be made upon the navy yard at Portsmouth, and upou the town itself, and 
was probably only prevented by the presence of the state militia, which, npon the call of Governor 
Oilman, rushed to their protection with its former alacrity and patriotism. 

More than three thousand men of the militia of New Hampshire were at Portsmouth and upon 
the shores of the Piscataqua, at the call of our state government in 1814* but it is impossible, for 
reasons stated hereinbefore, to give the names of such of these patriotic men as were from Dunstable 
who either enlisted or were detached from the militia for that service. 

We cannot claim many soldiers from Dunstable in this war. That it was not owing to any lack of 
patriotism or military spirit is evident from the fact that this town, and its successor, Nashua, has 
always done its full share towards maintaining the dignity of our government and its prowess in arms. 
That this war was not a popular one in this section of country is true, but during that period our 
population was small — the population in 1810 is given as one thousand and forty-nine — in 1.S17 the 
total number of inhabitants was one thousand, one hundred and forty-two. It was not until after the 
year 1820 that the public attention was turned toward the unusual facilities afforded \>y the power of 
the Nashua river and Salmon brook for manufacturing. With the factories, population rapidly 

increased. 

The editor therefore feels constrained to bring to a close that part of the military historv of 
Nashua pertaining to the War of 1812 by giving a list of the names of those men that are found in the 
rolls of the New Hampshire troops* as of Dunstable, (N. H.) 

Squire Blauchard, Isaac Conery, Mark Harris, Zephaniah Kittredge, Haven Parker, David Philbrick, John Smith, 
Geort'e Glym, Hezekiah Hamlet, Leonard Harris, Gould Robbins, Russell Robbins, Luther Robbins, Joseph Blood, 
John Courey (Conery.) 

THE INDIAN STREAM WAR AND THE FLORIDA WAR. 

Any published account of the military history of New Hampshire or of any town in it, would 
seem to be incomplete unless it alluded to any war in which the state was concerned. But justice 
will here be done if the compiler of this chapter passes over with only very brief reference to the 
" Indian Stream War" and the Florida War, for the reason that very few, if an)- men from Nashua 
served in either of them. 

The Indian Stream War seems really to have been only a " tempe.st in a teapot," although at one 
time it seemed likely that the difficulty would produce a rupture between the governments of the 
United States and Great Britain. 

The matters in dispute aro.se from the inertness of the two governments to definitely agree upon 
and establish the boundary lines between the state of New Hampshire and the province of Lower 
Canada described in the treaty of peace concluded at Paris in September, 1783. 

The difficulty was definitely settled by the earnest action of the government of New Hampshire 
who sent armed men into the territory in the fall of 1835, and the malcontents residing in the disputed 
territory either quietly submitted to the laws, or immigrated to Canada. No Nashua men are known 
to have taken part in this war. 

The reader is referred to the report of the adjutant-general of New Hampshire for the year ending 
June I, 1868, pages 269-287, and also a paper prepared by Edgar Aldrich as the annual oration of the 
New Hampshire Historical society and delivered vSept. 12, 1894. This valuable and interesting paper 
was published in full, with maps, in the October ( 1894) number of the Granite Monthly. 

The intelligent reader is aware that the war with the Seminole Indians, commonly called the 
Florida War, was the mo.st protracted and cruel one in the history of the United States. It com- 
menced in earne.st in 1835 and did not end by proclamation until 1848. It cost the nation nearly 
thirty millions of dollars and thousands of valuable lives. Many men of New Hampshire — and 
several from Hillsborough county — took an active part, but the rolls and files to which the writer had 
access are so incomplete and the records are so misty that it is well nigh impossible to give a correct 
list of Nashua men who served in the army of the Ihiited States and for whom the town should have 
credit. 

* Archives of N. H. See Adjutant-General's Report, 186S. 



If /STORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 305 

It is known that John Lawrence Noyes, who was a brother of Col. Leonard W. Noyes of Nashua 
was a major in the service and was actively engaged during this war. It is also known that Timothy 
E. Parks, who is still living and resides in Nashua at the age of seventy-five, served in the Seminole 
War three years, from 1838 to 1841, as private, company F, Kighth regiment, U. S. A. Andrew Kelly, 
who has resided in Nashua some time and is now seventy-four years of age, served in the United 
States marine corps, from which he was discharged at Indian Ke>-, Florida, in February, 1842 Mr 
Kelly was in several skirmishes with the Seminole Indians during the Florida War. He also served 
his country, in the Union army, as a private in company C, Seventeenth Mas.sachusetts regiment. 

In this, as in every other war in which the United States has been engaged, their arms were 
triumphant, and if the world judges solely by the result of the last resort, an "appeal to arms," this 
nation has always been in the right. 

THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The .scope of this chapter would not permit, nor is it the desire of the editors or publishers of this 
history to comment upon or even to mention the political cau.ses which led up to the hostile rupture 
between the Ihiited States and its sister republic, Mexico. It is enough to say that the difficulties or 
differences that hatl long existed between the governments of those two nations were not settled bv 
diplomacy or arbitration, but culminated in open war in the spring of 1846. 

The state of New Hampshire not only contributed its quota of soldiers for this war, but, also many 
officers and men who distinguished themselves and added luster to the military prowess and glorv of 
the state. But the compiler hereof has met with the same difficulty concerning the men who served 
from Nashua in the Mexican War, that he stated on the first page of his narration of the War of 181 2 
in this chapter. As a matter of justice to all parties interested, he dee' .is it not only jjroper but 
necessary to repeat the statement referred to, which is as follows : " While it is true that rolls are 
preserved that give the names of men who served from New Hampshire, it is also true that those rolls 
are incomplete for our purpose because they fail, in a large majority of cases, to state the towns 
wherein such men resided or from which the}' enlisted. Consequently the writer has found it impossible 
to obtain a complete and accurate list of the names of men from Nashua who sensed their country in 
that war. 

The portion of this history under the heading, " The Mexican War," will consequently be unsatis- 
factorj- not only to the writer but to the reader, as was that portion under the headino-, "The 
War of 18 12." 

The militar_\- spirit of the men of Nashua showed itself early in this war. Both the Nashua 
Gazette and The Nashua Telegraph newspapers in their editions of June 11, 1846, published the 
proceedings of a meeting held in the court-room of the townhouse on the evening of the third of 
June " to organize a company of volunteers to serve in the Mexican War." That record is as follows : 

The meeting was called to order by Capt. Daniel M. Fiske and organized by choosing Henry 
Lawrence, chairman and Henry Onion, secretary. It was voted that any per.son present wishing to 
become a member of the company might do so by signing the roll. It was voted to choose the officers 
and non-commissioned officers by ballot. Daniel M. Fiske was unanimously chosen captain, C. 
James Emer>' was unanimously chosen first lieutenant, Dustin L. Bowers was chosen second lieu- 
tenant, William L. Dudley was unanimously chosen first sergeant ; Henry Lawrence. George R. 
Kimball, and George W. Ciilman were chosen sergeants. 

Voted, That a conmiittee of five be appointed In" the chair to draft resolutions to be presented to 
the meeting. Messrs. William I^. Dudley, H. C. Smith, Henry Onion, Joel R. Langdon and David 
P. Barber were appointed. 

It was proposed that the time of enlistment should be changed from during the war to twelve 
months, but the proposition was rejected b\- a large majority. 

The connnittee on resolutions reported the following, which was unanimously adopted : — 

Resolved, That we, having volunteered to form a company of infanlr\- in this state, in obedience 
to the requirements of the act of congress entitled "An act providing for the jirosecution of the existing 
war between the I'nited States and the Republic of Mexico," will willingly lend our aid to defend our 
countrv and institutions from the invasions of a foreign foe. 



,o6 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Resolved, That it is the unanimous sense of this meeting that the Hon. Franklin Pierce be, 
and he is hereby reconunended to the executive of this state to be appointed to take connnand of the 
" New Hampshire Volunteer Forces." 

Resolved, That we have the utmost confidence in the courage and patriotism of the officers that 
we have chosen and will cheerfully march with them to the most distant section of the union to 
maintain our rights, or to any post of danger our country may call us to defend. 

Resolved, That we will obey orders and do our duty, that we ma>- ne\-er be ashamed to call the 
regiment to which we belong ours. 

It was voted that the proceedings of this meeting be presented to the editors of each of the news- 
papers published in Nashua and Nashville. Voted to adjourn. 

Henry Onion, Secretary. 

The military company thus organized did not enter active service but, as will be .seen hereinafter, 
many men from Nashua served their country as .soldiers and sailors in this war. 

Congress declared war again.st Mexico May 13, 1846. The primary cause of this war grew out of 
a dispute with Mexico over the western boundary line of the newly acquired territory of Texas. The 
immediate cause was the attack on a small reconnoitering party of United States troops under Captain 
Thornton, from Gen. Zachary Taylor's "Army of Occupation " on the east side of the river Rio Grand 
del Norte by a superior force of Mexicans under General Torrejon, in which the entire party was 
killed or taken prisoners. 

The slaughter or capture of the troops under Captain Thornton was soon followed by the famous 
battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma and the brave defence of Fort Brown. 

In planning the aggressive action in Mexico, it had been determined to attack Vera Cruz and its 
strongly fortified castle of San Juan de Ulloa and in case of success, to march upon the capital of 
Mexico, "the city of the Montezumas." Accordingly, in November, 1846, Gen. Winfield Scott was 
ordered from Washington to the Rio Grande to set on foot that expedition. He arrived on the Rio 
Grande, Jan. i, 1847. The troops from General Taylor's command were turned over to him, as before 
named, and he soon left for the island of Lobos, the place of general rendezvous of the fleet and the 
various detachments. General Patterson marched with his division from \'ictoria to Tampico, and 
there embarked ; Generals Scott and Worth sailed from the Brazos, and the remainder of the troops 
were to proceed directly from the United States to Lobos. Congress had authorized the raising of ten 
new regiments to serve during the war. These were to be raised and organized. During the month 
of February, the various detachments arrived that had been ordered to the rendezvous at Lobos, and, 
although many of the supplies had not arrived. General Scott determined to lose no time by delay, 
and, on March 6, the whole fleet hove in sight off Vera Cruz. The debarkation of the troops was fixed 
for March 9, and was effected on that day with the most perfect order and regularity. The beaching 
was a splendid sight. General Patterson was the ranking officer, being a full major-general, and took 
command of the forces when landed, and the}' had .serious work to do. The arsenal and the malebran 
were defended and the following day these were both taken, and the sand hills cleared of the foe that 
crowned them, and the Mexican forces driven within the walls of Vera Cruz, so that upon the landing 
of General Scott on the evening of the second day, he had no enemy to obstruct his operations save 
from the walls of the city and the castle. A succession of severe " northers" succeeded and prevented 
the landing of the mortars and guns, so that it was not until March 22, that General vScott demanded 
the surrender of the city. The demand was refused, and then a tremendous fire was opened upon the 
city, both seaward as well as landward, Commodore Tatnall having been ordered to commence a 
simultaneous fire upon the town from the flotilla under his command. At length, battery after battery 
being added to the line of investment, and horrors upon horrors added to the suffering inhabitants the 
livelong night of the twenty-fifth, nothing being heard but the booming of cannon, the explosion of 
bombs, the cra.sh of falling houses, the shrieks of the wounded and the groans of the dying ; on the 
morning of March 26, 1847, the batteries ceased playing. Articles of capitulation were signed on the 
twenty-seventh, and on March 29, the Mexican forces marched out of town, laid down their arms, and 
went their way in the interior. Thus fell the boasted impregnable fortress of the Mexicans, leaving 
General Scott an open way to the interior, whither he marched with most commendable dispatch on 
his way to the capital. At the heights of Cerro Gordo he met the combined Mexican forces under 
Santa Anna, and on April 17, 1847, gained the memorable "battle of Cerro Gordo," hurling Santa Anna 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 307 

from his supiiostd impregnable position, and driving his demoralized troops in hot haste towards the 
capital. Jalai)a, Perote and I'uebla offered little resistance to his conquering army, and at the latter 
town C.eneral Scott reposed his army and awaited his ex])ected reinforcements. These consisted of 
the NinUi I'nited vStates infantr>-. under Col. Truman 15. Ransom, and other detachments, amounting in 
all to two thousand, five hundred men, under the command of ]{rig.-Gen. Franklin Piercet of New 
Hampshire. The Ninth regiment of I'nited .States infantry had been recruited in New Hampshire 
under the auspices of Col. P'ranklin Pierce of New Hampshire, as its colonel, Abner B. Thompson of 
Maine as its lieutenant-colonel, and Gen. Truman B. Ransom of Maine, as its major, their commissions 
severally bearing the date of P'eb. 16, 1847. March 3 Colonel Pierce was appointed a brigadier- 
general by President Polk and assigned to take command of the detachment of troops about to be sent 
to reinforce General Scott, and on March 16 Major Ransom was promoted colonel of the regiment in 
his place. 

It is with this regiment that this chapter has mainly to do, for the reason that the chief interest 
in men who served in the army in the Mexican War is centered in companies H and C. Company H 
was first commanded by Capt. Daniel Batchelder of Haverhill, and afterwards by Capt. George Bowers 
of Nashua. 

Company C was first commanded by Capt. Stephen Woodman, but this company, as was the case 
with company H, sailed from Newport, R. I., on May 21, 1847, for the seat of war in command of its 
first lieutenant, who was John H. Jackson. 

In this company served Thomas P. Pierce+ as second lieutenant, atid John F. Marsh, a private, 
both of whom became afterwards, and for man)- years, prominent citizens of Nashua. 

The roll of Captain Bowers' company^ H, Ninth United States infantry, connnonly called the 
New England regiment, as given in the military history of New Hampshire is as follows: — 

Daniel Batchelder, captain, John \V. Bewer, Benjamin F. Osgood, 

George Bowers,* ist lieutenant, George E. Barnes, Chester Perry, 

Daniel H. Cram, 2d " Josiah Butler,* James Powers, 

Richard C. Drum, 2d :' Guy Carleton, Michael W. Page, 

John Bedel, ist sergeant, Jeremiah E. Curry, Benjamin E. Porter, 

John C. Stowell, 2d sergeant, Ferdinand Carson, Arthur L. Pike, 

Ezra T. Pike, 3d ", Caleb Chamberlain,* Asa Randall, 

George C. Spencer, 4th " Michael Cochran, Nahum G. Swett, 

Thomas F. Davis, 1st corporal, .Samuel Davis, John Shaw,* 

J. K. Ramsdell, 2d " David Dunlap, Suel Simpson, 

tOen. Franklin Pierce, fourteenth president of the United States was the son of ex. -Gov. Benjamin Pierce of 
Hillsborough, where he was born Nov. 23, 1804. He was graduated from Bowdoin college with the class of 1824. 
He read law in the offices of Edmund Parker of Amherst, Levi Woodbury of Portsmouth, and at the law school at 
Northampton, Mass. He was admitted to the bar of the county of Hillsborough in 1827. 

t Lieut. Thomas P. Pierce was born in Chelsea, Mass., Aug. 30, 1820. He was appointed a second lieutenant in the 
Ninth regiment, I'nited States infantry, April 9, 1847. He was brevetted first lieutenant, Aug. 20, 1847, for gallant 
and distinguished conduct in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco. Lieutenant Pierce led his company at 
Contreras. Captain Kimball's company from Vermont was immediately in front, and bringing his company to a halt, 
he exclaimed, " Stead\', men ; remember that you are ' Green Mountain Boys,' take good aim and do such execution 
upon the Mexicans as shall do credit to old Vermont. Ready, aim, fire ! " The company fired and filed off. Company 
C came next, marching steadily up. "Halt!" cried Lieutenant Pierce; "Now boys, take steady aim and give the 
Mexicans such a fire as will make old Vermont ashamed of herself." When such was the coolness and rivalry of our 
soldiers, one ceases to wonder why six thousand men should have whipped thirty thousand Mexicans upon their own 
soil. Upon his return from Mexico, Mr. Pierce resumed his occupation as an ornamental painter. After General 
Pierce was elected president, Mr. Pierce was appointed ])ostniaster at Manchester, March 28, 1853, and was re-appointed 
by President Buchanan, March 31, 1857. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, he was appointed by 
Governor Goodwin colonel of the Second regiment of New Hampshire volunteers, and when that regiment was trans- 
ferred under the second call of President Lincoln for troops for longer service he resigned. Colonel Pierce afterward 
became a resident of Nashua and was for many years superintendent of the Nashua Card and Glazed Paper company. 
He died suddenly at Nashua in 1887, while acting as chairman of the committee of arrangements for entertaining 
Gov. Charles. H. Sawyer and the Amoskeag veterans. 

§ Adjutant-General's report, N. H., 1868. 

II Captain Batchelder was detailed for recruiting service. May 20, 1847, at Newport, R. I., and I'irst Lieut. George 
Bowers assumed command of the company. 

♦All those men having a * affixed to to their names are carried on the rolls as having enlisted from Nashua. 



,3oS 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Leonard Morrill, 3(1 corporal, 

William D. Parker, filer, 

George Sumner, drummer, 

Michael D. Lawton, " 

David Amey. 

Henry Albert, 

Kinsman Avery, 

Chandler Averill, 

James Andrews, 

Robert A. Brown, 

Benjamin Bean, 

William Burns, 

William F. Bailey, 

John Boiidle, 

Solon B. Collins,* t 



Joseph Duso, 

Foster Edson, 

John Flynn, 

Marshall L. Grant,* 

Isaac Grace,* 

William Gould, Jr., 

Sanford Gardner, 

Albert Knapp, 

Nathan W. King,* 

Joseph E. Little, 

Aaron G. Lane, 

Lorenzo D. Montgomery,* 

Bernard McClusley, 

Alfred Noyes,* 

Charles Clement, *t 



Daniel M. Smith, 
Henr3' Stevens, 
John H. White,* 
Elijah Wallace, 
Harvey Wade, 
George W. Woods, 
Thomas J. Wiser, 
Nelson B. Woodward, 
John Webster, 
George Welch, 
James Williams, 
Nathaniel W. White,* 
William W. Welch. 



All of the men who are named in the foregoing roll enlisted between March 25 and May 17, 1847, 
and term of their enlistment was " during the war." The name of Caleb J. Emery of Nashua is not 
given in the foregoing roll, but there is no doubt that he served in company H and was commissioned 
as a lieutenant. The New England regiment, in which most of the men from Nashua serv^ed, formed 
a part of the army under Gen. Winfield Scott that fought in all the engagements that culminated 
with a blaze of glory in the capture of the City of Mexico, which practically- brought the war to an 
end. In the attack of the enem}^ on the heights of Contreras, at Churubusco, at Molino del Rej' and 
the castle of Chapultepec, all of which were fought not only against greatl)- superior numbers of the 
enemy, but also against strongly fortified positions, the determined valor of Nashua soldiers was 
illustrated. 

At Molino del Rey, which was defended not only by its own guns but also by those of the castle 
of Chapultepec, the attack was made September 8, and the division under General Worth was hard 
pushed. General Scott rode up to General Pierce, who was at the right of the Ninth regiment, and 
ordered him to go to the relief of General Worth at once. This order was obeyed, and the Ninth and 
Second infantry moved up under General Pierce by a happy manoeuvre in the face of fifteen thousand 
of the enemy and under a most destructive fire. The enemy's works were carried at the point of the 
bayonet, but it was a bloody and dearly bought victory costing the life of many a gallant soldier. 
Among those severely wounded was Lieut. John G. Foster+ of Nashua. The castle on the heights of 
Chapultepec commanded the City of Mexico, and, on September 12, four days after the capture of 
Molino del Rey, the Mexicans still retained possession of that castle and city. On the twelfth our 
army commenced the bombardment of the castle and heights of Chapultepec. During this bombard- 
ment. General Pierce, at the head of the First and Fourth brigades, gallantly held in check a large 
bod)' of lancers on our left. 

At about eight o'clock on the morning of September 13, the charge by order of General Pillow, 
commenced under the command of Colonel Ransom of the Ninth regiment, and in half an hour the 
stars and stripes were waving over the castle of Chapultepec. The two New Hampshire companies 
that behaved with their usual gallantry were commanded respectively by Lieut. George Bowers and 
John H. Jackson, who, on this as on other occasions, proved themselves worthy sons of the " Old 
Granite State." During the night following the surrender of the ca.stle of Chapultepec, a deputation 
from the city councils of the City of Mexico, visited General Scott and informed him that Santa Anna, 
with his army, had marched out of the city. On the morning of September 14, the stars and stripes 
floated in triumph over the national palace. The army of the United States thus gained possession of 
the capitol of Mexico and dictated terms of peace in the " halls of the Montezumas." 

A number of Nashua men served in the United States navy in the war with Mexico. Of such 
the compiler has been able to learn the names of but few. The following are the names oftho.se that 
have been reported from sources believed to be authentic : Edward P. Whitney, John G. Smith, (who 

* All those men having a * affixed to their names are carried on the rolls as having enlisted from Nashua. 

tThe name of Solon B. Colling and Charles Clement, both of Nashua, do not appear on this roll, but they were in 
the war and probably in this company. Charles Clement died as a prisorer of war in Mexico; he was a brother of 
Luther Clement, late of Nashua, deceased, 

J See biographical sketch. 



HISTORY or NASHUA, N. H. 309 

shipped as Andrew Brown), Asa D. Kimball, Sidney Hildreth, Dorus Seavey, Benjamin Warren, 
Henry \'. Warren. Doubtless there are omissions of names of Nashua men who served in this war, 
both in the army and navy, but repeated appeals through the public press have failed to obtain any 
others than those named in this chapter. 

The compiler, in closing his chapter of the histon,-, claims without fear of contradiction, that men 
from the territory now embraced within the limits of Nashua, from the time of the earliest troubles 
with the Indians, and certainly before the year 1670, down to the War of the Great Rebellion, 1861- 
1865, have shown qualities of patriotism and valor unexcelled in the world's history. Men from New 
Hampshire were the first who struck at Fort William and Mary near Portsmouth and precipitated the 
Revolutionary War. They burned the first powder at Bunker Hill, when New Hampshire furnished 
the men and Massachusetts the ground. It was the New Hampshire militia who .struck Burgo>ne the 
first blow : it was old John Linton who gave him the first black eye ; at Trenton, it was New Hamp- 
shire men who led Washington's advance; poor bare-footed men who left their tracks of blood over 
long steps of that journey. In the Mexican War none were more distinguished than New Hamp.shire 
men, among whom may be named without invidiousness Col. George Bowers and Lieut. John G. 
Foster, both of Nashua and both of whom were brevetted for gallantry in that war. The first man 
killed in the War of the Rebellion was a New Hampshire man in a Massachusetts uniform (Sixth 
Massachusetts at Baltimore), and in the War of the Rebellion none showed more patriotism nor 
greater heroi.sm than those from New Hampshire who .shed their blood in defence of the integrity of the 
federal union in almost every battle from Fort Sumter to Appomattox. 



(^/^iZr^ ^*^^ 



/>t^ 



3IO 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



DANA WILLIS KING. 

Col. Dana W. King, twin brother of Dean W. King, M. 
D., of Boulder, Colo., was born at .\lstead, June 29, 1832. 
He is a descendant of William King of Langdon, and 




DAX.\ \V. KINCt. 
Capt. William King of .\lstead, who were among the 
early settlers of that region, the last named being promi- 
nent in the militia of that day, and, to some extent, an 
actor in the anti-masonic troubles of his 
time. Colonel King was educated in the 
public schools of his native town and at 
the age of nineteen sought his fortune 
in Boston. At the end of two years' em- 
ployment in a grocery store, in 1852, he 
shipped as a sailor on a wlialeboat and 
was about ready to sail from East Boston 
when his twin brother persuaded him to 
take "French leave." He wandered to 
Detroit, Mich., where he had kinsmen, 
secured a clerkship in a grocery store, and 
remained until November of that year, 
when he came to Nashua, whither his 
parents had come shortly before. He then 
entered the employ of Josephus Baldwin, 
manufacturer of bobbins and shuttles. He 
remained here, being employed in several 
mechanical pursuits and was conspicuous 
in the fire department of that day until thf 
spring of 1854, when he was seized with 
the western fever. The country was ex- 
cited over the outlook of fame and fortune 
in Kansas and Nebraska, and the colonel, 
being at that age when men seek both, journeyed thither. 
He spent two and a half years in the country mentioned 



and experienced all the ups and downs and hair-breadth 
escapes incidental to an unsettled country, including 
friendly and unfriendly relations with the wandering 
savages of the plains. Having had enough of this sort 
of life, he returned to Nashua and obtained employment 
in the repair shop of the Nashua Manufacturing com- 
pany, where, although, as he says, he did not develop 
first-class talent, he was the one man for great emergen- 
cies and undertakings that required nerve. 

The uprising of the north in i86r found him at the 
bench. He, however, recognized that his opportunity to 
make a career for himself had come. The fighting bloud 
which flowed in him was roused. He enlisted in company 
F, First regiment. New Hampshire volunteers, and served 
with credit in the three months' campaign that opened 
the War of the Rebellion. He returned to the state with 
his command, but had not had enough of war. Corporal 
Is^ing, for that was his rank in the First, resumed his 
uniform, and enlisted in the Eighth regiment volun- 
teers, and was commissioned second lieutenant of com- 
pany A. The regiment was assigned to Gen. Benjamin F. 
Butler's New Orleans expedition, and sailed from Boston 
to Ship Island, at the mouth of the Mississippi river. 
The colonel was in New Orleans after its capture and 
served in the engagements in which his regiment partici- 
pated. In fact he was in nearly all the battles and 
skirmishes of the Department of the Gulf and was 
promoted to a captaincy for meritorious conduct in the 
face of the enemy. He had a horse shot under him in 
Banks' Red river expedition and was wounded and taken 
jjrisoner at the Sabine Cross Roads on April 8, 1864. The 
hardship and suffering which he endured during the next 
seven months in the prison at Shreveport, La., and in the 
stockade at Tyler, Tex., from which place, with other 
comrades, he made his escape only to be recaptured and 
suffer other hardships and indignities in punishment for 
his attempt to get free, were such as to cause the death of 
many another veteran. The story of this experience of 
his life is a book in itself. Following his exchange, when 




RESIDENCE OF D.\XA W. KING. 

he certainh' was an object of pity, he rejoined his regi- 
ment at Natchez, Miss., and at the close of the war, Nov. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



311 



8, 1865, came home in command of the veteran battalion 
of the Eighth with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, being 
the only remaining officer of those originally commis- 
sioned for the regiment, who was in the line when it left 
the state. 

Since those days the colonel has been a prominent and 
active citizen of Nashua, and one of the foremost of those 
who have sought to give the city a good name and develop 
its resources. He was elected register of deeds for Hills- 
borough county in 1868, by the Republican partv, and 
although that ticket has been frequently defeated through 
the past decades, he has Ijeen invariably re-elected and 
still holds that office. He is an expert in examining land 
titles and his time is fully taken up in that occupation. 
Colonel King was an alternate to the Republican National 
convention at Chicago in 1888, and a delegate to the 
Republican National convention at Minneapolis in 1892. 

Colonel King makes no claim to the honors of an orator. 
He is a talker, both interesting and humorous, and has 
made more than twenty-five memorial addresses in New 
Hampshire and Massachusetts, counseled the boys at a 
hundred canipfires, lectured to schools, made a few politi- 
cal speeches, and told many an agricultural and horticul- 
tural meeting what he knows, and often times what he 
doesn't know, about tilling the soil, propagating fruit 
trees, vines, bushes and flowers. The colonel resides on 
Concord street in a handsome house built in 1879. Con- 
spicuous upon the outer wall of his castle, in enduring 
granite and blazoned in gold, is the corps badge of the 
.\rmy of the Gulf; vines creep to the coving and the 
latch-string is ever out to comrades and friends. The 
colonel is not of that class of mortals who have their 
good days and their bad dav-s. With him all days are 
alike, and whether it rains or shines, snows or blows ; 
whether he is under the weather from old army troubles, 
or some company in which he has invested has sought the 
court of insolvency, is cheerful and hopeful. He enjoys 
the peace and comfort that by reason of the dangers he 
has passed, the hardships and privations he experienced 
in battles and in prisons, he is entitled to. 

The colonel is a member of Rising Sun lodge. A. F. and 
A. M., Meridian Sun Royal Arch chapter, Israel Hunt 
council, St. George commander}-, K. T., and is a Scottish 
Rite Mason of the 32d degree, being a member in the 
Valley of Nashua ; also a member of the I.oyal Legion and 
John G. Foster post, G. .\. R. He has been treasurer of 
the New Hampshire Veterans' association since its organi- 
zation in 1877. In the matter of creed he is aUniversalist. 

Colonel King was married in Nashua in September, 
1857, to Jennie L. Carter, daughter of Joseph and Elmira 
Carter of Concord. The children born of this marriage 
are Willis D., .\ug. 17, 1858, and Winnifred May, March 
10, 1870, who was united in marriage June 14, 1893, with 
Levi A. Judkins of Claremont. 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS WARREN. 

Capt. John Q. K. Warren, son of David and Annie H. 
(Smith) Warren, was born at Winthrop, Me., .\ug. 5, 
1826, killed in battle in Louisiana, Oct. 27, 1862. He was 
educated in the common schools of his native place and 
came to Nashua to reside when he was fourteen years of 
age. He was employed two years at the mills of the 
Nashua Manufacturing company, and afterwards in the 
bobbin and shuttle works on Water street. In 1857 he 



became a clerk in a store on Main street, where he re- 
mained till the breaking out of the war. Captain Warren 
was an enthusiastic member of the old fire department 




JOII.V Ci. A. WAKKKN. 

and foreman of Niagara company eleven years. He en- 
listed in the Eighth regiment New Hampshire volunteers 
and was commissioned captain. In the first battle in 
which that command was engaged, and while in advance 
of his compan}' and urging it onward to victory, he fell, a 
martyr to the cause of his country. His body was buried 
near where he fell and a few months later disinterred and 
forwarded to Nashua, where it was buried in the Hollis 
Street cemeter}-, now Woodlawn, and a beautiful monu- 
ment erected by the firemen and citizens. Camp John Q. 
A. Warren, Sons of Veterans, was named in honor of him. 
He w'as a member of Rising Sun lodge. A. F. and A. M., 
and attended the First Congregational church. Captain 
Warren was united in marriage June 14, 1851, with Maria 
J. Worcester, daughter of Orvill and Nancy (Williams) 
Worcester, who died in 1S96. .V son and daughter were 
born of his marriage; William Mason, born Sept. 17, 1852; 
Addie M., born Sept. 18, 1854, married Clarence E. Good- 
speed, locomotive engineer on the Hoston & Maine rail- 
road, April 9, 1S84. 

RICHARD OLIVHR GREENLEAF. 

JIaj. Richard O. Greenleaf was born in South Berwick. 
Me., Jan 31, 1823. He is a son of Richard and Eliza 
(Ackerman) Greenleaf. Major Greenleaf was educated 



3' 2 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



in the public schools of Haverhill, Mass., and graduated 
at its high school. He began life as an operative in the 
cotton mills at the place last mentioned, and at the age of 




RICHARD O. GREENLEAF. 

twenty-six )-ears went to Lawrence as an overseer in one 
of the mills at that place. In 1857 he came to Nashua and 
was employed in the office at the mills of the Jackson 
Manufacturing company as book-keeper. When the flag 
was fired upon at Fort Sumter his patriotism was such 
that lie was the first man, (April 19, 1861 ), in Nashua to 
enlist. He was commissioned captain in the First regi- 
ment New Hampshire volunteers, and immediately went 
to the front. It was a three months' regiment, and when 
his term of enlistment expired he was re-commissioned 
(Sept. 20, 1861) captain in the Fourth regiment New 
Hampshire volunteers. He suffered all the hardships 
and privations of war, participated in all the battles and 
skirmishes of his command, and was promoted to the 
rank of major, Aug. 24, 1864, for gallant and meritorious 
service in the line of duty. Major Greenleaf was mus- 
tered out Sept. 27, 1864, and it is the unanimous vote of 
his comrades that no braver or truer man ever trod the 
field of glory in the cause of nations. He returned to 
Nashua in 1866. and in 1872 went to Chicago and remained 
there till 1878, when became back to Nashua. In 1881 he 
went to Joliet, 111., and in 1891 he again made Nashua his 
home. His occupation has been that of a book-keeper, 
and at the present time he is the manager of the Aerated 
Oxygen compau)'. Major Greenleaf represented Ward 
Two, Nashua, in the common council in i860, was secre- 
tary of the board of trade and three years a member of 
the board of education, and its clerk in Joliet. Since 
returning here he has been secretary of the Nashua board 
of trade, quartermaster of John G. Foster post, G. A. R., 
of which he was a charter member and has been com- 
mander. He is a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and 
A. M., and of the Church of the Good Shepherd, (Episco- 
pal), of which he is treasurer. 

Major Greenleaf has been twice married; first, 1851, 
with Mary Cary, who died in 1854; second, in 1861, with 
Martha A. Flinn, daughter of Samuel and Clarissa (Lang- 
ley) Flinn of Nashua. One son was born of his first 
marriage, Thomas, who died in 1853 in infancy. 



JAMES HARVEY HUNT. 

Lieut. James H. Hunt was born in Stoddard, Nov. 25, 
1841. He is a son of Dea. Timothy and Tryphena(F"isher ) 
Hunt. His immigrant ancestor, William Hunt, came 
from England in 1635 and settled at Concord, Mass. 
Timothy Hunt, Sr., his grandfather, came from Grafton, 
Mass., to Stoddard about 1810 and became prominent in 
the early history- of the place. On the maternal side he 
is a descendant of James Harvey Fisher, M. I)., from 
whom he takes his name, and who was a prominent prac- 
ticing physician in Stoddard and vicinity during the first 
half of the present century. 

Lieutenant Hunt received his rudimentary education in 
the district schools of his native place and beyond that is 
a self-taught and self-made man. He lived at home on 
his father's farm in Stoddard until his twenty-first year, 
when he enlisted Aug. 13, 1862, in company G, Fourth 
regiment New Hampshire volunteers as corporal, and was 
promoted to sergeant, then to orderly-sergeant, and 
finally, in recognition of meritorious service, was commis- 
sioned second lieutenant in the same company, which 
rank he held until the close of the war. His regiment 
did provost duty in Washington in 1863, was in the Army 
of the Gulf in 1864, and, being transferred to Virginia in 
July of that year, participated in General Sheridan's 
memorable campaign in the Shenandoah valley against 
the confederate army under General Early. He was with 
his regiment in all the campaigns, skirmishes and battles 
in which it was engaged, the most important engage- 




JAMi;s 11. Ill'iNT. 

ments of which were at Winchester, Fisher's Hill and 
Cedar Creek. After the war he spent one j'ear in the 
dairy business in California, and then, upon returning to 



J //STONY (•>/■- NASHUA, N. H. 



zn 



New Ilainpshire, he located in the tin and stove trade in 
his native town, where he became postmaster in 1868 and 
served until 1871. 

In January, 1S72, he came to Nashua and for several 
years was engaged in the tin and stove business on Factory 
street with A. S. Powers, under the firm name of Powers 
& Hunt. Sept. i, 1879, he was appointed b)- Mayor IIol- 
nian assistant marshal of the Nashua police force, which 
jjosition he held until Jan. i, i88[, when Mayor I'letcher 
appointed him marshal. He served in this position, be- 
ing reappointed by JIayors I'letcher and Norton, till Jan. 
I, 1884, when he was succeeded by Willard C. Tolles and 
appointed assistant marshal. In January, 1885, he was 
again appointed marshal. He served two years, and 
Jan. I, 1887, retired, since which time he has been engaged 
in the livery business. His administration of police 
affairs was marked with prudence, justice and efficienc)^ 
and is remembered as one of the most popular in the his- 
torv of the cit}'. In 1887, Lieutenant Hunt was appointed 
by Governor Currier, coroner for Hillsborough county, 
which commission he now holds by reappointment in 
1892 by Governor Tuttle. In April, 1893, he w-as appointed 
deputy sheriff of Hillsborough county and is still in that 
iilTice. Lieutenant Hunt is an energetic and progressive 
cili/en who rejoices in everything calculated to boom 
Nashua, and who has the good will of the community. 
He is a York Rite Mason and a member of St. George 
commandery, K. T., of which he is captain-general, a 
Scottish Rite Mason of the 32d degree and a member of 
Edward A. Raymond consistory ; he is also a member of 
Nashua lodge, IC. of P., and a past chancellor in the order ; 
a member of John G. Foster post, G. A. R., and has served 
his comrades many times as chief marshal and in other 
stations on Memorial days and when important events 
were transpiring. 

Lieutenant Hunt was united in marriage Nov. 21, 1867, 
with Rosalthe Uptou, daughter of Alson and Sarah 
(Scott) Upton of Stoddard. Their adopted son, Fred E., 
born Jan. i, 1877, a bright, intelligent and promisingboy, 
was drowned in the Nashua river June 3, 1892. 

ALVIN SUMNHR EATON. 

Alvin S. Eaton was born at Hillsborough Bridge, Dec. 
4, 1840. He is a son of James B. and Sarah R. (Hobsou) 
Eaton. (For ancestors see sketch of his father.) 

Mr. Eaton came to Nashua in a canal boat with his par- 
ents, landing at Gay's store. Main street, when he w-as 
an infant in arms and his home has been here ever since. 
In early life he was employed as a locomotive engineer 
upon the Boston & Lowell railroad. When the flag was 
assailed on the walls of Sumter the blood of an honora- 
ble ancestry was aroused, and, Dec. 23, 1861, he was 
mustered in the service of his country in the New Hamp; 
shire batallion of the First New England cavalry, the 
name of which was changed after the battle of Front 
Royal to the First regiment of Rhode Island cavalry. 
When the battalion re-enlisted in 1864, antl eight new 
companies were added, it was again changed to First New 
Hampshire cavalry. Mr. Eaton was in all the skirmishes 
and engagements of his command, excepting those that 
occurred when he -was a prisoner of war, and was pro- 
moted to orderly sergeant for gallant and meritorious 
conduct in action. He was wounded in the arm in the 
fight at Tom's Brook, and taken prisoner Nov. 12, 1864, at 



Back roads. He suffered the hardships and privations of 
four months confinement at .Stanton jail, Libby prison, 
Pemlierton castle and Salisbury, N. C, and was paroled 




AI.\1\ >. E.XTDN. 
March I, 1865. He was honorably discharged June 24, 1865. 
Since the war Mr. Eaton has been active in the pursuits 
of peace. He kept a market for some time on Canal 
street and for many years was engaged in the concrete 
business, at the same time holding commissions as deputy 
sheriff for Hillsborough and Rockingham counties inter- 
esting himself in police affairs and the things that make 
a lively and progressive city. Jan. i, 1890, Mayor Beasom 
appointed him city marshal, and when a board of police 
commissioners was appointed in 1892 he was retained in 
that position and is still in ofiice. His administration of 
the police department has been efficient. He has brought 
the force up to a high state of discipline and performed 
the onerous, and often disagreeable, duties of his office 
with fidelity. Mr. Eaton was among the first of the 
Nashua soldiers to become a member of John G. Foster 
post, G. A. R., and was commander of the state depart- 
ment in 1875, making an honorable record. He has 
alwavs taken a deep interest in the order, has served it on 
great occasions as chief marshal, and is one of the most 
liberal contributors to further its ends and for the relief 
of comrades. In fact he is a liberal giver and supporter 
for the things that benefit Nashua and Nashuans. He 
attends the Methodist church, is a member of Watananock 
tribe of Red Men, Nashua lodge, K. of P., and the Knights 
of Honor. Mr. Eaton was united in marriage Oct. 16, 1868, 
at Nashua, with Rebecca H. Sawyer, daughter of David 
and Cordelia A. (Harmon) Sawyer of West Buxton, Me. 
One son has been born of their marriage. Ivory Custer, 
born Dec. 8, 1876. 

BENJAMIN SHIPLEY WOODS. 

Benjamin S. Woods was born at Tyugsboro, Mass., May 
28, 1845. He is a son of Solomon and Lucy (Shipley) 
Woods. He is a descendant on the paternal side of Solo- 
mon Woods, who came to this country from England in 
17— and settled at Westford, Mass. On the maternal side 



314 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



be is a descendant of Benjamin Shipley, for many years a 
resident of Nashua. 




BENJAMIN ^ WcioDS. 

Jlr. Woods was educated in the common schools of 
Nashua, Amherst, Merrimack and Lyndeborough, in each 
of which places his parents resided during his minority. 
At the age of seventeen years he enlisted in company D, 
Eighth regiment. New Hampshire Volunteers, and in the 
four years of war that followed endured the hardships of 
the campaign of the Nineteenth army corps. He was 
with the regiment at the capture of New Orleans, at the 
siege of Port Hudson and in the Red river campaign, and, 
in fact, participated in all the battles of the army of the 
Gulf. Following the war he settled in Nashua and has 
followed the occupation of a merchant, being engaged in 
the grocerv trade. Mr. Woods represented Ward Eight 
in the common council in 1S91 and 1892, and in the legis- 
lature of 1893 and 1894. He is a member of John G. Fos- 
ter post, G. A. R., and has held ever}- office in the gift of 
his comrades, including that of commander. Mr. Woods 
was president of the Eighth regiment. New Hampshire 
veteran association six years, is a member of the United 
Order of the Golden Cross and the Baptist church. No 
citizen-soldier of Nashua is held in higher esteem, or is 
more worthy of the regard of the public than Mr. Woods. 

Mr. Woods was united in marriage Nov. 17, 1865, with 
Jennie F. Mclntire, daughter of Jonathan and Louisa 
(Marshall) Mclntire of Lyndeboro, N. H. Mrs. Woods 
died at Houston, Tex., while on her way to California in 
search of health, Dec. 26, 1894. Two sons were born of 



this marriage : Ernest Stanley, 
Arthur Roy, born April 9, 1881. 



born April 9, 1871 



CHARLES W. STEVENS. 

Gen. Charles W. Stevens was born at Cavendish, Vt., 
Nov. 18, 1844. He is a son of John L. and Sarah M. 
(Emerson) Stevens. His childhood was spent in his na- 
tive place and at Francestown. He came to Nashua with 
his parents in 1850, where he has since resided. 

General Stevens was educated in the public schools of 
Nashua, at the academy at Francestown and at Bryant & 
Stratton's business college in Boston, graduating at the 



latter place. His occupation is that of a stonemason and 
contractor; he controls quarries in Nashua and Milford, 
having formed the Stevens Granite company at the latter 
place and holds the position of president and general 
manager. Many prominent public and private buildings 
in the state, together with bridges and monuments attest 
his skill and practical knowledge in his chosen line of 
work. He is a director in the Nashua Building and Loan 
association, the Nashua Boot and Shoe Manufacturing 
company and the board of trade. 

He served his country a year during the Civil War as 
quartermaster sergeant of company H, First New Hamp- 
shire cavalry, and since then has given two 3'ears as a 
non-commissioned officer on the staff of the Second regi- 
ment. New Hampshire national guard, and two years on 
Gov. Hiram A. Tuttle's staff as quartermaster-general. 
General .Stevens has represented his ward in the common 
council and in the legislature, 1885, and was five 3-ears a 
member of the board of education. In 1S88 he was chair- 
man of the Republican city committee and he has been 
several times urged to stand as a candidate for mayor. 
Gov. David H. Goodell appointed him on the board of 
managers of the Soldiers' Home at Tilton in 1889, and 
upon the expiration of his term he was reappointed hy 
Governor Tuttle. In 1894 he was elected state senator 
from the twentieth district for 1895 and 1896 and served 
his constituents with fidelity and credit to himself. He 
attends the Pilgrim Congregational church, and is a 
director in the society ; is a member of Rising Sun lodge, 
A. F. and A. M., Granite lodge, I. O. O. F., Nashua lodge, 
K. of P., City Guards club and New Hampshire club. He 
is also a member of John G. F'oster post, G. K. R.. which 
he served as commander and on several public occasions 
as chief marshal. 

General Stevens was united in marriage June 29. i858, 
with Lizzie Butterfield, daughterof David C. and Mary V . 
(Heimmingway) Butterfield of Nashua. Three sons have 
been born of their marriage : Charles B.. born Dec. 6, 




CH.MILE.S \V. STK\KN'.S. 
1S69, died as the result of an accident, July i, 1882 ; F'red 
L., born July 9, 1872, died Aug. 3, 1873; Everett M.. born 
Aug. 9, 1878. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 



j'3 



DAVID WADSWORTH. 

Capt. David Wadsworlh, son of David and Caroline F,. 
(Metcalf) Wadsworth, was born in Worcester, Mass., 
Feb. 4, 1838. At an early age his parents removed to 
Vermont. He was educated in the common schools of 
Cambridgeboro' and Richford, in that state, and al 
Crosby's Literary institution in Nashua, and during his 
early manhood was employed as a lockniaker. When the 
Civil War broke out he enlisted as a private in Conipanv 
F., Third regi- 
ment, New Hamp- 
shire volunteers, 
and shortly after- 
wards was pro- 
moted to sergeant. 
His prompt and 
efficient perform- 
ance of his duties 
soon attracted the 
attention of his 
superior officer 
and won for him, 
Nov. 16, 1862, a 
commission as sec- 
ond lieutenant. 
In the engage- 
ments that fol- 
lowed he w'as con- 
spicuous as a brave 
officer, and. May 
16, 1863, was ad- 
vanced to first 
lieutenant. April 
16, 1864, in recog- 
nition of merito- 
rious service in the 
line of dut\- he was 
promoted to a cap- 
taincy. Captain 
Wadsworth was 
honorably dis- 
charged Sept. 28, 
1864. He partici- 
pated with his 
regiment — which 
has a record for 
gallantry among 
the first in the 
state — in the bat- 
tles of Elba island , 
Port Royal, Bluff- 
ton, Jehasse, James 
Island, Secession- 

ville, Pocotalige, Stone inlet, Morris island, Fort Wagner, 
Drury's Bluff, where he was slightly wounded, Wier 
Bottom, Petersburg, Hatchor's and Deep Bottom. Re- 
turning to the avocations of peace he worked at his trade 
as a locksmith with the Nashua Lock company. Captain 
Wadsworth represented Ward Seven in the legislature in 
1875 and 1876 and was chairman of the committee on 
accounts. In 1877 he was appointed deputy sheriff and 
superintendent of the Hillsborough county jail at Man- 
chester, which position he continues to hold with credit 
to himself and the entire satisfaction of the people. The 




U.WI 13 WADSWORTH . 



same promptness, care and conscientious performancee of 
duties which he exhibited in his career as a soldier in the 
War of the Rebellion have characterized his record in 
civil life since the war. As superintendent of the county 
jail he has shown in a marked degree, those qualities of 
mind, which are everywhere acknowledged as neeessarv 
adjuncts to success in any and all undertakings in life, 
whether the results involved are of little or great conse- 
ipience, and which are especially desirable and requisite 
in such a position as this. By good judgment, a thor- 
ough knowledge 
of human nature, 
and a careful con- 
sideration of the 
equities of all af- 
fairs coming under 
his supervision 
and management, 
he has succeeded 
in obtaining the 
reputation of be- 
ing one of the 
most successful 
managers ever in 
charge of the in- 
stitution. 

As a citizen of 
Nashua, Captain 
Wadsworth was 
known as a genial 
companionable 
gentleman, who 
was ever ready to 
assist a friend, and 
to respond to the 
calls of charily, 
whether public or 
private, and al- 
ways willing to do 
whatever lay in 
his power to ad- 
vance the city's in- 
terests; and since 
removing to Man- 
chester he has 
abundantly sus- 
tained this repu- 
tation. During his 
residence in Man- 
chester he has rep- 
resented Ward Six 
of that city, 1893 
and 1894, in the 
legislature, being 
chairman of the committee on county affairs, and has been 
active in many things that pertain to good citizenship. 
He is a member of John G. Foster post, G. .\. R. of 
this city, and attends the Baptist church. 

Captain Wadsworth was united in marriage Jan. 5, i860, 
with Sarah A. Moore, daughter of Labau Moore of 
Nashua, who died June 10, 1866. His second marriage, 
January, 1875, was with Mrs. Mary R. Buel, daughter of 
Benjamin and FHvira (Duntley) Lund of Milford. One 
child, the wife of Carl W. Anderson of Manchester, was 
born of their marriage. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



ELBERT WHEELER. 

Gen. Elbert Wheeler was born at Concord, Mass., Sept. 
i8, 1849. He is a son of Edwin and Mary (Rice) Wheeler 
and a descendant on the paternal side of George Wheeler, 
who came to this country early in the seventeenth cen- 
tury and settled at Concord. Mass., where he died in 1687. 
The descent is William, born in England ; William, 1665 ; 
Francis, 1698; Noah, 1750; Cyrus, 1786; Edwin. 1817; 
Elbert, 1849. Hisgreat-great-grandfatheron the maternal 
side, Joseph 
Smith, who died 
in 1803, was a cap- 
tain in the militia, 
or minute men, 
and participated 
in the engagement 
at Concord, April 

19. 1775- 

General Wheel- 
er was educated in 
the public schools 
of his native place 
and at the United 
States military 
academy at West 
Point, where he 
was graduated in 
the class of 1875. 
His assignment in 
the regular army, 
a lieutenancy, was 
to the First United 
States artillery. 
He was stationed 
first at West Point, 
then at Fort 
Adams, R. I., Fort 
Sill, I. T., and 
later at Washing- 
ton. Resigning 
from the army in 
1877, he went into 
business at Laco- 
nia, and during 
his residence there 
organized a mili- 
tar}' company, the 
Belknap rifles, and 
was commissioned 
as its captain. 
This was when the 
New Hampshire 
national guard 

was in an embryo condition, and the initiative work that 
he performed in drilling and disciplining his command- 
between which and the Nashua City guards, commanded 
by Capt. E. J. Copp, afterwards promoted to colonel, 
there was a spirit of generous rivalry— till it had a wide 
reputation for efficiency, and, with the Nashua company, 
created enthusiasm throughout the state and made possi- 
ble our present efficient brigade. General Wheeler re- 
moved from Laconia to Nashua in 1881, just previous to 
which time the service he had rendered was recognized 



ELBERT WHEELER. 



by the state authorities, by an appointment and commis- 
sion as inspector-general, with the rank of brigadier-gen- 
eral, which commission he resigned in i8gi, greatly to the 
regret of those with whom he had been associated in the line 
of duty, and all who believe in maintaining a creditalile 
military organization. No one man who has been in the 
service of the state since the Civil War has done more or 
better service in encouraging and maintaining a military 
spirit in young men and making the New Hampshire na- 
tional guard first among the similar bodies of the country. 

He is treasurer of 
several water sup- 
ply companies and 
the Wheeler Re- 
flector company-, 
with office in Bos- 
ton and residence 
in Nashua. He is 
a member of the 
First Congrega- 
tional church and 
treasurer of the 
New Hampshire 
club. General 
Wheeler is the 
owner of a beauti- 
ful summer resi- 
dence at Nane- 
pashemet, Mass., 
where he passes 
the sum m e r 
months. He is a 
member of the 
Eastern Yacht 
club. At home, in 
Nashua, he is an 
active and inter- 
ested participator 
in society affairs. 
He is a memVjer of 
the Fortnightly 
Club, a frequent 
and valued con- 
tributor to its pro- 
grammes. He was 
a member of the 
board of education 
from 1885 to 1887. 
.As a citizen. Gen- 
eral Wheeler en- 
jo}-s the respect 
and esteem of his 
fellow-citizens, by 
whom he is recog. 
nized as an honorable and upright man w-hose word is as 
good as his bond. He belongs to the Young Men's Chris- 
tian association, in which he takes a deep interest, having 
expended freely of his time, money and talents in assist- 
ing it in its philanthropic work. He is also recognized as 
an interesting and capable public speaker. 

General Wheeler was united in marriage June 22, 1875, 
with Clara M. Roby, daughter of Luther .A. and Eliza 
(Campbell) Roby of Nashua. (For ancestors see sketch 
of herjfather. ) No children. 




HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 



3': 



NASHUA IN THE CIVIL WAR, 1861-6^ 

BY Ki.iiivKT \viii:i:i,i;k. 

THE OBJECT in view in Uie few pages allotted to tliis subject, is not to set forth a detailed 
account of the four years' struggle, its causes, campaigns or battles, or even to present a 
connected historical statement of the corps, brigades or regiments in which Nashua organi- 
zations or men served. These are at our command in regimental histories and other 
publications. Even if the space were available, the lime within which it is urged the work must be 
completed, prevents more than a very imperfect outline of the record that should be made. Hi.story 
requires extensive research. It cannot be hurriedly written and accomplish even approximate justice 
towards the great majority of participants. 

On the fifteenth day of October, 1S89, the city of Nashua dedicated with impressive ceremony 
a monument bearing this inscription: — 

A tribute 

to the men of Nashua, 

who served their country 

on land or sea 

during the War of the Rebellion, 

and aided in 

preserving the integrity 

of the 

Federal Union, 

A. D. 1861-1865. 

Erected by the City of Nashua, 

A. U. KS89. 

Thus briefly shall generations to come be reminded of the 
patriotic service which Nashua's sons rendered their country in 
her hour of supremest need. 

We can inscribe but few of the many deeds equally deserv- 
ing of record, and our chief regret shall be that the limitations 
impo.sed upon us operate so largely to prevent that honorable 
mention which is as justly due to "the man behind the gun," 
"the unsung hero of the war," as to his more distinguished com- 
mander. Each participant would command our honor, if history, 
as he personally saw it, were set before us. Who that reads can 
appreciate, even faintly, what army service really meant, with 
its first decision to .sever the delicate home ties and enlist, followed 
by the unromantic and tedious round of drill, weary march in mud 
or du.st, guard and picket duty in cold or rain, lo.ss of sleep, 
home anxieties, skirmish and battle, to say nothing of sickness, prison, wounds or death? Men have 
ever tried to preserve in history a picture which shall make clear the doings of their time, but only 
the original actors who really lived then, have understood the deeds recorded. The full story must 
remain forever untold until omniscience reveals it. 

Immediatelv following the attack upon I'ort .Sumter, President Lincoln issued his call April 15, 
1861, for 75,000 men for three months, to suppress the Rebellion. Quick response was made 
throughout the North. New Hampshire's quota was one regiment. Nashua's citizens, regardless 




.SOI.DIKRS' MONlMl;\ I 



3i8 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

of party, rallied at a most enthusiastic meeting, over which tiie mayor. Col. George Bowers, presided. 
Patriotic addre.sses \Vere made, and resolutions adopted urging the state to immediately place all its 
militia upon a service basis, and pledging the support of the city in aid of the families of men who 
would enlist. Entire unanimity was manifested in favor of maintaining the integrity of the Union. 
Enlistments were called for. Patriotic citizens rapidly responded, volunteering for military service 
as a public duty. Nashua's quota was soon filled, and assigned to the First regiment, Col. Mason 
W. Tappan. Aaron F. Stevens, then lieutenant-colonel of the First regiment, N. H. volunteer 
militia, having tendered his services to Governor Goodwin in any capacity in which he might be 
required, was commissioned major. George Y.. Sawyer was made sergeant-major, and Albert Eull, 
quartermaster-sergeant. Company E, composed almost entirely of Nashua men, was mustered in 
May 2, organized as follows: Captain, Richard O. Greenleaf; first lieutenant, William F. Greeley: 
second lieutenant, John W. Thompson; first sergeant. Major A. Shaw; sergeants, David P. Ricker, 
Oliver M. Sawyer and Franklin L. Woods; corporals, William H. Barnes, James McManus, 
Matthew Sullivan and Irving G. Wilkins. 

The company was sworn in, in a body, at City Hall, the oath of allegiance being administered 
by Aaron W. Sawyer. 

Niagara Fire Engine company, No. 5, Capt. Augustus S. Edgerly, voted unanimously to enlist, 
and was organized as company F, as follows: Captain, Augustus S. Edgerly; first lieutenant, George 
W. Handley; second lieutenant, George W. Whipple; first sergeant, Orlando Lawrence; sergeants, 
Daniel B. Newhall, Henry Blodgett and Henry C. Williams; corporals, Dana W. King, Henry M. 
Mills, George W. Thompson, second, and Francis Morse. 

This company was mustered in May 3. Each aggregated eighty-two officers and men. Their 
uniforms were graj-, coats of the claw-hammer style, their muskets the old percussion smooth-bores. 

It is proper here to remark that at the end of this chapter is given the individual record of all 
men credited to Nashua, either by birth, residence (then and now) or otherwise, as far as has been 
ascertained, who served during the Rebellion. It has been deemed just to omit those who were 
credited to Nashua only as "substitutes," and who shortly afterwards deserted; also those who 
were neither born in or residents of Nashua, and who deserted before reaching the seat of war. 
These men were generally "bounty-jumpers," and our citj' should not be credited, or rather 
discredited by them. Perhaps some other names might properlj^ be stricken out, but with this 
explanation onI\- the two classes named are thus omitted. 

This record is compiled mainly from the "Register of Soldiers and vSailors of New Hampshire," 
so carefully prepared by Maj.-Gen. Augustus D. Ayling, adjutant-general, and published in 
1895. It does not claim to be absolutely complete, especially as to natives or residents of the state 
serving in other than organizations from New Hampshire, neither can it be supposed to bear full 
record of veterans from other states, who have since become residents of our state and cit}'. It is, 
however, the most complete and accurate publication of this character yet issued by any state, and 
reflects e.xceeding great credit upon him, who, previous to his appointment as adjutant-general in 
1S79, was for many years a resident of our city. 

Public interest in war measures during these latter days of April, 1861, manifested itself in 
many ways. The Pennichuck bank offered and loaned the state $20,000 for carrying on the war. 
The ladies of Na.shua gave a levee in City Hall April 25 for the benefit of the soldiers. Company 
E attended, marching into the hall amid great enthusia.sm, escorted by thirty-four young ladies 
wearing scarfs of the stars and stripes. Alvin Beard, editor of The Telegraph, presided. Patriotic 
songs were sung, and speeches were made by C. R. Morrison, Rev. M. W. Willis, Dr. Edward 
Spalding, Maj. A. H. Dunlap, Rev. J. O. Skinner, Dr. F'. B. Ayer and Fred Coggin. "Pounce," 
the faithful dog who was with his master, Capt. John G. Foster, U. S. A., throughout the 
bombardment of Fort Sumter, and bore honorable scars there received, was presented, with cheers 
for his gallant owner. Col. Joseph Greeley, A. P. Hughes, and Dr. Edward Spalding were 
appointed a committee to raise funds for buying revolvers and other supplies for the volunteers. 

The Granite State cadets voted to tender their services to the governor, and active measures 
were set on foot to organize another rifle company in the city. 

Gen. George vStark, commanding the Third brigade. Second divi.sion, N. H. volunteer militia, 
was. May 2, assigned to the command of the troops at Fort Constitution, Portsmouth. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 3,^ 

Col. John H. Gage was assigne.l to coniniand of Camp Union at, Concord, where the First 
regiment was being organized. 

Gen. Israel Hunt organized a company of men forty-five years of age and upward, called the 
Home Guard, for such service as should be required of them. 

To return to companies E and F, they joined their regiment at Camp Union, where organization 
was speedily effected. May 25 they left Concord with the benediction of mingled encouracrements 
prayers and tears of multitudes of friends, who could hut be moved by the departure of those 
deemed their best and bravest. These were repeated at Manchester and Nashua. Ovations too 
were accorded them at Worcester, and in New York (where the Sons of New Hampshire presented 
them a stand of colors), als.s in Philadelphia, where the Soldiers' Aid society gave the regiment a 
collation. They arrived in Washington May 28, were reviewed by President Lincoln and General 
Scott, and complimented upon their superior equipment. 

It is recorded that the first uniformed New Hampshire soldier to reach Washington, was Private 
W. H. D. Cochrane of company H, who was sent by Colonel Tapi)an in advance of the regiment to 
arrange with the N. H. Congressional delegation for its reception and entertainment. 

It went into Camp Cameron at " Kalorama," and took up the necessary round of drill and camp 
duty. Two weeks later it was assigned to a brigade under Col. Charles P. Stone, and marched to 
Rockville, Md., where Camp Lincoln was formed. Evidence was here given of the thoughtful care 
of the lady friends at home, who sent havelocks and other articles of comfort, which were gratefully 
acknowledged. 

Illustrating the intense interest felt in every event incidental to the first days of the war, the 
daily papers of June 8 mention seeing a piece of the rebel flag pulled down by the lamented Colonel 
Ellsworth at Alexandria, just before he was shot, sent home by Corp. Henry M. Johnson of 
company E. 

June 15 Major Stevens with five companions, including company E, Captain Greenleaf, was sent 
to Conrad's Ferry for picket duty, and here first received the enemy's fire, but without loss. At 
Point oi Rocks, Md., July 21, five men of company E (while off duty) were captured by the enemy, 
and remained prisoners nearly a year before being released. The regiment performed guard and 
other duty at various points upon the upper Potomac, until its three months' term of enlistment 
expired, when it returned, reaching Concord Aug. 5, where it was mustered out Aug. 9. 

The next day the Nashua companies returned home, and were given a public reception under 
the auspices of the city government and fire department, in which the citizens generally joined. Col. 
Thomas G. Banks was chief marshal, followed by the Brookline band, Granite State cadets under 
Captain Bowers, fire department under Isaac Eaton, chief engineer, and Governor's Horse guards, 
company B, Capt. J. H. Gage, with the ex-mayors, clergy and city government, all escorting the 
returned soldiers. Amid the ringing of bells and firing of salutes, the procession inarched up Pearl 
to Main street, thence to the grove of Zebediah Shattuck, at the end of North Elm street, where a 
collation was served, and where appropriate addresses were made, after which return was made to 
City Hall, where all were dismissed. Captain Edgerly was presented a sword by his company, and 
in parting with them gave each man his thanks and a farevs'ell grasp of the hand. 

The record of the regiment is brief. It did no fighting, but faithfully served wherever placed, 
and furnished an invaluable training and discipline to its members, which was afterwards made 
useful. Nashua men numbered one hundred and thirty-seven out of the eight hundred and sixteen 
in the regiment, and ninety-four of them, or sixty-nine per cent., re-enlisted in other organizations. 
Their names appear in nearly ever\- other New Hampshire regiment, and many of them gained 
enviable record. No less than twenty-seven of these were given commissions. F'urther illustrating 
the patriotic spirit actuating these first volunteers, is noted the fact that but one Na.shua soldier in 
this regiment is recorded as a deserter, and he shortly after re-enlisted and served throughout 
the war. 

SECOND REGIMENT. 

The enlistments at President Lincoln's call (or three months' men were largely in excess of the 
number required for the First regiment, and were being assigneil to the Second regiment, under 



320 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

command of Col. Thomas P. Pierce, later a resident of Nashua, when orders were received from the 
War department to send no more troops except upon enlistment for three j-ears. Nearly all the men 
then enlisted for three years, and the regiment was soon filled. Colonel Pierce resigned, and Col. 
Oilman Marston of Exeter succeeded to its command. It left camp at Portsmouth, June 21, receiving 
great ovations at Boston and New York, and arriving in Wa.shington, June 23, where it was assigned 
to a brigade commanded by Col. A. E. Burnside, of the vSecond Rhode Island. Nashua had no 
distinctive company in the regiment, but was represented during the war by about sixty men in the 
various companies. 

We can but briefly review their service. Continued drill and rigid discipline was their portion, 
when not actively campaigning. Their brigade opened the fight at the first battle of Bull Run, July 
21, so disastrous to the union forces. They shared in more than a score of hard-fought engagements, 
including the .second battle of Bull Run, Aug. 29, 1862, where ten out of twenty-one offlcers of the 
regiment were either killed or wounded, including two from Nashua, Eieut. Sylvester Rogers, killed, 
and Lieut. Andrew G. Bracy, wounded. Feb. 26, 1863, the regiment was practically furloughed for 
three months, being ordered to Concord, N. H., during which it was handsomely entertained, and 
men were allowed to spend much time at their homes. It returned in time to well perform its part at 
the battle of Gettysburg, July 2, where it su.stained a loss in killed, wounded and missing, of more 
than three-fifths of those engaged. July 26 it was brigaded with the P'ifth and Twelfth New 
Hampshire, under command of Gen. Gilman Marston, and established the great prison camp at Point 
lyOokout, Md., where it remained until Apr. 8, 1864. It completed its original three years' service 
with the battle of Cold Harbor, June 1-8. On the ninth the men who had not re-enlisted set out 
for Concord, N. H., where they arrived on the seventeenth, and were discharged on the twenty-first. 
The regimental organization was continued, with accessions made to the men who re-enlisted, and 
the regiment continued to do most excellent service on the lower Potomac and James until the end of 
the war, and was mustered out of the United States service, Dec. 19, 1865. Dec. 25 it was given a 
reception in Concord, and on the following day the regiment was paid off and discharged. 

THIRD REGIMENT. 

In August, 1861, New Hampshire raised its second regiment of three years men, and organized 
the Third infantry, commanded by Col. Enoch Q. Fellows of Sandwich, who had been for a time a 
cadet at West Point, but was not a graduate. Compau}- F was composed almost entirely of Nashua 
men under Capt. James F. Randlett, with Charles S. Burnham, first lieutenant, and Henry A. Marsh, 
second lieutenant. Its non-commissioned officers were : First sergeant, George Stearns; sergeants, 
Horatio T. Moore, Thomas Nottage, Jr., King H. Flanders and David Wadsworth, Jr.; corporals, 
Zeri S. Sager, Eugene J. Button, Joseph E. F'armer, Joseph Ackerman, James E. McCoy, George 
H. Gay, Wesley T. Harris and Ross C. Duffy. The uniforms were of regulation cut, but gray cloth ; 
the arms the Enfield rifle. Their organization and drills previous to joining the regiment, were in 
the armory in the upper story of the City Hall. 

Sept. 3 the regiment left Camp Berry at Concord to join the corps being formed at Camp Win- 
field Scott, Hempstead Plains, Long Island, for a secret expedition under Gen. T. W. Sherman. 
Sept. 15, at midnight, the regiment left camp in light marching order for Washington, where it was 
soon after joined by the remainder of the brigade under command of General Viele. Oct. 4 they 
moved to Annapolis, and temporarily occupied the Naval Academy buildings. Thence, on Oct. 18, 
they embarked for Fortress Monroe, where the entire corps was formed, which place they left on Oct. 
29 for Port Royal, South Carolina, where they arrived, after considerable difficulty, on Nov. 4 and 
witnessed its capture by the naval fleet under Admiral Dupont. Dec. 4 company F was sent on a 
foraging expedition to Pinkney Island. 

The regiment's first baptism in blood was a severe one, and occurred June 16, 1862, at Secession- 
ville, on James Island, S. C, where one out of every six men were either killed or wounded, Lieut. 
Henry A. Marsh being numbered among the latter, together with seven other Nashua men, viz: 
Daniel N. Atwood, Edgar Duples, David Fitzgerald, King H. Flanders, James French, George W. 
Miller and Ezra B. Peabody. Capt. James F. Randlett and Sergeant-Major Elbridge J. Copp are men- 
tioned, among others, by Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, commanding regiment, as particularly deserv- 



HISTORY or NASHUA, N. H. 321 

ing notice for gallant conduct in this engagement. Lieut. Henry A. Marsh is also credited with courage 
and coolness in at first refusing attention after being wounded and insisting that others were more in 
need of assistance. The Third here demonstrated that it could be relied upon as a fighting regiment, 
and its sulxsequent record abundantly confirmed it. 

Jan. 3, 1S63, company F, under Capt. Charles vS. Burnham, was part of a force of two hundred 
men sent to Florida to capture a lot of lumber on St. John's river, but the rebels had destroyed it. On 
their return they were fired upon and three men were wounded. 

Various movements occupied them during the early summer. July 10 it participated in the suc- 
cessful morning surpri.se upon the enemy's rifle pits and batteries at the lower end of Morris Island. 
It performed gallant service in the unsuccessful as.sault upon Fort Wagner July 18, followed by the 
tedious and perilous .siege, which later terminated in its capture. So well recognized was its valor, 
that it was one of the three regiments selected by Gen. Q. A. Oillmore "to be at all hours in front of 
the army." From July 21 until Jan. 20, 1864, Cajjtain Randlett was the ranking officer present, and 
had command of the regiment. 

Sept. 6 another charge upon Fort Wagner was ordered, with the proposition by General Terry 
that the Third lead "the forlorn hope." Captain Randlett, in command, communicated to his regi- 
ment, through the chaplain, the nature of the service before them, its danger so great that probably 
not one in twenty would survive the first charge, and asked none to go except willingly and after 
mature consideration. Every man volunteered for the service or the sacrifice, upon which the chap- 
lain suggested that they return to their tents, write their letters, settle their worldly business and 
commit themselves to God, asking that He do to them as seemeth to Him good. "The hour came; 
the assault was made; on these noble souls rushed, into the 'imminent deadly breach,' right into the 
jaws of death. But like Daniel when he was thrown into the lions' den, it pleased God that the lions' 
mouths should be shut. Scarcely an hour before, the enemy had secretlj- evacuated the fort, and the 
forlorn hope entered into full possession, without the loss of a single man." 

The following winter was occupied mainly with provost and guard duty. Nov. 25 one hundred 
men from the regiment participated in the contemplated surprise upon Fort Sumter. Before March 
I, 1864, two hundred and seventy men re-enlisted, and left for home on thirty days' furlough under 
Captain Randlett. The local papers report the reception given them April 8, on the eve of their 
return to the seat of war. At noon they formed in Railroad square, under Major Randlett and Adju- 
tant Copp, whence, escorted by companies A and B of the Governor's Horse Guards, under command 
of Lieuts. C. C. Webster and Gus. Walker, with Major Virgil C. Gilman of the Horse Guards as 
chief marshal, they marched through the principal streets to the City Hall, where a collation was 
served, grace being said hy Rev. Doctor Richards, and an address of welcome by the mayor, Dr. 
Edward Spalding. 

March i, 1864, the regiment was mounted and designated as the Third New Hampshire mounted 
infantry. In April the regiment proceeded to Fortress Monroe and the James river, reaching Ber- 
muda Hundred Maj' 6. May 9 it was engaged in the affair at Chester Station. May 13 it won laurels 
and made .severe losses in the twenty minutes' charge at Drevvry's Bluff, where Major James F. Rand- 
lett and Adjutant E. J. Copp and thirteen other Nashua men were severely wounded. May 16, the 
la.st of the four days' battle at Drevvry's Bluff, Lieut. Eugene J. Button was instantly killed while in 
command of his company. Drewry's Bluff leads the entire list for fatalities in this regiment among 
Nashua men, no less than fifteen being here wounded, and three killed. The engagements following 
at Bermuda Hundred, in front of Petersburg and at Ware Bottom Church, were memorable and 
resulted in severe losses; while at Deep Bottom, Va., on Aug. 16, the regiment was nearly annihilated 
in repeated charges and countercharges. Entering the fight with less than two hundred men, it cap- 
tured some three hundred prisoners: and with many of its men having but .seven days more to serve 
before being entitled to return to their homes, its killed, wounded and missing numbered ten officers 
and eighty-three men. Adjutant E. J. Copp here received another severe wound, and Lieut. Joseph 
Ackerman was slightlj- wounded. 

Aug. 23, 1864, the three years' enlistment having expired, such men as had not re-enlisted were 
mustered out, less than twenty per cent of the original strength of the regiment thus returning home. 
They had won immortal honors. The remainder, a mere handful, were engaged in the five weeks' 
siege of Petersburg and the affairs at New Market Heights, the recounoissance near Richmond, at 



322 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Laurel Hill and Darbytown Roads. Nov. 2 the regiment embarked for New York, there to defend 
the ballot box at election. The service was exceedingly trying from cold and the lack of food other 
than .short rations of pork and hard bread. Nov. 19 they were again back at Bermuda Hundred in 
winter (juarters. 

Early in January, 1865, they were ordered to North Carolina and participated in the midnight 
assault and capture of Fort Fisher Jan. 15, followed by the engagements at Sugar Loaf Battery Feb. 
II, and Wilmington Feb. 22. 

Here the regiment remained, doing provost and other responsible duty until June, when it pro- 
ceeded to Goldsborough, N. C and remained until June 20, when it was finally mustered out and 
returned to Concord, N. H., arriving there on the twenty-eighth, where it was appropriately received 
and given appreciative welcome. Its colors were returned to the governor, and Aug. 2 it was paid 
and discharged. 

Nashua's part in the record is a brilliant one. Of her one hundred and thirteen officers and 
men, twelve were killed in battle, thirty-eight wounded and seven died of disability while in the ser- 
vice, a total of casualties of fifty per cent, not including prisoners. Private Albert Blood of company 
H enjoys the unique distinction of being the only Nashua man in this regiment who was captured 
during the war. 

Capt. Joseph Ackerman, Private John F. lumes (who died June 25, 1S64, of wounds received at 
Ware Bottom Church) and Corporal Charles D. Smith (killed Aug. 16, 1864, at Deep Bottom, Va.,) 
were awarded the " Gillmore Medal" by Major-General Q. A. Gillmore, for gallant and meritorious 
conduct during the siege of Charleston, S. C, in 1S63. The medals were of bronze, representing 
Fort Sumter in ruins on one side, and on the reverse a fac-simile of General Gillmore's signature. 
It was attached to a bar bearing the name, rank, company and regiment of the recipient. 

FOURTH REGIMENT. 

Within two weeks after the return and discharge of Nashua's two companies of three months' 
men in the First regiment. Captain Greenleaf set about raising a company of three }'ears' men for the 
Fourth regiment. His advertisement in the Nashua Gazette of Aug. 22, 1861, was as follows: 

' ' Recruits wanted. I am now enlisting recruits for the Fourth regiment of New Hampshire volun- 
teers, which will be under the command of that brave and chivalric soldier. Col. Thomas J. Whipple. 
The pay of each non-commissioned officer and private is as follows ; First sergeant $24, sergeant $21, 
corporal $17, private $13. In addition to which each man receives from the state a bounty of $10. 
Pay and board to commence from the time of enlistment. Office at the armory. City Hall." 

Sept. 18, two weeks after the Third left the state, the regiment was mustered into the service at 
Manchester, company B being largely composed of Nashua men. Its non-commissioned officers were 
as follows: First .sergeant, Adelbert White: sergeants, Grovenor D. Nichols, Leonard A. Gay, 
Charles A. Harris: corporals, John B. Bussell, Hugh Watts, George H. Emerson, Charles H. Per- 
kins and John R. Kimball. 

Rev. Martin W. Willis of the Unitarian church was chaplain of the regiment. Dr. George P. 
Greeley, assistant surgeon, and Israel T. Hunt, hospital steward. 

The regiment left camp at Manchester for Washington on the twenty-seventh of September, leav- 
ing there Oct. 9 for Annapolis, Md., to join Gen. T. W. Sherman's expedition to Port Royal, S. C, 
which embarked Oct. 19, stopping at Fortress Monroe until Oct. 29. The Fourth, on board the side- 
wheel steamer Baltic, towing the ship Ocean Express, encountered a terrible storm off Hatteras, and 
struck on Frying Pan Shoals, but with the assistance of other vessels in the fleet was after a time 
relieved. A three days' gale followed, but on Nov. 4 they arrived at Port Royal and witnessed its 
capture Nov. 7, after three days' bombardment by the navy. The Fourth immediately landed at Hil- 
ton Head, and here they remained nearly three months, actively employed in building fortifications 
and wharves, drilling and other work. 

In the latter part of January the regiment embarked upon the expedition south, which captured 
Fernandina, Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Seven of the ten companies of the regiment garrisoned 
St. Augustine until September, when they joined the other three, including company B, located at 
Beaufort, S. C, since June. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



?23 



They took part in the battle of Pocotaligo, S. C, after which they went into winter quarers at 
Beanfort, where they remained about five months. 

In the spring of iS6;, operations were begun with a view to the capture of Charleston, vS. C, the 
navy assisting. After two unsuccessful movements, it was decided possible only by protracted siege, 
and our comi)any B of the lunirth is credited with commencing the work of building batteries for 
attacking Morris Island on the night of June 17, which labor was silently continued for twenty-one 
nights. On July 10 began the attack on Fort Wagner by the forty-four guns and mortars in position. 
After unsuccessful charges it was decided to take it by regular approaches. On July 23 the Fourth 
dug the first jiarallel, and planted chevaux de frise ; and for forty-six days thereafter, under a blazing 
South Carolina sun, the l)attle of shell, shovel and sortie was continuous, until, on Sept. 7, when line 
was formed for the final charge, the fort was found to have been evacuated. Its capture resulted in 
that of the whole island. From this time until January 15, 1864, the regiment was engaged in garri- 
son, fatigue and picket duty connected with the siege of Charleston. Two Nashua men, Michael 
Connolly of company C, and John Nolan of company O, were given the " Gillmore Medal," hereto- 
fore referred to, for gallant and meritorious conduct during their operations. 

The regiment was then again ordered to Beaufort, where three hundred and eighty-eight men, the 
largest number in any New Hampshire regiment, re-enlisted for three years or the war. In February 
it was engaged in the expedition up the Savannah river, and thence was ordered to the defence of 
Jacksonville, but soon returned to Beaufort. Early in March the re-enlisted veterans were furloughed 
for thirty days, and arrived home, under Colonel Bell, in season to vote at the state election. 

April 12 the remainder of the regiment embarked for Fortress Monroe and Czloucester point, York 
river, where the furloughed men joined them. On the fourth of May the army of the James, of 
which the Fourth regiment was now a part, started up the James river for Bermuda Hundred, which 
was immediately fortified. May 9 an advance was made and the enemy attacked at Swift creek and 
driven to the defenses of Petersburg. The following day the advance was continued to the first line 
of the defenses of Richmond. Then followed the severe ordeal at Drewry's Blufi on May 16. Against 
great odds the regiment avoided capture by retreating through a perfect rain of bullets, losing one 
hundred and forty-two men in killed, wounded and missing. Sharp engagements followed for several 
days near Bermuda Hundred. On the twenty-eighth of May the division was transferred to the 
Eighteenth corps, and ordered to report to General Meade, commanding the army of the Potomac. 
It took part in the eight days' battle of Cold Harbor, and on the twelfth of June returned to the .south 
bank of the James river. June 16 the regiment joined in the first attack on Petersburg, Colonel 
Bell's brigade capturing one hvnidred and twentj'-five prisoners and several pieces of artillery. The 
siege of Petersburg followed. The Fourth well understood this kind of duty, which continued for 
thirty-six days, at the end of which time the federal picket trenches were within twenty feet of the 
rebel outpost. The regiment lost fifty men during this ordinary trench duty. On the thirtieth of 
July it took part in the Crater fight, or the battle of the " Mine," where for hours, under the hottest 
enfilading fire, it held its position, losing fift\- out of its total .strength of two hundred men. Its flag- 
staff was twice cut off, and fifty-five bullets and shells pierced its flag. The next day what remained 
of the regiment returned to Bermuda Hundred. Aug. 14 to 16 it was engaged in the battle of Deep 
Bottom, with heavy losses, the brigade being in comnmnd of a cajUain, and only one captain remain- 
ing for duty in the regiment. 

On the eighteenth of September, the original enlistment ha\ing exjjired, one luuKlrcd and 
seventy-four men left for home. Of the three hundred and eighty-eight who re-enlisted the previous 
February, and over seven hundred recruits, only forty men were available for duty in the attack on 
Fort Gilmer, Sept. 29, a lieutenant being in command of the regiment. The I'ourth was engaged in 
the two expeditions against Fort F'isher, the first under General Butler, without success, the second- 
under General Terry resulting in its capture, but only after two days of severest bombardment by 
Admiral Porter, followed by a land assault Jan. 15, terminating in fearless hand-to-hand struggles, 
fought inch by inch from traverse to traverse, the flag of the Fourtli in advance of all, locked for 
twent}- minutes with the confederate flag on the top of traverse number eight. The night of the cap- 
ture, as the remnant of the regiment slept over a magazine, it exploded, adding to the long list of 
casualties. 



324 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

On the eleventh of February advance was made upon Wilmington. Feb. i8 Fort Anderson was 
found evacuated and possession was taken of Wilmington. Then followed a quieter period, awaiting 
the advance of General Sherman's army on his northward march. Guard duty followed at Magnolia 
until after the surrender of Lee, when the regiment was quartered at Raleigh until its return home. 
It was nuistered out Aug. 23 and arrived home Aug. 27, when a grand reception was given it. Gov. 
Frederick Smythe expressing the most appreciative welcome. 

Nashua had ninety-one men in the Fourth regiment, and suffered thirty casualties, including 
deaths, wounds and captures: and of her ten men suffering capture, six died in rebel prisons. 

FIFTH REGIMENT. 

Nashua's representation in the Fifth regiment was small, and with the single exception of one 
man born in the city, but residing elsewhere, no member at time of enlistment was identified in any 
way with Nashua, except by being credited to it through being drafted as a substitute. A few mem- 
bers later became residents of the city, as appears in the personal record. 

The character of the service performed by the Fifth regiment is most brilliant. It well earned 
the name, " The Fighting Fifth, " and is credited with having suffered the severest losses of any 
union regiment in the war. Its engagements api^ear in the list preceding the personal records of its 
members. 

SIXTH REGIMENT. 

In November, 1861, the vSixth regiment was organized at Keene, but at that time had less than a 
dozen Nashua men. Dr. William A. Tracy was made surgeon, and James H. Noyes hospital steward, 
who later was successively promoted through the several grades to surgeon. 

The regiment saw the hardest kind of service in seventeen different states, as far south as North 
Carolina, in Virginia, in the Southwest at Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss., later returning to \'irginia, 
where it served with great credit during the war. 

Capt. Osgood T. Hadley, company E, has recently (July 27, 1896) received tard\- recognition 
from the War department, a medal of honor, " for most distinguished gallantry in action near Pegram 
House, Va., vSept. 30, 1864. 

SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

Soon after his return from the three months' service in the First regiment, Orlando Lawrence 
opened a recruiting office at the corner of Main and Franklin streets and organized company B of the 
Seventh regiment, of which he was given command. The regiment was organized at Camp Hale, 
Manchester, under the personal direction of Adjutant-General Joseph C. Abbott, who waived com- 
mand on condition that it be given to a graduate of West Point. The colonelcy was therefore 
bestowed upon Lieut. Haldeman S. Putnam of the U. S. Topographical Engineers, appointed from 
New Hampshire, General Abbott being made lieutenant-colonel. 

The regiment left the state Jan. 14, 1862, for New York, remaining there a month in White Street 
Barracks, whence it proceeded to the Dry Tortugas, Fla., where, in Fort Jefferson, it remained until 
June 16, busy with drill and fatigue duty, and guarding commissary stores and munitions of war. 
Thence it proceeded to Port Royal, S. C, followed by service at Beaufort, St. Augustine and Fer- 
nandina. 

Thus far it had had no fighting, but disease had severely decimated its numbers by nearly five 
hundred men. June 7, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Hilton Head, preparatory to another 
attempt on Charleston. After ten days it embarked for Folly Island, where, until June 10, it was 
engaged in the construction of batteries, which, on this date, opened upon the enemy and successfully 
covered the advance of General Strong's column upon the south end of Morris Island, followed by 
the remainder of the forces. At night the regiment went on picket within a mile of Fort Wagner, 
and commenced work upon the first parallel laid for its siege. The next day it supported the fir.st 
attack upon Fort Wagner, and that evening commenced work upon the second parallel, and for the 
week following was actively engaged in the trenches, preparatory to the second assault on Fort 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 325 

Wagner. This was ordered about sunset on the eighteenth, the Second brigade, under Colonel 
Putnam, supporting the First, under General Strong. The engagement was of the most desperate 
character and without success. The Seventh regiment lost two hundred and eighteen killed, 
wounded and missing, including its gallant colonel, out of its aggregate of four hundred and eighty- 
one when line was formed for the a.ssault, its loss of officers exceeding that of any other regiment in 
any engagement during the war, Lieut. Alfred N. Bennet of Nashua being among the killed, and 
Lieut. Ezra Davis .so severely wounded as to cause his death a few days later. The hitherto carefully 
drilled and disciplined regiment had proven its men by this severest ordeal to be veterans indeed. 

The siege of Fort Wagner followed, in which the regiment shared, and was ordered in as a part 
of the storming party of Sept. 7, rendered unnece.ssary, however, by its sudden evacuation. 

Dec. 20 the regiment left Morris Island and went into camp on St. Helena Island opposite Hilton 
Head, being assigned to Gen. Joseph R. Hawley's brigade. Here it received over three hundred 
recruits, many of them worthless, and here it exchanged its linfield rifles for Spencer repeating 
carliines. 

Feb. 4, 1864, the regiment embarked for Jack.sonville, Fla., and took part in General Seymour's 
disastrous campaign, culminating in the battle of Olustee, where its losses were severe, numbering 
two hundred and nine. 

While at Jacksonville, one hundred and eighty-three re-enlisted and went home on thirty days' fur- 
lough. Ai)ril 14 the regiment embarked for Fernandina, and thence, on the seventeenth, for F'ortress 
Monroe and Gloucester Point, to join the army of the James under General Bntkr. 

It participated in all the movements and engagements of the Tenth corps from Bermuda Hundred 
and in front of Petersburg, including the affairs at Chester Station and Lempster Hill, the battle of 
Drewry's Bluff, the demonstration on Petersburg under General Gilhnore, Ware Bottom Church, 
Deep Bottom, the siege of Petersburg, New Market Heights, reconnoissance toward Richmond, 
Laurel Hill and Darbytown Road. The duty was of almost uninterruj^ted severity, causing large 
losses in effecti\-e strength. 

The Seventh was among the troops sent to New York for possible riot duty at the November election, 
but happily it was not needed, and returned to its quarters, Laurel Hill, No\-. 17. It took part in the 
expedition against Fort Fisher, N. C, leaving its winter camp Jan. 4, 1865. After the two days' 
bombardment by Admiral Porter's fleet, the land forces, on Jan. 15, made their successful assault, the 
Seventh leading against the sea-angle, and planting its colors upon the bastion, following with an 
advance upon Batterj' Buchanan, which immediatelj^ surrendered, thus gaining the entire system, 
heretofore deemed almost impregnable. 

General Terry's forces then advanced on Wilmington, where the Seventh was in garri.son until 
June, followed by a .short service at Goldsborough, where it was mustered out July 20. It returned 
to Manchester and Concord, where it was appreciatively received and addressed by Gov. Frederick 
Smythe, in behalf of a grateful people, whom it had so faithfully served. Less than one hundred of 
those who originally went out with the regiment returned with it to receive the honors .so gladly 
bestowed upon them. 

The Nashua men in this regiment who were recijiients of the "Gilhnore Medal" were Private 
Michael Cahill and Corporal George F". Carson, both of company B. 

EIGHTH REGIMENT. 

The Eighth regiment was organized at Camp Currier, Manchester, in the fall and winter of 1861, 
under Col. Hawkes Fearing of Manchester. Company A of Nashua was the first to enter camp, on 
Oct. 12, Capt. William M. Barrett commanding, with J. Q. A. Warren, first lieutenanl, and Dana W. 
King, second lieutenant, and George S. Eayrs, fir.st .sergeant. Company li was largely enlisted in 
Nashua, under Capt. Daniel M. Fiske, Alonzo W. Putney being its first lieutenant, and George W. 
Thompson, 2d, first sergeant. Dr. Samuel G. Dearborn was regimental surgeon. 

The st^te was still paying the paltry bounty of $10, but ranks were .soon filled by patriotic men, 
many of ^.-.^em veterans of the three months' campaign, conscious of the gravity of the .situation, and 
well realizing that such enlistment meant willingness, if need be, to meet martyrdom. 



326 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Company A was mustered in Oct. 25, and then returned to Nashua on a two days' furlough. 
Nov. 14 it again went to Nashua to witness the presentation of swords to its officers, given by appre- 
ciative friends. Jan. 14 the regiment escorted the Seventh regiment, ordered to the front, to the 
depot. Jan. 22 it received its guns, and Jan. 25 it left camp for Boston, where it was quartered over 
night in Faneuil Hall, and next day was transferred to Fort Independence, where it was actively 
engaged in drill for about three weeks. Feb. 15 six companies, under Colonel Fearing, embarked on 
the ship E. Wilder Farley for Ship Island, to join the "Butler Expedition." The remaining four 
companies, "A" included, under Lieut. -Col. O. W. Lull, left for the same point Feb. 18 on the ship 
Eliza and Ella, arriving March 29 after much difficulty. 

May 3 companies A, F and K, under Lieutenant-Colonel Lull, took possession of Fort Pike on 
one of the channels leading into Lake Ponchartrain. Other troops coming up to garrison it, the bat- 
talion moved on to Fort Macomb, Fort Bienvenu and Tower Dupre. • June 28 it rejoined the regiment 
at Camp Parapet, Carrollton. Lieut. Dana W. King says that "company A had the honor of being 
the first occupant of four forts, viz: Forts Pike and Bienvenu, Tower Dupre and the Mexican Gulf 
Battery, mounting in all sixty-five guns." Sept. 19 companies A, B, G and K drove in the enemy's 
pickets at Pass Manchac, which was repeated Oct. 11 by companies G and H. 

On Oct. 27 at Georgia Landing occurred the first serious engagement of General Weitzel's brigade, 
of which the Eighth New Hampshire was now a part. Success crowned the day for the union forces, 
hut with .severe losses on lioth sides, including Capt. J. Q. A. Warren of company E — one of the best 
line officers in the Eighth. The regiment went into this engagement with only four hundred men, to 
which numlier the original strength of one thousand men had been reduced within its first year by the 
inroads of death and disease. 

For .several months after this, the regiment was stationed near Baton Rouge; company B mean- 
while taking part in the expedition up to Bayou Teche, under General Weitzel. March 14 it partici- 
pated in the expedition against Port Hudson, under Banks and Farragut, returning to Baton Rouge. 
April 7 it entered upon the first Red river expedition, under General Paine, taking part in the three 
days' engagement at Bisland, and being the fir.st to plant its colors on the enemy's works. Further 
advance was made, with little resistance, to Opelousas, and May 8, after a day's forced march, Alex- 
andria was reached. At this time Lieutenant E^ayrs was acting brigade commissary, and Lieutenant 
King as brigade ordnance officer on the staff of General Paine. 

May 15 began the movement towards Port Hudson, where, on the twenty-third, position was 
taken on the right of the line of investment at the Big Sandy. May 27 a general advance was ordered, 
the Eighth making a brilliant charge against the outer works, carrying everything before them, but 
suffering severer losses than any other regiment, one hundred and twenty-four being killed and 
wounded out of an aggregate of two hundred and ninety-eight taken into the fight. A long and try- 
ing siege followed, with frequent casualties. Lieut. George W. Thompson, 2d, of company E was 
killed May 29 while in the rifle pits. June 14 an assaulting column of 3,000 men, under General 
Paine, was formed, the Eighth New Hampshire, under Capt. Barrett, and the Fourth Wisconsin in 
advance as skirmishers. The assault at daybreak was met b>' a desperate reception, but was success- 
ful to the scaling of the parapets by the Eighth and Fourth. The capture would have been easily 
complete if the supporting columns had followed up the advance ; failing to do which the remnant 
were captured or obliged to retire. The Eighth lost one hundred and twenty-two out of two hundred 
and seventeen men, Lieut. Luther T. Hosley, company A, being among the killed. June 15 General 
Banks issued a congratulatory order upon the results attained, and at the same time called for a 
storming column of one thousand men, a "forlorn hope," to make another assault upon the 
works. The column was speedily raised and organized, three volunteering from the Eighth, one 
of whom was Lieut. Dana W. King of company A. The siege continued, the lines being drawn 
closer and closer to the enemy's works, with continuous firing going on at every exposed object. 
Pending the careful preparations being made, the expected attack by the "forlorn hope" was deferred 
from day to day, until the news came on July 7 that Vicksburg had surrendered to General Grant, 
which immediately resulted in the capitulation of Port Hudson on July 9, rendering the assault by 
the "forlorn hope" unnecessary. It was given the post of honor, however, the head of Mx^ column, 
marching in to take possession of the captured works, immediately followed by the Eighth New 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, A'. H. 2>21 

Hampshire, in recognition of its gallant service during the siege. Its part in this crowning act of 
the opening of the Mississippi to navigation will ever remain an almost matchless honor. 

Aug. 22 the regiment marched back to Baton Rouge; early in September it embarked with the 
unsuccessful expedition to Sabine Pass, thence was ordered to Algiers and back to Camp Bisland. 
Oct. 3 it left Bisland on the second Red river expedition, reaching Opelousas the twenty-fourth, and 
New Iberia on Nov. 12. Dec. 21 the regiment was detached and ordered to Franklin to be mounted, 
and was then designated as the First New Hampshire cavalry, but from March 31 to June 30, 1H64, 
as the Second New Hampshire cavalry. Jan. 4, 1864, two hundred and nineteen of the veterans 
re-enlisted, but without receiving the usual furlough. Jan. 6 it left for New Orleans, where it 
remained until March 2, when it left upon the unfortunate Red river campaign, taking ])art in the 
actions at Henderson's Hill, Natchitoches, Crump's Hill and Wilson's Farm. 

April 8 occurred the action at Sabine Cross Roads, where the vSecond New Hampshire cavalry 
suffered the capture of about fifty men (including Capt. Dana W. King, whose horse was .shot under 
him), who were confined six months in the prison pen at Tyler. Texas, an experience of suffering 
too frequent!}- incident to the defense of the flag, quite beyond the power of adequate description. 

Hard service continued to be the lot of the regiment. It shared in the engagements at Monett's 
Bluff, April 23, Cane river, April 24, and in those at and near Alexandria, continuously for nearly 
two weeks following. In the retreat, it was assigned the most difficult of all services, the rear-guard, 
lieing constantly exposed to attack. Finally, after the actions at Marksville, Bayou de Glaize and 
Yellow Bayou, the Atchafalaya was crossed on May 19, at Morganzia, whence it left June 16 for 
New Orleans, to be returned to an infantry organization, thus ending a disappointing campaign of 
three and a half months, "the most arduous, toilsome and exhausting in which the regiment had 
ever participated ; one of ceaseless marches, constant watchfulness by day or night, and daily 
exposure to the enemy's fire and harrassing attacks; one of suffering from hunger and thirst, from 
exposure to the elements, without blankets, tents or sufficient clothing, and under the depressing, 
demoralizing influence, much of the time, which a long retreat always brings; a campaign of such 
exacting and constant service that, of the seven hundred horses with which the regiment started out, 
but two hundred of the original animals were returned; with casualties occurring almost every day, 
and aggregating about one-fourth of its force; j-et, under these adverse conditions, maintaining such 
heroic bearing, such unyielding purpose and such unflinching courage, that it received the 
commendation of three connnanding generals, expres.sed in general orders. No New Hampshire 
regiment was put to a severer test of true courage and heroism ; none made a better or more enviable 
record under adverse and demoralizing influences." 

July II the re-enlisted men were furloughed for thirty days, reaching Concord July 23. 
Returning, they reached Camp Parapet Sept. 6. The regiment was then ordered to Natchez, Miss., 
where it was engaged in garrison and picket dutx- until the expiration of its term of service Dec. 23, 
.shortly after which officers and men who had not re-enlisted were ordered to Concord and mustered 
out on Jan. iS, 1865, when the regimental organization ceased to exi.st. 

Jan. I the veterans re-enlisting, together with recruits, were organized into the Veteran 
battalion, F'ighth New Hampshire volunteers, company B of which was commanded by Capt. Dana 
\V. King. It did duty at Vidalia and Natchez until Oct. 28, when it was mustered out at Vicksburg. 
Oct. 29, it embarked for Cairo, under command of Captain King, and reached Concord Nov. 7, where 
it was appropriately received, and on Nov. 9, 1865, was paid off and discharged, after nearly four 
years of such faithful service as to win from its brigade commander. General Paine, the tribute that 
"the Eighth New Hampshire have learned how to fight and not how to retreat," an<l that "for 
them to be brave was only to be true to their hard-earned fame." The regimental historian. Captain 
Stanyan, says, "it marched and fought over the whole length of Louisiana, and got nearer to Texas 
than any other portion of the armj' ever did." 

The ofiicers of the \'eteran battalion were given brevet commissions by Gov. Frederick Smythe, 
in recognition of their distinguished sen-ices, Capt. Dana W. King, the only officer remaining who 
went out with the regiment, being made lieutenant-colonel. Second Lieut. Nelson H. Peterson being 
brevetted fi.r.st lieutenant, and Lieut. James H. Marshall, captain. 

As iF^Wery other regiment, simple justice demands more extended mention of the worthy service 
of many a man than is here made, or than is contained in the official record annexed. The reader is 



328 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

necessarily referred for this to the regimental histories, which abound with recital of brave deeds and 
faithful devotion to duty, producing in us a just pride that such men were of our flesh and blood, so 
far did their valor and devotion outdo what we had considered humanly possible. 

The names of King and Nolan, Warren and Hosley and Marshall, and many another, will 
always remind us of the Eighth New Hampshire, and the gallant part it took in fighting for the flag. 

NINTH REGIMENT. 

The Ninth New Hampshire was organized in the summer of 1862, at Camp Colby, Concord 
under Col. Enoch Q. Fellows of Sandwich. Capt. Augustus vS. Edgerly, a veteran of the First New 
Hampshire, from Nashua, but now a resident of vSanbornton, assisted by First Eieut. Charles D. 
Copp, enlisted many Nashua men, who were largely assigned to company C. 

The regiment left Concord Aug. 25 for Washington, and immediately crossed the Potomac to 
Camp Chase, Arlington Heights, thence was put into the field without delay to join in the movements 
to check Lee's advance. On the fourteenth of September, twenty days after leaving Concord, it 
alone charged a rebel brigade, driving it from the crest of South Mountain, and three days later it 
did veteran service at Antietam, joining in the carriage by storm of the "stone bridge" over 
Antietam creek. No other New Hampshire regiment met the enemy in battle so early in its 
experience. Its conduct was so creditable as to gain immediate official commendation. 

After a few days the regiment went into camp at Pleasant \'alley, Md., renu\ining here until Oct. 
27, when it crossed the Potomac at Berlin and joined in tlie pursuit of Lee. Nov. 15 it was engaged 
with a rebel battery at White Sulphur Springs, Va., and on the nineteenth went into camp at 
Stafford Heights, Falmouth. It crossed the Rappahannock Dec. 12, occupying the streets of 
Fredericksburg that day and night. It shared in the next day's fighting, a regiment at a time, 
meeting the hottest kind of a reception, but with magnificent credit to itself at the " .Slaughter Pen," 
one of the bloodiest fields the war had thus far seen. Many casualties resulted. When several of 
the color-guard had been killed or disabled, and Sergt. Edgar A. Densmore, carrying the national 
colors, fell, mortally wounded, Lieut. Charles D. Copp of company C, caught up the flag, and, 
advancing in front, called out, "Hurrah bo3's ! Come on," leading them forward into the ver\- front 
of the engagement. So fearless was his courage and so worthy the act as to gain for him the award 
of the medal of honor given by congress for conspicuous bravery. 

Movements resulting in no advantage followed until the withdrawal of the army on the night of 
the fifteenth to tlie old camp on Stafford Heights, where the Ninth renmined nearly two months, 
suffering much from the severities of the winter, and conditions to which thej' were unused. Feb. 
9 an agreeable move was made to Newport News, where it remained until March 25, when it 
embarked for Baltimore, en route to Lexington, Ky. Service followed here, at Winchester and Crab 
Orchard Springs and vicinity, until June 4, when the regiment left, via Cincinnati and Cairo, to 
join Grant's army investing Vicksburg. It participated in various movements incident to the capture 
of this stronghold, suffering not a little from the summer heat and other privations. After the 
surrender it joined in the pursuit of Johmston's retreating army until July 13, when he made a stand 
at Jack.son. Very disagreeable picket duty, and the repulse of a night attack were the lot of the 
regiment here, followed by withdrawal, upon Johnston's further retreat. Aug. 8 it embarked for 
Cairo, en route to Kentucky, reaching Nicholasville Aug. 23, much reduced by sickness, and 
consequently assigned to light guard duty on the Kentucky Central railroad, with headquarters at 
Paris. Jan. 25 its old Windsor rifles were exchanged for the new Springfield. The same day it set 
out for Point Isabel, leaving there Feb. 27 for Knoxville. Tenn., via Cumberland Gap, arriving 
March 17 after a very cold and wearisome march. Four days later it .set out to return by another 
route through the Gap, and reached Camp Burnside at Nicholasville again March 31. April 2 it 
started for Annapolis, Md., where the Ninth corps was being re-organized. It was quickly hurried 
forward to join the army of the Potomac, arriving in season to participate in the second day's battle 
of the Wilderness May 6, on which day Capt. A. S. Edgerly was killed while serving on the staff 
of Col. S. G. Griffin commanding the brigade. 

May 10 it came under the enemy's artillery fire. May 12 it was engaged in the s, ._, >est day's 
struggle of its three years' history, the battle of Spottsylvania, where it took part in the general 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

charge along the whole line, advancing beyond it, however, into the "Bloody Angle," there 
meeting a most murderous fire, which in a few minutes caused a loss of over two hundred men. 
Constant skirmishing followed until the eighteenth, when it was again heavily enga"-ed. 

It participated in the engagements at North Anna river May 24-26, and won laurels in a 
successful assault, under a galling fire, upon the enemy's rifle-pits May 31 at Totopotomoy creek. 
It shared in the disagreeable work at Bethesda church June 2-3, and did picket duty incident to the 
battle of Cold Harbor. It was then moved to the vicinity of Petersburg, which was its principal field 
of action for the remainder of its service. June 17 it took part in the successful assault upon the 
Shand house, but with numerous casualties among its small aggregate of one hundred and twentv- 
five effective strength now remaining. 

Two months of .severe siege duty followed, mo.stly in front of the "Mine," where, on July 30, 
at its explosion, the Ninth bore conspicuous part leading the assault and being the first to plant its 
colors upon the enemy's works at the "Crater." In the de.sperate attempt made to retain possession 
the regiment lost ninety-two in killed, wounded and missing, about one-half its .strength engaged, 
Lieut. George H. Drew being among the captured. 

Aug. 20-21 it did sturdy .service at Weldon railroail, and for several weeks following was 
employed in picket duty, building earth-works and corduroy roads. 

Sept. 30 it joined in the charge at Poplar Springs church, but under a flank movement by far 
superior numbers, found itself obliged to retire to the Pegram house, its effective strength decimated 
to less than sixty muskets, twice that number being killed, wounded and missing. 

It remained in this vicinity till Oct. 27, receiving some recruits and doing some skirmi.shing in 
the movement in Hatcher's Run, two days later returning to its former quarters near Petersburo-, 
whence, Nov. 29, it moved to Fort Alexander Hayes, where it passed the winter. 

In the final movements of the army of the Potomac it took no active part after Ajiril 8, when it 
assisted in guarding eight thousand prisoners of Ewell's army, captured by Sheridan. April 20 it 
set out for City Point, leaving there the twenty-sixth for Alexandria, where it went into camp. 
May 23 it participated in the final grand review of the army at Washington and June 10 the 
regiment broke camp preparatory to return to New Hampshire. June 14 it returned its colors to the 
governor at the state house and was discharged, leaving a record of which the state and every 
member may well be proud. 

TENTH REGIMENT. 

The Tenth regiment was organized at Camp Pillsbury, Manchester, under the call of July i, 
1862, for 300,000 three years' men. Command was given to Col. Michael T. Donahoe. Nashua 
furnished one company, H, under Capt. Timoth}- B. Crowley, First Lieut, (leorge Edgecumbe and 
.Second Lieut. Michael Moran, with Daniel \V. Russell as first sergeant; and nearly all the Nashua 
men in the regiment were in this company. .Sept. 22 the regiment left for Washington, arriving, 
after an uncomfortable journe\-, with two railroad accidents, on the twenty-fifth, marching next 
morning to Camp Chase, Arlington Heights. Almost its entire three years of active service were 
destined to be upon the soil of \'irginia. After a few weeks spent mainly in preparations for active 
campaigning, tiie regiment had its first experience under fire Nov. 15 in its support of a battery at 
the crossing by the Ninth corps of the north fork of the Rappahannock at White Suljihur Springs. 
Nov. rg, after a severe four daj's' march, Falmouth was reached, where it camped for three weeks. 
( )n the evening of Dec. 11 it cro.ssed the pontoon bridge, laid under heavy fire, remaining in the 
streets of Fredericksburg until the thirteenth, when it occupied an important defensive position until, 
late in the afternoon, it joined in the last desperate but unsuccessful assault upon Marye's Height, in 
which, thanks to the darkness, its loss aggregated only about fifty. Two days later it re-cros.sed the 
river to its old camp, where it remained, suffering not a little from cold and lack of fuel and clothing, 
until Feb. 9, when it went to Acquia creek, thence to New])ort News, where it was much more com- 
fortably quartered. 

March 14 General Longstreet's forces having threatened an attack upon .Suffolk, General Getty's 
division was sent to reinforce it. Ajiril 11 Longstreet advanced in force and invested it. Companies 
15 and F of the Tenth were sent to man Fort Halleck. The siege, which was extremely wearing, 

24 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

was kept up until May 4 when the rebels were forced to retire. The regiment shared in the work for 
the defense of Portsmouth, and later in the hardships of the movement to Yorktown and the Pamun- 
key river, returning thereafter to its former camp at Getty's Station, near Portsmouth. July 30 its 
camp was moved to Julian's creek. Work on fortifications was resumed until their completion in 
November, and the winter was spent in drill and target practice. March 19 its camp was removed to 
Great Bridge, where it did picket duty and scouting for the month following. 

April 19, 1864, the regiment set out via canal to Portsmouth, Va., thence via Newport News and 
Big Bethel to Yorktown, being assigned to the army of the James, under General Butler. Thence it 
embarked to Bermuda Hundred, where it arrived Ma}- 6. The next day it led the advance along the 
Richmond & Petersburg railroad, meeting the enemy near Port Walthal, and being under fire all day. 

May 9 a further advance was made, and the enemy again encountered, the regiment being hotly 
engaged all day. After dark an attack was made by South Carolina troops, and the Tenth counter- 
charged upon them, driving them across Swift creek and inflicting great loss upon them. The next 
day, after tearing up the railroad, the whole force retired, companies B, D and F, under Captain 
Crowley, acting as rear guard. 

Another advance was made on the twelfth towards Richmond, meeting the enemy strongly 
intrenched at Proctor's Creek, and making a gallant and successful charge upon them, clearing the 
way for the passage and deployment of the entire corps. 

The next da}^ the advance was resumed, the regiment being under a heavy artillery fire in the 
afternoon. Mav 14 the corps advanced and occupied the outer line of defenses at Drewry's Bluff. 
On the sixteenth the enemy charged, under cover of a dense fog, upon the right wing of the corps, 
carrying everything before them until the Tenth was reached, who, with the Thirteenth New Hamp- 
shire, repelled charge after charge, and held them in check for two hours after the remainder of the 
brigade had been withdrawn, when they also retired, acting as rear guard of the corps to Bermuda 
Hundred. The remainder of the month the picket lines of both armies were frequently engaged. 
June I, after a hard march, the Tenth joined Grant's arm}- lying in front of Cold Harbor, and was at 
once put into the fight, making a charge upon the enemy and driving them into their works. The 
next day was devoted to the construction of rifle pits under the enemy's fire, in which L,ieut. Daniel 
W. Russell, a valued and courageous officer of company B, was instanth' killed. June 3 the Tenth 
led the assaulting column upon the enemy's works, meeting with the hottest reception thus far in its 
history, but carrying the first line of defense and holding it throughout the day. For nine days more 
the regiment remained at the front, with losses every day, then returned to Bermuda Hundred, but 
not to rest. June 15 it led the brigade in the assault and capture of Battery Five, the Thirteenth 
New Hampshire leading the skirmish line. The following morning companies A, E and K assaulted 
an inner line and captured more prisoners than they themselves numbered. 

The following two months and more the regiment was engaged in the siege of Petersburg, with 
only brief respites at Bermuda Hundred, to which place it returned Aug. 27. Aug. 5 company B suf- 
fered the loss of one man killed and nine wounded from the explosion of a shell in its midst. Sept. 
28 it was armed with vSpencer repeating rifles, which next day it used with most telling effect in the 
storming and capture of Fort Harrison, and in its most gallant defense the day following, incident to 
which was a sortie in which the regiment took part, capturing about five hundred prisoners and many 
battle flags. The losses of those two days were very severe, including about one-sixth of its strength, 
and its regimental, brigade, corps and division commanders. 

Oct. 27 it .shared in the desperate charge upon the rebel works at Fair Oaks, going into the fight 
with ten officers and one hundred and twenty-four men, but coming out with only two officers and 
twenty-five men. Captain Crowley, who commanded the regiment, being among the wounded. Many 
were captured, nearly all of whom died later in SalisVniry prison. The next day the regiment 
returned to Fort Harrison, where the winter was spent. 

When Richmond fell, April 3, 1865, the Tenth was among the first to enter, taking post at Man- 
chester, opposite the city, and there doing provost duty until June 21, when it was mustered out of 
service, returning to New Hampshire with the Twelfth and Thirteenth regiments, and being accorded 
such reception at Nashua, Manchester and Concord as was its due after such heroic and faithful ser- 
vice as stands to its credit. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 33, 

ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH REGIMENTS. 

The ICleventh and Twelltli rcginieiils had but few Nashua men. The service of the former was 
in Virginia, excepting one year, Marcli 31, 1863, to April i, 1864, in Kentucky, Mississippi and Ten- 
nessee. Tlie latter served its entire term in the armies of the Potomac and the James. Both regi- 
ments reflected great credit upon the state and themselves. 

THIRTNEETH REGIMENT. 

The Thirteenth New Hampshire was organized at Camp Colby, Concord, in vSeptember, 1862, its 
ten companies coming from seven different counties. Its members were almost entirely natives of the 
state, of excellent character. Nashua had special interest in it because of her large contribution to 
its field and staff. Col. Aaron F. Stevens being given command, with George Bowers, lieutenant- 
colonel; George H. Gillis, adjutant; George G. Jones, chaplain; George H. Taggard, commissary 
sergeant; and John J. Whittemore, hospital steward. Most of the Nashua men were in company I, 
of which Luther M. Wright was captain, and Major A. Shaw was second lieutenant. 

The regiment left Concord for Washington Oct. 6 and was first assigned to duty at Camp Chase, 
in General Case)-'s division, the defenses of Washington. Here it remained until Dec. i, when it 
joined the army of the Potomac (via "Camp Freeze-to-Death) at Acquia creek, near FVedericksburg. 
Here, on Dec. 11, it met its first engagement, and acquitted itself with credit against heavy odds in 
General Getty's night assault, Dec. 13, upon the enemy's batteries on Marye's Heights, where Lieu- 
tenant Shaw was among the W'Ounded. 

The winter was a severe and uncomfortable one, spent at Falmouth and Newport News. March 
13 it was sent to Suffolk, and shared in its defense against the siege of General Longstreet. May 3 it 
gained itself compliments for gallantry in the bayonet charge upon the enemy's intrenchments at 
Providence Church road. The summer, fall and winter were mainl}^ spent in the vicinity of Ports- 
mouth, upon guard and picket duty and the construction of fortifications with occasional details upon 
short expeditions. In March, 1864, the greater part of the regiment were permitted to go home to 
vote. 

Later in April the regiment was, with the Tenth New Hampshire, assigned to the Second brigade, 
First division. Eighteenth army corps, army of the James. It shared with the Tenth, and with like 
credit, the trying service and repeated engagements incident to the summer, including the charge 
June I at Cold Harbor, where Colonel Stevens was wounded, and the early morning charge all along 
the line June 3, in which the federal army lost 10,000 men within twenty minutes. Later in the day, 
Lieut. George H. Taggard was severely wounded, while the division was massed, waiting orders to 
again storm the enemy's works. 

The valor of the regiment was .specially conspicuous in front of Petersburg June 15, being 
deployed as skirmishers in advance of the whole division, when, late in the afternoon, with less than 
two hundred men, it charged the enemy's rifle pits, capturing about a hundred prisoners; then, under 
Colonel Stevens' direction, while suffering a galling fire, dashed forward again on Battery Five, car- 
rying it and capturing several field guns, two rebel battle flags and over a hundred men. Its own loss 
was forty-six killed and wounded. For conspicuous ability and gallantry in this affair, Colonel 
Stevens was recommended for promotion by his immediate superiors. 

In the storming and subsequent defence of Fort Harrison, its conduct was superb. The assault 
by bayonet alone, with muskets not capped, across a mile of open ground, under a galling fire and 
terrible losses, was steady and determined, ending with a hand-to-hand struggle as the para]>et was 
reached and carried. Its color guard of six men were all killed or wounded, and its total loss, includ- 
ing that in defense of the next day, was eighty-one out of a total strength engaged of one hundred 
and eighty-seven muskets. Colonel Stevens fell, severely wounded, while at the head <>f the regi- 
ment, within a few yards of the works. 

The regiment receives .special mention for its part in the final entry into Richmond on .\prd 3, 
iS65, when the city fell under the master movements of General Grant, now rapidly culminating. 
Lieut. Royal B. Prescott, who was in command of the skirmish line, led the first troops into the city 
earlv that morning. The Thirteenth was the leading regiment to enter, and its colors the first of the 



,., HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

union annv to be floated in triumph in that city. Other troops quickly followed, and all immediately 
set to work putting out the fires that had been set, restoring order and guarding property. Ten days 
later it moved to Camp Lee, two miles north of the city. In May it was ordered across the river to 
Manchester, where it remained until it was mustered out. June 22 it embarked with the Tenth and 
Twelfth regiments for home, arriving in Nashua June 26, where a splendid reception was given it. 
General Stevens was presented by his ofhcers with a sword, sash and belt befitting his rank, and the 
brigade tendered him a review on Main street, which was etjualh' gratifying to the many citizens and 
friends who witnessed it. 

The following day similar receptions were given to the brigade at ^Manchester and Concord, and 
on July I all were paid off and discharged. The Thirteenth had on its rolls but three hundred and 
twenty-one out of an aggregate of one thousand two hundred and eightj'-five who had seen active ser- 
vice. Its regimental historian states that " no one of its officers deserted, was reprimanded, cashiered 
or dismissed the service; and it maintained by its acts that character for efficiency, patriotism, intelli- 
gence, bravery and trustworthiness which made it surely one of the American nation's most prominent 
historic regiments." 

FOURTEENTH TO EIGHTEENTH REGIMENTS. 

The Fourteenth, the last of the three years' regiments raised in New Hampshire, and the Fif- 
teenth, the first of the nine months' regiments, had but few Nashua men among them, as had the Six- 
teenth, Seventeenth and Eighteenth. The service of all was e.xceedingly creditable wherever they 
were called to serve. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE BATTALION, FIRST REGIMENT, NEW ENGLAND VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 

In the autumn of 1861 each of the New England states, excepting Rhode Island and New 
Hampshire, raised a regiment of cavalry. The four companies organized in New Hampshire were 
formed into a battalion and assigned, with the two battalions raised in Rhode Island, to a regiment 
known first as the First New England cavalry, but later as the First Rhode Island cavalry. 

Company M of the New Hampshire battalion was raised by Capt. William P. Ainsworth of 
Nashua, and nearlj- all the Nashua men in the battalion were in his company. His recruiting office 
was in Franklin hall. Joseph F. Andrews was first lieutenant. James B. Greeley was assistant 
surgeon of the regiment. 

In January, 1S62, the battalion joined the regiment at Pawtucket, R. I., and in March joined the 
cavalry brigade under General Stoneman at Washington. 

We shall not attempt to outline the particulars of its service. At Front Royal it had its first 
engagement, and gained high credit for most brilliant action, capturing more men than it numbered, 
but suffering the loss of the brave and accomplished Captain Ainsworth. 

At Middleburg it demonstrated its courage when, surrounded b}- a force twenty times as .strong, 
it fought its way out of a position found untenable, but with terrible lo.sses. 

The regiment is credited with having fired the first shot and received the first artillery fire in each 
of the four great battles of General Pope's campaign, viz: Cedar Mountain, Groveton, Second Bull 
Run and Chantilly. 

Its list of engagements, together with a perusal of the individual records of its members, showing 
casualties by capture, disability, wounds or death, will make clear the character of the service 
rendered. Add to this the hardships incident and peculiar to cavalry .service from raids, picketing 
and scouting by night and by day, and it is readily seen that comparisons witli the infantry service 
are exceedingly favorable. 

FIRST REGIMENT, NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 

In January, T864, the New Hampshire battalion was detached from the First Rhode Island cav- 
alry and was ordered to New Hampshire as the nucleus of a New Hampshire regiment of cavalry, 
most of the men having re-enlisted. The four veteran companies, I, K, L and M, were quickly filled, 
together with three new companies, A, B and C, and were sent to the front, reaching Washington 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 333 

April 25 and joining the army of the Potomac in May. The remaining five companies, under Major 
Joseph F. Andrews, followed in July, doing detached service, however, apart from the regiment, until 
the following March. 

The service of the seven companies was quite as severe as had been that of the veteran battalion. 
Its record of twenty-seven engagements within ten months after its return to the seat of war, shows 
the field of its operations and attests the faithfulness with which it met every demand upon it. The 
severit> of the service rendered is evidenced by the record showing that over fifty-five per cent, of the 
Nashua men in it were killed, wounded, captured or discharged for disability. 

The names of Nashua men are found in nearly every other organization sent from New Hamp- 
shire, as well as in those of other .states, the regular army and navy. They sen-ed in light and heavy 
artillery, in that most trying of services, the sharpshooters, in organizations raised for home or sea- 
coast defense, and in every other line of duty incident to the saving of the nation. Besides those 
mentioned in appended detailed list, she furnished others in honorable capacities. Dr. Norman J. 
Moore and Dr. J. C. Garland served long and faithfully in their professions, under contract with the 
surgeon-general. Nashua gave to New Hampshire its most distinguished soldier in the regular ser- 
vice. Gen. John G. Foster, in whose record she takes a just pride. She gave to the navy Capt. James 
S. Thornton, of long and honorable career, who is remembered with special satisfaction as executive 
officer of the " Kearsage" when she sunk the "Alabama." The record of her sous, wherever found, 
is alike creditable to the citj- and themselves, and we sincerely regret that the limits of space prevent 
the detailed mention which is manifestly their due. Biographical sketches of many of them are 
specially delegated to another's pen, else those of her leading soldiers would find respectful mention 
in this chapter. 

The joy with which the news was received April 9, 1865, that Lee had surrendered to Grant at 
Appomattox, and that the war was over, can hardly be described. Word was first received in Nashua 
b}' a telegram from the Boston Journal to Elbridge J. Copp, who was home from the war on account 
of his wounds, and temporarily in charge of the newspaper business of his brother, Charles D. Copp, 
located at the corner of Main and Water streets. He immediately got out a small cannon, loaded it 
to the muzzle, and fired it repeatedly on Main street, shouting : " Lee has surrendered, Lee has sur 
rendered ! " It was hailed by the booming of cannon, the ringing of bells and the display of flags 
and bunting and other joyful expressions, in which all joined. That for which the whole North had 
been struggling and striving was at last accomplished. 

Illustrating the outlaj' made by the city to encourage enlistments, it is interesting to note that it 
paid in bounties during the Rebellion the sum of $147,322, besides which there was paid individually, 
by subscription and by sixty-five men who were drafted and procured substitutes, the sum of $52,067. 
The city also provided aid for the families of soldiers, passing, among others, an ordinance Sept. 16. 
i86i, appropriating $5,000 from which to pay the wives of volunteers Si per week and Ji for each 
child under sixteen j'ears of age, not exceeding, however, $12 per month to each family. Maj-or 
George Bowers and Aldermen Clark C. Boutwell and C. \'. Dearborn were made a committee to dis- 
burse the mone)-. 

Nashua's record in the Civil War would be incomplete if it failed to mention the aid systematic- 
ally given to her soldiers in the field by various organizations at home. The local branch of the 
Sanitary commission enlisted the interest and efforts of the ladies and school children in preparing 
lint, bandages and other hospital supplies to be regularlj^ sent to the front. A box for the reception 
of hospital stores was located at the house of its president, Mrs. John A. Baldwin, i Amory square. 
Its meetings were held in the vestry of the Olive street church. The daily papers published its 
notices gratuitously, and Morrill & Co.'s express forwarded its contributions to the soldiers free of 
charge. A knitting circle of about one hundred and fifty members held weekly meetings for making 
socks, gloves and mittens for the soldiers. The ladies busily plied the needles, while the gentlemen 
contributed yarn or money. In February, 1863, a "Young Ladies' Soldiers' Aid society " was formed 
of which Miss Mary A. Baldwin was secretary and treasurer, and Misses Lucy F. Thayer, Laura M. 
Bowers, Lucy J. Beard, Atelia Slader, Julia A. Gilman and Mary Crombie were directors. And in 
various other ways did those at home strive to hold up the hands of those who were at the front. 



3^4 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

A very considerable amount of seven and three-tenths per cent, government bonds were placed 
among our citizens, largely through the instrumentality of Jeremiah W. White, even when many 
questioned the nation's ability to redeem them. vSeveral of our manufacturing industries were engaged 
upon government work. The Nashua Manufacturing company had several large contracts during 
the war for hand-sewed cotton-flannel drawers for the soldiers, and employed hundreds of hands out- 
side to assi,st in making them. Holt & Jones had government contracts for soldiers' blouses, making 
as many as one thousand per week. The Nashua Iron and Steel company turned out many tons of 
boiler plate for armor for iron-clads, including some parts of the Monitor. The Underbill Edge Tool 
company was largely engaged in the manufacture of sabres for the cavalry service. Luther A. Roby 
furnished the navy yard at Charlestown large quantities of oak ship-timber for government gun-boats 
and men-of-war. vSeveral other Nashua industries also were interested, either directly or indirectly, 
in supplying various government needs. 

The appended personal record list contains the names of one thousand, three hundred and forty- 
eight different men, natives or residents of the city, or credited to her otherwise. Their record is 
magnificent. They stood the test of heroes. In the words of another : " They marched with Sher- 
man, they charged with vSheridan, they conquered with Thomas, they fought it out on his own line 
with Grant." They went forth with a single great purpose; to save the fatherland. Every son who 
battled for his country's honor desen-es more credit than a people in the enjoyment of peace know- 
how to give him. We are too forgetful of his worth. We fail to remember the offering he made that 
the nation might live. None fought for his own fireside, his town or city. None fell in battle on the 
soil of his own state. But hundreds of graves from the Chesapeake to the Gulf witness to what they 
did for other firesides, other states and the nation, "all for love and nothing for reward." All honor 
then, to them all, and a loving remembrance always. 

FIRST REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[THREE MONTHS.] 

Adams, William F. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 27; res. Boutelle, Adalbert D. Co. F; b. Nashua; age iS; res. 

Nashua; enl. May i. '5i ; must, in May 3, '61, as Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, 61; must, in May 3, '61, as 

priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 8 N. H. V. and U. priv; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Penacook. 

S. C. T. See 8 N. H. V. 

Badger, Henry E. Co. D ; b. \Varner ; ageiS; res. War- Brooks, George W. Co. F; b. Dublin; age 27; res. 

ner; enl. Apr. 27, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as priv.; Nashua; enl. May i, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 

must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See i U. i^r\\\ must, out Aug 9, '61. P. O. ad., Waltham, 

S. S. S. Mass. See i U. S. S, S. 

Balch, EnosC. Co. E; b. Addison, Vt.; age 28 ; res. ^^^^.^^ ^^^^^ g ^^ g. ^ xewbury ; age 20; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '6i, as Nashua; enl. .\pril 22, '61; must, in Mav 2, '61, as 

priv.; must, out Aug. 9, 61. See i Co. N. H. H. Art. j^, ^,^^^ ^^^^ ^ ^^ ,gj g^^ ^^ ^^ „ ^. 

Baldwin, Edwin T. Co. C; b. New Ipswich; age 28; res. 

-, , , . . ,, . . , ,£ Buck, Sewell M. Co. F; b. Norway, Me.; age 22; res. 

Nashua; enl. June 4, 61; must, in June 4, 61, as . ' 

. , , ,£ Ti ,-> 1 T\r 11 Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in Mav 3, '61, as 

muse; must, out Aug. 9, 61. P. O. ad., Manchester. ' k o > • .^ O' . 

Served in band. P"'^ ' xa\x%^. out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., South Lynde- 

Barnes, William H. Co. E; b. Cambridge, Mass.; age borough. 

28; res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, Burke, George W. Co. F ; b. Nashua; agei9; res.Nashua; 

'61, as Corp. ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 8 N. H. V. enl. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as priv; must. 

Barry, Lackey. Co. E; b. Fredericton, N. B. ; age 19; out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Acworth. See nii.scel. 

res.Nashua; eul. .\pr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '61, organizations. 

as priv; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 8 N. H. V. Caldwell, Daniel F. Co., G; b. Nashua; age 24; res. Al- 

Bates, William R. Co. F; b. Derby, Vt. ; age 28, res. stead; enl. .\pril 24, '61; must in May 2, '61, as priv.; 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, iu May 3, '61, as must, out Aug. 9,' 61. P. O. ad.. Surry. See 14 N. 

priv; must, out Aug. 9, '61. H. V. 

Bell, Bowers H. Com. F; b. Lunenburg, Vt. ; age 19; Chamberlin, Cornelius W. Co. F; b. Canada; age, 28; 

res. Nashua; enl. May i, '6i ; must, in May 3, '61, as res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, 

priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 18 N. H. V. and as priv; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Lowell, 

miscel. organizations. Mass. See 10 N. H. V. 

Blodgett, Henry. Co. F; b. Billerica, Mass.; age 25 ; Clark, Edward. Co. E; b. Galway. Ir.; age 21; res. 

res.Nashua; enl. April 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, Nashua; enl. April 19, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 

assergt; must, out Aug. 9, '61. Died July 4, '72, priv; must, out Aug. 9, '61. Supposed identical with 

Goffstown. Edward Clark, Co. B, 10 N. H. V. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



335 



Cline, Arthur. Co. E ; b. I.ynie ; age 19 ; res. Nashua ; 

enl. April 19, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as priv. Died 

(lis. Maj- 17, '61, Concord. 
Cobb, James A. Co. F;b. Woodstock. Vt.; age 24; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; mus. in May 3, '61, as 

priv. must, out Aug. 9. '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 

7 N. H. V. 
Coburn, George. Co. K; b. Tyngsborough, Mass.; age 

25; res. Nashua; enl. May I, '61; must, iu May 3, 

'61, as priv. ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. 
Cochrane, William H. D. Co. 11 ; b. North Chelmsford, 

Mass. ; age 22 ; res. Goffstown ; enl. Apr. 22, '61 ; 

must, iu May 4, '61, to date Apr. 26, '6r, as priv. ; 

must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 10 N. 

H. V. and miscel. organizations. 
Coggin, Frederick G. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 24 ; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 

priv. ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad.. Lake Linden, 

Mich. See U. S. navy. 
Collins, Kitridge, J. Co. E; b. Springfield, Mass.; age 22 ; 

res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 

priv. ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 

I N. H. L. battery. 
Cook, Barney. Co. F; b. Springfield, Vt.; age 24; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 

:nusc.; must, out -Aug. 9, '61. 
Cox. Michael. Co. E; b. Huntingdon, Canada East; age 

22; res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, 

'61, as priv; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., 382 Su- 
perior street, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Darling, Daniel F. Co. E; b. Nashua; age, 38; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as 

priv; must, out -Aug. 9, '5i. See 8 N. H. V. 
Densmore, Edgar A. Co. E; b. Sharon, Vt. ; age 19; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 

priv ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 9 N. H. V. 
Dodge, Edwards O. Co. C ; b. Nashua ; age 18, res. Man- 
chester ; enl. Apr. 22, '5i ; must, in Slay 2, '61, as priv. ; 

must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Manchester. See i 

N. H. cavalr)-. 
Dow, Jerome L. Co. E; b. Hiuesburgh, Vt.; age 18; 

res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 22, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as 

priv. ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. Died Aug. 24, '61, 

Nashua. 
Eastman, Daniel G. Co. F ; b. Rumford, Me. ; age, 24 ; 

res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, "61, 

as priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. 
Edgerly, Augu,stus ,S. Co. F; b. Sanbornton; age 31; 

res. Nashua; app. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, 

as capt. ; must, out Ang. 9, '61. See 9 N. II. V. 
Edgerly, Moody O. Co. F; b. Sanbornton; age 28; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 

private ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Davisville. 
Edwards, John. Co. F; b. Liverpool, Ivig. ; age, 28; 

res. Nashua ; enl. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, 

as priv. ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. 
Emerson, George W. Co. F; b. Brighton, Mass.; age 
19 ; res. Nashua ; enl. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, 

'61, as muse; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 7. N. H. V. 
Emerson, William B. Co. F; b. Henniker ; age 27; res. 

Nashua; enl. May i, '61; must, in Jlay 3, '61, as 

priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 

8 N. II. V. 



F^nnis, James. Co. P; b. Albany, N. Y.; age 24; res. 

Nashua ; enl. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as 

priv. ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 8 N. H. V. 
Fairbanks, Charles. Co. F ; b. Lancaster, Mass. ; age 

23; res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, 

'61, as priv. ; must, out .^ug. 9, '61. See i N. E. cav- 
alry. 
Gay, Alon/.o. Co. E; b. Groton, Mass.; age 19; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 

priv. ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 

4 N. H. V. 
Gay, Charles S. Co. E; b. Harvard, Mass.; age, 26, 

res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 22, '61; must, in May 2, '61, 

as priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Gay, Leonard A. Co. E; b. Groton, Mass.; age 25; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 

priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 

4 N. H. V. 
Gray, John. Co. D ; b. Tyrone, Ir. ; age 20; res. Nashua ; 

enl. Apr. 20, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as priv ; must. 

out Aug. 9, '61. See 4 N. H. V. 
Greeley, Stephen H. Co. D ; b. Lowell, Vt. ; age 19; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. ig, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 

priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. 
Greeley, William F. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 30; res. 

Nashua; enl. as priv. Apr. 26, '61: app. i It. Apr. 

30, '6r ; must, in May 2, '61, as. i It. ; must, out Aug. 

9, '61. P. O. ad., 13 Gray St., Boston, Mass. See 

miscel. organizations. 
Greenleaf, Richard O. Co. F; ; b. South Berwick, Me.; 

age 35 ; res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 26, '61, as priv.; app. 

capt. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as capt. ; 

must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See4N.H.V. 
Haines, Nestor. Co. F; b, Wentworth ; age 22; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 

priv.; must, out Aug. 9, 61. See 8 N. H. V. 
Hale, Martin. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 20; res. Lj'nde- 

borough ; enl. .\pr. 22, '61; must, in May 2. '61, as 

priv. ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 4 N. H. V. 
Haudley, George W. Co. F; b. Dexter, Me.; age 29; 

res. Nashua; enl. as priv. Apr. 30, '61 ; app. i It. Apr. 

30, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as i It. must, out .-^ug. 9, 

'6i. See3N. H. V. 
Harris, Charles A. Co. F; b. Leominster, Mass; age 25; 

res. Nashua ; enl. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, 

as priv. ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 4 N. H. V. 
Haskell, George W. Co. F.; b. Cicero, N. Y.; age 19; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 

priv. ; must, out .'^ug. 9, '61. 
Heath, Charles F. Co. V\ b. Bow; age 19; res. Nashua; 

enl. May i, '61 ; must, in May 3, '6r, as priv. disch. 

disab. May 17, '61, Concord. P. O. ad., Lynn, JIass. 

See 14 N. II. V. 
Hobart, Freeman A. Co. F. ; b. Hollis ; age 27 ; res. 

Nashua ; enl. May i. '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as priv.; 

must.out Aug. 9, 61. P.O. ad., Nashua. SeeSN. H.V. 
Holmes, William A. Co. E. ; b. Henryville, C. E. ; age 

22; res. Nashua; enl.; Apr. 22, '61 ; must, in May 2, 

'61, as priv. ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. 
Hopkins, George W. Co. V ; b. Mont Vernon ; age 21 ; 

res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, 

as priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P.O. ad., 65 Western 

ave., Cambridgeport, Mass. 



336 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Hosley, Luther T. Co. F; b. Pepperell, Mass.; age 20; 
res. Nashua; enl. May i, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as 
priv. ; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 8 N. H. V. 

Hunt, John R. Co. F; b. Boston ; age 26; res. Nashua; 
enl. May i, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as priv. ; must, 
out .^^ug. 9, 61. P. O. ad., Boston, Mass. 

Jaquith, Asa W. Co. F; b. E. Vassalboro', Me.; age 18; 
res. Nashua; enl. May i, '61 ; must, in May 3. '^i. as 
priv. must, out Aug. 9, '61. 

Jewell, Charles H. Co. E. b. Shirley Mass. ; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 25, '5i ; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug, 9, '61. 

Johnson, Henry M. Co. E. ; b. Nashua; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp.; captd. July 14, '61, near Point of 
Rocks, Md.; released May 31, '62. Disch. July 2, '62, 
Concord, tm. ex. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Jones, George D. Co. F; b. Milford ; age 18; res. Nashua; 
enl. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as priv.; must, 
out Aug. g, '61. P. O. ad., Woburn, Mass. See 4 N. 
H. V. 

Kelsey, Edgar S. Co. E; b. Westford, N. Y.; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. ig, '61; must, in Maj' 2, '61, as 
priv.; must, out .\ug. 9, '61. 

Kilduff, John H. Co. F; b. Roxbury, Mass.; age 30; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. Died Nov. 29, '85, Nat. 
home, Togus, Me. 

Kimball, John R. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61, P. O. ad., Brooklyn, N. 
Y. See. 4N. H.V. 

King, Dana W. Co. F; b. Alstead ; age 29; res. Nashua; 
enl. Apr, 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as Corp.; must, 
out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 8N. H. V. 

Langdell, William. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 20; res. 
Lyndeborough ; enl. Apr. 22, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, 
as priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See miscel. organiza- 
tions. 

Lawrence, Orlando. Co. V ; b. Clarendon, Vt.; age 28; 
res. Nashua; eul. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May3, '61, as 
I sergt.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Lawrence, 
Mass. See 7 N. H. V. 

Lincoln, Henry H. Co. E; b. Sturbridge, Mass.; age 20; 
res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 20, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv.; must, out .'Vug. 9, '61. See i N. H. H. art. 

Lindsay, Robert B. Co. E; b. Seekonk, Mass.; age 22; 
res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 20, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv. must, out Aug. g, '61. 

Livingstone, Edward. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 23; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv.; must, out -^ug. 9, '61. See 8 N. H. V. 

Longa, Horatio W. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 25; res. Mer- 
rimack ; enl. May i, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as priv., 
must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., aianchester. See i 
N. H. L. battery. 

Longa, John H. Co. E; b. Merrimack; age 28; res. Mer- 
rimack; enl. Apr. ig, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv.; must. out. Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 
I N. H. L. battery. 

Lull, .\lbert. Non-com'd staff; b. Haverhill, Mass.; age 
39; res. Nashua ; enl. May 2, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, 
as q. m. sergt.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 



Marckres, Samuel D. Co. K.; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Manchester; enl. Apr. 20, '61 ; must, in Maj- 7, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61, P. O, ad.. Perry, la. 
See 4 N. H. V. 

Marden, George .\. Co. E; b. Deering; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 20, "61; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 4 N. H. V. 

Marshall, James H. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 21 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '5i ; must, in May 3, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 8 N. H. V. 

McManus, James. Co. E; b. Drumshambo, Ire.; age 27; 
res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 23, '61; must, in May 2, '61, 
as Corp. Died dis. May 22, '61, Nashua. 

Mills, Henry M. Co. F; 1). Grafton, Vt.; age 23; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 
Corp.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Lowell, Mass. 
See 16 inf. and 1 art. N. H. V. 

Minard, Charles F. Co. F ; b. Nashua; age 24; res. Nashua; 
eul. .\pr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as priv.; must, 
out Aug. 9, '61. See 8 N. H. V. 

Morey, Norman E. Co. F; b. Tro}-, Vt.; age 24; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '5i, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '6[. Supposed identical with 
Norman E. Morey, Co. .\, 3 Vt. inf. See miscel. or- 
ganizations. 

Morse, Francis. Co. F; b. Danville, Vt.; age 34; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 
Corp.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 9 N. H. V. 

Newhall, Daniel B. Co. F; b. New Hampton; age 24; 
res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as 
sergt.; must, out .^ug. g, '61. P. O. ad., Concord. 
See 8 N. H. V. 

Nichols, Charles E. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. .\pr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, "61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 10 N. H. V. 

Nichols, George W. Co. F ; b. Nashua ; age 25 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '6i ; must, in May 3, '61, as 
priv.; must, out .\ug. g, '61. Died July 18, '72, Nashua. 

Nichols, Grovenor D. Co. E; b. Amherst;, age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
See 4 N. H. V. and V. R. C. 

Nichols, John F. Co. E ; b. Nashua ; age 23 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. .\pr. 19, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as priv.; must, 
out Aug. g, '61. See 4 N. H. V. 

Niles, Jerome S. CoF; b. Reading, Mass.; age 24; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 
priv.; must, out .\ug. g, '61. P. O. ad.. West Duxbury, 
Mass. 

Nottage, Elisha C. Co. F; b. Quincy, Mass.; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 
priv.; must, out .A.ug. g, '61. See 8 N. H. V. 

Cakes, D. Calvin. Co. E; b. Stewartstown ; age ig; res. 
Nashtia ; enl. Apr. 21, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug 9, '61. Died July 6, '8g, New 
York city. 

O'Brien, William J. Co. E; b. Boston, Mass.; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See miscel. organizations. 

Parker, Llewellyn C. Co. E; b. Lyman; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 20, '61; must, in May 2, '6i, as 
priv.; captd. near Point of Rocks, Md., July 14, '61 ; 
paroled June 2, '62; disch. June r8, '62, New York 
city, tm. ex. See 13 N. H. V. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



337 



Tease. IIenr\- T. Co. E; b. Essex, N. Y.; age 19; res. 

Nashua; eiil. Apr. 24, '61, as priv.; mustered ; 

captd. July 14, '61, near Point of Rocks, Md.; released 
May 31, '62; disch. June iS, '62, New York city. tui. 
ex. Died Dec. 31, 'gr, Nashua. 
Perkins, Charles H. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '6t, as 
priv.; must, out -Anj^. 9, '61. Sec 4 N. IT. V. 
Perley, Thomas. Co.K; b. Canada; age 29 ; res. Nashua- 
enl. May i, '61 ; must, in Maj- 3, '61, as priv.; must' 
out Aug. 9, '61. 
Peterson, Nelson H. Co. F; b. Kingfield. Me.; age 24; 
res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, "61. P. O. ad., Kingfield, 
Me. See 8 N. H. V. 
Pierce, Warren A. Co. F; b. Royalston, Mass.; age 20; 
res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, 
as priv.; disch. by writ of habeas corpus May 6, "61. 
Pillsbury, Edward AV. Co. K; b. Derry ; age 24; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 
8 N. II. V. 
Plummer, Samuel M. Co. E; b. Naples, Me.; age 22; 
res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv. must, out Aug. 9, '61. 
Pond, George \V. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 20; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 22, '61; must, in May 2, '61. as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 
8 N. H.V. 
Powers, Robert. Co. F; b. Albany; age 22 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as priv.; must, 
out Aug. 9, '61. 
Pratt, George. Co. D; b. Burlington, Vt.; age 20; res. 
Nashua; enl. .\pr. 23, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv.; des. May 12, '61, Concord. See 8 N. H. V. 
Ricker, David P. Co. E; b. Rochester; age 23; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 26, '6i ; must, in May 2, '61, as 
sergt.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See U. S. navy. 
Ripley, Charles H. >S. Co. E; b. Nashua; age "26"; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 
muse; captd. July 14, '61, near Point of Rocks, Md.; 
released May 31, '62 ; disch. as priv. June 18, '62, New 
York cit3", tm. exp. P. O. ad., Nashua. See V. R. C. 
Robbins, George H. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 21; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 30. '5i ; must, in May 3. '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. 
Robinson, James T. Co. F; b. Goshen; age 20; res. 
Nashua; enl. May i, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '6r ; See 11 N. II. V. 
Sager, Zeri S. Co. E; b. Berkshire, Yt.; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 20, '61; must, in May 2, '6r, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 3 N. H. V. 
.Sargent, James A. Co. E ; b. Rutland, Vt.; age 21; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 26, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv.; must, out .^ug. 9, "61. See 4 N. H. V. 
Sarsons, Eleazer I<. Co. F; b. Lyme; age 25 ; res. Nashua; 
enl..\pr. 30, '61; must, in Ma\' 3, '61, as priv.; must, 
out .\ug. 9, '6r, See 4 N. H. V. 
Sawyer, George Y. Non-com 'd staff ; b. Nashua; age 23; 
res. Nashua; enl. May 2, '61 ; must, in May 7, '61. as 
rgt.-maj.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. 



Sawyer, Oliver M. Co. E ; b. Plymouth ; age 22 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, "61, as 
sergt.; captd. July 14, '61, near Point of Rocks, Md.; 
released June 3, '62; disch. June 18, '62, New York 
city, tm. ex. P. O. ad., Hastings, Minn. See nN 
H. V. 

Shaw, Major A. Co. E; b.Alstead; age 28; res. Nashua; 

enl. Apr. 19, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as i sergt.; 

must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 13 inf. and i H. art.N. H.V. 
Shea, Jeremiah. Co. D; b. Kerry county, Ire.; age 21; 

res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '6r, 

as priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

See 9 N. H. Y. 

Shea, John. Co. E; b. Kenmare, Ire.; age 23; res. 
Nashua; enl. .Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 
8 N. H. V. 

Smith, Charles H. Co. E; b. Francestown ; age 23; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 25, '61; must, in May 2, '6r, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '6t. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Smith, Frank W. Co. F.; b. Hanover; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. May i, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 
priv.; disch. May 30, '61, Concord. See 5 N. H. V. 

Steele, James, Jr. Co. F; b. Antrim ; age 21; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as priv.; must, 
out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See i H. art. 

Stevens, Aaron F. F. and S.; b. Derry ; age 41 ; res. 
Nashua; app. Apr. 29, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 
maj.; must, out .Aug. 9, '61. See 13 N. H. V. 

Sullivan, Matthew. Co. E; b. Kenmare, Ire.; age 22 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '6[ ; must, in May 2, '61, as 
Corp.; must, out Aug. 9, '6r. P. (). ad., New Haven, 
Conn. See 10 N. H. Y. 

Tenney, Whitney. Co. V \ b. Windham. Vt.; age 25; res. 
Nashua; enl. .Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3. '61, as 
priv.; must, out .Aug. 9, "61. See miscel. organizations. 

Thorn, A"idal I^etain. Co. H; b. Nashua; age 20; res. 
Pelham ; enl. May i, '61 ; must, in May 4, '61, to date 
Apr. 26, '61, as priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See i N. 
E. cav. 

Thompson, George W., 2d. Co. I"; b. Newmarket; age 
27; res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61 ; must, in May 3, 
'61, as Corp.; mu.st. out Aug. 9, '61. See 8 N. H. V. 

Thompson. John W. Co. E ; b. Newmarket ; age 25 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. as priv. Apr. 26, '6r ; app. 2 It. .Apr. 30, 
'61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as 2 It.; must, out Aug. 9, 
'61. See 2 V. S. S. S. 

Thompson, William H. J. Co. E; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 
22; res. Nashua; enl. June i, '61 ; must, in June i, 
'61, as priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See i N. E. cav. 

Varney, Andrew J. Co. F"; b. Sanbornton ; age 30; res. 

Nashua ; enl. May i, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as priv.; 

must, out Aug. 9, '61. 
Walsh, John. Co. F; b. Boston, Mass.; age 19; res. 

Nashua ; enl. May i, '61 ; must, in May 3, '61, as priv.; 

must, out Aug. 9, '6r. P. O. ad., Manchester. See 8 

N. H. V. 
Wheeler, Ellsworth E. Co. E ; b. Townsend, Mass.; age 

20; res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 25, '6i ; must, in May 2, 

'61, as priv.; must, out .Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., Lowell, 

Mass. 



« 



338 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Whipple, George W. Co. F; b. Andover; age 31; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61, as priv.; app. 2 It. Apr. 30, 
'61; must, in May 3, '61, as 2 It.; must, out Aug. 9, 
'61. See miscel. organizations. 

Whipple, John P. Co. F; b. Andover; age 28; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 
priv.; must. out. Aug. 9, '61. P.O. ad., Biddeford, Me. 
See 9 N. H. V. 

White, Adelbert. Co. E ; b. Georgia, Vt.; age 23; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2. '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 4 N. H. V. 

White, Charles H. Co. E; b. Marlborough; age 27; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 23, '5i ; must, in May 2, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., 50 Wall street, 
Boston. Mass. See 3 N. H. V. 

Wier, William W. Co. E ; b. Canada ; age 36 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 20, '61; must, in May 2, '5i, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 9 N. H. V. 

Wilkins, Irving G. Co. E; b. Litchfield; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 22, '61; must, in May 2, '5i, as 
Corp.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 8 N. H. V. Sup- 
posed identical with Irving G. Wilkins, Co. D, 26 
Mass. inf. See miscel. organizations. 



Williams, Henry C. Co. F; b. No. Chelmsford, Mass.; 

age 24; res. Nashua; enl. May 2, '61; must, in May 

3. '61, as sergt.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. P. O. ad., 

Foxborough, Mass. 
Wilson, George W. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 21; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 30, '61; must, in May 3, '61, as 

priv.; must, out .^-Ug. 9, '61. P.O. ad., Lynn, Mass. 

.See 13 N. H. V. 
Wilson, James H. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 21; res. 

Nashua; enl. .\pr. 19, '6r ; must, in Ma^- 2, '61, as 

priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. 
Wing. Reuben B. Co. E; b. Troy, Vt.; age 28; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 

priv.; must, out .\ug. 9, '61. 
Woods, Franklin L. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 19; res. 

Nashua ; enl. Apr. 19, '61 ; must, in May 2, '61, as 

sergt; must, out Aug. g, '5r. See i N. E. cav. 
Wyman, Warren A. Co. E; b. Hudson; age 25; res. 

Nashua; enl. .\pr. 19, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 

priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See i N. E. cav. 
Wyman, William S. Co. D; b. Litchfield; age 19; res. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 22, '61; must, in May 2, '61, as 

priv.; must, out Aug. 9, '61. See 4 N. H. V. 



SECOND REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[THREE VE.\RS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



Bull Run, Va., . . . July 

Siege of Yorktown, \'a., Apr. 11 to May 

Williamsburg, Va., . . May 

Skirmish at Fair Oaks, Va., . June 

Oak Grove, Va., . . . June 

SkirniLsh near Fair Oaks, Va., June 

Peach Orchard, Va., . . June 

White Oak Swamp, Va., . June 

Malvern Hill, Va., . . July r, Aug. 

Kettle Run, Va., . . . Aug. 

Chantilly, Va., . . . Sept. 



5. 



25, 
28, 

29. 
30, 

5- 
29, 

I , 



1 86 1 Fredericksburg, Va., 
1S62 Gettysburg, Pa., 

1862 Wapping Heights, Va., 
1862 Swift Creek, Va., 
1862 Drewry's Bluff, Va. 
1862 Cold Harbor, Va., 
1862 Port Walthall, Va., 
1862 Petersburg, Va., . 
1S62 Reconnoissance nea 
1862 road, Va., . 
1862 Richmond, Va., 



Dec. 


14. 


1862 


. July 


2, 


1863 


July 


23- 


1863 


May 


9. 


1864 


May 


16, 


1864 


June 


1-9, 


1864 


June 


16, 


1864 


Aug. 18 to Sept. 


I, 


1864 


illiamsburg 






Oct. 


27, 


1864 


Apr. 


3. 


1865 



Allen, Charles H. Co. C; b. Nashua; age 19; res. Con- 
cord ; enl. Sept. 5, '61 ; must, in Sept. 17, '61, as priv.; 
des. Aug. 4, '63; gd. from des. Nov. 21, '63; app. 
Corp. July I, '64; disch. Sept. 13, '64, Bermuda Hun- 
dred, Va., tm. ex. P. O. ad., Auburn. 

Allen, Harlan P. Co. C; b. Nashua; age 18; res. Con- 
cord; enl. Aug. 26, '61 ; must, in Sept. 17, '6r, as priv.; 
des. Aug. 4, '62, Harrison's Landing, Va.; appreh. 
June 17, '65; disch. July 7, '65, Concord. 

Baker, Henry. Co. F; b. New York city; age 24; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as 
priv.; des. Mar. I, '64, Pt. Lookout, Md. 

Barry, John. Co. D ; b. Nashville, Teun.; age 21 ; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, in Nov. 28, '63, as 
priv.; wd. May 16, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va. Died 
wds. May ^o, '64, Old Point Comfort, Va. 

Beaty, Thomas. Co. H ; b. Nashua ; age 21 ; res. Man- 
chester ; enl. May 6, '5r, for 3 mos.; not must, in ; re- 
enl. May 11, '61, for 3 years ; must, in June 5, '61, as 
priv. des. May 5, '63, Concord. 



Bernard, Peter. Co. D; b. France ; age 34; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Nov. 27, '63 ; must, in Nov. 28, '63, as priv. Died 

dis. Sept. 27, '65, Warsaw, Va. 
Blum, Falsh. Co. D; b. Sweden; age 20; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, in Nov. 28, '63, as priv.; wd. 

sev. June 3, '64, Cold Harbor, Va.; disch. wds. Jan. i, 

'65, Washington, D. C. 
Brackett, Clarence A. Co. E ; b. Nashua ; age 21 ; res. 

Antrim; enl. Apr. 19, '61, for 3 mos.; not must, in; 

paid by state ; re-enl. May 21, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in 

June 3, '61, as muse; tr. to Co. C, July 20, '61 ; des. 

July 25, '62. P. O. ad., Chelsea, Mass. See miscel. 

organizations. 
Bracy, Andrew G. Co. H ; b. Somersworth ; age 18; res. 

Somersworth ; enl. Apr. 25, '61, for 3 mos.; not must. 

in; paid by state; re-enl. May 27, '61, for 3 yrs.; 

must, in Junes, '&'. ^s sergt.; app. i sergt. Aug. i, 

'61 ; 2 It. Aug. r, '62 ; wd. Aug. 29, '62, Bull Run (2d), 

Va.; app. i It. June 18, '63; must, out June 21, '64. P. 

O. ad., Nashua. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



339 



Biggs, William. Co. I); b. Somerset co., Md.; age 21; 
cred. Xashiia ; enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, in Nov. 28, '63, 
as priv. Died, dis. Nov. 4, '64, David's Isl., N. Y. H. 

Christian, Hans. Co. H; b. Norway; age 26; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as 
priv.; des. Apr. 9, '64, Yorktown, Va. 

Clifford, William. Co. B; b. Warren; age 21; res. War- 
ren; enl. May 22, '61 ; must, in June i, '6i, as priv.; 
re-enl. and must, in Jan. i, '64; cred. Nashua; app. 
hosp. stew. Feb. 17, '65; must, out Dec. 19, '65. P. 
O. ad., Lowell, Mass. 

Cornell, William. Co. F; b. Long Island, N. Y.; age 18; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63 ; must, in Nov. 30, '63, 
as priv. Died, dis. Oct. 24, '64, White Hall, Pa. 

Cruden, George. Co. D; b. Scotland; age 19; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, in Nov. 28, '63, as 
priv. Died, dis. Feb. 22, '64, Pt. Lookout, Md. 

Crystal, Samuel. Co. D; b. Philadelphia, Pa.; age 23; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63 ; must, in Nov. 28, 
'63, as priv.; des. Dec. 29, '63, Pt. Lookout, Md. 

Edwards, William. Co. F; b. Boston, Mass.; age 26; 
cred. Nashua ; enl. Nov. 30, '63 ; must, in Nov. 30, '63, 
as priv.; des. Apr. 9, '64, Yorktown, Va. 

Eusemof, Alexander. Co. F; b. Russia; age 32; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as 
priv. Died, dis. Aug. 31, '64, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Freeman, Charles. Co. D; b. New Brunswick; age 22: 
cred. Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, in Nov. 28, 
'63, as priv. Died, dis. Oct. 6, '64, Ft. Monroe, Va. 

Fry, Henry. Co. D ; b. England; age 20; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Nov. 27, '63 ; must, in Nov. 28, '63, as priv.; tr. 
to U. S, navy Apr. 30, '64, as an ord. seaman ; served 
on U. S. S. "Quaker City," " Ohio" and "Squando;" 
disch., services not required, July i, '66, from receiv- 
ing ship, Philadelphia, Pa., as coal heaver. 

Fucke, Henri. Co. F; b. Germany; age 21; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as 
priv.; must, out Dec. 19, '65. 

Greeley, George P. F. and S.; b. Nashua; age 28; res. 
Nashua; app. asst. surg. May 3, '61; resigned June 3, 
'61. See 4 N. H. V. 

Green, William. Co. I); b. Newark, N. J.; age 20; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, in Nov. 28, '63, as 

priv.; des. Juh* 9, '64 near Petersburg, Va. 
CruiKiy, Frank. Co. F; b. Boston, Mass.; age 23; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as 

priv.; must, out Dec. 19, '65. 
Hann, P'rank. Co. F; b. England ; age 20; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as priv.; des. 

Jan. 5, '64, Pt. Lookout, Md.; gd. from des. Jan. 28, 

'64; disch. Dec. 4, '65, p'redericksburg, Va. 
Hughes, William. Co. F; b. Scotland; age 22; cred. 

Nashua ; enl. Nov. 30, '63 ; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as 

priv.; des. Apr. 11, '64; gd. from des. Apr. 17, '64; 

sentenced by court martial to be shot to death, and G. 

O. 123, Dept. of Va., directs that he be shot to death 

within 48 hours after order is read to him. N. f. r. 

A. G. O. 
Hunt, Israel T. Co. D; b. Nashua; age 19; res. Nashua; 

enl. May 10, '61 ; must, in June i, '61, as priv.; app. 

muse; disch. Sept. 2, '61, to accept promotion. P. 

O. ad., Boston, Mass. See 4 N. H. V. 



Johnson, Peter. Co. G; b. Holland; age 26; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as 

priv.; tr. to U. S. navy Apr. 30, '64, as a seaman ; 

served on U. S. S. "Florida" and " Quaker City ; " 

disch., reduction naval force, Aug. 21, '65, from re- 
ceiving ship, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Jones, John. Co. D; b. Newfoundland; age 24; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, in Nov. 28, '63, as 

priv.; des. Jan. 5, '64, Pt. Lookout, Md. 
Kclley, David. Co. F ; b. Ireland ; age 21 ; cred. Nashua ; 

enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as priv.; tr. 

to U. S. navy Apr. 30, '64, as a seaman ; serve<l on U. 

S. S. ".Aries ; " des. July 29, '65, from receiving ship, 

Boston, Mass. 
Kelley, William J. Co. D; b. Ireland; age 18; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, in Nov. 28, '63, as 

priv.; wd. June 3, '64, Cold Harbor, Va.; tr. from Mt. 

Pleasant gen. hosp., Washington, D. C, June 16, '64. 

N. f. r. A. G. O. 
Kennelly, Patrick, alias William Smith. Co. E; b. Nova 

Scotia; age 22; cred. Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; 

must, in Nov. 28, '63, as priv.; disch. disab. Aug. 30, 

'64, Willetfs Point, N. Y. H. Died Sept. 18, '64, 

Boston, Mass. 
Kirnen, Thomas. Co. F; b. Boston, Mass.; age 19; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as 

priv.; des. Apr. 6, '64 ; appreh ; returned to duty July 

27, '64 ; reported on m. o. roll as absent sick. N. f. r. 

A. G. O. 
Knapp, John. Co. V ; b. Franklin ; age 23 ; cred. Nashua ; 

enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as priv.; 

disch. Dec. 4, '65, P'redericksburg, Va. P. O. ad., 

Campo, Cal. 
Landress, Charles. Co. F; b. p'rance ; age 33; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov, 30, '63,33 

priv.; des. Apr. 12, '64, Yorktown, Va.; returned July 

29, '64; des. Sept. 28, '64. 
Larson, John. Co. D ; b. Norway ; age 38 ; cred. Nashua ; 

enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, in Nov. 28, '63. as priv.; des. 

Apr. 9, '64, Yorktown, Va. 
Lee, Robert. Co. D; b. Bristol, Pa.; age 23; cred. 

Nashua ; enl. Nov. 27, '63 ; must, in Nov. 28, '63, as 

priv.; found guilty of desertion and sentenced by G. 

C. M. to hard labor during entire term of service at 

Ft. Monroe, Va., and to forfeit all pay; confined Apr. 

12, '64, Norfolk, Va.; tr. to Portsmouth, Va., July 30, 

'64. N. f. r. A. G. O. 
Lopez, Charles. Co. F; b. Cuba; age 26; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as priv.; disch. 

June 8, '65, Pt. Lookout, Md. 
Lumerun, Lewis. Co. F; sub.; b. Germany; age 38; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, 

as priv.; wd. June 3, '64, Cold Harbor, Va.; disch. 

disab. June 29, '65, Ft. Schuyler, N. Y. H. 
Mathews, George. Co. G ; b. New York city ; age 20 ; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, 

'63, as priv. Died Oct. 27, '65, Tappahannock, Va. 
McMarie, Robert W. Co. G; b. Scotland; age 22; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as 

priv.; des. May 15, '65, Manchester, Va. 
Mueller, Gustave. Co. G; b. Germany; age 25; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as 

priv.; app. corp. Nov. i, '64; sergt. Oct. i, '65; must. 

out Dec. 19, '65. 



340 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Muller, Herman. Co. E ; b. Germany ; age i8 ; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, in Nov. 28, '63, as 
priv.; tr. to U. S. navy Apr. 30, '64, as an ord. sea- 
man ; served on U. S. S. " Calypso " and " Fort Jack- 
son ; " discli., reduction of naval force, Aug. 7, '65. 

Munroe, Alexander. Co. E; b. New York city; age 29; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, iu Nov. 28, 
'63, as priv.; des. Dec. 16, '63, Pt. Lookout, Md. 

Murray, John. Co. E; b. Cecil, Md.; age 20; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; mu.st. in Nov. 28, '63, as 
priv. Died Jan. 26, '65, Pt. Lookout, Md. 

Monson, Robert. Co. E ; b. Lancaster, Pa.; age 44; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, in Nov. 28, '63, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Aug. 16, '64, Pt. Lookout, Md. 

Olsen, Julius. Co. G; b. Sweden; age 22; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Nov. 30, '63 ; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as priv. Died, 
dis. Feb. 4, '64, Pt. Lookout, Md. 

Parker, Charles. Co. G; b. England; age 26; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as 
priv.; drowned in attempt to desert, Apr. 7, '64, Pt. 
Lookout, Md. 

Patterson, William E. Co. E; b. Annapolis, Mil,; age 
22; cred. Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, in Nov. 
28, '63, as priv.; app. corp. Mar. i, '65; disch. to date 
Sept. 18, '65. Died Oct. 14, '91, Nat. Soldiers' home, Va. 

Pierce, Thomas P. F. and S.; b. Chelsea, Mass.; age 41; 
res. Manchester; app. col. Apr. 30, '61; not must.; 
paid by state from May 3 to June 3, '61, as col.; re- 
signed commission June 4, '61 ; died Oct. 14, '87, 
Nashua. 

Reed, Charles. Co. G; b. England; age 22. cred. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as 
priv.; returned to U. S, navy as a deserter therefrom 
(U. S. S. "Fuschia") Apr. 14, '64, Yorktown, Va. N. 
f. r. A. G. O. or Navy Dept. 

Robinson, Albert B. Co. I; b. Nashua; age 19; res. 
Manchester; enl. May g, '61 ; must, in June 7, '61, as 
priv.; wd. and captd. July 21, '61, Bull Run, Va.; 
par. June 2, '62; mis. July 2, '63, Gettysburg, Pa.; gd. 
from mis.; captd. July 20, "63, Loudon Valley, Va.; 
par. Aug. 29, '63; app. corp. June i, '64; must, out 
June 21, '64. P. O. ad.. El Paso, Tex. 



Rogers, Sylvester. Co. G; b. Petersham, Mass.; age 24; 
res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 27, '61, for 3 mos., as priv.; 
not must, in ; re-enl. May 20, '61, for 3 yrs.; app. 2 It. 
June 4, '61; must, in June 5, '61, as 2 It.; app. i It. 
Jan. I, '62 ; killed Aug. 29, '62, Bull Run (2d), Va. 

Roonej', Patrick, alias John Sweeney. Co. E ; b. Eng- 
land ; age 21; cred. Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, 
in Nov. 28, '63, as priv.; returned to U. S. navy as a 
deserter Feb. 4, "64. N. f. r. A. G. O. or Navy Dept. 

Rounsevel, Charles S. Co. I ; b. Dedham, Mass.; age 22; 
res. Claremont ; enl. .-Vpr. 27, '61, for 3 mos.; not 
must, in; paid by state; re-enl. May 21, '61, for 3 
yrs.; must, in June 7, '61, as priv.; app. corp. May i, 
'63; must, out June 21, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Scott, James. Co. G; b. Scotland ; age 22 ; cred. Nashua ; 
enl. Nov. 30, '63 ; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as priv.; shot 
for des. Apr. 29, '64, Williamsburg, Va., by .sentence 
G. C. M. 

Smith, .Albert. Co. B; b. Holland; age 22 ; cred. 
Nashua ; enl. Nov. 30, '63 ; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as 
priv.; disch. disab. July i, '64, Petersburg, Va. 

Smith, George. Co. E; b. Bridgeport, Conn,; age 19; 
cred. Nashua ; enl. Nov. 27, '63 ; must, in Nov. 28, '63, 
as priv.; des. Dec. 12, '63, Pt. Lookout, Md. 

Smith, John C. Co. E; b. Philadelphia, Pa.; age 23; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '63; must, in Nov. 28, '63, 
as priv,; des. Sept. 9, '64, Bristol, Pa, 

Thompson, Willard P. Co, I; b. North Elba, N, Y,; age 
28; res. Goffstown ; enl. Apr. 22. '61, for 3 mos.; not 
must, in; paid by state; re-enl. May 22, '61, for 3 
yrs.; must, in June 7, '61, as priv.; captd. July 2, '63, 
Gettysburg, Pa.; released; must, out June 21, '64, P. 
O. ad., Nashua. See i N. H. Cav. 

Wasilef, Peter. Co, G; b, Russia; age 29; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Nov. 30, '63; must, in Nov. 30, '63, as priv.; must, 
out Dec. 19, '65. 

Woods, John L. Co. B; b. Pepperell, Mass.; age 23 ; res. 
Hollis, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 18, '62; must, in 
Aug. 21, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. June 23, '63, Con- 
cord. P. O. ad., Hollis. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 
THIRL) REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[THRKIJ VKAUS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



341 



Port Royal. S. C, 
James Island, S. C, 
Secessionville, S. C, 
Pinckney Island. .'^. C, 
Pocotaligo, .S. C, 
Morris Island, S. C, 
Fort Wagner, S. C, ( ist assault) 
Fort Wagner, S. C, (2d assault) 
Siege of F'ort Wagner, Morris 

Island, S. C, . July 10 to Sept. 

Siege of Fort Sumter, S. C, 

Sept. 7, 1863, to Feb. 
Chester Station (or Port Walthall 

Junction), Va., . . May 

Drewry's Bluff, Va., . . May 13- 



Nov. 


7i 


1 86 1 


June S~ 


-'5. 


1862 


June 


16, 


1862 


Aug. 


21, 


1862 


Oct. 


22, 


1862 


July 


10, 


1863 


July 


I 1, 


1863 


July 


18, 


1863 



6, 1863 



29, 1864 



9, 
16, 



1864 
1864 



.\ckerinau, Joseph. Co. F; b. Newburyport, Mass.; age 
25; res. Nashua; eiil. July 29, '61 ; must, in -\ug. 23, 
'6r, as Corp.; app. sergt. Oct. 17, '62; re-enl. and 
must, in Feb. 13, '64; app. 2 It. May 24, '64; \vd. 
Aug. 16, '64, Deep Bottom, Va.; app. i It. Co. B, Oct. 
28, '64; capt. Co. C, Jan. 24. '65; must, out July 20, 
'65. Died July 21, '79, Nashua. Awarded " Gillniore 
Medal " by Maj.-Gen. Q. A. Gillmore, for gallant and 
meritorious conduct during operations before Charles- 
ton, S. C. 

Adams, Theophilus B. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. .\ug. 6, '62; must, in i\.ug. 14, '62, as 
priv.; disch. disab. May 9, '63, Hilton Head, S. C. 

Allen, George F. Co. F; b. Hancock; age 37; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 12, '61 ; must, in .\ug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Feb. 18, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. 

Atwood, Daniel N. Co. H; b. Chelsea, Mass.; age 21; 
res. Nashua ; enl. .\ug. 14, '6i ; must, in .\ug. 23, '61, 
as priv.; wd. June 16, '62, Secessionville, S. C; app. 
AVagouer Jan. 20, '63; reduced to ranks -Apr. i, '63; 
des. July 28, '63, Morris Isl., S. C; returned ; re-enl. 
and must, in from Manchester, Jan. 31, '6.( ; wd. 
May 16, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va.; wd. .\ug. 16, '64, 
Deep Bottom, Va.; app. corp. June 22, '65; must, out 
July 20, '65. 

Barrett, Towns. Co. V ; b. Hudson; age 42; cred. 
Nashua; enl. .^ug. 8. "62; must, in .\ug. 14, '62, as 
priv.; wd. .\ug. 16, '64, Deep Bottom, Va.; disch. June 
26, '65, Goldsborough, N. C. 

Berry, Lorenzo \V. Co. F; b. Sweden, Me.; age 29; cred. 
Nashua; enl. .Aug. 7, '62; must, in .\ug. 14, '62, as 
priv.; killed May 13, '64. Drewry's Bluff, Va. 

Bickford, John W. Co. F ; b. Waltham, Mass.; age " 29"; 
res. Nashua; enl. .A.ug. 7, '61 ; must, in .^.ug. 23, '61, 
as priv.; disch. disab. Sept. 10, '62. Hilton Head, S. 
C. Supposed identical with John W. Bickford. Co. I. 
I N. H. Cav. 

Bingham, .\rthur. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 21; res. 
Nashua; enl. .Aug. 22. '61 ; must, in -Vug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; must, out .\ug. 23, "64. Died July 13, '78, 
Nashua. 



June 


2, 


1864 


June 


9. 


1864 


June 


16, 


1864 


Aug. 


16, 


1864 


to Sept. 


28, 


1864 


Sept. 


29. 


1864 


Oct. 


I, 


1864 


Oct. 


7. 


1864 


Oct. 13, 


27. 


1864 


Jan. 


15- 


1865 


Feb. 


1 1. 


1865 


Feb. 


22, 


1865 



Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 18, 
Near Petersburg, Va., 
Ware Bottom Church, Va., 
Deep Bottom, \'a., 
Siege of Petersburg, Va., 
Aug. 24, 
New Market Heights, \'a., 
Near Richmond, Va., . 
New Market (or near Laurel 

Hill), Va 

Darbytown Road, \'a., 
Fort Fisher, N. C, 
Sugar Loaf Battery, N. C, 
Wilmington, N. C, . 



Bingham, George B. Co. V\ b. Nashua; age 23; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 14, '62; must, in Aug. 18, '62, as 
priv.; app. com. sergt. .\ug. 23, '64; Q. M. Nov. 9, 
'64; must, out July 20, '65. Died Jan. 28, '70, Lowell, 
Mass. 

Blood, Stilman. Co. F' ; b. Hollis ; age 31; res. Hollis ; 
enl. Aug. 9, '61 ; must, in .Aug. 23, '61, as priv.; re- 
enl. and must, in Feb. 13, '64, from Nashua ; des. 
Nov. 8, '64, Staten Isl,, N Y.; reported under presi- 
dent's proclamation Mar. II, '65; disch. May 15, '65, 
Boston, Mass. Died Jan. 8, 79, Hollis. 

Blood, Albert. Co. H ; b. Nashua ; age 18 ; res. Man- 
chester; enl. Aug. 7, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; captd. Aug. 21, '62, Pinckney Isl., S. C; exch.; 
disch. di.sab. Feb. 24, '63, Annapolis, Md. P. O. ad., 
Manchester. See V. R. C. 

Brown, William E. Co. F ; b. Woodstock ; age 22 ; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 12, '62; must, in 
Aug. 14, '62, as priv.; wd. sev. May 16, '64, Drewry's 
Bluff, Va.; app. corp. May 6, '65; disch. June 26, '65, 
Goldsborou6h, N. C. P. O. ad., Brighton, Me. 

Burke, Leonard O. V. Co. F ; b. Nashville, now Nashua ; 
age 17; res. Chelsea, Mass.; enl. Mar. 7, '62; must, in 
Mar. 17, '62, as priv.; wd. May 18, '64, Bermuda Hun- 
dred, Va.; app. corp. .\ug. 24, '64; disch. Apr. 24, '65, 
Wilmington, N. C, tm. ex. Died, Sept. 14, '75, at sea. 

Burnham, Charles S. Co. F; b. Pelham ; age 25; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 6, '61, as priv.; app. i It. .\ug. 22, 
'61 ; must, in .Aug. 23, '61, as i It.; app. capt. Co. I, 
June 27. '62; disch. Dec. 6. '63. P. O. ad., Waltham, 
Mass. 

Buss, Joseph. Co. E ; b. Nashua ; age 43 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. .'Vug. 10, '6i ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as priv.; 
disch. disab. Mar. 6, '63, Hilton Head, S. C. See 12 
N. II. V. 

Button, luigenej. Co. F; b. Essex. N. V.; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. .A.ug. 7, '61; must in .■Vug. 23, '61, as 
Corp.; app. sergt. July, '62; i sergt., Oct. 17, '62; 2 It. 
Jlay 13, '63; wd. July 18, '63, Ft. Wagner. S. C; app. 
I It., Co. I, Jan. 3. '64; killed, May 16, '64, Drewry's 
Bluff, Va. 



342 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Burrell, Fred G. Unas'd ; b. Canton, Mass.; age 22 ; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 5, '62; must, in Aug. 14, '62, 
as priv. Died dis. Sept. 6, '62, on board stmr. "G. C. 
Collins," off coast N. C, en route to regt. 

Chamberlin, Albert G. Co. F; b. Barre, Mass.; age 22; 
cred. Nashua ; enl. Aug. 5, '62 ; must, in Aug. 14, '62, 
as priv.; app. corp. Feb. 28, '63 ; resigned warrant, 
Feb. 22, "64; des. Nov. 20, '64, New York ; appreh.; 
disch. June 26, '65, Goldsborough, N. C. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. See 8 N. H. V. 

Chase, James L. Co. F' ; b. Merrimack; age 18; res. 
Hollis ; enl. Aug. 3, '61; must, in .A-ug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; wd. June 15, '62, James Isl., .S. C; re-enl. and 
must, in from Nashua Feb. 13, '64 ; des. on furlough 
Apr. 14, '64. F. O. ad., Groton, Mass. 

Cobb, Norman E- Co. F' ; b. Bridgewater, Vt.; age 28; 
res. Nashua; enl. -Aug. 13, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, 
as priv.; re-enl. and must, in F'eb. 13, '64; must, out 
July 20, '65. Died Nov. 10, '87, Bedford. 

Coffrey, Thomas. Co. F ; b. Ireland ; age 21 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 14, '61; must, in Aug. 23, 6r, as 
priv.; killed May 13, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va. 

Copp, Elbridge J. Co. F; b. Warren; age 17; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 14, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '5i, as 
priv.; app. sergt.-maj. Feb. i, '62; 2 It. Co. B. Jan. i, 
'63; adjt. July 20, '63; wd. May 13, '64, Drewry's 
Bluff, Va.; Aug. 16, '64, Deep Bottom, Va.; disch. 
Oct. 16, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Courivon, Frank. Co. V\ b. Canada; age 28; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 10, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 23, '64. P. O. ad., Nat. home, 
Togus, Me. 

Courtney, Patrick. Co. F; b. Ireland; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 10, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; wd. Aug. 16, '64, Deep Bottom, Va.; disch. 
Sept. 20, '64, tm. exp.; re-enl. and must, in from Mer- 
rimack as substitute Dec. 15, '64; app. Corp. Jan. r, 
'65 ; sergt. F'eb. 15, '65 ; umst. out July 20, '65. 

Crowley, Dennis. Co. F; b. Ireland; age 40; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 10, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Oct. 17, '61, Annapolis, Md. 

Curby, Abraham. Co. F; b. New Haven, Vt.; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 2. '61; must, in Aug. 23, '6i, as 
priv.; wd. sev. May 13, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va.; 
disch. Sept. 20, '64, tm. ex. P. O. ad., West Brook- 
field, Vt. 

Damon, Joseph A. W. Co. F; b. Lancaster, Mass.; age 
25 ; res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 6, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, 
'61, as priv.; disch. disab. Nov. 18, '62, Hilton Head, 
S. C. See state service. 

Davis, Nathaniel C. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Windham; enl. Aug. 8, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Nov. 11, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. 
P. O. ad., Nat. Mil. home, Kan. 

Day, John E. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 23; res. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. 15, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as muse; re- 
enl. and must, in Feb. 21, '64; des. Apr. '64, while on 
veteran furlough ; returned; app. corp. Oct. 23, '64; 
.sergt. Dec. 14, '64; must, out July 20, '65. 

Doharty, Charles. Co. F; b. Londonderry, Ire.; age 34; 
res. Nashua; enl. Aug. i, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, 
as priv.; disch. disab. Sept. 18, '62, Hiltou Head, S. 
C. Died May 17, '91, Nat. home, Togus, Me. 



Donlan, John. Co. F; b. King's count)'. Ire.; age 30; 
res. Nashua; enl. May 27, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '6r, 
as priv.; disch. disab. Feb. 23. '63, Hilton Head, S. C. 
See V. R. C. 

Duffy, Hugh. Co. C; b. Ireland; age 25; res. Nashua; 
enl. July 22, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as sergt.; 
disch. disab. Feb. 3, '63, Hilton Head, S. C. P. O. 
ad., Manchester. 

Duffy, Ross C. Co. F ; b. Ireland ; age 29 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Aug. 3, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as Corp.; wd. 
May 13, '64, Drewr)''s Bluff, Va.; app. sergt. June 17, 
'64; must, out .\ug. 23, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Duples, Edgar. Co. F; b. Sciota, N. Y.; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. .\ug. 9, '5i ; must, in .\ug. 23, 61, as 
priv.; wd. June 16, '62, Secessionville, S. C; Aug. 28, 
'63, F't. Wagner, S. C; disch. wds. Oct. 5, '63, Morris 
Isl., S. C. See state service. 

Early, John. Co. F; b. Ireland; age 30; res. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. I, '5i ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as priv.; disch. 
disab. July 28, '62, Beaufort, S. C. 

Enues, John F. Co. F ; b. Portugal ; age 19 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Aug. 14, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as priv.; wd. 
May 16, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va.; June 16, '64, Ware 
Bottom Church, Va. Died, wds. June 25, '64, Hamp- 
ton. Va. Awarded "Gillmore medal,'' by Maj.-Gen. 
Q. A. Gillmore, for gallant and meritorious conduct 
during operations before Charleston, S. C. 

Farmer. Joseph R. Co. F ; b. Greenfield ; age 35 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Jul}' 30, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
Corp.; disch. disab. May 26, '62, Edisto Isl., S. C. 
Died Feb. 26, '80. Burlington, Vt. 

Farnsworth, Charles H. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. .A.ug. 7, '62; must, in Aug. 14, '62, as 
priv.; killed July 10, '63, Morris Isl., S. C. 

Fitzgerald, David. Co. C; b. Ireland; age 29; res. 
Nashua; enl. July 30, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; wd. sev. June 16, '62, Secessionville, vS. C; 
disch. wds. Sept. 27, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. P. O. 
ad.. Highland Park, 111. 

Flanders, Daniel J. Co. E; b. Wheelock, Vt.; age 27; 
res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 5, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, 
as I sergt.; app. 2 It. .\pr. 15. '62 ; i It. Nov. 16, '62 ; 
disch. disab. July 2, '63. P. O. ad., Nashua. See i 
N. H. H. Art. 

Flanders, George W. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 27; cred. 
Nashua ; enl. Aug. 5, '62 ; must, in Aug. 14, '62, as 
priv.; wd. Oct. 22, '62 ; disch. disab. Mar. 28, '63, 
Hilton Head, S. C. P. O. ad., Manchester. 

Flanders, King H. Co. F; b. Wheelock, Vt.; age 35; 
res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 8, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, 
as sergt.; wd. June 16, '62, Secessionville, S. C; tr. to 
127 Co., 2 batt'l'n, V. R. C, May 23, '64 ; disch. disab. 
May 23, '64, as priv.. Depot Camp, D. C. Died Apr. 
II, '91, Fitchburg, Mass. 

Flynn, Bernard. Co. F; b. Ireland ; age 26; res. Nashua; 
enl. .\ug. 12, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61. as priv.; 
disch. disab. Nov. 11, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. Died, 
Jan. 16, '63, Nashua. 

French, James. Co. F ; b. Nashua ; age 37 ; res. South 
Andover, Mass.; enl. Aug. i, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, 
as priv.; wd. June 16, '62, !3ecessiouville, S. C; disch. 
disab. .\ug. 18, '62, Concord. Died June 5, '84, Nat. 
home, Wis. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



343 



l'oTit:\iii, Louis. Co. E; b. Canada; age 19; res. Nashua; 
till. July 22, '61 ; must, iu Aug. 23, '61, as priv.; killed 
luuc 16, '64, Ware Bottom Church, Va. 

Fulton, Charles C. Co. F; b. Concord; age 19; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. .\ug. 13, '62; must, in 
.\ug. 14, '62, as priv.; wd. accidentally Feb. 19, '65. 
Died wds. Feb. 20, '65, Federal Pt., N. C. 

Gay, George H. Co. F; b. Chelsea, Mass.; age 25; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 3, '61 ; must, in .\ug. 23, '61, as 
Corp.; app. sergt. Feb. 28, '63; wd. .\ug. 25, '63, Mor- 
ris Isl., S. C; May 18, '64, Bermuda Hundred, Va.; 
app. I sergt. June 19, '64; killed Aug. 16, '64, Deep 
Bottom, Va. 

Gordon, Hendrick B. Co. F' ; b. Tyngsborough, Mass.; 
age 19; res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 26, '61 ; must, in .Vug. 
26, '61, as priv.; must, out Aug. 23, '64. 1'. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Gould, George A. Co. F; b. llopkinton ; age 26; res. 
Nashua; enl. July 29, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 23, '64. P. (). ad., Nashua. 

Green, Albert. Co. F; b. Lowell. Mass.; age 21; res. 
Nashua; enl. Avjg. 21, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. Sept. 24, '63; re-enl. and must, iu 
F'eb. 23, '64 ; reduced to ranks Oct. 23, '64 ; des. Nov. 
7, '64, Staten Isl., N. Y.; appreh. Dec. 20, '64; disch. 
with loss of pay, Dec. 12, '65. 

Green, Warren. Co. F; b. Dracut, Mass.; age 23; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 12, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. Sept. 14, '63; must, out Aug. 23, "64. 

Grimes, Francis J. Co. F; b. Milford ; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 12, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in Feb. 13, '64; app. wagoner 
Aug. 24, '64; must, out July 20, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Hall, Charles T. Co. F; b. Pepperell, Mass.; age 20; 
res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 6, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '5i, 
as priv.; re-enl. and must, in Feb. 23, '64; app. corp. 
Aug. 4, '64; resigned warrant Feb. 25, '65 ; must, out 
July 20. '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Hall, James H. Co. F; b. Pepperell, Mass.; age 19; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 9, '62; must, in Aug. 14, '62, 
as priv.; disch. June 26, '65, Goldsborough, N. C. P. 
O. ad., Nashua. 

Handley, George W. Co. F; b. Dexter, Me.; age 31; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 14, '62; must, in .\ug. 18, '62, 
as priv.; killed May 18, '64, Bermuda Hundred, Va. 
See I N. H. V. 

Harris, Wesley T. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 25; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 6, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
Corp.; resigned w'arrant Sept. 14, '63; must, out Aug. 
23, '64. P. O. ad., Wakefield, Mass. 

Harvey, George D. Co. F; b. Brunswick, Me.; age ig; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 6, '62; must, iu Aug. 14, '62, 
as priv.; wd. May 13, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va.; disch. 
June 26, '65, Goldsborough, N. C. 

Hayden, Alfred P. Co. F; b. Groton, Mass.; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 14, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. July i, '62; sergt. June 30, '63; wd. 
sev. Aug. 25, 63; must, out Aug. 23, '64. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 
Henesacy, Peter. Co. H; b, Brooklyn, N. V.; age 20; 
res. Nashua; enl. July 26, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, 
as priv.; re-enl. and must, in Feb. 16, '64, from Hud- 
son; app. corp. July 18, '64; des. Nov. 8, "64, Staten 
Isl., N. Y. 



Hodgdon, Rnos 1". Co. F; b. Barnstead ; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Mar. 29, '64; must, in Mar. 29, '64, as 
priv.; wd. June i6, "64, Ware Bottom Church, Va. 
Died wds. June 17, '64, Bermuda Hundred, Va. 
Hoitt, Nathan B. Co. I; b. Northwood ; age 44; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. .-^ug. 12, '62; must, in 
Aug. 14, "62, as priv.; wd. July 10, '63, Morris Isl., S. 
C; disch. disab. June 8, '64. P. O. ad., .\ugusta, Me. 
See I N. E. cav. 
Ingram, Henry. Co. I- ; b. Vermont; age 2i ; res. 
Nashua; enl. July 29, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in 1-eb. 26, '64; wd. Aug. 16, 
'64, Deep Bottom, Va.; app. corp. July i, '65; must. 
out July 20, '65. P. O. ad., Boston, Mass. 
Jackman, Lemuel N. Co. F ; b. Pembroke; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 8, '6[; must, in .\ug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. July 12, '62; re-enl. and must, in 
Feb. 16, '64; app. sergt. Mar. i, '64; adjt. Jan. 4, '65; 
must, out July 20, '65. P. O. ad., Elgin, 111. 
Johnson, .Augustus. Co. F; b. Bennington; age 35; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 6, '6r ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Oct. 17, '61, Annapolis, Md. P- 
O. ad., Mont Vernon. See 10 N. H. V. 
Jones, Elbridge P. Co. E; b. Milford; age 18; cred. 
Milford; enl. Mar. 31, '64; must, in .Mar. 31, '64, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Dec. 13, '64, Concord. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 
Killelea, Patrick. Co. C; b. Ire.; age 25; res. Nashua, 
enl. July 22, '61 ; must, iu Aug. 23, '61, as priv.; wd. 
July 18, '63, Ft. Wagner, S. C; must. outAug. 23, '64. 
P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Kimball, John B. Co. F" ; b. I'iermont; age 21; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. i, "61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv. Died, dis. Nov. 10, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. 
Kimball, Lewis, Jr. Co. F; b. Piermont; age 20; cred. 
Nashua; enl. .\ug. 9, '62; must, in Aug. 14, '62, as 
priv.; disch. July 18, '64, to accept promotion. P. O. 
ad., Winthrop, S. D. See U. S. C. T. 
King, John L. Co. F" ; b. France; age 31; res. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. 9, '61 ; must. in.'Xug. 23, '61, as priv.; re-enl. 
and must, in F'eb. 18, '64; disch. July 19, '65, New 
York city. P. O. ad., Newport Centre, Vt. 
La Clair, Emery. Co. E; b. St. Albans, Vt.; age 23; res. 
Nashua; enl. July 23, '61; must, in -Vug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in F'eb. 15, '64; wd. Aug. 16, 
'64, Deep Bottom, Va.; di.sch. to date Dec. 31, '64. P. 
O. ad., Nashua. 
Lay, Charles. Co. F; b. "Montreal, Can.;" age 27 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv. re-enl. and must, in Feb. 13, '64-; des. Apr., '64, 
while on furlough. See state service. 
Livingston, George 1". Co. I ; b. Nashua ; age 15 ; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Jan. 21, '63; must, in Feb. 17, '63,35 
muse; des. Nov. 9, "64, Staten Island, N. Y.; re- 
turned; disch. May 15, '65, Boston, Mass. Died Oct. 
26, "85, Manchester. 
Mann, Charles W. Co. F ; b. Upton, Mass.; age 26 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 15, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in Feb. 21, '64; must, out 
July 20, '65. See state service. 
Marsh, Henry .\. Co. F; b. Amherst, Mass.; age 21 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. July 27, '61, as priv.; app. 2 It. Aug. 22, 
'61 ; must, in Aug. 23, "61, as 2 It.; wd. June 16, '62, 
Secessionville, S. C; app. i It. July 4. '62; resigned 
Dec. 30, '62. P. O. ad., Nashua. 



344 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



McCabe, James. Co. F ; b. Ireland ; age 23 ; res. Nashua; 

enl. Aug. I, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as priv ; wd. 

May 13, '64, Drewry's Bluff. Va.; disch. Sept. 29, '64, 

tm. ex. 
McCoomb, James. Co. F; b. Ireland; age 29; res. 

Nashua; eul. Aug. 23, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 

priv.; des. July 22, '63, New York city. vSee state 

service. 
McGowen, John. Co. F; b. Ireland; age "37;" res. 

Nashua; eul. July 27, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 

priv.; tr. to Co. D, 19 V. R. C, Apr. 27, '64; disch. 

Sept. 2, '64, Washington, D. C tm. ex. P. O. ad., 

Worcester, Mass. See state service. 
Merrill, Josiah B. Co. F; b. Hudson; age 42; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 8, '62; must, in Aug. 14, '62, as 

priv. Died, dis. Oct. 24, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. 
Miller, George W. Co. F; b. Alstead; age 21; res. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 8, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 

priv.; wd. sev. June 16, '62, Secessionville, S. C; 

disch. wds. vSept. 3, '62. Hilton Head, S. C. P. O. ad., 

Togus, Me. 
Milliken, Albert H. Co. F; b. Cavendish, Vt.; age 21; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 8, '62; must, in Aug. 14, '62, 

as priv.; wd. sev. July 18, '63, Ft. Wagner, S. C; tr. 

to 145 Co., 2 batt'l, V. R. C, May 23, '64; disch. disab. 

Aug. 10, '65, David's Isl., X. Y. H. P. O. ad., Lowell, 

Mass. 
Morgan, Charles W. Co. F; b. Nashua; age ig ; cred. 

Nashua; eul. Aug. 6, '62; must, in Aug. 14. '62, as 

priv.; wd. May 13, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va.; disch. 

June 26, '65, Goldsborough, N. C. P.O. ad., Nashua. 
Mygatt, Rivington H. Co. F ; b. Troy. N. Y.; age 23 ; res. 

Nashua; enl. July 29, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 

priv.; wd. May 13, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va.; must, out 

Aug. 23, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Norcross, Joseph F. Co. F ; b. Boylston, Mass.; age 41 ; 

res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '61; must, iu Aug. 23, '61, 

as priv.; must, out Aug. 23, '64. Died Jan. 26, '80, 

Nashua. 
Nottage, Thomas, Jr. Co. F; b. Quincy, Mass.; age 30; 

res. Nashua; enl. July 30, '61 ; must, iu Aug. 23, '61, 

as sergt.; disch. disab. Sept. 18, '62, Hilton Head, S. 

C. Died Jan. 8, '79, Nashua. 
Peabody, Ezra B. Co. V\ b. New Boston; age 41 ; res. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 12, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 

priv.; wd. sev. June 16, '62, Secessionville, S. C; 

disch. disab. Nov. 28, '62, New York city. P. O. ad., 

Milford. 
Persons, Joseph. Co. I ; b. Lyndeborough ; age 43; cred. 

Nashua; eul. Aug. 9, '62; must. in. Aug. 14, '62, as 

priv.; disch. June 26, '65, Goldsborough, N. C. P. O. 

ad., Bushong, Kan. 
Pushee, Jesse C. Co. F ; b. Lj'me ; age 42 ; cred. Nashua ; 

enl. Aug. 14, '62; must, iu Aug. 18, '62, as priv.; app. 

Corp. June 30, '63; sergt. Aug. 24, '64; i sergt. Oct. i, 

'64; I It. Co. I, Jan. 4, '65; must, out July 20, '65. 

Died Oct. 28, '74, Nashua. 
Randlett, James F. Co. F ; b. Newmarket ; age 27 ; res. 

Nashua; enl. July 27, '61. as priv.; app. capt. Aug. 

22, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as capt.; app. maj. Apr. 

6, '64; wd. sev. May 13, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va.; app. 

It. It. -col. Oct. 12, '64; must, out July 20, '65. P. O. 

ad., Washington, D. C. See miscel. organizations. 



Rhodes, Joel H. Co. F; b. Hopkinton, Mass.; age 39; 
res. Nashua; enl. July 27, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, 
as wagoner ; disch. disab. Aug. 9, '62, Hilton Head, 
S. C. See V. R. C. and state service. 

Ross, Chester A. Co. F; b. Sidney, Me.; age 21; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 6, '62; must, in Aug. 14, '62, as 
priv.; wd. Oct. 27, '64, near Richmond, Va.; disch. 
June 26, '65, Goldsborough, N. C. 

Sager, Zeri S. Co. F; b. Berkshire, Vt.; age 22; res. 
Nashua; eul. Aug. 12, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
Corp. Died, dis. Nov. 22, '61, Hilton Head, S. C. See 
I N. H. V. 

vScanlan, Michael. Co. F; b. Kerry county, Ire.; age 27; 
res. Nashua; enl. Jul^' 29, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, 
as priv.; disch. disab. Sept. 20, '62, Hilton Head, S. 
C. See V. R. C. 

Shea, Corneille. Co. F ; b. Loudon ; age 24 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. July 29, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as priv.; 
disch. disab. Sept. 18, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. 

Shea, Patrick. Co. V ; b. Ireland; age 18; res. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. 15, '61 ■; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as priv. Died, 
(lis. Nov. 2, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. 

Shipley, George L. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 27; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 2, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Oct. 17, '6r. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Smith, Charles D. Co I'; b. Comptom, Can.; age 24; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. S, '62; must, in Aug. 14, '62, 
as priv.; app. corp. F'eb. 22, '64; killed Aug. 16, '64, 
Deep Bottom, Va. Awarded "Gillmore Medal" by 
Maj. -Gen O. A. Gillmore, for gallant and meritorious 
conduct during operations before Charleston, S. C. 
See sketch, page 100. 

Smith, George H. Co. V\ b. Jlont. Veruou ; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. .\ug. 22, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and mu.st. in F^eb. 13, '64; must, out July 
20, '65. P. O. ad., Lebanon. 

Smith, George H. Co. I; b. Thetford, Vt.; age 26; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 24, '61 ; must, in Aug. 24, '6i, as 
wagoner; disch. May 15, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. P. 
O. ad., I'armington. See 13 inf. and i cav., N. H. V. 

Smith. John H. Co. F; b. Tamworth ; age 30; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 8, '62; must, in Aug. 14, '62, as 
priv.; wd. May 13, '64, Drewr3''s Bluff, Va. Died, 
wds. July 3, '64, Pt. Lookout, Md. 

Stearns, George. Co. F; b. New York citj' ; age 21 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 2, '61; must, in Aug. 23, '61, 
as I sergt.; app. 2 It. Aug. 9, '62; i It. Jan. i, '63; tr. 
to Co. C; app. capt. Co. K, Jan. 3, '64; disch. Oct. 

31. '64- 

Stetson, Fred B. Co. F; b. Worcester, Mass.; age 18; 
res. Nashua; enl. Aug. i, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '5i, 
as priv.; app. corp. Oct. 17, '62; killed May 18, '64, 
Bermuda Hundred, Va. 

Stockwell, Alvin W. Co. F; b. Boston, Mass.; age 19; 
res. Nashua ; cred. Nashua ; enl. Aug. 13, '62 ; must, 
in Aug. 21, "62, as priv.; wd. sev. May 18, '64, Ber- 
muda Hundred, Va.; disch. June 26, '65, Goldsbor- 
ough, N. C. P. O. ad,, Lowell, Mass. 

vSwallow, William A. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 40; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; eul. Aug. 13, '62; must, in 
Aug. 14, '62, as priv.; wd. Aug. 23, '63, Morris Isl., 
S. C; app. Corp. June 17, '64; q. m. sergt. Apr. 27, 
'65 ; disch. June 26, '65, Goldsborough, N. C. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 



HISTORY OF NASirUA, N. H. 



345 



Swallow, Georfjc Iv. Co. F; b. Boston, Mass.; age i8; 
res. Nashua; eiil. Aug. 6, '6i ; must, in .\ug. 23, '6i, 
as priv. Died, dis. Dec. 2, '62. Hilton Head. S. C. 

Wadsworth, David, Jr. Co.?'; b. Worcester, Mass.; age 
23; res. Nashua; cnl. .\ug. 7, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, 
'61, as sergt.; app. 2 It. Nov. 16, '62 ; i It. May 13, '63; 
Capt. Apr. 6, '64; wd. May 16, '64, Drewry's Bluff, 
Va.; disch. disab. .Sept. 24, '64. P.O. ad., Manchester. 

Waters, John. Co. I"; b. Ireland ; age 25 ; res. Nashua; 

enl. .•\ug. 10, '61 ; must, in .\ug 23, '61, as priv.; must. 

out .\ug. 23, '64. P. O. ad., Nat. Military home, Kan. 
Waters, Patrick. Co. C ; b. Ireland; age 43; res. Naahua; 

enl. July 22. '61 ; must, in .\ug. 23. '61, as priv.; disch. 

disab. July 31, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. Died, dis. 

Aug. 24, '62, New York city. 
Webster, James. Co. D; substitute; 1). Dracut, Mass.; 

age 36 ; res. Merrimack, cred. Bristol; enl. Oct. 14, 

'63; must, in Oct. 14, '63, as priv.; disch. disab. 

Sept. 13, '64, Concord. V. O. ad., Nashua. 



Welch, William H. Co. F; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 21; 

res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 12, "61 ; must, in .\ug. 23, 'f>\. 

as priv.; wd. .sev. May 13, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va.; 

disch. Sept. 29, '64, tm. ex. 
Wheeler, George N. Co. H ; b. .\mherst ; age 31; res. 

Nashua; enl. July 25, '61; must, in .-Xug. 23, "61, as 

Corp.; resigned warrant Jan. 1, '62; disch. disab. 

May 7, '62, Edisto Isl., S. C. See 10 N. H. V. 
Willard, Nathaniel I.. Co. F; b. Georgia, Vt.; age 36; 

res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 2, '61 ; must, in Aug. 23, '61, 

as. priv.; must, out Aug. 23, '64. 
Willoughby, Varnum T. Co. F; b. HoUis; age 32 ; res. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 12, '61 ; must, in .\ug. 23, '61, as 

priv.; tr. to I. C, July 15, '63 ; assigned to Co. F, 10 I. 

C; disch. Aug. 17, '64, to date .-Vug. 15, '64, New York 

city, tm. ex. Died Oct. 3, 'go, Ilollis. 
Wyman George L. Co. F; b. Goffstown ; age 21; res. 

Nashua; enl. .\ug. 9, '61; must, in .\ug. 23, '61, as 

priv.; wd. May 16, '64, Drewry's Bluff, \'a.; must, out 

.\ug. 23, '64. P. O. ad., West Manchester. 



FOURTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[THKKK VE.\R.S.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



Port Royal, vS. C Nov. 7, 1861 

James Island, S. C, . . . June 10, 1862 

Pocotaligo, S. C, . . . Oct. 22, 1S62 
Siege of Fort Wagner, Morris 

Island, S. C, . J'll.v 10 to Sept. 6, 1863 
Siege of Fort Sumter, vS. C, 

vSept. 7, 1863, to Jan. 15, 1864 

Swift Creek, (or Arrowfield 

Church), Va., . . May 9, 1864 

Drewry's Bluff, \'a., . May 14-16, 20, 1864 

Balch, John Jr. Co. C; b. Johnson, Vt.; age 24; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 3, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv; re-enl. Feb. 20, '64; must, in Feb. 28, '64; wd. 
June 7, '64, Cold Harbor, Va.; disch. to date Aug. 

23. '65- 
Benian, Alfred H. Co. B ; b. Malone, N. Y.; age 27; res. 

Nashua; enl. .-Vug. 20, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 

priv; disch. disab. Aug. 5, '62, Beaufort, S. C. See 

V. R. C. 
Brackett, Charles R. Co. B ; b. Souiersworth ; age 18; res. 

Somersworth ; enl. Sept. 3, '61 ; must, in .Sept. 18, '61, 

as muse; re-enl. Feb. 16, '64; cred. Nashua; must. 

in Feb. 28, '64 ; must, out Aug. 23, '65. 
Bussell, John B. Co. B; b. Holliston, Mass.; age 21; res. 

Nashua; enl. Sept. 14, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 

Corp.; app. sergt. May 8, '63; must, out Sept. 27, '64. 

P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Butler, .\ugustus. Co. B; b. Canada; age 25; res. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 31, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 

priv; disch. to <late Sept. 27, '64, tm. ex. See state 

service. 
Butler, Leonard. Co. B; b. Burlington, Vt.; age 20; res. 

Nashua; enl. Sept. 5, '61; mus. in Sept. 18, '61, as 

priv; must, out Sept. 27, '64. 



Near Bernuula Hundred, Va., 

May 17, 19, 21- 
Cold Harbor, \"a., . . June 4- 

Petersburg, Va., . . . June 

Siege of Petersburg, \'a., June 23 to July 
Mine explosion, Petersburg, \'a., July 
Deep Bottom, \'a., . . Aug. 14- 
New Market Heights, (Fort 

Gilmer), \'a., .... Sept. 
Fort Fi.sher, N. C, . . . Jan. 
Fort Anderson, N. C, . . Feb. 



28, 1864 
12, 1864 
16, 1864 

29, 1864 

30, 1 864 
16, 1864 

29, 1864 

15. 1865 

18, 1865 



Butler, ilitcholl M. Co. B; b. Canada; age 36; res. 
Nashua; enl. .A.ug. 28, '6i ; must, in .Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Mar. 11, '63, Beaufort, S. C. Sup- 
posed identical with Michael M. Butler, state service. 

Clifford, Frederick G. Co. B; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 18; 
res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 28, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, 
as priv.; wd. June 24, '64, near Petersburg, Va.; re- 
ported on m. o. roll dated Sept. 27, '64, as absent wd. 
since June 24, '64. N. f. r. A. G. O. Died Mar. i, '91, 
Baton Rouge, La. See state service. 

Connolly, Michael. Co. C; b. Longford, Ire.; age 21; 
res. Manchester; enl. Sept. 2, '61; must, in Sept. 18, 
'61, as priv; re-enl. Feb. 16, '64; cred. Nashua; must, 
in F'eb. 28, '64; captd. May 16, '64, Drewry's Bluff, 
\a. Died, dis. Sept. 12, '64, Andersonville, Ga. 
.\ warded "Gillmore Medal " by Maj.-Gen. Q. A. Gill- 
more, for gallant and meritorious conduct during 
operations before Charleston, S. C. Supposed i<Ienti- 
cal with Michael Connelly, state service. 

Cook, George W. Co. C; b. Tamworth ; age 23; res. 
Nashua; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; must, in 
Aug. 14, '62, as priv.; w'd. Oct. 22, '62, Pocotaligo, S. 
S.; captd. May 16, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va. Died 
June 7, '64, Richmond, Va. 



346 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Cook, Charles E. Co. C: b. New Hampshire; age 18; 

res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 3, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61. 

as priv.; re-enl. Feb. 18. '64; must, in Feb. 28, '64; 

app. Corp.; captd. May 20, '64, Drewr^-'s Bluff, Va.; 

par. Dec, '64; app. sergt. Mar. i, '65; com. sergt. 

June 18, '65; disch. Julv 17. '65, Raleigh, N. C. 
Cook. William H. Co. C; b. Madison; age 21; res. 

Nashua; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; must, in 

Aug. 14, '62, as priv.; app. Corp.; captd. May 20, '64, 

Drewry's Bluff, Va.; released Dec. 11, '64; app. 2 It. 

Mar. I, '65; not must.; disch. June 12, '65, as Corp., 

Concord. P. O. ad., Pomona, Fla. 
Crooker, Charles T. Co. C ; b. Bow ; age 18 ; res. Amherst ; 

enl. Aug. 26, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as priv.; disch. 

disab. Sept. 28, '62, Beaufort, S. C. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

See 10 N. H. V. 
Crosby, Thomas W. Co. C; b. Wilton; age 38; res. 

Nashua; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 13, '62 ; must, in 

Aug. 14, '62. as priv. ; disch. disab. Oct. 5, '63, Morris 

Isl., S. C. Died Feb. 19, '75, Nashua. 
Cutler, Andrew B. Co. D; b. Nashua; age 23; res. San- 

bornton; enl. July 31, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, 

as priv. ; re-enl. and must, in Jan. i, '64; captd. Aug. 

16, '64, Deep Bottom, Va. Died Dec. 22, "64, Salis- 
bury, N. C. 

Danforth, Stephen E. Co. B; b. Amherst; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 5, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv. Died, dis. Nov. 2:, "61, Ft. Munroe, Va. 

Darling, Granville D. Co B ; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 22; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 8, '6r ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, 
as priv. ; wd. June 28, '64, Petersburg, Va.; must, out 
Sept. 27, '64. P. O. ad., Lowell, Mass. 

Downey, Thomas. Co. C; substitute; b. Ireland ; age 23; 
res. Nashua; cred. Hill; enl. Oct. 19, '63 ; must, in 
Oct. 20, '63, as priv.; must, out Aug. 23, '63. P. O. 
ad., Nat. home, Togus, Me. 

Doyle, Patrick. Co. B; b. Kerry, Ire.; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. .^ug. 28, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in Feb. 20, '64; wd. June 7, 
'64, Cold Harbor, Va.; app. corp.; must, out Aug. 23, 
'65. Died Oct. 14, '85, Chelsea, Me. 

Duncklee, Lorenzo P. Co. C; b. Milford ; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 27, '6r ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Sept. 27, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Fahey, Edward. Co. A; substitute; b. Lancaster, N. Y.; 
age 18; res. New York; cred. Nashixa ; enl. Oct. 6, 
'63; must, in Oct. '63, as priv; must, out Aug. 23, '65. 

Farley, Clinton. Co. K; b. Londonderrj' ; age 22; res. 
Bedford; enl. Sept. 7, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv; re-enl. and must, in Feb. 28, '64; cred. Man- 
chester; must, out Aug. 23, '65. Died Oct. 6, '88, 
Nashua. 

Fisher, Albert O. Co. C ; b. Nashua ; age 17 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Aug. 27, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as priv ; re- 
enl. Feb. 18, "64; must, in Feb. 28, '64; app. corp.; 
captd. May 20, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va. Died Sept. 

17, '64, .\ndersonv)lle, Ga. 

Fisher, Charles M. Co. C ; b. Woodstock, Vt.; age 23; 
res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 26, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, 
as Corp.; disch. di.sab. Dec. i, '61, Hilton Head, S. C. 

Flinn, Albert N. Co. B; b. Biddeford, Me.; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. vSept. 4, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv; app. corp. Mar. 1, '63; must, out Sept. 27, '64. 
P. O. ad., Nashua. 



Flinn. James E. Co. B; b. Dover; age 29; res. Nashua; 

enl. Sept. 7, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as priv.; 

disch' disab. Feb. 11, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. 
Gay, Alonzo. Co. B; b. Groton, Mass.; age 20; res. 

Nashua; enl. .^ug. 24, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 

priv; app. wagoner re-enl. Feb. 24, '64; must, in Feb. 

28, '64; disch. disab. Mar. 27, '65, Concord. P. O. 

ad., Nashua. See i N. H. V. 
Gay, Leonard A. Co. B; b. Groton, Mass.; age 25; res. 

Nashua; enl. vSept. 4, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 

sergt.; re-enl. Feb. 16, '64; must, in Feb. 28, '64; wd. 

July 30, '64, mine explosion, Petersburg, Va.; app. i 

It. Nov. 9, '64; capt. Aug. 23, '65; not must.; must. 

out Aug. 23, '65, as I It. P. O. ad., Nashua. See i 

N. H. V. 
Gray, Charles A. Co. B; b. Shrewsbury, Mass.; age 41 ; 

res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 21, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, 

as priv; app. corp. Jan. 24, '62; sergt. Ma_v 4, '63; 

must, out Sept. 27, '64. 
Gray, John. Co. B ; b. Tyrone, Ire.; age 20 ; res. Nashua; 

enl. Aug. 30, '61; must, in Sept. i8, '61, as priv.; re- 
enl. F'eb. 24, '64; must, in Feb. 28, '64; must, out 

Aug. 23, '65. .See i N. H. V. 
Greeley, George P. V. and S.; b. Nashua ; age 28 ; res. 

Nashua; app. asst. surg. Aug. 20, '61 ; must, in Sept. 

18, '61 ; app. surg. Oct. 8, '62 ; disch. Oct. 23, '64. 

Died Dec. 27, '92, St. Augustine, Fla. See 2 N. H. V. 
Greenleaf, Richard O. Co. B ; b. South Berwick, Me.; 

age 35 ; res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 14, '61, as priv.; app. 

capt. Sept. 20, '61 ; must, in to date Sept. 18, '61, as 

capt.; app. niaj. Aug. 24, '64; declined app.; disch. 

Nov. I, '64, to date Sept. 26, '64, as capt.. Concord, 

tm. ex. P. O. ad., Nashua. See i N. H. V. 
Hale, IMartin. Co. C; b. Nashua; age 20; res. Wilton; 

enl. Aug. 19, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as priv ; must. 

out Sept. 27, '64. See i N. H. V. 
Harris, Charles A. Co. B; b. Leominster, Mass.; age 25; 

res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, 

as sergt.; reduced to ranks May 20, '64; app. corp. 

July 12, '64; must, out Sept. 27, '64. See i N. H. V. 
Harris, George H. Co. E; b. Franklin; age 20; res. 

Manchester; enl. Aug. 19, '61; must, in vSept. 18, '61, 

as priv; must, out Sept. 27, '64. Died Apr. 23, '85, 

Nashua. 
Harris, William R. Co. B; b. Woodstock; age 19; res. 

Nashua; enl. July 29, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 

priv.; disch. disab. Oct. 26, '63, Morris Isl., S. C. 
Hunt, Israel T. Non-com. staff; b. Nashua; age ig; enl. 

Sept. 9, '5r ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as hosp. steward ; 

disch. disab. July 12, '62, St. Augustine, Fla. P. 

O. ad., Boston, Mass. See 2 N. H. V. 
Jackman, John H. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 29; res. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 27, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 

priv.; must, out Sept. 27, '64. Died F'eb. 13, '80, 

Nashua 
Jones, .\rchible R. Co. B; b. Jefferson, Me.; age ':43;'. 

res. Nashua; enl, .\ug. 30, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, 

as priv.; disch. disab. Feb. 11, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. 

See 9 N. H. V. 
Jones, George D. Co. B; b. Milford; age 18; res. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 29, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 

priv.; re-enl. Feb. 20, '64; must, in Feb. 28, '64; app. 

sergt. May, '65; must, out .\ug. 23, '65. P. O. ad., 

Woburn, Mass. See i N. H. V. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



347 



Keiinj', George X. Co. C; b. Milford ; age 19; res. 
Nasliua; cred. Nashua; eiil. Aug. 28, '62; must, in 
Aug. 28, '62, as priv.; clisch. disab. May 25, '65, Nashua. 
Died Feb. 11, '66. Nashua. 

Kimball, John R. Co. B; 1). Nashua; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 30, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
Corp.; app. sergt., '62; wd. sev. Oct. 22, '62, Poco- 
taligo, S. C; captd. M.sj- 20. '64, Drewry's Bluff, \'a.; 
par. Nov. '64; disch. Jan. 3. "65, Concord. P. (). ad.. 
Brooklyn. N. V. See i N. H. V. 

Leroy, Daniel, alias Daniel Thompson. Co. A; substi- 
tute; b. New York city; age 27; res. Chicago, 111.; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, '63; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as 
priv.; wd. June, '64; reported on m. o. roll dated Aug. 
23, '65, as absent; sick since June 6, '64, I'ortsmoulh 
Grove, R. I. N. f. r. A. G. O. P. O. ad., Lewis 
Rum, I'a. 

Libby, Horace W. Co. C; b. Goshen; age 2r; res. 
Nashua; enl. ,Sept. 12, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; disch. Sept. 19, '64, New York city, tm. ex. 

Lund, Henry C. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 19; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 2, '61; must, in .Sept. 18, '6r, as priv.; re- 
enl. P'eb. 16, '64; must, in Teb. 28, '64; app. corp.; 
killed Sept. 3, '64, near Petersburg, Va. 

Lyons, Newman. Co. B ; b. I/itchlield ; age 22 ; res. 
Nashua ; enl. Aug. 27, '61 ; must, in ,Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Sept. 27, '64. P. O. ad.. Nashua. 

Marckres, Samuel D. Co. H; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Manchester; enl. Aug. 26, '61 ; must, in .Sept. 18, '61. 
as priv.; re-enl. and must, in Feb. 28, '64; app. Corp.; 
must, out Aug. 23, '65. P. O. ad., Perry, la. See i 
N. H. Y. 

Harden, George A. Co. B; b. Deering; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 20. '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. Feb. 15, '64; must, in Feb. 28, '64; 
must, out .\ug. 23, '65. See 1 N. H. Y. 

McKean, George H. Co. B; b. Hollis; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 5, '61; must, in .Sept. 5, "61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Feb. 11. '62, Hilton Head, S. C. 
See 2 Co., N. H. H. art. 

Merwin, Barney S. Co. F; substitute; b. Roxbury, N. 
Y.; age 26; res. Roxbury, N. Y.; cred. Nashua; enl. 
Oct. 6, '63; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; captd. Aug. 
16, '64, Deep Bottom, Ya. Died Oct. 29, '64, Salis- 
bury, N. C. 

Montgomery, Francis W. Co.B; b. Massachusetts; age 41 ; 
res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 20, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, 61, 
as priv.; re. enl. Feb. 21, '64; must, in Feb. 28, '64; 
captd. May 16, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Ya.; escaped l"eb. 
26, '65; disch. July 28, '65, Raleigh, N. C. 

Moore, Charles H. Co. H; b. Hillsborough; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 18, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. l'"eb. 20, '64; must, in F'eb. 28, '64; app. 
q. m. sergt. Nov. 21, '64; i It. Co. F, Feb. 17, '65; 
disch. to date May 15, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Moseley Frank. Co. C; b. Westfield, Mass.; age 18; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. .\ug. 27, '62; must, in 
Aug. 28, '62, as priv.; disch. June 20, '65, Richmond, Ya. 

Moses, John H. Co. D; b. Nashua; age 18; res. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. 15, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as priv.; re- 
enl. Feb. 17, '64; cred. Canterbury; must, in I'eb. 28, 
'64; must, out Aug. 23, '65. P. O. ad., Oakland, Cal. 



Nichols, Grovenor D. Co.B; b. Amherst; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 2, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
sergt.; disch. disab. May 27, '62, Fernandina, Fla. P. 
O. ad., Nashua. See i N. H. Y. and Y. R. C. 

Nichols, John F. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 23 ; res. Nashua; 
enl. .Aug. 21, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as priv.; re- 
enl. Feb. 15, '64, as sergt.; must, in Feb. 28, '64; des. 
Aug. 9, '64, Boston, Mass. Died July 31, '83, Auburn, 
Me. .See 1 N. H. Y. 

Nichols, William H. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 28; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 2, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Apr. 26, '63, Hilton Head, S. C. 
P. O. ad., Manchester. See Y. R. C. 

Nolan, John. Co. G; b. Montpelier. Yt.; age 24; res. 
Nashua; enl. .Aug. 27, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '6t, as 
priv.; captd. Aug. 15, '64, Deep Bottom, Ya. Died, 
dis. Dec. 28, '64, Salisbury, N. C. .\warded "Gillmore 
Medal " by Maj.-Gen. Q. A. Gillmore, for gallant an<l 
meritorious conduct during operations before Charles- 
ton, S. C. 

Nolan, Thomas. Co. G.; b. Canada; age 20; res. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. 24, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as priv.; wd. 
July 23, '64, Petersburg, Ya.; must, out Sept. 27, '64. 
P. O. ad., Manchester. 

Noyes, James H. Co. B; b. Gardner, Mass.; age 25; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 16, "61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Oct. 19, '61, Annapolis, Md. Sup- 
posed identical with James H. Noyes, non-com. staff, 
6 N. H. Y. 

O'Brien, Patrick. Co. C; b. Ireland; age 27; res. 
Nashua; enl. .Aug. 27, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. Feb. 19, '64; must, in Feb. 28, '64; 
disch. Sept. 13, '65, Hartford, Conn. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Osgood, Reuben D. Co. B; b. Blue Hill, Jle.; age 26; 
res. Nashua ; enl. Sept. 7, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, 
as priv.; tr. to V . S. Signal corps Oct. 13, '63 ; re'enl. 
Mar. 18, "64; disch. Sept. 5, '65. Died Jan. 31, '91, 
Turner, Me. 

O'Sullivan, John P. Co. B; b. Kenmare. Ire.; age 41; 
res. Nashua; enl. May 17, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, 
as priv.; disch. disab. Feb. 7, '63, Beaufort, S. C. P. 
O. ad., Londonderry. 

Patnode, Augustine. Co. D; substitute; b. Canada; age 
29; res. New York, cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, "63; 
must, in Oct. 5, "63, as priv.; wd. May 20, '64, Drew- 
ry's Bluff, Ya.; must, out Aug. 23, '65. 

Patterson, James W. Co.B; b. Greensborough, Yt.; age 
21 ; res. Nashua; enl. Sept, 9, '61; must, in Sept. 18, 
•61, as priv. Died dis. Oct. 25, '61, Ft. Monroe, Ya. 

Perkins, Charles H. Co. B ; b. Nashua ; age 18; res. Nash- 
ua ; enl. -Aug. 23, '6t ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as Corp.; 
re-enl. Feb. 15, '64; must, in Feb. 28, '64; must, out 
.Aug. 23, '65. Died .Apr. 25, '92. See i N. H. Y. 

Perrin, PhineasJ. Co. B; b. Wheelock, Yt.; age4o; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61; must, in .Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Feb. 11, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. 

Philbrick, James A. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Merrimack; enl. Sept. 4, '61 ; must, in .Sept. 18, '61, 
as priv.; wd. July 26, '64, near Petersburg, Ya.; .Aug. 
16, '64, Deep Bottom, Ya.; disch. to ilale Sept. 27, '64, 
tm. ex. P. O. ad., yuincy, 111. 



34S 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Richardson, Milton. Co. C; b. Hillsborough; age 38; 
res. Nashua ; eul. vSept. 16, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, 
as priv.; disch. disab. Oct. 26, '62. Beaufort. S. C. 
Died Feb. 11, '81, Nashua. 

Sarsons, Eleazer L. Co. C; b. Lyme; age 25; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
sergt.; re-enl. Feb. 16, '65; must, in Feb. 28, '64; 
mis. May 20, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va.; gd. from mis.; 
app. I sergt.; i It. Co. A, Feb. 17, '65; capt. Co. F, 
June 2, '65 ; must, out Aug. 23, '65. See i N. H. V. 

Saunders, Frederick H. Co. B; b. Townsend, Mass.; age 
22 ; res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 2, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, 
'61, as priv.; re-enl. Feb. 20, '64; must, in Feb. 28 
'64; app. Corp.; wd. Jan. 15, '65, Ft. Fisher, N. C. 
Jan. 16, '65, explosion of magazine, Ft. Fisher, N. C. 
app. sergt. Mar. i, '65 ; disch. July 20, '65. P. O. ad., 
Candia. 

St. Cloud, Albert. Fnas'd ; substitute; b. Canada; age 
21 ; cred. Litchfield ; eul. Jan. 2, '65 ; must, in Jan. 2, 
'65, as priv.; sent Jan. 5, '65, from draft rendezvous. 
Concord ; delivered same date at Galloup's Isl., B. H., 
Mass.; sent Feb. 9, '65, to regt.; delivered Feb. 14, 
'65, at Bermuda Hundred, Va. N. f. r. A. G. O. Died 
May 4, '71, Nashua. 

Sullivan, William. Co. G; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Manchester; enl. Aug. 31, 61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '6i, 
as priv.; re-enl. Feb. 16, '64; must, in Feb. 28, '64; 
killed May 16, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va. 

Tenney, Hiram A. Co. C ; b. Mendon, Vt.; age 24 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 17, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
as priv.; disch. disab. Sept. 10, '64, Hilton Head, S. C. 

Thompson, John L. Co. B; b. Key West, Fla.; age 20; 
res. Jacksonville, Fla.; enl. Apr. 10, '62 ; must, in 
Apr. 10, '62, as priv.; re-enl. Feb. i5, '64; cred. 
Nashua; must, in Feb. 28, '64; must, out Aug. 23, '65. 
P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Tinker, Alvah G. Co. C; b. Marlow ; age 24; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 13, '62; must, in 
Aug. 14, '62, as priv.; wd. Oct. 22, '62, Pocotaligo, S. 
C; di.sch. disab. Feb. 27, '64, Beaufort, S. C. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 

Tinker, Hollis W. Co. B ; b. New Hampshire ; age 18 ; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, 
as priv.; re-enl. Feb. 20, '64; must, in Feb. 28, '64; 
app. Corp.; must, out Aug. 23, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Trow, Harlan. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 18; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 7, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as priv.; tr. to 
Battery B, i Art., U. S. A., Nov. 3, '62 ; app. Corp.; 
re-enl. Feb. 2, '64; app. sergt.; disch. Feb. 2, '67, Ft. 
Wadsworth, N. V. H., tm. ex. P. O. ad., Chelsea, 
Mass. 



Tuck, George S. Co. C; b. Nashua; age 18; res. Mil- 
ford ; enl. Aug. 31, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. Feb. 21, '64; cred. Manchester; must, 
in Feb. 28, '64; app. Corp.; disch. disab. Mar. 11, '65, 
Concord. Died Apr. i, '65, Milford. 

Upton, George H. Co. B; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 19; res. 
Amherst; enl. Sept. 14, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61. as 
priv.; app. corp. Mar. i, '63; must, out Sept. 27, '64. 
Died July 19, '71. Nashua. 

Watts, Hugh. Co. B; b. Peterborough; age 40; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 21, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
Corp.; disch. disab. Mar. 11, '63, Beaufort, S. C. 

Wetherbee, Edward A. Co. D; b. Nashua; age 27; cred. 
Wilton; enl. Aug. 9, '62; must, in Aug. 21, '62, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Mar. 11, "63, Beaufort, S. C. 

W'hite, Adelbert. Co. B; b. Georgia, Vt.; age 23; res. 
Nashua ; enl. Aug. 23, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as i 
sergt.; app. 2 It. Jan. 17, '62; cashiered Nov. 30, '62. 
See I N. H. V. 

Willis, Martin W. F. and S.; b. Easton, Mass.; age 40; 
res. Nashua; app. chaplain Aug. 20, '61; must, in 
Sept. 18, '61 ; disch. disab. June 20, '62, to date Jan. 
27, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. P. O. ad., St. Louis, Mo. 

Wintlirop, Alexander. Co. C; substitute; b. Andover, 
Mass.; age 18; res. Boston, Mass., cred. Nashua; enl. 
Oct. 6, '63 ; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; wd. Jan. 16, 
'65, explosion of magazine. Ft. Fisher, N. C; di.sch. 
May 24, '65, Ft. Schuyler, N. V. H. P. O. ad., 
Whitefield. 

Wood, Almon. Co. K ; b.Langdon; age 45; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Sept. 16, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as priv.; re- 
enl. Feb. 17, '64; must, in Feb. 28, '64; must, out 
Aug. 23, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Wood, George A. Unas'd ; b. Harvard, Mass.; age 18 ; 
res. Nashua, cred. Nashua ; enl. Aug. 23, '62 ; must, 
in Aug. 25, '62, as priv. N. f. r. A. G. O. Died Mar. 
23, '63, Nashua. 

Worthley, John. Co. C; b. Goffstown ; age 34; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. Feb. 20, '64; must, in Feb. 28, '64. 
Died dis. Sept. 5, '64, F't. Monroe, Va. 

Wright, Benjamin F". Co. B ; b. Nashua ; age 23 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 21, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Mar. 12, '63, New York cit}'. 

Wyman, William S. Co. B; b. Litchfield; age 20; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 30, '61; must, in Sept. 18, '61, as 
priv.; wd. Oct. 22, '62, Pocotaligo, S. C; disch. to 
date Sept. 27, '64, tm. ex. See 1 N. H. V. 

York. William F. Co. B; b. Roxbury, Mass.; age 28; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 2, '61 ; must, in Sept. 18, '61, 
as priv.; disch. disab. Sept. 12, '62, Beaufort, S. C. P. 
O. ad., Nashua. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 
FIFTH REGIMENT NFW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



349 



[TIIRKK YEARS. 



ENGAGEMENTS. 



Rappahannock River. \'a., . 
Vorklown, \'a., . April 2510 

Fair Oaks, \'a., .... 
Peach Orchard, \'a., . 
vSavage's Station, \"a., 
White Oak .Swamp, (Gk-nchilu or 
Charles City Cross Roads ) ,\'a. , 
Malvern Hill, \'a., 
Hoonsljorough,, Md., . 
Antietani, Md., .... 
Snicker's Gap, \'a., 
Fredericksburg, Va., . 
Chancellorsville, \'a., 
Gettvsburg, Pa., 



Mar. 


28, 


1862 


May 


4. 


1862 


June 


I, 


1862 


June 


29, 


1862 


June 


29. 


1862 


June 


.10, 


1862 


J Illy 


I, 


1862 


Sept. 


15. 


1862 


Sept. 


17- 


1862 


Nov. 


2 


1862 


Dec. 


13, 


1862 


May 1 


f-5. 


1863 


July ; 


2.3. 


1863 



Cold Harbor, \'a., . . June 2-12, 

Siege of Petersburg, Va., June 16 to July 26; 

30 to Aug. 12 ; Aug. 21 to Dec. 7, 1864 ; 

10, 1864, to April 2, 1865. 
Jerusalem Plank Road, \'a., . June 22, 
Deep Bottom, Va., July 27, Aug. 16, 

Ream's Station, Va., . . . Aug. 25, 
Reconnoissance to Hatcher' Run, 

Va., Dec. 8,9, 

Fort Stedman, Va Mar. 25, 

Diiuviddie Court House, Va., Mar. 31, 

Sailor's Creek, Va Apr. 6, 

Farmville, Va., .... Apr. 7, 



1864 
July 
Dec. 

1864 
1864 
1864 

1864 
1865 
1865 
1865 
1865 



.•\ustiii, Ricliard. Co.C. ; .substitute; b. England , age 23 ; 
cred. Nashua; enl. ."^ug. 24, '64; must, iu .\ug. 24, '64, 
as priv.; must, out June 28, '65. 

Cahill, Philip, t'nas'd ; substitute; b. Ireland; age 25 ; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 18, '64; must, in .^ug. 18, '64, 
as priv.; received .■\ug. 18, '64, at draft rendezvous, 
Concord; sent Aug. 27, '64, to regt. N. f. r. A. G. O. 

Carlsou, John. Unas'd ; substitute; b. Gottenburg, 
Sweden; age 23; cred. Nashua; enl. Sept. 8, '64; 
must, in Sept. 8, '64, as priv.; disch. Nov. 30, '65, 
Concord. 

Clark, James. Unas'd ; substitute ; b. St. John, N. B.; 
age 28; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 15, '64; must, in 
Aug. 15, '64, as priv.; received Aug. 15. '64, at draft 
rendezvous, New Haven. Conn.; sent .^ug. 27, '64, to 
regt. N. f. r. A. G. O. 

Clifford, George. Unas'd; substitute; b. Ireland; age 
21 ; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 19, '64; must, in Aug. 19, 
'64, as priv.; received Aug. 19, '64, at draft rendezvous, 
Concord ; sent Aug. 27, '64, to regt. N. f. r. A. G. O. 

Cook, Charles. Co. .A; substitute; b. St. John, N. B.; 
age 21 ; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 22, '64; must, in .Aug. 

22, '64, as priv. Died, dis. Oct. 28, '64, City Point, Va. 
Duffey, .\llen. Unas'd ; substitute ; b. Prince Edward's 

Island; age 21; cred. Nashiia; enl. Aug. 24. '64; 
must, in .Aug. 24, '64, as priv.; received Aug. 24, '64, 
at draft rendezvous. Concord ; sent .^ug. 27, '64, to 
regt. N. f. r. A. G. O. 
Elginger, Daniel. Co. \\ substitute; b. Germany; age 
24; cred. Nashua; enl. .\ug. 23, '64; must, in Aug. 

23, '64, as priv.; app. Corp.; must, out June 28, '65. 
Estey, William H. Co. B ; substitute; b. St. John, N. B.; 

age 21; cred. Nashua; enl. .\ug. 31, '64; must, in 
.\ug. 31, '64, as priv.; <lisch. disab. .\pr. 27, '65, Pt. 
Lookout, Md. 
I''leniming, John, t'nas'd; siiljstilute ; b. New York ; age 
20; cred. Nashua; enl. .\ug. 22, '64; must, in .\ug. 
22, '64, as priv.; received -\ug. 22, '64, at Concord ; 
.sent .\ug. 27, '64, to regt. N. f. r. A. (i. O. 



Fletcher, George S. Co. K ; b. Hancock ; age 23 ; res. 
Lempster; enl. Sept. 5, '61 ; must, in Oct. 12, '61, as 
Corp.; wd. June 30, '62, White Oak Swamp, Va.; app. 
sergt. -Aug., '62; wd. Dec. 13, '62, Pre<Iericksburg, 
Va.; app. i sergt.; tr. toV. R. C. Apr. 19, '64; unas'd ; 
disch. disab. .^ug. 20, '64, as priv., David's, 111., N. V. 
H. Died Nov. 21, '67, Nashua. See i N. H. V. 

Friery, John. Unas'd; substitute; b. Ireland; age 2i ; 
cred. Nashua ; enl. Aug. 23, '64; must, in Aug. 23, '64, 
as priv.; received Aug. 23, '64, at draft rendezvous. 
Concord ; sent .\ug. 27, '64, to regt. N. f. r. A. G. O. 

Gibson, Daniel. Co. .A; b. Shelburne, Vt.; age 30; res. 
Concord (Fisherville, now Penacook); enl. Sept. 28, 
'61; must, in Oct. 12, '61, as sergt.; wd. sev. Sept. 17, 
'62, Antietani, Md.; disch. disab. Mar. 9, '63, Freder- 
ick, Md. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Heald, .\lfred W. Co. K; b. Dublin; age 25; res. Mil- 
ford; cred. Milford ; enl. Aug. 9, '62; must, in .Aug. 
9, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Oct. 24, '62, Washington, 
D. C. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Healey, Harmon G. Co. I; substitute; b. New York; 
age 28; cred. Nashua; enl. .\ug. 23, '64; must, in 
Aug. 23, '64, as priv.; must, out June 28, '65. 

Holt. .A.ncil D. Co. K; b. Weston, Vt.; age 38; res. 
Peterborough; enl. Sept. 5, '61; must, in Oct. 12, '61, 
as priv.; disch. disab. June 5, '62, Washington, D. C. 
Died June 4, '90, Nashua. 

Hope, Ceorge. Co. H; substitute; b. Troy, N. Y.; age 
21; res. Waterford, Mass.; cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 
6, '63; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; wd. .\pr. 7, '65. 
I'arniville. Va.; disch. June 26, '65, Philadelphia, Pa. 
P. O. ad., Plainville, N.J. 

Johnson, Elijah W. Co. I; b. L3'man ; age 34; res. 
Canaan; enl. .\ug. 23, '61, as priv.; app. 1 It. Oct. 12, 
'61 ; must, in to date Sept. 27, '61, as i It.; disch. Jan. 
28, '62. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 11 N. H. V. 

Marsh, Frank E. Co. G; b. Uxbridge, Mass.; age 29; 
res. Claremont; enl. Sept. 15, '61 ; must, in Oct. 12, 
"61, as wagoner; must, out Oct. 29, '64. P. O.ad., 
Nashua. 



?50 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



McGlennan, James. Unas'd ; substitute; b. Ireland ; age 
21 ; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 22, '64; must, in Aug. 
22, '64. as priv.; received Aug. 22, '64, at draft ren- 
dezvous, Concord ; sent Aug. 27, "64, to regt. N. f. 
r. A. G. O. 

Morgan, John. I'nas'd; substitute; b. Ireland; 2ge 23; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 18, '64; must, in Aug. 18, '64, 
as priv.; received Aug. 18, '64, at draft rendezvous, N. 
H.; sent Aug. 27, '64, to regt. N. f. r. A. G. O. 

Moody, Charles T. Co. H; b. Claremont ; age 18; res. 
Manassas, Va.; enl. March 18, '62 ; must, in Apr. 20, 
'62, as muse; disch. Apr. 19, '65, Burkeville. Va., 
tni. ex. P.O. ad., Nashua. 

Parody, Frederick. Co. A; substitute; b. Ouebec, Can.; 
age 42; cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, '63; must, in Oct. 
6, '63, as priv.; tr. to V. R. C. Apr. 15, '64, and as- 
signed to 30 Co.; 2batt'l; disch. Nov. 28, '65. 

Preston, Harry. Unas'd; substitute; b. Pennsylvania; 
age 19; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 24, '64; must, in 
Aug. 24, '64, as priv., received Aug. 24, '64, at draft 
rendezvous, Concord; sent Aug. 27, '64. to regt. N. f. 
r. A. G. O. 

Rol>bins, Isaiah, Jr. Co. K ; drafted ; b. Surry ; age 23 ; 
res. Keene, cred. Keene ; drafted Oct. g, '63; must, 
in Oct. 9, '63, as priv.; wd. June 3, "64, Cold Harbor, 
Va.; disch. disab. May 28, '65, Manchester. P. O.ad., 
Nashua. See miscel. organizations. 



Roberts, Walter. Co. E; substitute; b. England; age 
21; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 24, '64; must, in Aug. 
24, '64, as priv.; must, out June 28, '65. P. O. ad., 
Delmar, Del. 

.Stevens, William. Unas'd; substitute; b. Canada; age 
19; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 20, '64; must, in Aug. 20, 
'64, as priv.; received Aug. 20, '64, at draft rendezvous. 
Concord; sent Aug. 27, '64, to regt. N. f. r. A. G. O. 

Tenney, Carlos K; Co. A; substitute; b. Toronto, Can.; 
age 21 ; res. Royalton, Vt.; cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, 
'63; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; wd. June 17, '64. 
near Petersburg; Va.; captd. Aug. 16, '64, Deep Bot- 
tom, Va.; par. Oct. 9, '64; must, out June 28, '65. P. 
O. ad.. Concord. 

Wilson, John. Co. H; substitute; b. Dublin, Ire.; age 
25; res. " Pattertown, — ," cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, 
'63; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv. Died Jan. 7, '64, Pt. 
Lookout, Md. 

Wood, Levi. Co. I; substitute; b. Canada; age 21 ; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 8, '64; must, in Aug, 8, '64, as 
priv.; wd. Apr. 7, '65, Farniville, Va. Died, wds. 
May 20, '65, Annapolis, Md. 

Woods, William. Co. G; b. Nashua; age 19; res. Chales- 
town ; enl. Sept. 27, '61; must, in Oct. 12, '61, as priv.; 
wd. Sept. 17, '62, Antietam, Md.; Dec. 13, '62, Fred- 
ericksburg, Va.; re-enl. and must, in Feb. 19, '64; 
app. sergt.; killed June '17, '64, near Petersburg, Va. 



SIXTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[THREE YEARS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



Camden, N. C Apr. 19, 1862 

Bull Run, Va Aug. 29, 30, 1862 

Chantilly, Va Sept. i, 1862 

South Mountain, Md., . . Sept. 14, 1862 

Antietam, Md Sept. 17, 1862 

White Sulphur Springs, Va., . Nov. 15, 1862 
Fredericksburg, \'a., . . . Dec. 13, 1862 
Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., June i4to Juh'4, 1863 
Jackson, Miss., . . . July 10-16, 1863 

Wilderness, Va., . . . May 6, 1864 

Spottsylvania, Va., . . Maj- 8-20, 1864 

North Anna River, \'a., . May 23-26, 1864 



May 30, 31, 1864 
. June 2, 3, 1864 
. June 4-12, 1864 



Totopotomoy, Va., 
Bethesda Chttrch, Va., 
Cold Harbor, Va., 
Siege of Petersburg, Va., . 

June 16, 1S64 to Apr. 3, 1865 
Mine Explosion, Petersbtirg, \'a., 

(assault) ..... July 30, 1864 
Weldon Railroad, \'a., . Aug. 20-22, 1864 

Poplar Springs Church, \'a., Sept. 30, Oct. i, 1864 
Hatcher's Run, \'a., . . . Oct. 27, 1S64 

Petersburg, Va., . . . Apr. i, 2, 1865 



Bancroft, Samuel P. Co. G; b. Pepperell, Mass.; age 21 ; 
res. Nashua; enl. Nov. 13, '61; must, in Dec. 6, '61. 
as priv.; app. corp. Mar. 10, '62; wd. .\ug. 29, '62, 
Bull Run, Va.; tr. to Co. A, 8. I. C, Nov. 15, '63; 
disch. Dec. 5, '64, as sergt., Chicago, 111., tm. ex. 

Campbell. John. Co. I ; b. Westford. Mass.; age 43 ; cred. 
Somersworth; enl. Jan. 2, '64; must, in Jan. 2, '64, as 
priv.; disch. Aug. 21, '65, Washington, D. C. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 

Clark, George S. Co. K; b. Claremont; age 26; res. 
Peterborough; enl. Dee. 11, '61 ; must, in Dec. 11, '61, 
as priv.; disch. disab. Mar. 23, '62, Roanoke Isl. N. 
C. P. O. ad., Nashua. 



Cutler, George W. Co. G; b. Boston, Mass.; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 26, '61; must, in Dec. 6, '61. as 
priv.; disch. disab. Mar. 4, '62, Roanoke Isl., N. C. 
See 9 N. H. V. and V. R. C. 

Dickerman, Samuel R. Co. G; b. Mason; age 33; res. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. '6, '61; must, in Dec. 6, '61, as 
priv.; mis. Aug. 29, '62, Bull Run, Va.; gd. from mis. 
Nov. 28, '61 ; app. com. sergt. Jan. i, '64 ; re-enl. and 
must, in Jan. i, '64; became insane ; reduced to ranks 
Jul}- I, '64; assigned to Co. I; captd.; last seen at 
.\ndersonville, Ga., Sept., '64. N. f. r. A. G. O. 

Emerson, Edward M. Co. G; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Nashua ; app. 2 It. May 16, '62 ; must, in May 16. '62 ; 
wd. and captd. Aug. 29, '62, Bull Run, Va.; released ; 
disch. disab. Dec. 3, '62. See miscel. organizations. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



351 



Iladley, Osgood T. Co. Iv ; b. Nashua; age 24; res. 

Peterborough; eul. Oct. 9, '61 ; must, in Nov. 28, '6f, 

aspriv.; w<l. Dec. 13, '62, Fredericksburg, Va.; app. 

Corp.; re-enl. and must, in Dec. 30, '63; app. sergt.; 

must, out July 17, '65. 
Howard, William J. Co. A ; substitute; b. England ; age 

30; cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, '63; must, in Oct. 6, 

'63, as priv.; mis. May 6, '64, Wilderness, Va.; gd. 

from mis.; app. corp. July i, '65 ; must, out Julj' 17, '65. 
Moore, Isaac. Co. O ; b. Canterbury ; age 31 ; res. Nashua ; 

enl. Nov. 14, '61 ; must, in Dec. 6, '61, aspriv.; disch. 

Dec. 5, '64, tni. ex. 
Noyes, James H. Non-com. staff and I', and S.; age 25; 

res. Nashua; enl. Nov. 29, '61 ; must, in Nov. 29, '61, 

as liosp. steward ; app. 2 asst. surg. May 13, '62 ; 

captd. Sept. I, '62, Chantilly, Va.; released Sept. 9, 

'62; app. asst. surg. Mar. 20, '63; surg. Jan. 2, '65; 

must, out July 17, '65. Supposed identical with James 

H. Noyes, Co. B. 4 N. H. V. 
Robbins, Jeremiah O. Co. I; b. Nashua; age 26; cred. 

Alton; enl. Jan. i, '64; must, in Jan. i, '64, as priv.; 

must, out July 17, '65. 



Otterson, George W. Co. G ; b. Hookselt; age 18; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 13, '62; must, in 
Aug. 14, '62, as priv.; app. corp.; wd. July 30, '64, 
mine explosion, Petersburg, Va.; Apr. 2, '65, Peters- 
burg, Va.; disch. June 4, '65, near Alexandria, Va. 
P. O. ad., Pomona, I'la. 

Robbins, Josiali T. Co. I; b. Nashua; age 21; cred. 
Northfield; enl. Jan. i, '64; must, in Jan. i, '64, as 
priv.; captd. Oct. i, '64, Poplar Springs Church, Va.; 
released ; must, out July 17, '65. 

Stetson, Edwin. Co. A; b. Minot, Me.; age 43; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 26, '61; must, in Dec. 11, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Sept. 29, '63, Camp Dennison, 
Ohio. Died Dec. 30, '92, Nashua. 

Tracy, William A. V. and S. b. Tunbridge, Vt.; age 35; 
res. Nashua ; app. surg. Oct. 25, '61 ; must, in Nov. 
28, '61 ; resigned Mar. 15, '63. See miscel. organiza- 
tions. 

Whitmarsh, William \. Co. G; b. New Boston; age 18; 
res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 13, '62; must, 
in Aug. 14, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Dec. 3, '62, Bal- 
timore, Md. 



SEVKNTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[THRKK YEARS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



Morris Island, S. C, . Jtxly 10, 1863 

P'ort Wagner, S. C. ( ist assault) July 11, 1863 
Fort Wagner, S. C. (2d assault) July 18, 1863 
Siege of Fort Wagner, Morris 

Island, S. C, . July 10 to Sept. 6, 1863 

Siege of Fort Sumter, vS. C, 

Sept. 7 to Dec. 
Olustee, Fla., .... Feb. 
Chester Station, Va., . . May 

Lempster Hill ( or near Chester 

Station), Va., . . May 

Drewry's Bluff, Va., . . May 13 
Bermuda Hundred, Va., 

May iS, 20, 21, June 2-4, 18 
Near Petersburg, Va., . . June 

Ware Bottom Church, Va., . June 

Adams, Charles B. Co. B; b. Gloucester, Mass; age 18; 
res. Nashua; enl. Nov., '61 ; must, in Nov. 20, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in P'eb. 27, '64; wd. June 
16, '64, Ware Bottom Church, Va. Died. wds. June 17, 
'64, Pt. of Rocks. Va. 

Adams, James P. Co. B; b. Weare ; age 40; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 30, '61; must, in Nov. i, '61, aspriv. Died, 
dis. Aug. 25, '62, Beaufort, S. C. 

Austin, John W. Co. B; b. Salem; age 44; res. Nashua; 
enl. Nov. i, '61 ; must, in Nov. i, "61, as priv.; tr. to 
Co. K, Jan. i, '62; disch. disalj. June 5, '63, St. Augus- 
tine, Fla. 

.Austin, Mark J. Co. H; b. Hollis; age 24; res. Mollis ; 
enl. .Sept. 27, '61 ; must, in Nov. 12, '61, as priv.; app. 
sergt.; must, out Dec. 27, '64. Died Dec. 26, '82, 
Nashua. 



20, 


1863 


20, 


1864 


9. 


1864 


10, 


1864 


•16, 


1864 


18, 


1864 


9. 


1864 


16, 


1864 



Deep Bottom, Va., . . . Aug. 16, 1864 

Siege of Petersburg, Va., 

Aug. 24 to Sept. 28, 

New Market Heights. \'a., . Sept. 29, 

Near Richmond, \'a., . . Oct. i, 

New Market Road (or near Lau- 
rel Hill, or near Chafiin's Farm ) , 
Va., Oct. 7, 

Darbytown Road, \'a., . Oct. 13, 27, 28, 

Fort Fisher, N. C Jan. 15, 

Half Moon Battery, Sugar Loaf 
Hill, near Federal Point, N. 
C Jan. 18, 19, 

Sugar Loaf Battery, N. C, . F"eb. 11, 

Wilmington (or North-east I'er- 

rv), N. C Feb. 22, 



1864 
1864 
1864 



1864 
1864 
1865 



1.S65 
1865 

1865 



.\bodie, Alexander, alias Louis Dufour. Co. B ; substi- 
tute; b. Switzerland ; age 27 ; res. Boston, Mass.; cred. 
Nashua: enl. Oct. 6, '63 ; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; 
wd. and captd. Feb. 20, '64, Olustee, Fla.; escaped 
Mar. 20, '65, Charleston, S. C; disch. to date May 10, 
•65. P. O. ad.. Daltou, Mass. 

Barnes, Charles S. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 33; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 17, '61; must, in Nov. i, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in l"el). 27, '64; app. corp. 
June 8, '64; sergt. Jan. 1, '65; must, out July 20. "65. 

Bartlett, Edwin F. Co. H; b. Concord; age 21; res. 
Nashua: enl. Oct. 19, '61; must, in Dec. 14, '61, as 
priv. Died, dis. Jan. 10, '62, Manchester. 

Bills, Otis. Co. B; b. Ro.xbury, Mass.; age 28; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 23, '61; must, in Nov. 1, '61, as 
priv.; disch. to dale Dec. 22, '64. P. O. ad., Auiherst. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Bennett, Alfred N. Co. B; b. Tunbridge, Vt.; age 28; 

res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 26, '61; must, in Xov. i, '61, 

as I sergt.; app. 2 It. Co. D, Nov. i, '62; killed July 

18, '63, Ft. Wagner, S. C. 
Bixby, Byron. Co. A; b. Washington; age 19; res. 

Bradford; enl. Sept. 19, '61 ; must, in Oct. 29, '61, as 

priv.; app. corp. Nov. 22. '63; re-enl. and must, in 

Feb. 27, '64; cred. Nashua; app. sergt.; killed Jan. 

15, '65, Ft. Fisher, N. C. 
Botham, Sanford. Co. G; substitute; b. Windsor, Conn.; 

age 21; res. Hardwick, Mass.; cred. Nashua; enl. 

Oct. 6, '63; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; killed Sept. 

10, '64, near Petersburg, Va. 
Buell, Horace P. Co. K; age 33; res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 

23, '61; must, in Dec. 11, '61, as priv.; app. muse. 
Nov. 19, '64; must, out Dec. 27, '64. 

Burge, George A. Co. H ; b. Hollis ; age 18 ; res. Hollis ; 

enl. Oct. 7, '61 ; must, in Nov. 12, '61, as priv.; app. 

Corp. Aug. 25, '62; sergt. Dec. 9, '63; must, out Dec. 

27, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Burns, Thomas. Co. C ; substitute ; b. New York ; age 

22; res. Spencerport, N. Y.; cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 

6, '63; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; captd. Feb. 20, 

'64, Olustee, Fla.; par. Mar. 9, '65 ; disch. to date .\pr. 

22, '65. P. O. ad., Yeddo, Ind. 
Butterfield, George H. Co. K; b. Nashua; age 23; enl. 

Sept. 26, '61, at Manchester; must, in Dec. 11, '61, as 

priv.; disch. disab. June 26, '62, Ft. Jefferson, Fla. 
Cahill, James. Co. B; substitute; b. Liverpool, Eng.; 

age 22 ; cred. Nashua; enl. Dec. i, '64; must, in Dec. 

I, '64, as priv.; must, out July 20, '65. 
Cahill, Michael. Co. B; b. Ireland; age44; res. Nashua; 

enl. Oct. 29, '61 ; must, in Nov. i, '61, as priv.; must. 

out Dec. 27, '64. Awarded "Gillmore Medal" by 

Maj. Gen. Q. A. Gillmore, for gallant and meritorious 

conduct during operations before Charleston, S. C. 
Cavanaugh, Thomas. Co. C ; substitute; b. Ireland; age 

22; res. Boston, Mass.; cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, '63; 

must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; wd. and captd. Feb. 20, 

'64, Olustee, Fla.; released Mar. i, '65; disch. June 

12, '65, Annapolis, Md. P. O. ad., San Francisco, Cal. 
Chamberlain, George. Co. B; b. Vermont; age "44;" 

res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 4, '61 ; must, in Nov. i, '61, as 

priv.; disch. disab. June 5, '63, Fernandina, Fla. See 

V. R. C. 
Cobb, James .\. Co. B; b. Woodstock, Vt.; age 24; res. 

Nashua; enl. Oct. 17, '61; must, in Nov. i, '61, as 

sergt.; app. i sergt. Feb. 15, '63; 2 It. Aug. 8, '63; 

must, out Dec. 27, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. See i N. 

H. V. 
Cochran, Thomas W. Co. B; substitute; b. Ireland; age 

25; cred. Nashua; enl. Nov. 30, '64; must, in Nov. 

30, '64, as priv.; must, out July 20, '65. 
Colby. John. Co. B; b. Eaton ; age 44 ; res. Nashua; enl. 

Oct. 21, '61 ; must, in Nov. i, '61, as priv.; disch. disab. 

Feb. 18, '62, New York city. 

Corson, George F. Co. B; b. West Lebanon ; age 24; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 5, '61; must, in Nov. i, '61, as 
Corp.; app. sergt. Feb. 15, '63; r sergt, Jan. 8, '64; 
re-enl. and must, in Feb. 27, '64; wd. sev. Oct. i, '64, 
near Richmond, Va.; disch. May 28, '65. Died Sept. 

24, '88, Cleveland, Ohio. Awarded "Gillmore Medal" 
by Maj. -Gen. Q. .\. Gillmore, for gallant and meritori- 
ous conduct during operations before Charleston, S. C. 



Cummings, Leander H. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Hudson; enl. Oct. 3, '61; must, in Nov. i, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. May 6, '62; wd. and captd. July 

18, '63, Ft. Wagner, S. C. Died wds. July 28, '63, 
Charleston, S. C. 

Davis, Ezra. Co. B; age 39; res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 20. 
'61, as priv.; app. 2 It. Nov. i, '61 ; must, in Nov. i, 
'61 ; app. I It. Apr. 29, '62 ; wd. and captd. July 18, '63, 
I't. Wagner, S. C; exch. Died. wds. July 30, '63, 
on board transport in New York harbor. 

Dearliorn, John H. Co. B ; age 24; res. Nashua; enl. Dec. 
II, "61 ; must, in Dec. 11, '61, as priv.; must, out Dec. 
27. '64. 

Dissmore, Charles O. Co. D; b. Londonderry; age 23 ; 
res. Londonderry; enl. Oct. 15, '61 ; must, in Nov. 6, 
'61, as priv.; must, out Dec. 27, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Dodge, Thomas F. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 18; res. Lon- 
donderry; enl. Oct. 3, '61; must, in Nov. 1, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. May i, '63; re-enl. and must, in Feb. 
27, '64; cred. Londonderry; wd. June 16, '64, Ware 
Bottom Church, Va.; disch. Nov. 11, '64, to accept pro- 
motion. P. O. ad., Manchester. See 18 N. H. V. 

Emerson, George W. Co. B; b. Brighton, Mass.; age 19; 
res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 28, '61; must, in Nov. r, '61, 
as muse; re-enl. and must, in Feb. 27, '64; app. corp.; 
must, out July 20, '65. See i. N. H. V. 

Foss, Edward G. Co. B; b. Nashua; age "21;" res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 24, '61; must, in Nov. i, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. July 17, '62, Ft. Jefferson, Fla. 
Supposed identical with Edward Foss, U. S. navy. 
vSee V. R. C. 

Fox, Nathaniel. Co. C ; substitute; b. Philadelphia, Pa.; 
age 34 ; res. Boston, Mass.; cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, 
'63 ; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; wd. June 16, '64, 
Ware Bottom Church, Va.; capt. Oct. i, '64, near 
Richmond, Va. Died, dis. Dec. 3, '64, Salisbur)-, N. C. 

Gage, Hale. Co. B; b. Lyndeborough ; age 31; res. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 14, '61; must, in Dec. 14, '61, as 
priv.; disch. to date Feb. i, '62. 

Garland, Freeman A. Co. E; b. South Berwick, Me.; 
age 22; res. Canterburj' ; enl. Nov. 2, '61; must, in 
Nov. 7, '61, as priv.; disch. Dec. 16, '64, Varina, Va., 
tm. ex. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Gonrodore, John. Co. I; substitute; b. France; age 20; 
res. p'rance, cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, '63; must, in 
Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; must, out July 20, '65. 

Gould, Luther. Co. B; age 40; res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 

19, '61; must, in Nov. i, '61, as priv.; captd. July 18, 
'63, Ft. Wagner, vS. C; par. Died, dis. Oct. 30, "63, 
Annapolis, Md. 

Hale, Oliver H. Co.B;age3o; enl. Oct. I, '61, at Nashua ; 

must, in Nov. i, '61, as priv.; app. wagoner; must. 

out Dec. 27, '64. 
Harriston, Frank. Co. H; suljstitute ; b. Port Carl)on, 

Pa.; age 20; res. Port Carbon, Pa., cred. Nashua; 

enl. Sept. i, '63; must, in Sept. i, '63, as priv.; des. 

Nov. 6, '64, Staten Isl., N. Y. 
Hogan. Richard. Co. I; substitute; b. Troy, N. Y.; age 

21 ; res. Randolph, Mass., cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, 

'63; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; des. Nov. 10, '64, 

Staten Isl., N. Y. 
Holmes, James. Co. B; age 19; res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 

24, '61 ; must, in Nov. i, '61, as priv.; des. Feb. i, '62, 

New York citv. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



353 



Kelley, James. Co. K; substitute; b. Kastport, Me.; age 
22; res. Rastport, Me.; cred. Xasliua; enl. Oct. 6, 
'63; must, in Oct. 6. '63, as priv.; <lisch. May 30, '65, 
Ft. Monroe, \'a. 

King, Trancis. Co. II; substitute; b. Canada; age 19; 
cred. Grafton; enl. Nov. 4, '64; must, in Nov. 4, '64, 
a.s priv.; must, out July 20, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Lawrence, Charles A. Co. B; b. New Ipswich; age 33; 
res. Nashua; enl. .Sept. 30, '61; must, in Nov. 1, '61, 
as sergt.; wd. July 18, '63, Ft. Wagner, S. C; app. 2 
It. Co. D, July 19, '63; wd. June 18, '64, near Bermuda 
Hundred, Va.; Sept. 15, '64, Petersl)urg, Va.; app. 
capt. Co. b, Nov. 2, '64; tr. to Co. (i; must, out Julv 
20, '65. P. O. ad., Lawrence, Mass. 

Lawrence, Rdward F. Co. B; b. Clarendon, Vt.; age 18; 
res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 17, '61; must, in Nov. i, '61, 
as priv.; app. corp. Aug. 6, '63; disch. disab. Oct. 12, 
'64, Hilton Head, S. C. P. O. ad., Wilton. 

Lawrence, Orlando. Co. B; b. Clarendon, Vt.; age 28; 
res. Nashua; enl. .Sept. 21. '61, as priv.; app. capt. 
Nov. I, '61 ; must, in Nov. i, '61, as capt.; resigned 
Oct. 27, '62. P. O. ad., Lawrence, Mass. See i 
N. H. V. 

Longa, Carl. Co. K ; substitute; b. Sweden; age 21 ; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 23, '64; must, in Nov. 23, '64, as 
priv.; wd. Jan. 19, '65, Half Moon Battery, N. C. 
Died, wds. Feb. 7, '65, Ft. Schuyler, N. Y. H. 

McDonald, Daniel D. Co. B; age 23 ; res. Nashua; enl. 
Nov. 30, '61 ; must, in Nov. 30, '61, as priv. Died, 
dis. Sept. 23, '62, on board hospital ship. New York. 

McGowan, Edward. Co. C; substitute; b. Ireland; age 
21; res. Ireland, cred. Nashua ; enl. Oct. 6, '63; must, 
in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; captd. I'eb. 20, '64, Olustee, 
Fla.; exch. Nov. or Dec, '64 ; disch. Jan. 15, '65, An- 
napolis, Md. 

Miller, Thomas. Co. A; substitute; b. Providence, R. I.; 
age 21; res. Providence, R. I.; cred. Nashua; enl. 
Oct. 6, '63; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; des. July 8. 
'65, Goldsborough, N. C. 

Moore, William McLeod. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 20; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 20, '61 ; must, in Nov. i, '61, 
as Corp.; app. sergt. July 3, '62 ; reduced to ranks 
Jan. 10, '63 ; app. sergt. -maj. Nov. 23. '63 ; re-enl. and 
must, in Feb. 22, '64; disch. disab. June 27. '64. 



McSorley, James. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 18; res. 

Nashua; enl. Oct. 7, '6r ; must, in Nov. i, '61, as 

priv. Died, dis. Nov. 3, '62, St. .\ugustine, Fla. 
Page, George W. Co. B ; b. Litchfield ; age 29 ; res. 

Litchfield; enl. .Sept. 26, '61 ; must, in Nov. i, '61, as 

priv.; app. corp. Jan. 8, '64; re-enL and must, in Feb. 

27, '64; cred. Nashua; app. sergt. Jan. i, '65; i It. 

Jan. r, '65; not must.; must, out July 20, '65, as sergt. 

Died Nov. 21, '73, Litchfield. 
Palmer, George A. Co. K; b. Merrimack; age 18; res. 

Nashua; enl. Oct. 26, '61; must, in Dec. 11, '61, as 

priv.; disch. disab. July 17, '62, Ft. Jefferson, Fla. 
Patten, James G. Unas'd ; b. Nashua ; age 33; res. Hills- 
borough; cred. Hillsborough; enl. .Sept. u, '62; 

must, iu Sept. 11,61, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Nov. 

25, 62, .St. Augustine, Fla. 
Pratt, Benjamin R. Co. B; b. Oxford, Me.; age 25; res. 

Nashua; enl. Oct. 5, '6t ; must, in Nov. i, '6r, as 

Corp.; app. sergt. Feb. 15, '62; wd. sev. July 18, '63, 

Ft. Wagner, S. C; disch. disab. May 21, '64, New 

York city. 
Peterson, Erik. Co. B; b. Sweden; age 21; cred. Suna- 

pee; enl. Dec. 18, '63; must, in Dec. 18, '63, as priv.; 

app. Corp.; must, out July 20, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Rideout, Chafles G. Co. H; b. Nashua; age 21; res. 

Francestown ; enl. Oct. 14, '61; must, in Nov. 12, '61, 

as priv.; app. wagoner Apr., '64 ; must, out Dec. 27, 

•64. Died Oct. 31, '89, Milford. 
Riley, John. Co. C ; substitute ; b. Ireland ; age 21 ; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Dec. 2, '64; must, in Dec. 2, '64, as 

priv.; disch. July 20, '65. 
Sherwin, John R. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 

Nashua; enl. Sept. 24, "61; must, in Nov. i, '61, as 

priv.; captd. Feb. 20, '64, Olustee, F'la.; released Dec. 

30, '64; di.sch. Apr. 17, '65, Concord, tm. ex. P. O. 

ad.. Fall River, Mass. 
Tasker, Joseph P. Co. B; b. Loudon; age 38; res. 

Nashua; enl. Oct. 8, '61; must, in Nov. i, '61, as 

priv.; tr. to I. C. July 16, '63 ; assigned to Co. F, 10 I. 

C; disch. Oct. 10, '64, Baltimore, JId.. tm. ex. P.O. 

ad., Contoocook. 
Winn, Morris. Co. B ; age 23 ; res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 

24, '61 ; must, in Nov. 30, '61, as priv. Died, dis. 

.Sept. II, '62, Hilton Head, S. C. 



554 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 
EIGHTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[THREE YEARS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



Labadieville (or Georgia Land- 
ing, La.) Oct. 27, 1862 

Bayou Teche, La., (Co. B) . Jan. 14, 1863 

Port Hudson, La Mar. 14, 1863 

Bisland, La., . . . April 12-14, 1S63 

Siege of Port Hud.son, La., 

May 23 to July 9, 1863 

Sabine Pass, La., . . . Sept. 8, 1863 

Henderson's Hill (or Bayou 

Rapides), La., . . . Mar. 21, 1864 

Natchitoches, La Mar. 31, 1864 

Crump's Hill (or Piney Woods), 

La., Apr. 2, 1864 

Wilson's Farm, La Apr. 7, 1864 

Adams, Jonas. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 45; res. Nashua; 
enl. Oct. i5, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '6i,aspriv.; disch. 
disab. Feb. 22, '63, New Orleans, La. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Adams, Horace B. Co. A; b. Woodstock, Vt.; age 25; 
res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 4, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. K, 14 I. C, Mar. 6, "64; disch. Oct. 24, 
'64, Washington, D. C tm. ex. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Adams, William F. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 28; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 10, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; disch. Jan. 17, '63, New Orleans, La., to accept 
promotion. See i N. H. V. and U. S. C. T. 

Amsden, Eugene H. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 19; res. 
Milford; enl. Sept. 27, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
Corp. Died, dis. Sept. 5, '62, Carrollton, La. See 
state service. 

Andrews, Frank S. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 4. '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; killed June 14, '63, Port Hudson, La. 

Austin, John H. Co. D; b. Nashua; age 18; res. Man- 
chester; enl. Oct. 28, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
muse.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; tr. to Co. K, 
vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V., Jan. I, '65, as priv.; disch. Oct. 
28, '65, Vicksburg, Miss. P. O. ad., Kirksville, Mo. 

Bancroft, Frank C, alias Henry Colter. Co. A; b. Oxford, 
Mass.; age 18 ; res. Oxford. Mass.; enl. Sept. 26, '61 ; 
must, in Oct. 25, '61, as priv.; app. muse; re-enl. and 
must, in Jan. 4, '64; cred. Nashua; wd. May 15, '64, 
Moreanville, La.; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V., 
Jan. I, '65; must, out Oct. 28, '65. P. O. ad.. New 
Bedford, Mass. 

Barnes, Eldrous H. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 23, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Jan. 18, '65. P; O. 2d., The Weirs. 

Barnes, William H. Co. E; b. Cambridge, Mass.; age 
28; res. Nashua ; enl. Oct. 17, '61; must, in Dec. 20, 
'61, as sergt.; app. i sergt. Feb. 3, '63; 2 It. June i, 
'63; not must.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4. '64; app. 
I It. to date Dec. 16, '63; must, out Jan. 18, '65. 
Died Dec. 20, '84, Togus, Me. See i N. H. V. 



Sabine Cross Roads, La., . . Apr. 8, 1864 
Monett's Bluff (or Monett's Fer- 
ry), La., . . . . . Apr. 23, 1864 
Cane River, La., . . . Apr. 24, 1864 
Near Alexandria, La., . . Apr. 25, 1864 
Alexandria, La., . . . Apr. 26, 1864 
Near Alexandria, La., Apr. 27 to May 7, 1864 
Suagg5' Point (or Pineville ), La., Ma}- i, 1864 
Governor Moore's Plantation, La. May 2, 1864 
Moreauville (or Mansura, or 

Marksville), La., . . May 14-16, 1864 

Bayou de Glaize, La., . . Maj' 17, 1864 

Yellow Bayou, La., . . . May iS, 1864 



Barne}-, Francis A. Co. A ; b. Washington; age 17; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Jan. 18, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Barney, Hiram F. Co. A ; b. Washington ; age 25 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
Corp.; reduced to ranks June, '62; wd. sev. Donald- 
son, La.; disch. wds. vSept. 18, '63, New Orleans, La. 
P. O. ad., Boston Highlands, Mass. 

Barrett, William M. Co. A ; b. Hudson; age 44; res. 
Nashua; app. capt. Oct. 25, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61 ; 
app. It. col. June i, '63; not must.; disch. Oct. 24, '63 
as capt. Died Aug. 22, '71, Nashua. 

Barr3% John. Co. K; b. Concord, Mass.; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 13, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. Dec. i, '63 ; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 
4, '64 ; tr. to Co. C, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V., Jan. i, '65 ; 
must, out Oct. 28, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Barry, Lackey. Co. K; b. Fredericton, N. B.; age 19; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 13, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, 
as corp. Died, dis. Nov. 16, '62, Camp Kearney, La. 
See I N. H. V. 

Beggs, Michael. Co. K ; b. Kings count)-. Ire.; age 25 ; 
res. Nashua; enL Oct. 13, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, 
as priv.; must, out Jan. 18, '65. P. O. ad., Concord. 

Bent, Samuel, t'nas'd; b. Canada ; age 21 ; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Apr. 6, '65 ; must, in Apr. 6, '65, as priv.; disch. 
May 6, '65, Galloup's Isl., B. H., Mass. 

Bickford, Charles. Co. A; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 23; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 24, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. July, '62; disch. disab. Sept. 12, '62, 
Carrollton, La. P. O. ad., Boston, Mass. 

Boutelle, Adelbert D. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 13, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; app. Corp.; re-enl. and must in Jan. 4, '64; app. 
sergt. Nov. i, '64; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. 
v., Jan. I, '65, as Corp.; app. sergt. Aug. 16, '65; disch. 
to date Oct. 28, '65. P. O. ad., Penacook. See i N. H.V. 

Bowe, James. Co. K; b. Ireland; age 22; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 13, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as priv.; 
re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4. '64; des. Aug. 24, '64, 
Concord. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Brown, Ivhvin R. Co. I); 1). Pawtucket, R. I.; age 26; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 19, '62; must, in Aug. 20, 
'62,aspriv.; des. Aug. 24, '64, Concord. 

Urown, William A. Co. A; b. Nashua; age i8; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 20, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; wd. May 27, '63, Port Hudson, La. Died, dis. 
.\ug. 8, "63, New Orleans, La. 

liuell, Elmer D. Co. A; b. Lempster; age 21; res. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 2, '61; must, in Nov. 25, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. Dec, '62 ; wd. May 27, '63, Port Hud- 
son, La.; app. sergt. Jan., '64; disch. Nov. 21, '64, 
Washington, D. C, tm. ex. Died July 25, '88, West 
Newbury, Mass. 

Burnett, James. Co. H; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 28; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 18, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as i 
sergt.; reduced to ranks June 20, '62; must, out Jan. 
18, '65 ; re-enl. and must, in as priv.; Mar. 23, '65, for 
I yr.; cred. Nashua; not assigned to companv ; disch. 
May 6, '65, Galloup's Isl., B. H., Mass. P. O. ad., 
Hudson. See state service. 

Butler. Peter. Co. E ; b. Nashua ; age 23 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Nov. 14, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as priv.; re- 
enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; wd. and captd. Apr. 8, 
'64. Sabine Cross Roads, La.; released ; disch. wds. 
June 15, '64, New Orleans, La. 

Chadwick, Alford F. Co. E ; b. Francestown ; age 25 ; 
res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 12, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '6:, 
as Corp.; app. sergt. July 2, '62 ; disch. disab. Feb. 26, 
'63, New Orleans. La. P. O. ad., Cambridgeport, 
Mass. 

Chamberlin, Albert G. Co. A; b. Barre, Mass.; age 21; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 9. '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, 
as priv.; des. Nov. 16, '61, Manchester. See 3 N. H. V. 

Chamberlin, George F. Co. A; b. Barre, Mass.; age 30; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61. 
as priv.; must, out Jan. 18, '65. P. O. ad., Laconia. 

Christy, George. Co. I; substitute; b. New York; age 
21; res. Philadelphia, Pa.; cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 
6, '63; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; tr. to U. S. navy, 
June 17, '64, as a seaman; served on U. S. S. 
"Choctaw" and "Port Royal;" des. Aug. 15, '65, 
from " Port Royal." 

Clark, Leonard. Co. A; b. Francestown; age 43; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 4, '61; must, in Oct. 25, -'61, as 
priv.; wd. June 14, '63, Port Hudson, La.; disch. 
disab. Sept. 9, '64, New Orleans, La. 

Coll)urn, Joel. Co. A; b. Milford ; age "40;" res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 18, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. July, '62; disch. disab. Oct. 16, '62, 
Carrollton, La. See V. R. C. 

Conant, Andrew H. Co. E; b. Harvard, Mass.; age 33 ; 
res. Hollis; enl. Nov. 23, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. Feb. 14, '63; re-enl. and must, in 
Jan. 4, '64; cred. Nashua; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 
N. H. v., Jan. 1, '65 ; reduced to ranks. Died Oct. 10, 
'65, Natchez, Miss. 

Conre}', John. Co. A; b. Hollis; age 34; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 26, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61. as priv.; must, 
out Jan. 18, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Cram, Edwin R. Co. A ; b. Nashua; age 25 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Oct. 18, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as priv.; re-enl. 
and must, in Jan. 4, '64 ; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. 
H. v., Jan. I, '65 ; must, out Oct. 28, '65. 



Creed, Michael. Co. K; b. Ireland; age4o; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 13, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as priv.; tr. to 
Co. H, 3 r. C, Feb. 5, '64 ; disch. Dec. 19, '64, Wash- 
ington, D. C, tm. ex. 

Cronan. John C. Co. K, b. Ireland ; age 25 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Sept. 13, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as priv.; 
re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; tr. to Co. B, vet. 
batt'l, 8 N. H. v., Jan. 1, '65; must, out Oct. 28, '65. 

Cuddy, Patrick. Co. K; b. England; age 18; res. Man- 
chester; enl. Nov. 2, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; wd. May 27, "63, Port Hudson, La.; re-enl. and 
must, in Jan. 4, '64; cred. Nashua; tr. to Co. B, vet. 
batt'l, 8 N. H. v., Jan. i, '65; must, out Oct. 28, '65. 
P. O. ad., Manchester. 

Curtice, Elbridge. Co. C; b. Antrim; age 37; res. Lon 
donderry; enl. Dec. 9, '61 ; must, in Dec. 23, '61, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. A, Dec. 23, '61; app. corp. July '63; 
must, out Jan. 18, '65. P. G. ad., Nashua. 

Curtice, Eugene K. Co. C ; b. Nashua ; age 18 ; res. Lon- 
donderry; enl. Dec. 9, '6i ; must, in Dec. 23, '61, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. A, Dec. 23, '61 ; must, out Jan. 18, '65. 
P. O. ad., Milford, Mass. 

Dane, John P. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 18; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 12, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as priv.; re- 
enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; app. corp.; wd. May 14, 
'64, Moreauville, La.; tr. to Co. .A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. II. 
v., Jan. I, '65, as priv.; must, out Oct. 28, '65. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 

Danforth, Jesse E. Co. A ; b. Litchfield ; age 37 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 13, '6i ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; killed June 14, '63, Port Hudson, La. 

Darling. Albert. Co. E; b. Nashua ; age 19 ; res. Nashua; 
enl. Jlar. 8, '62; must, in Mar. 8, '62. as priv. Died, 
dis. Nov. 16, '62, Carrollton, La. 

Darling, Daniel F. Co. E ; b. Nashua ; age 40 ; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 21, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as 
priv. Died, dis. Dec. 6, '62, Carrollton, La. See I 
N. H. V. 

Davis, James H. Co. A ; b. Warner ; age 42 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Sept. 12, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as priv.; re- 
enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 
8 N. H. v., Jan. i, '65 ; disch. disab. Aug. 10, '65, 
Natchez, Miss. Died Feb. 12, '74. 

Dearborn, Samuel G. F. and S.; b. Northfield ; age 34 ; 
res. Milford ; app. surg. Oct. 15, '61 ; must, in Dec. 
25, '61 ; resigned .\ug. 19, '62. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 
18 N. H. V. 

Dempsey, Michael. Co. K ; b. Tipperary county, Ire.; 
age 35; res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 16, '61 ; must, in Dec. 
20, '61; as priv.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64 ; 
drowned Mar. 2, '64, in Mississippi river, near New 
Orleans, La. 

Densmore, Wesley H. Co. A; b. Chelsea, Vt.; age 19; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 21, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, 
as priv. Died, dis, Sept. 29, '63, New Orleans, La. 

Doherty, Patrick. Co. K; b. Drumshanibo, Ire.; age 28; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 12, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, 
as I sergt.; app. 2 It. Apr. 10, '63; wd. May 27, '63, 
Port Hudson, La.; disch. disab. Mar. 7, '64. P. O. 
ad.. Milwaukee, Wis. 

Draper, Thomas. Co. A ; b. Leicestershire, Eng.; age 27 ; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 24, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, 
as priv. Died, dis. .\pr. 28. '64' New Orleans. La. 



556 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Eaton, Charles H. Co. E; b. East Coucord ; age 22 ; res. 
Nashua; eul. Oct. 14, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv., wd. June 14, '63. Port Hudson, La.; app. corp. 
Sept. '63; reduced to ranks Jan. '64; re-enl. and must, 
in Jan. 4, '64; app. corp. Mar. 27, '64; tr. to Co. C, 
vet. batt'l, 8 N. H, V., Jan. i, '65; reduced to ranks 
June I, '65 ; must, out Oct. 28, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Eaton, Nathan. Co. E; b. Pittsfiehl ; age 44; res. 
Nashua; eul. Nov. 18, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. June 16, '64, New Orleans, La. 
Died Oct. 22, '65, Nashua. 
Eayrs, George S. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 26; res. 
Nashua; enl. iSept. 13, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
I sergt.; app. 2 It. Co. B, Dec. 20, '61 ; capt. Dec. 16, 
'63; must, out Jan. 18, '65. Died May 26, '91, Jamaica 
Plain, Mass. 
Elliott, S. Augustus. Co. A; b. Mont Vernon; age 20; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 13, '6i ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, 
as Corp.; disch. disab. Apr. 10, '62, Ship Isl., Miss. 
Supposed identical with Augustus S. Elliott, Co. .\, 
42 inf., M&ss. vol. militia. »See raiscel. organizations. 
Emerson, William B. Co. E; b. Heuniker; age 27; res. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 2, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; app. 2 It. Feb. 15, '63; not must.; app. i It. 
June I, '63; resigned Dec. 6, '63. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
See r N. H. V. 
Emory, George E. Co. D ; b. New Ipswich ; age 27 ; res. 
Lowell, Mass.; enl. Dec. 5, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61^ 
as priv.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; cred. Nashua; 
tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V., Jan. i, '65 ; must- 
out Oct. 28, 65. 
Fales, Joseph B. Co. A ; b. Canaan ; age 23 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Sept. 19, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as priv. Died, 
dis. Feb. 9, '62, Ft. Independence, B. H., Mass. 
Farley, John. Co. K ; b. Ireland ; age 18 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Nov. 25, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as priv.; app. 
corp. Apr. 25, '62; sergt. Dec. 29, '63; re-enl. and 
must, in Jan. 4, '64; tr. to Co. B, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. 
v., Jan. I, '65; must, out Oct. 28, '65. P. O. ad., 
Boston, Mass. 
Farusworth, Charles. Co. E; b. Washington; age 45; 
res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 12; '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, 
as priv.; disch. disab. Apr. 10, '62, Ship Isl., Miss. 
Died Oct. 6, '80. 
Farnum, Benjamin E. Co. B; substitute; b. New York; 
age 43; res. New York; cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, 
'64; must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; disch. disalj. 
Mar 15, '64, New Orleans, La. 
Fellows, George R. Co. A; b. Boscawen ; age 36; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 22. '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv. Died, dis. Dec. 13, '62, Carrollton, La. 
Ferguson, Thomas. Co. D; b. Scotland; age "41;" res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 18, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Feb. 17, '63, Carrollton, La. P. O. 
ad.. North Sanbornton. SeeV. R. C. 
Ficteaux, Joseph. Co. E; b. St. Hyacinthe, Can.; age 
21; res. Nashua; enl. Dec. 27, '6r ; must, in Dec. 27, 
'61, as priv.; wd. May 27, '63, Port Hudson, La.; disch. 
Dec. 30, '64, Natchez, Miss., tm. ex. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 
Fifield, Stephen G. Co. E; b. Sheffield, Vt.; age 28 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 4, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. May 4, '63, New Orleans, La. 
Died Sept. i, '88, Whitefield, Me. 



Fisk, Daniel M. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 58; res. Nashua; 
enl. Oct. 12, '61, as priv.; app. capt. Dec. 20, '61; 
must, in Dec. 20, '61, as capt.; resigned Apr. 12, '62. 
Died June 23, '66, Nashua. 

Flanders, Benjamin F. Co. A; b. Washington, Vt.; age 
23; res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 13, '6r ; must, in Oct. 25, 
'61, as priv. Died, dis. Dec. 2, '62, Carrollton, La. 

Foisie, John B. Co. H ; b. Chambly, Can.; age 31 ; res. 
Concord; enl. Dec. 16, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, 
as priv.; tr. to 164 Co., 2 batt'l V. R. C, Apr. 8, '64; 
disch. Dec. 9, '64, New Orleans, La., tm. ex. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 

Foley, Laurence. Co. C ; b. Ireland; age 25; res. Man- 
chester; enl. Oct. 4, '61; must, in Dec. 23, 61, as 
sergt.; app. i sergt. Oct. 26, '62; 2 It. Dec. 16, '63; i 
It. June 22, '64; must, out Jan. 18, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Fosdick, F'reenian. Co. D; b. Nashua; age 26; res. 
Nashua; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 13, '62; must, in 
Aug. 14, '62, as priv.; tr. to 163 Co., 2 batt'l, V. R. C. 
May I, '64; disch. disab. June 9, '65, New Orleans, 
La. P. O. ad., Washington. 

Franklin, Ezra D. Co. A ; b. Lyme ; age 25 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Sept. 20, '61 ; must. Oct. 25, '5i, as priv; tr. to 
Co. E, Feb. I, '62; app. prin. muse. Nov. i, '62; re- 
duced to ranks and assigned to Co. E, Dec. 18, '62; 
disch. disab. May 6, '64, New Orleans, La. Died Sept. 
26, '90, Nashua. 

Frye, Charles H. Co. \\ h. Marlow ; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 4, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '5i, as 
priv.; tr. to 14 Co., 2 batt'l, V. R. C, June 23, '64; 
disch. Nov. 12, '64, Washington, D. C, tm. ex. P. O. 
ad., Greenfield. 

Galvin, Daniel. Co. K; b. Cork, Ire.; age- 35; res. 
Nashua; enl, Dec. 16, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Nov. 4, '63, Baton Rouge, La. 

Gendrut, Victory. Co. C; b. St. John, C. E.; age 18 ; res. 
Nashua ; enl. Nov. 26, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. D, Dec. 23, '61 ; wd. May 27, '63, Port 
Hudson, La.; app. corp.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, 
'64; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V., Jan. i, '65; 
must, out Oct. 28. '65. 

Genett, John. Co. E; b. Montreal. Can.; age 43 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 15, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Jan. 18, '65. 

George, Franklin. Co. E ; b. Nashua ; age 23 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 3, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Nov. 4, '63, New Orleans, La. 

Gillan, Thomas. Co. E; b. Ireland; age 19; res. Nashua; 
enl. Oct. 15, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as priv.; disch. 
disab. Aug. 6, '62, Nashua. Died Nov. 17, '64, Boston, 
Mass. 

Gillis, Charles. Co. A; b. Bennington; age 23; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 6, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25,61, as 
Corp.; disch. disab. Sept. 12, '62, Carrollton, La. 
Supposed identical with Charles Gilliss, Co. C, i N. 
H. cav. P. O. ad., Bradford. 

Givoward, Abram. Co. E; b. Canada; age 35; res. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 27, '61; must, in Dec. 27, '61, as 
priv.; captd. Apr. 8, '64, Sabine Cross Roads, La.; re- 
leased; joined company Oct. 31, '64; disch. Dec. 30, 
'64 ; to date Dec. 26, '64, Natchez, Miss., tm. ex. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



357 



Olyn, George F. Co. E, b. Jlerrhnack ; aj^e 33; res. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 29, '6i ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv. Died, dis. Oct. 13, '62, Carrollton, La. 

Ciolden, John F. Co. K; b. Tyrone, Ire.; ajje 21; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 15, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Apr. 10, '62, Ship Isl., Miss. Died 
Dec. 30, '65, Manchester. 

Crillin, Cyrus N. Co. A; b. Pelhani ; age 19; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 16, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as priv.; 
must, out Jan. i.S, '65. Died Oct. 6, '67. 

Griffin. John. I'nas'd ; b. Canada; age 21 ; cred. Nashua ; 
enl. Apr. 6, '65 ; must, in Apr. 6, "65, as priv.; disch. 
May 6, '65, Galloup's Isl., B. H., Mass. 

Griffin, John C. Unas'd ; b. Ireland; age 27; cred. 
Nashua ; enl. Apr. 7, '65 for 1 yr.; must, in .\pr. 7, '65, 
as priv.; disch. May 6, '65, Galloup's Isl., li. H., Mass. 

Haines, Nestor. Co. A; b. Wentworth ; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
sergt.; app. i sergt. Feb. 9, '62; 2 It. Jan. 3, '63; 
disch. disab. Sept. 2, '63. Died Nov. 15, '85, Nashua. 
See I N. H. V. 

Hale, Charles E. Co. B; b. Exeter; age " 19"; res. Ex- 
eter; enl. Oct. 14, '5i ; must, in Oct. 20, '61, as muse; 
tr. to Co. A, June 30, '62 ; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, 
•64; cred. Nashua; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. 
v., Jan. I, '65, as priv.; disch. disab. Oct. 9, '65, Cou. 
cord. P. O. ad., Haverhill, Mass. See 2 N. H. V. 

Hall, Luke. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 29; res. Nashua; 
enl. Oct. 12, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as priv.; app. 
Corp. June 18, '62; wd. May 27, '63, Port Hudson, La.; 
app. sergt. July, '64; must, out Jan. 18, '65. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 

Hamblett, Judson .\. Co. A; b. Milford ; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 30, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
muse; disch. Oct., '61, on writ of habeus corpus. See 
9 inf. and Lafayette art., N. H. V. 

Hartshorn, Elbridge D. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 30, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; tr. to Co. A, 
vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V., Jan. r, '65; must, out Oct. 28, 
'65. Died Dec, '93. 

Haskins, Elmer A. Co. A; b. Hardwick, Mass.; age 36 ; 
res; Nashua; enl. Oct. i, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. July 17, '62; sergt. Feb. 11, '63; wd. 
June 14, '63, Port Hudson, La.; app. i It. Dec. 16, '63; 
wd. sev. May 17, '64, Bayou de (Vlaize, La.; must, out 
Jan. 18, '65. Died July 19, '77. 

Hayes, B. Franklin. Co. .\ ; b. Manchester; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 16. '61; must, in Oct. 25, '6i, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; wd. accident- 
ally Aug. 15, '64; disch. wds. Dec. i, '64, Concord. P 
O. ad., Washington, D. C. 

Hensen, William. Co. E ; substitute ; b. New York ; age 
19; res. New York, cred. Nashvia; enl. Oct. 6, '63; 
must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; tr. to Co. C, vet. batt'l, 
8 N. H. v., Jan. i, '65 ; must, out Oct. 28, '65. 

Hickey, Patrick. Co. K: b. Cork. Ire.; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 22, '61; must, in Dec. 20, "61, as 
priv. Died Dec. 7, '62, Carrollton. La. 

Hill, Clinton C. Co. A; b. New York City; age 28; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Apr. 10, '62, Ship Isl., Miss. P. 
O. ad., Na.shua. See 10 N. H. Y. 



Hobart, Freeman A. Co. B, vet. batt'l ; b. Hollis ; age 
31 ; res. Nashua ; enl. Mar. 21, '65, for i yr.; must, in 
Mar. 21, '65, as priv.; assigned to Co. B, vet. batt'l 
Apr. 30, '65; must, out Oct. 28, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. See i N. H. V. 

Holmes, William A. Co. D; b. Henryville. C. E.; age 
23; res. Nashua; enl. Nov. 4, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, 
'61, as priv.; app. corp.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, 
'64 ; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. Y., Jan. i, '65 . 
must, out Oct. 28, '65, as priv. 

Hosley, I.ullu r T. Co. A ; b. Pepperell, Mass.; age 21 ; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 10, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, 
as priv.; app. 1 sergt. Dec. 20, '61 ; sergt.-maj. Jan. 28. 
'62; 2 It. Co. H, Sept. 30, '62; I It. Jan. 3, '63 ; wd. 
May 27, '63, Port Hudson, La.; killed June 14, '63, 
Port Hudson, La. See i N. H. Y. 

Hutchinson, John S. Co. B; b. Wilton; age 18; res. Wil- 
ton; enl. Nov. 8, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as priv.; 
re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; tr. to Co. B. vet. 
batt'l. 8 N. H. Y., Jan. i, '65; must, out Oct. 28, '65. 
Died Jan. 14, "90, Nashua. 

Jabo, Nelson. Co. H; substitute; b. Canada; age 45; 
res. New York, cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, '63; must, 
in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; tr; to Co. I, 24 V. R. C., June 
22, '64; disch. Oct. 26, '65, Washington, D. C. 

Johnson, Charles. Co. F; b. Sweden; age 27; enl. July 
14, '64, for I yr.; must, in July 14, '64, as priv.; tr. to 
Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. Y., Jan. i, '65 ; disch. June 
6, '65, Natchez, Miss. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Johnson, Edgar. Co. A ; b. Boscawen ; age 18 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 26, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; wd.June 14, '63, Port Hudson, La.; app. corp. 
Jan. '64; must, out Jan. 18, '65. Died May 10, '64. 

Keefe, William J. Co. K ; b. Ireland ; age 19 ; res. Man- 
chester ; enl. Oct. 14, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; cred. Nashua; 
tr. to Co. B. vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. Y., Jan. i, '65; must, 
out Oct. 28, '65. P. O. ad., Nat. home, Togus, Me. 

Keenon, John. Co. E ; b. Ireland ; age 36 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Oct. 16, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as priv. Died 
Apr. 15, '62, Centreville, La. 

Kelsey, George E. Co. K\ b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 13, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61 as 
priv.; disch. disab. Julys, '^^- Carrollton, La. P. O. 
ad., Lawrence, Mass. 

Keyes, Levi P. Co. E ; b. Dunstable, Mass.; age 45 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 17, '61; must, in Dec. 20, "61, as 
priv. Died. dis. Oct. 2, '63, Chicago. 111. 

Keyser, Samuel. Co. A ; b. Bridgewater ; age 45 ; res. 
Nashua; eul. Sept. 9, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. July 5, '62, Carrollton. La. Died 
July 10, '82, Nashua. 

King, Dana W. Co. .\ ; b. Alstead ; age 29; res. Nashua; 
app. 2 It. Oct. 25. '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61 ; app. i It. 
Apr. 14, '62; capt. Dec. 16, '63; wd. and captd. .\pr. 
8, '64, Sabine Cross Roads, La.; exch. Oct. 22. '64; tr. 
to Co. B, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. Y.. Jan. i, '65 ; app. It.- 
col. Oct. 28, '65 ; not must.; must, out Oct. 28. '65. as 
capt.; volunteered for storming party at Port Hud- 
son, La., under G. O. No. 49, headquarters dept. of the 
gulf, June 15, '63. P. O. ad., Nashua. See i N. H. Y. 



358 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Kuapp, George W. Co. D; b. Lisbou ; age 41; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 17, '64; must, in Aug. 17, '64, as 
priv.; wd. accidentally. Died wds. Oct. 30, '64, 
Natchez, Miss. 

Lambert, Edward. Co. E; b. St. Albans, Vt.; age 38; 
res. Nashua ; enl. Dec. 3, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, 
as priv.: app. sergt. Jan. '63; wd. June 14, "63, Port 
Hudson, La.; disch. wds. Aug. i, '64. Concord. 

Lapres, Pierre. Co. E; b. St. Hyacinthe, Can.; age 23; 
res. Nashua ; enl. Dec. 31, '61 ; must, in Dec. 31, '61, 
as priv.; wd. June 14, '63, Port Hudson, La.; app. 
Corp.; disch. Dec. 30, '64, Natchez, Miss., tm. ex. 
Died 1873, St. Hyacinthe, Can. 

Laton, James M. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 26; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 26, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. May 14, '62; sergt. Dec. '62; wd. 
June 14, '63, and sev. June 21, '63, Port Hudson, La.; 
disch. wds. June 17, '64, Concord. 

Leavitt, Henry E. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 25; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 25, '6i ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv. Died dis. Feb. 20, '63, Baton Rouge, La. 

Lefebre, Abraham. Co. H; substitute; b. New York; 
age 20; res. New York, cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, '63; 
must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; killed .\pr. 8, '64, Sabine 
Cross Roads, La. 

Lewis, Daniel T. Co. A; b. Krancestown ; age 24; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 25, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv. Died dis. Dec. 9, '62, Thibodeaux, La. 

Little, Mitchell. Co. E; b. Canada; age 41; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 19, '6[ ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Sept. 15, '62, Carrollton, La. 
Died Aug. 24, '82. 

Livingstone, Edward. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 23 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 10, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; tr. to Co. A, 
vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. Y., Jan. i, '65; must, out Oct. 28' 
•65. See I N. H. Y. 

Marden, George W. Co. D; b. Hillsborough; age 45; 
res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 28, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, 
as priv.; disch. disab. Apr. 10, '62, Ship Isl., Miss. 

Marshall, James H. Co. B ; b. Nashua ; age 21 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 12, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
sergt.; app. prin. muse. Mar. 17, '63; sergt. -maj. 
Sept. 15, '63; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; app. 2 
It. Co. G, June 22, '64; not must.; app. adjt. Sept. i, 
•64; tr. to Co. C, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V., Jan. i, '65, as 
I It.; app. capt. Oct. 28, '65 ; not must.; must, out 
Oct. 28, '65, as I It. Died Aug. 23, '78, Webster, Mass. 
See I N. H. H. Y. 

McCarty, John. Co. C ; b. Ireland; age 34; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Nov. 20, '61 ; must, in Dec. 23, '61, as priv.; tr. to 
Co. A, Dec. 23, '61; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; 
tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. Y., Jan. i, '65 ; must, 
out Oct. 28, '65. 

McKean, Abelino L. Co. B; b. Merrimack ; age 22 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 4, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; killed June 27, '63, Port Hudson, La. 

McLear, James. Co. H; b. Ireland; age 39; res. Law- 
rence, Mass., cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, '63; must, in 
Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; tr. to U. S. navy June 17, '64, as a 
seaman; served on U. S. S. "Choctaw," "William 
G. Anderson," "Potomac," and "Mahaska"; disch. 
June 22, '66, as a coal heaver, from receiving ship. 
New York City. P. O. ad., Nat. home, Togus, Me. 



Meagher, James. Co. K; b. Ireland; age 18; res. Man- 
chester; enl. Oct. 9, '6r ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; wd. Oct. 27, '62, Labadieville, La.; re-enl. and 
must, in Jan. 4, '64; cred. Nashua ; tr. to Co. B. vet. 
batt'l, 8 N. H. v., Jan. i, '65 ; must, out, Oct. 28, '65. 
P. O. ad., Fall River, Mass. 

Meister, Francis. Co. A; b. Bavaria, Ger.; age 40; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 11, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv. Died dis. July 8, '63, New Orleans, La. 

Minard, Charles F. Co. A ; b. Nashua ; age 24 ; res. 
Nashua; enl, Sept. 20, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
Corp. Died, dis. Nov. 18, '62, Carrollton, La. See i 
N. H. Y. 

Moran, James. Unas'd ; b. Ireland ; age 20 ; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 6, '65; must, in .\pr. 6, '65, as 
priv.; disch. May 6, '65, Galloup's Isl., B. H., Mass. 

Moreland, Charles. Co. D; b. Pelham; age 18; res. 
Nashua ; enl. Jan. 22, '62 ; must, in Jan. 22, '62, as 
priv.; wd. Oct. 27, '62, Labadieville, La.; disch. wds. 
May 2, '63, Baton Rouge, La. P. O. ad., Woburn, 
Mass. 

Morey, Noell D. Co. E ; b. Quebec ; age 35 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 17, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
Corp.; wd. Oct. 27, '62, Labadieville, La.; May 27, '63, 
Port Hudson, La.; tr. to I. C. July 16, '63; unas'd.; 
app. Corp.; disch. disab. .\pr. 29, '64, Washington, D. 
C. P. O. ad., Hudson. 

Morrill, Benjamin C. Co. E; b. Goshen; age 39; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 19, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Nov. 4, '63, New Orleans, La. P. 
O. ad., Amesbury, Mass. 

Morrill, George H. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 16, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; wd. June 14, '63, Port Hudson, La ; re-enl. and 
must, in Jan. 4, '64; app. sergt. Jan. 4, '64; disch. 
Jan. I, '65, Natchez, Miss., by reason of having been 
rendered supernumeraiy non-commissioned officer. 
P. O. ad.. East Pepperell, Mass. 

Morrill, Jesse F. Co. .A ; b. Nashua ; age 18 ; res. Con- 
cord ; enl. Oct. 10, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as priv.; 
wd. May 27, '63, Port Hudson, La.; re-enl. and must, 
in Jan. 4, '64 ; captd. Apr. 8, '64, Sabine Cross Roads, 
La.; exch. Oct. 23, '64; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. 
H. v., Jan. I, 65; disch. Oct. 28, '65, Yicksburg, Miss. 
P. O. ad., Somerville, Mass. 

Morse, Amos S. Co. .A ; b. Chester; age 34; res. Nashua; 
enl. Oct. 7, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as priv.; must, 
out Jan. 18, '65. P. O. ad., Amherst. 

Munsey, William P. Co. A ; b. Gilmanton ; age 22 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 12, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; app. muse; prin. muse. Dec. 20, '61, to date 
Oct. 25, '61 ; disch. disab. Oct. 27, '62, Carrollton, La. 
Died Dec. 20, '62, en route home from New Orleans, La. 

Neff, William E. Co. E ; b. Nashua ; age 19 ; res. Con- 
cord ; enl. Mar. 14, '62 ; must, in Mar. 14, '62, as priv.; 
app. Corp. Jan. i, "64; tr. to Co. C, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. 
Y., Jan. I. '65; disch. Mar. 15, '65, Natchez, Miss., 
tm. ex. 

Nolan, John J. Co. K ; b. Tipperar}-, Ire.; age 21 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 12, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
sergt.; wd. May 27, '63, Port Hudson, La.; re-enl. and 
must, in Jan. 4, '64; wd. May 18, '64, Yellow Bayou, 
La.; app. 2 It. June 22, '64 ; tr. to Co. C, vet. batt'l, 8 
N. H. Y., Jan. i, '65 ; resigned July 28, '65. P. O. ad., 
New York Citv. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



359 



Nottage, Elisha C. Co. A ; h. Quiiicy, Mass.; aj^e 22 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 17, '61; must, in Oct. 25, "61, as 
Corp.; app. sergt. July, '62 ; wd. May 27, '63, and 
killed June 14, '63, Port Hudson, La. See I N. H. V. 

Olsen, Gustave. Co. C ; substitute; b. Sweden ; age 32 ; 
res. New York; cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, '63; must, 
in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; des. Mar. 2, '64, New Orleans, 
La.; appreh. June 24, '64 ; tr. to Co. B, vet. batt'l, 8 
N. H. v., Jan. i. '65 ; must, out Oct. 28, '65. 

O'Neil, Morty. Co. K ; b. Ireland; age 24; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 13, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as priv.; disch. 
disab. Oct. 4, '62, Camp Kearney, La. Died Apr. 2, 
'87, Nashua. 

O'Neil, Timothy. Co. K; b. Kerry, Ire.; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 18, '6t ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Jan. 18, '65. 

Palmer, James. Co. C ; b. Ireland ; age 24 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Jan. 2, '62 ; must, in to date Dec. 31, '61, as priv.; 
disch. disab. Feb. 20, '62, I"t. Independence, B. H., 
Mass. 

Parks, David E. Co. A; b. Newmarket; age 18; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 17, '61; mu.st. in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; tr. to Co. 
A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V., Jan. i. '65; must, out Oct. 
28, '65. 

Patch, Joseph T. Co. A; b. Hollis ; age 36; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 17, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as priv.; 
disch. disab. June 19, '63, New Orleans, La. Died 
July r8, '63, Nashua. 

Peacock, Stilman. Co. A; b. Milford ; age 44; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 25, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61. as 
priv. Died Oct. 23, '62, Camp Kearney, La. 

Perley, Thomas J. Co. E; b. Canada; age 30; res. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 4, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; wd. May 18, '64, Yellow Bayou, La.; must, out 
Jan. 18, '65. P. O, ad., Lowell, Mass. 

Perry, John P. Co. B; b. Lincoln. Mass.; age 43; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 16, '5i; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. May 2, '63, New Orleans, La. 

Peterson, Nelson H. Co. A; b. Kiugfield, Me.; age 25; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 10, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, 
as sergt.; app. i sergt. Jan. 9, '63; wd May 27, '63, 
Port Hudson. La.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; 
app. 2 It. to date Dec. 16, '63 ; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 
8 N. H. Y., Jan. i,'65; app. i It. Oct. 28, '65; not 
must.; must, out Oct. 28, '65, as 2 It. P. O. ad., 
Kingfield, Me. See i N. H. Y. 

Pillsbury, Edward W. Co. .\ ; b. Derry ; age 24; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 6, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; app.com. sergt 
May I, '64; must, out Jan. 18, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. See i N. H. Y. 

Pillsbury, Samuel H. Co. E; b. Derry; age 23; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 25, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
sergt. Died, dis. Feb. 4, '63, Baton Rouge, La. 

Pond, George \V. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 21; res. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 27, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; tr. to Co. C, 
vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. Y., Jan. i, '65 ; must, out Oct. 28, 
'65. P. O. ad., Nashua. See i N. H. Y. 

Porter, Benjamin F. Co. A; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 24; 
res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 18, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, 
as priv.; disch. disab. Jan. 29, '63, New Orleans, La. 
P. O. ad., Nashua. 



Powers, Jonathan I.. Co. D; 1). Nashua; age 44; res. 
Greenfield ; enl. Oct. 22. '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Sept. 12, '62, CarroUton, La. 

Pray, Jere R. Co. E; b. Lebanon, Me.; age 45; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 16, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; tr. to Co. C, 
vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. Y., Jan. i,'65; must, out Oct. 
28, '65. 

Putney, Alonzo W. Co. E ; b. Concord ; age 38 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 12, '61, as priv.; app. i It. Dec. 20, 
'61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as i It.; resigned Dec. 
II, '62. 

yuinn, William H. Co. A; b. Hooksett; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 12, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp.; wd. May 27, '65, Port Hudson, La.; 
app. I sergt.; re-enl and must, in Jan. 4, '64; tr. to 
Co. B, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V., Jan. i, '65 ; app. 2 It. 
Oct. 28, '65 ; not must, disch. to date Oct. 28, '65, as i 
sergt. P. O. ad., Central Falls, R. I. 

Ralph, John. Co. D ; b. Malone, N. Y.; age "29;" res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 28, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. Oct. 4, '62; disch. disab. Mar. 4, '63, 
New Orleans, La. See 11 N. H. Y. 

Reed, Ephraim. Co. E; b. Westford, Mass.; age 43; res. 
Westford, Mass.; enl. Nov. 20, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20. 
'61, as priv.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; cred. 
Nashua ; tr. to Co. C, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. Y., Jan. i, 
'65; must, out Oct. 28, '65. Died Jan. 31, '94, Man- 
chester. 

Reed, Oliver H. Co. k\ b. Nashua ; age 22 ; res. Na.shua; 
enl. Sept. 16, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as priv.; disch. 
disab. June 19, '63. New Orleans, La. Died Jan. 5, '79. 

Rideout, David J. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 20; res. 
Nashua ; enl. Sept. 18, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. F"eb. 8, '62, F't. Independence, 
Boston, Mass. See 15 N. H. Y. 

Robbins, Benjamin A. Co. E ; b. Nashua ; age 27 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 14, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv. Died, dis. Nov. i5, '62. Camp Kearney, La. 

Robbins, Charles A. Co. .-V ; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 21 ; 
res. Nashua; enl. Nov. 2, '61 ; must, in Nov. 25, '61, 
as priv.; app. sergt.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; 
cred. Concord; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. Y., 
Jan. I, '65; disch. Oct. 28, '65, Yicksburg. Miss. 

Robbins, Henry L. Co. B ; b. Nashua ; age 27 ; res. Mil- 
ford ; enl. Sept. 30, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as priv.; 
must, out Jan. 18, '65. P. O. ad., Milford. 

Robins, William B. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 26; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv. Died, dis. Nov. 16, '62, Camp Kearney, La. 

Ruan, John. Co. K; b. Ireland; age 21; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 13, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as priv.; 
must, out Jan. 18. '65. 

Rogers, Thomas H. Co. E; b. Henuiker; age 21; res. 
Manchester; enl. Nov. 14, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, 
as Corp.; app. sergt. Jan. i, '64; re-enl. and must, in 
Jan. 4, '64; disch. Jan. i, '65, having been rendered 
supernumerary non-commissioned officer. P.O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Scott, John. Co. I ; substitute ; b. Pennsylvania; age 20; 
res. Pennsylvania, cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, '63; 
must, in Oct. 6, '63, as priv. Died. dis. Oct. 15, "64, 
Natchez, Miss. 



;6o 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Shattuck, Franklin J. Co. B, vet. batfl ; b. Nashua; age 
28; cred. Nashua; enl. Mar. 21, '65, for i yr.; must, 
in Mar. 21, '65, as priv.; assigned to Co. B, vet. batt'l. 
Ajjr. 30, '65; must, out Oct. 28, '65. P. O. ad., 
Concord. 

Shattuck, Tj'ler M. Co. A; b. Calais, Vt.; age 33; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 10, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '6i, as 
Corp.; app. com. sergt, July 7, '62; re-enl. and must, 
in Jan. 4, '64 ; app. regt'l commissary to date Dec. 
16, '63 ; disch. Sept. 14, '64, as supernumerary officer. 
P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Shattuck, Winslow A. Co. E; b. Pepperell, Mass.; age 
44; res. Nashua; enl. Nov. 2, '61; must, in Dec. 20, 
'61, as priv.; must, out Jan. 18, '65. P. O. ad.. 
Nashua. 

Shea, Daniel. Co. A; b. Ireland; age 26; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 27, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '6[, as priv.; re- 
enl, and must, in Jan. 4, '64 ; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 
8 N. H. v., Jan. i, '65 ; must, out Oct. 28, '65. P. O. 
Jersey City, N. J. 

Shea, John, ist. Co. K ; b. Ireland ; age 23 ; res. Nashua; 
enl. Nov. 5, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as priv.; wd. 
May 18, '63, Yellow Bayou, La.; must, out Jan. 18, '65. 
P. O. ad., Nashua. See i N. H. V. 

Shedd, Peter A. Co. C ; b. St. John, N. B.; age 35 ; res. 
Milford; enl. Jan. 13, '62; must, in Jan. 14, '62, as 
priv.; mis. June 20, '63, Port Hudson, La.; gd. from 
mis. Nov. 4, '63; tr. to Co. B, vet. battl, 8 N. H. V., 
Jan. I, '65; disch. Jan. 15, '65, to date, Jan. 12, '65, 
Natchez, Miss., tm. ex. Died Nov. 12, '76, Nashua. 

Shipley, Albert P. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 20; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 7, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; wd. May 27, '63, Port Hudson, La.; app. corp. 
Jan. '64; wd. May 29, '64, Morganzia, La.; must, out 
Jan. 18, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Shipley, Benjamin M. Co. A ; b. Nashua ; age 25 ; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 13, '62; must, in 
Aug. 14, '62, as priv.; app. Corp.; captd. Sept. 30, '64; 
released, '65; tr. to Co. A; vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V.; 
disch. June 6, '65, Natchez, Miss. P. O. ad., Minne- 
apolis, Minn. 

Shirley, William. Co. E ; b. Chester ; age 44 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 6, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Sept. 12, '62, Camp Kearney, La. 

Shugree, Philip. Co. K ; b. Ireland ; age 24 ; res, Nashua; 
enl. Dec. 11, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as priv.; must, 
out Jan. 18, '65. Died Oct. 19, '68. 

Slattery, Joseph. Co. K; b. Leitrim, Ire; age 28; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 12, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
Corp.; disch. disab. Apr. 10, '62, Ship Isl., Miss. 

Smith, Edwin D. Co. E; b. Southbridge, Mass.; age 29; 
res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 15, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, 
as priv.; wd. June 14, '63, Port Hudson, La.; disch; 
disab. Sept. 2, '64, New Orleans, La. P. O. ad.. North 
Chelmsford, Mass. 

Smith, James M. Co. E ; b. Southbridge, Mass.; age 26; 
res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 23, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, 
as priv.; must, out Jan. 18, '65. P. O. ad., Milford. 

Stetson, Edwin C. Co. E ; b. Cambridgeport, Mass.; age 
23; res. Nashua ; enl. Oct. 17, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, 
'5i, as Corp. Died, dis. June 27, '63, New Orleans, La. 

St. John, Joseph. Co. C; b. Virginia; age :8; res. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 30, '6i ; must, in Dec. 31, '61, as 
priv. Died, dis. Sept. 4, '62, CarroUton, La. 



Stone, George W. Co. A; b. Barre, Mass.; age 36; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 25, '63; must, in Nov. 25, '63, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V., Jan. i, '65; 
disch. to date Oct. 28, '65. 

Sullivan, John. Co. K ; b. Ireland ; age 22 ; res. Man- 
chester ; enl. Oct. 19, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Jan. i8, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Sullivan, Michael T. Co. A ; b. Ireland ; age 19 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 7, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; killed June 14, '63, Port Hudson, La. 

Thompson, Charles. Co. F; substitute; b. England; 
age 25 ; res. New York, cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 6, 
'63; must in Oct. 5, '63, as priv.; disch. disab. Apr. 30, 
64, New Orleans, La. 

Thompson, George W., 2d. Co. E; b. Newmarket; age 
27; res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 17, '61; must, in Dec. 20, 
"61, as I serg.; app. 2 It. Dec. 5, '62; i It. Feb. 15, '63; 
killed May 29, "63, Port Hudson, La. See i N. H. V. 

Thrasher, Floramond E. Co. A; b. Newport; age 26; 
res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 2, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. May 26, '63, New Orleans, La. 

Towle, John S. Co. .\ ; b. Monmouth, Me.; age 43 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. July 17, '62; wd. Oct. 27, '62, Laba- 
dieville. La.; app. sergt. Dec. 21, '62; killed Maj- 27, 
'63, Port Hudson, La. 

Townes. Oliver, Jr. Co. C ; b. Litchfield ; age 35 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 17, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. E, Dec. 23, '61 ; disch. disab. Apr. 10, 
'62; Ship Isl., Miss. 

Tucker, William H. Co. A; b. Wrentham, Mass.; age 
21; res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61; must, in Oct. 25, 
'61, as priv.; must, out Jan. 18, '65. 

Twiss, Benjamin F. Co. A ; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 23 ; res. 
Milford; enl. Sept. 12, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; cred. Nashua; 
wd. Apr. 28, '64 ; tr. to Co. .\, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V., 
Jan. I, '65; disch. to date Oct. 28, '65. 

Valequette, William. Co. E ; b. Canada ; age 32 ; res. 
Nashua ; enl. Dec. 7, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; wd. May 27, '63, Port Hudson, La.; des. Aug. 
II, '64, CarroUton, La.; appreh. Oct. 31, '64; disch. 
to date Jan. 17, '65. P. O. ad., Nat. home, Togus, Me. 

Vincent, Clifford. Co. E; b. Canada; age 30; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 18, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Sept. 12, '62, Camp Kearnev', La. 
P. O. ad., Pittsfield, Mass. 

Wadsworth, Jonathan. Co. .A.; b. Worcester, Mass.; age 
27; res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 24, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, 
'61, as priv.; disch. disab. Oct. 27, '62, CarroUton, La. 
P. O. ad., Derry. 

Walsh, John. Co. K; b. Boston, Mass.; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 13, '5i ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
Corp.; app. sergt. Apr., '63; wd. June 14, '63, Port 
Hudson, La.; reduced to ranks Dec. 31, '63; app. 
sergt. Mar. 8, '64; reduced to ranks Dec. 31, '64; 
must, out Jan. 18, '65. P. O. ad., Manchester. See i 
N. H. V. 

Warren, John Q. A. Co. A; b. Winthrop, Me.; age 35 ; 
res. Nashua; app. i It. Oct. 25, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, 
'61 ; app. capt. Co. E,Apr. 14, '62 ; killed Oct. 27, '62, 
Labadieville, La. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



36' 



Weston, Henry W. Co. A ; b. Old Town, Me.; age 36; 
res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 12, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, 
as wagoner; captd. Aug. 23, '63, Baton Rouge, La. 
Died, dis. Aug. 5, '64, Andersonville, Ga. 

Whipple, Luman E. Co. .\ ; b. Winchester ; age 27 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 11, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, "61, as 
priv.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64 ; tr. to Co. A, 
vet. batt'l, 8 X. H. V., Jan. i, '65 ; must, out Oct. 28, 
'65. P. O. ad., Winchester. 

Whittemore, Charles O. Co. E ; b. Hudson ; age 37 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 23, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; must, out Jan. 18, '65. Died July 21, '83. 

Whittemore, George. Co. .\ ; b. Hudson; age 28; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 16, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv. Died, dis. Oct. 27, '62, Carrollton, La. 

Whittemore, George W. Co. .\ ; b. Marlow; age 31 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 13, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
priv. Died, dis. Feb. 28, '64, New Orleans, La. 

Wilkins, Irving G. Co. D ; b. Litchiield ; age 20 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 26, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as i 
sergt.; app. 2 It. Oct. 30, '62 ; i It. Mar. 8, '63 ; disch. 
disab. Sept. 19, '63. See i N. H. V. Supposed iden- 
tical with Irving G. Wilkins, Co. D, 26 Mass. inf. See 
miscel. organizations. 

Williams, Charles. Co. E ; b. Shirley, Mass.; age 35 ; 
res. Nashua ; enl. Oct. 23, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '5i, 
as priv. Died, dis. Aug. I, '63, New Orleans, La. 

Williams, Stephen. Co. .\ ; b. Canaan ; age 33 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 9, '61 ; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
Corp.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; disch. Jan. i, 
'65, Natchez, Miss., by reason of having been ren- 
dered supernumerary non-commissioned officer. P. 
O. ad., Derry Depot. 



Wood, Nelson. Co. H; b. Burlington, Vt.; age 24; res. 
Milford; enl. Dec. 5, '61; must, in Dec. 26. '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. Mar. 10, '64; wd. Apr. 8, '64, Sabine 
Cross Roads, La.; must, out Jan. 18, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. See state service. 

Woods, Benjamin S. Co. D; b. Tyngsborough, Mass.; 
age 18; res. Londonderry; cred. Londonderry; enl. 
.•\ug. 20, '62 ; must, in .\ug. 27, '62, as priv.; app. 
Corp.; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V., Jan. i, '65; 
disch. June 6, '65, Natchez, Miss. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Woods, Charles H. Co. D ; b. Nashua ; age 23 ; res. Lon- 
donderry, cred. Londonderry; enl. Aug. 21, '62; 
must, in Aug. 27, '62, as priv.; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 
8 N. H. V, Jan. i, '65 ; app. Corp.; disch. June 6, '65, 
Natchez, Miss. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Wright, Jonathan. Co. C; b. Nashua; age 20; res. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 29, '61; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. E, Dec, '61 ; killed June 14, '63, Port 
Hudson, La. 

Wyatt, Isaiah H. Co. A, b. Campton ; age 37 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 7, '61; must, in Oct. 25, '61, as 
muse; tr. to Co. B, June 30, '62 ; disch. disab. May 2, 
'63, New Orleans, La. P. O. ad.. North Woodstock. 

Wylie, George. Unas'd ; b. Scotland; age 27; cred. 
Nashua ; enl. .\pr. 8, '65, for i yr.; must, in Apr. 8, 
'65, as priv.; disch. May 6, '65, Galloup's Isl., B. H., 
Mass. 

Young, .\nios M. Co. C; b. Methuen, Mass.; age 18; res. 
Hudson ; enl. Nov. 29, '61 ; must, in Dec. 20, '61, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. D, Dec, '61 ; wd. June 14, '63, Port 
Hudson, La.; re-enl. and must, in Jan. 4, '64; cred. 
Nashua; tr. to Co. A, vet. batt'l, 8 N. H. V., Jan. i, 
•65; must, out Oct. 28, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 



NINTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[THREE VE.\RS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



South Mountain, Md., 
Antietam, Md., 
White Sulphur Springs, Va., 
Fredericksburg, ^'a., . 
SiegeofVicksburg, Miss., June i 
Jackson, Miss., 
Wilderness, Va., 
Spottsylvania, Va., 
North Anna River, Va., 
Totopotomoy, Va., . May 
Rethesda Church, Va., 
Cold Harbor, Va., 



Abbot, Charles H, Co. F; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 29; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 6, '62; must, in 
Aug. 15, '62, as priv.; killed May 12, '64, Spottsyl- 
vania, Va. 

Anderson, David G. Unas'd; b. Pittsburg, Pa.; age 20 ; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Dec. 24, '63; must, in Dec. 24, '63, 
as priv. N. f. r. A. G. O. 

Andrews, George H. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 20; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; must, in 
Aug. 9, '62, as priv. Died, dis. Mar. 15, '64, Nashua. 



. Sept. 14, 


1862 


. Sept. 17, 


1S62 


. Nov. 15, 


1862 


. Dec. 13, 


1862 


4 to July 4, 


1863 


July 10-16, 


1863 


. May 6, 7, 


1864 


May 10-18, 


1864 


May 24-26, 


1864 


31 , June I, 


1864 


■ June 2, 3, 


1864 


June 5-12, 


1864 



Siege of Petersburg. Va., 

June 16, 1864, to Apr. 3, 1865 
Petersburg, Va., (assault at the 

Shand House) . . . June 17, 1864 

Mine Explosion, Petersburg, 

Va., (assault) . . . July 30, 1864 

Weldon Railroad, Va., . Aug. 20, 21, 1864 
Poplar Springs Church, Va., 

Sept. 30, Oct. I, 1864 
Hatcher's Run, Va., . . . Oct. 27, 1864 
Petersburg, V a., . . . Apr. 1,2, 1865 



Bailey, John B. Co. E; b. New Boston; age 22; res_ 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. .\ug. 7, '62; must, in 
Aug. 9, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., 9 A. 
C, Sept. 30, '62; disch. as i class muse June 10, '65, 
near Alexandria, Va. P. O. ad., Boston, Mass. 

Bean, Jesse S. Co. C; b. Brownfield, Me.; age 26; res. 
Nashua, cred. Hudson; enl. June 23, '62; must, in 
July 24, '62, as Corp.; wd. Dec. 13, '62, Fredericksburg, 
Va.; tr. to Co. K, 5 I. C, Jan. 15, '64; disch. July 5. 
'65, Indianapolis, Ind. P. O. ad., Salem. 



362 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



I5eniietl, John C. Co. B; Brookline; age 25; cred. 
Nashua; enl. July 31, '62; must, in Aug. 9, '62, as 
priv.; must, out June 10, '65. V. O. ad.. Spokane 
I-alls. Wash. 

Berry, William H. Co. K; b. Boston, Mass.; age 18; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Dec. 22, '63; must, in Dec. 22, '63, 
as priv.; tr. to Co. K, 6 N. H. V., June i, '65; must, 
out July 17, '65. 

Blaisdell, Charles H. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Concord; cred. Concord ; enl. Aug. 4, '62; must, in 
Aug. 5, '62, as Corp.; killed May 12, '64, Spottsyl- 
vania, Va. 

Bond, Thomas L. Co. B; b. Lyme; age 28; res. Nashua, 
cred. Nashua; enl. July 7, '62; must, in July 12, '62, 
as priv.; disch. disab. Nov. 12, '63, Concord. P.O. 
ad., Chelsea, Mass. 

Brigham, Charles L. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 19; res. 
Nashua, cred. Merrimack ; enl. Aug. 14, '62 ; must, 
in .\ug. 16, '62, as priv.; app. corp. wd. July 30, '64, 
mine explosion, Petersburg, Va. Died, wds. Oct. 23, 
'64, Nashua. 

Brown, George H. Co. F; b. Concord; age 26; res. 
Woodstock, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 9, '62; must, in 
Aug. 12, '62, as private ; captd. May 12, '64, Spottsyl- 
vania, Va.; released ; returned to dut}' Maj' 10, '65 ; 
must, out June 10, '65. 

Buswell, Barkley C. Co. C; b. Hopkiuton ; age 23; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. July 11, '62; must, in 
Julv 24. '62, as Corp.; app. sergt. Mar. i, '64; captd. 
Mav 12, '64, Spottsylvania, Va.; released; must, out 
June 10, '65. Died Maj- 22, '92, Laconia. 

Caldwell, Ira. Co. C; b. Pelham ; age "18;" res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. June 16, '62; must, in 
July 24, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Pel). 9, '63, Phila- 
delphia, Pa. See i N. H. cav. 

Carlton, Charles E. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Manchester, cred. Manchester; enl. July 29, '62; 
must, in Aug. 7, '62, as muse; must, out June 10, '65. 

Chase, Alfred. Co. I ; b. Keene ; age 22; res. Keene, 
cred. Keene; enl. Aug. 18, '62; must, in Aug. 19, '62, 
as priv.; must, out June 10, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Chase, George H. Co. C; b. Merrimack; age 22; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. June 19, '62; must, in 
July 24, "62, as priv.; des. Jan. 17, '63, Falmouth, Va.; 
appreh.; must, out June 10, '65. P. O. ad., P'itchburg, 
Mass. 

Clement, Charles E. Co. F; b. Bath; age 15; cred. 
Barnstead ; enl. Jan. 16, '64; must, in Jan. 16, '64, as 
muse; tr. to Co. I<", 6 N. H. V., June i, '65; must, out 
July 17, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Conrey, Thomas P. Co. C ; b. Nashua ; age 22 ; res. 
Hudson, cred. Milford ; enl. June 30, '62; must, in 
July 17, '62, as priv.; captd. May 12, '64, Spottsyl- 
vania, Va. Died Aug. 28, '64, Andersouville, Ga. 

Copp, Charles D. Co. C ; b. Warren ; age 22; res. Nashua; 
app. 2 It. Aug. 10, '62; must, iu Aug. 15, '62 ; app. i 
It. Jan. I, '63; capt. July 28, '64; must, out June 10. 
'65. Awarded medal of honor under resolution of 
congress, No. 43, approved July 12, '62, and section 6 
of act of congress, approved Mar. 3, '63, for con- 
spicuous bravery in battle of Fredericksburg, Va., 
Dec. 13, 62. P. O. ad., Clinton, Mass. 



Densmore, Edgar A. Co. F; b. Sharon, Vt.; age 21 ; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. June 17, '62; must, in 
Aug. 5, '62, as sergt.; killed Dec. 13, '62, Fredericks- 
burg, Va. See i N. H. V. 

Drew, George H. Co. F; b. Methuen, Mass.; age 31 ; res. 
Milford, cred. Milford; enl. Aug. 4, '62; must, in 
Aug. 16, '62, as sergt.; app. i sergt. Jan. i, '63; 2 It. 
Co. A, Jan. i, '64; captd. July 30, '64, mine explosion, 
Petersljurg, Va.; released; must, out June 10, '65. P. 
O. ad., Nashua. See state service. 

Dunning, Charles H. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 22; res. 
INIilford, cred. Milford; enl. Aug. 6, '62; must, in 
Aug. 15, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Mar. 16, '63, Phila- 
delphia, Pa. 

Eaton, John W. Co. B ; drafted ; b. Pittsfield ; age 30 ; 
res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; drafted Oct. 6, '63; must, 
in Oct. 6, '63, as priv.; wd. Juh- 30, '64, mine 
explosion, Petersburg, Va.; tr. to Co. B, 6 N. H. V., 
June I, '65.; disch. disab. June 2, '65, Manchester. 

Fitzgerald, William. Unas'd ; b. Watertown, N. Y.; age 
21; cred. Nashua; enl. Dec. 24, '63; must, in Dec. 
24, '63, as priv. N. f. r. A. G. O. 

Gale. John. Co. C; b. England; age 20; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Dec. 26, '63; must, in Dec. 26, '63, as priv. Died, 
dis. Apr. 3, '64, Covington, Ky. 

Gleason, Abel R. Co. B; b. Sudbury, Mass.; age 35 ; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; must, in 
Aug. 9, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., 9 A. C, 
Oct. I, '62. Died, dis. Jan. 16, '64; Paris, K}-. 

Graves, William H. Co. E; b. Washington ; age 21 ; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; must, in 
Aug. 9, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., g A. 
C, Sept. 30, '62; disch. June 10, '65, as band leader, 
near .\lexandria, Va. P. O. ad., Waltham, Mass. 

Hale, James P. Co. B ; b. Nashua ; age 18 ; res. Nashua, 
cred. Nashua ; enl. June 10, '62 ; must, in July 22, '62, 
as priv. Died, dis. Sept. 29, '62, Frederick, Md. 

Hamblett, Hezekiah P. Co. A; b. Hollis; age 41; res' 
Nashua, cred. Nashua ; enl. Aug. 7, '62 ; must, in Aug. 
9, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., 9 K. C, 
Oct. 6, '62; app. band leader; disch. Mar. 7, '63, 
Newport News, Va. 

Hamblett, Judson A. Co. A; b. Milford; age 19; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62 ; must, in Aug. 
9, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., 9 A. C, Oct. 
6, '62 ; disch. to date Mar. 2, '63, Newport News, Va. 
.See 8 inf. and Lafayette art., N. H. V. 

Hiltpald, Rudolph. Co. B ; b. Switzerland ; age 21 ; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 21, '63; must, in Dec. 21, '63, as 
priv.; des. Apr. 29, '64, Bristoe Station, Va.; returned 
Aug. 19, '64; tr. to Co. B, 6 N. H.V., June i, '65; 
must. out. July 17, '65. 

Hopkins, Newton C. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. June 7, '62; nuist. in 
July 22, '62, as priv.; wd. Sept. 17, '62, .\ntietani, Md.; 
must, out June 10, '65. P. O. ad.. Maiden, Mass. 

Howe, Stephen H. Co. F; b. Milford; age 41; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; must, iu 
Aug. 9, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, 1 brig., 2 div., g A. 
C, Oct. I, '62; disch. June 10, '65, near Alexandria, 
Va., as I class muse. P. O. ad., Milford. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 



363 



I luliliiiisun. William. Co. C; b. Scotland; 3^631 ; cred. 
Xa.shua; cnl. Dec. 21, '63; must, in Dec. 27, '63, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. C, 6 N. H. \'., June i, '65; must, out 
July 17, '65. 

[cwcU, Charles A. Co. B; b. Nashua; aj;e 18; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. June 14, '62; must, in 
July 12, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Apr. i, '63, Wash- 
ington, 1). C. r. O. ad., Jersey City, N. J. 

Jones, .\rchible R. Co. I; b. Jefferson, Me.; age "42;" 
res. Jefferson, lie., cred. Walpole; enl. Dec. 16, '63; 
must, in Dec. 16, '63, as priv.; disch. disab. Aug. 17, 
'64, Madison, Ind. Died Sept. 2, '90, Nashua. See 4 
N. H. V. 

Kennedy, Matthew. Co. C ; b. Manchester ; age 24 ; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. June 17, '62; must, in 
July 24, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Feb. 16, '63, 
Washington, D. C. Supposed identical with Matthew 
Kennedy, Co. F, i N. H. H. art. 

Kuhlniann, William. Co. K ; b. Germany ; age 22 ; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 22, '63; must, in Dec. 22, '63, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. K, 6 N. H. V., June i, '65; must, out 
July 17, '65. 

I.,appan, James. Co. C; b. St. John, N. B.; age 39; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua ; enl. July 2, '62 ; must, in July 
24, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Nov. 14, '62, W'ashing- 
ton, D. C. Supposed identical with James Lapham, 
state service. 

Larey. John. Co. K; b. England; age 30 ; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Dec. 26, '63; must, in Dec. 26, '63, as priv.; tr. to 
Co. K, 6 N. H. v., June i, '65; must, out July 17, '65. 

Lawrence, Arthur I. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 20; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. June 7, '62 ; must, in July 
12, '62, as Corp.; reduced to ranks; tr. to 168 Co., 2 
batt'l, V. R. C; disch. June 12, '65, Concord. P. O. 
ad.. Concord. 

Lovejoy, George H. Co. D; b. Hollis; age 26; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; must, in 
Aug. 9, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., 9 A. 
C, Oct. I, '62; disch. June 10, '65, as 3 class muse, 
near Alexandria, Va. Died Nov. 28, '86, Hollis. 

Manning, William.- Co. B; b. Mont Vernon; age 44; 
res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; must, in 
Aug. 9, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., 9 A. 
C, Oct. I, '62; disch. disab. Mar. 8, '63, as 3 class 
muse, Newport News, Va. Died Aug. 6, '85, Nat. 
home, Togus, Me. 

Marble, Eben M. Co. A; b. Poland, Me.; age 33; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 8, '62; must, in 
Aug. 9, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., 9 .\. 
C, Oct. 6, '62, as 3 class muse; disch. June 28, '63, 
near Neely's, Warren county. Miss. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Marshall, Frank V. Co. D; b. .\lbany, N. V.; age 29; 
cred. Nashua ; enl. June 18, '62; must, in .-\ug. 9, '62, 
as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., 9 A. C, Oct. i, 
'62; disch. June 10, '65, as 3 class mu.sc, near .-Vlex- 
andria, Va. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Marshall, Nathaniel W. Co. E ; b. All>any, N. V.; age 
26; res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; 
must, in Aug. 9, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 
div., 9 A. C, Sept. 30, '62 ; disch. June 10, '65, as i 
class muse, near Alexandria, Va. P. O. ad., Nashua. 



Moore, James H. Co. E ; b. Ilooksett ; age 14 ; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 12, '62; must, in 
Aug. 14, '62, as muse; must, out June 10, '65. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 

Moreland, Benaiah. Co. D; b. Salem; age 25; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. .■\ug. 7, '62; must, in 
Aug- 9. '62, as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., 9 A. 
C, Oct. I, '62, as 2 class muse. Died, dis. Aug. 31, 
'63, Camp Dennison, Ohio. 

Morse, Francis. Co. C; b. Danville, Vt.; age 35; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 13, '62; must, in 
Aug. 19, '62, as priv.; disch. disal). Dec. 17, '62, near 
Falmouth, Va. See i N. H. V. 

Moore, Francis R. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 35; res. Hop- 
kinton, cred. Hopkintou ; enl. July 8, '62; must, in 
July 12, '62, as priv.; must, out June 10, "65. P. O. 
ad., Newport. 

Osterkong, Gurd. Co. K; b. Germany; age 24; cred. 
Nashua ; enl. Dec. 22, '63 ; must, iii Dee 22, '63, as 
priv. Died, dis. Mar. 3, '64, Camp Burnside, Ky. 

Peabody, Warren A. Co. F; b. Wenhani, Mass.; age 39; 
res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; must, in 
Aug. 9, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., 9 .\. 
C, Oct. I, '62, as 3 class muse; disch. disab. June 28, 
'63, near Neely's, Warren county. Miss. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Perry, James B. non-com. staff; b. Boston, Mass.; age 
19; cred. Nashua; enl. June 27, '62; must, in July 19, 
'62, as q. ni. sergt.; reduced to ranks at his own 
request; assigned to Co. C; disch. disab., caused by 
fall from wagon, Nov. 24, '62, Fredericksburg. Va. 
Died Mar. 15, '63, Nashua. 

Peterson, Charles, ist. Co. C; b. Germany; age 24; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Dee 24, '63; must, in Dec. 24, '63,35 
priv.; wd. sev. July 10, '64, Petersburg, Va.; disch. 
wds. Nov. 16, '64, Washington, D. C. 

Richardson, George W. Co. B; b. Bangor, Me.; age 24; 
res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. June lo, '62; must, 
in July 12, '62, as Corp.; reduced to ranks ; senteiice<l 
Feb. 15, '64, by G. C. M, to hard labor for six months, 
with loss of pay during that time, for acting with 
disrespect and contempt toward his commanding offi- 
cer. N. f. r. A. G. O. 

Rourke, Patrick. Co. C; b. Ireland; age 25; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Dee 21, '63; must, in Dec. 21, '63, as 
priv.; wd. May 12, '64, Spottsylvania, Va.; captd. 
Sept. 30, '64, Poplar Springs, Church, Va.; released 
Mar. 2, '65; tr. to Co. C, 6 N. H. V., June 1. '65; 
di.sch. June 19, '65, .Xnnapolis, Md. 

Ryder, Abram. Co. G; b. Berks county. Pa.; age 22; 
cied. Nashua; enl. Dec. 22, '63; must, in Dec. 22, '63, 
as priv.; wd. May 31, '64, Totopotomoy, Va.; tr. to 
Co. G, 6 N. II. v., June i, '65; must, out July 17, "65. 

Sharrer, Jonas. Co. F; b. Lehigh, Pa.; age 28; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 25, '63; must, in Dec. 25, '63, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. G, 47 Pa. Vet. Vol. Inf., Jan. 2, '65; 
enl. Sept. 4. '61, and must, in Sept. 18, '61, as priv., 
Co. G. 47 Pa. Inf.; must, out Dec. 25, '65. 

Shea, Jeremiah. Co. C; b. Kerry county. Ire.; age 22; 
res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. June 19, '62; must, 
in July 24, "62, as priv.; must, out June 10, '65. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. .See i N. II. V. 



364 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H 



Shepherd, Aaron W. Non-com. staff; b. Biddeford, Me.; 
age 21; res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. July 26, '62; 
must, in July 26, '62, as hosp. steward; disch. Dec. 
16, '64, to accept promotion. P. O. ad., BrookU-n, 
N. Y. See 18 N. H. V. 

Simonds, Lewis. Co. F; b. Antrim ; age 28 ; res. Nashua, 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; must, in Aug. 9, '62, 
as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., 9 A. C, Oct. i, 
'62; disch. June 10, '65, as 2 class muse, near Alex- 
andria, Va. P. O. ad.. North Branch, Antrim. 

Small, Orrin .\. Co. C; b. Holderness ; age 26; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. June 23, "62; must, in 
July 24, '62, as Corp.; disch. disab. Dec. 4, '63, Wash- 
ington, D. C. P. O. ad.. Great Falls. 

St. Francois, Edmond. Co. E; b. Canada; age 22; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 14, '62; must, in 
Aug. 14, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., 9 .\. 
C, Sept. 30, '62. Died, dis. Aug. 31, '64, Nicholas- 
ville, K)-. 

Sullivan, Bartholomew. Co. C ; b. Ireland; age 21; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. June 19, '62; must, in 
July 26, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Dec. 10, '63, Con- 
cord. Supposed identical with Bartholomew Sulli- 
van, Co. D, I N. H. H. art. 

Sullivan, John. Co. C; b. Ireland; age 20; res. Nashua, 
cred. Nashua; enl. June 19, '62 ; must, in July 24, '62, 
as priv.; app. corp. Jan. i, '64; sergt. Apr. i, '65; 
must, out June 10, '65. 

Walsh, Patrick. Co. E; b. Ireland; age 21; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 22, '63; must, in Dec. 22, '63, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. E, 6 N. H. V., June i, '65 ; must, out 
July 17, '65. 

Weir, William W. Co. F; b. Canada; age 38; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. .-Vug. 6, '62; must, in 
Aug. 15, '62, as priv.; wd. Dec. 13, '62, Fredericksburg, 
Va.; tr. to I. C. Sept. i, '63 ; assigned to Co. K, 13 I. 
C; disch. disab. Jan. 28, '64, Portsmouth Grove, R. I. 
Died Aug. 19, '90, Hooksett. Seei N. H. V. 



Wells, Walter. Co. F; b. Comptom, Can.; age 24; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 9, '62 ; must, in Aug. 
12, '62, as priv.; app. corp. Oct. 5, '62; tr. to Co. F, 
17 I. C, Jan. 15, '64 ; disch. June 30, '65, Indianapolis, 
Ind. P. O. ad., Lincoln, Me. 

Wheeler, A11)ion. Co. I; b. Billerica, Mass.; age 26; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Dec. 21, '63; must, in Dec. 21, '63, 
as priv.; tr. to Co. I, 6 N. H. V., June i, '65; must, 
out July 17, '65. 

Whipple, John P. Co. C; b. Andover; age 29; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. June 23, '62; must, in 
July 24, '62, as sergt.; wd. Sept. 30, '64, Poplar Springs 
Church, Va.; must, out June 10, '65. P. O. ad., Bid- 
deford, Me. See i N. H. V. 

White, Frederick. Co. A ; b. Newfoundland ; age 24 ; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Dec. 24, '63 ; must, in Dec. 24, '63, 
as priv.; des. Jan. 23, '64, Camp Nelson, Ky. 

Woodward, Freeman J. Co. F; b. Dunstable, Mass.; age 
28; res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 14, "62; 
nmst. in Aug. 14, '62, as priv.; wd. Sept. 17, '62, .\n- 
tietam, Md.; tr. to 43 Co., 2 batt'l, V. R. C; disch. 
June 28, '65, Camp Dennison, Ohio. 

Woods, Alfred H. Co. B; b. Deering; age 31; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. June 16, '62; must, in 
July 18, '62, as priv. Died, dis. Nov. 3, '62, Knox- 
ville, Md. 

Wright, George W. Co. C; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. July 9, '62; must, in July 
24, '62, as priv.; killed Dec. 13, '62, Fredericksburg, Va. 

Wyman, Joseph R. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 20; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; must, in 
Aug. 9, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, i brig., 2 div., 9 A. 
C, Oct. I, '62. Died .■\pr. 4, '64, Annapolis, Md. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 
TENTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[THRKK VKARS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



365 



. Nov. 


15. 


1 .862 


. Dec. 


13. 


1862 


: I to Mav 


4- 


1863 


. Apn 


19. 


1863 


• July 


4. 


I .S63 


iiul 






. May 


7' 


1864 


. May 

ks, 


9, 


1864 


May 12, 


13, 


1864 


May 14- 


16, 


1864 



While Suliiliur Siniiigs, \'a 
Fredei'icksljiirg, \'a., . 
Siege of Suffolk, \'a., Apr 
Hill's Point, Va., 
Littlepage's liridge, Va., . 
Port Walthall, Va., (Richmond 

& Petersburg railroad) 
Swift Creek, Va., 
Proctor's and Kingsland Creeks, 

Va., 
Drewry's Bluff, Va., . 

Avery, Solomon D. Co. B; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 27; 
res. Nashua, cred. Nashua ; enl. Aug. 14, '62; must, 
in Sept. I, '62, as muse; disch. June 10, '65. Died 
Nov. 19, '78, Boston, Mass. 

Bailey, Robert. Co. B; age 18; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 
6, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as Corp.; app. sergt. 2 
It. Co. D, July 13, '64; not must; captd. Oct. 27. '64, 
Fair Oaks, Va.; exch. Feb. 27, '65 ; app. i It. Nov. 23, 
'64 ; not must.; disch. May 23, '65, as i sergt., Concord. 

Blodgett, Henry. Co. B; b. Billerica, Mass.; age 26; 
cred. Nashua; enl. .\ng. n, '62; must, in Aug. 25, 
'62, as sergt.; disch. disab. Jan. 4, '63, as priv., Hamp- 
ton, Va. 

Blood, George W. Co. B; age 21; cred. Nashua; enl. 
Aug. 12, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; disch. 
May 15, '65, Galloup's Isl., B. H., Mass. 

Brown, Allen S. Co. B ; b. Newbury ; age 21 ; cred. 
Nashua; enl. July 23, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as 
sergt.; disch. to date June 21, '65. See i N. H. V. 

Brown, Joseph X. Co. H; b. Andover, Mass.; age 38; 
res. Amherst, cred. Amherst; enl. .A.ug. 30, '62 ; must, 
in Sept. 4, '62, as corp.; wd. Dec. 13, '62, Fredericks- 
burg, Va.; app. sergt.; disch. May 16, '65. Died Mar. 
17, '86, Nashua. 

Buckley, Michael. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 28; cred. 
Nashua ; enl. .\ug. 8, '62 ; must, in .^ug. 25, '62, as 
priv.; app. corp.; tr. to 4 Co., 2 batt'l, V. R. C, Sept. 
30, '64; disch. disab. Dec. 9, '64, as priv.. New York 
city. Died Mar. 10, '73, Nashua. Supposed identical 
with Michael Buckley, state service. 

Burns, John. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 25; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. 23, '62 ; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; tr. to 
28 Co., 2 batt'l, V. R. C, Nov. 23, '64 ; disch. July 19, 
'65, Portsmouth, Va. 

Burt, Henry B. Co. B; b. Wilmington, Mass.; age 28; 
cred. Nashua ; enl. July 25, '62 ; nuist. in Aug. 25, '62, 
as priv.; disch. disab. Nov. 18, '62. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Bush, Henry. Co. B; b. Canada; age 29; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. 13, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; 
disch. disab. Sept. 21, '63, Portsmouth Grove, R. I. 
Died May 22, '85, Nashua. 

Butler, Edwin A. Co. B; b. Mason; age 19; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Julj- 31, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, as 
priv.; disch. disab. May 20, '64, Portsmouth Grove, 
R. I. P. O. ad., Cambridge, Mass. 



June I- 
June 



12, 1864 
15, 1864 



June 16, 1864 



to Aug. 


27. 


1864 


• July 


30, 


1864 


. Sept. 


29. 


1864 


. Sept. 


30, 


1864 


. Oct. 


27. 


1864 


. Apr. 


3. 


1865 



Cold Harbor, \'a.. 

Battery Five, Petersburg, Va., . 

Petersburg, Va., (assault by 

Cos. A, E, K) 
Siege of Petersburg, Va., 

June 16 
Mine Explosion, Petersburg, Va 
P'ort Harrison, Va., capture of 
Fort Harrison, Va., defense of 
Fair Oaks, Va., , 
Richmond, Va., occupation of 



Butterfield, Rufus. Co. D; b. Bedford; age 26; res. 

Litchfield, cred. Litchfield; enl. Aug. 17, '62; must. 

in .Sept. I, '62, as priv. must, out June 21, '65. P. O. 

ad., Nashua. 
Cahill, James. Co. B ; b. Ireland ; age 22 ; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Aug. II, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, as priv.; disch. 

disab. Nov. 29, '64, Concord. 
Cahill, Timothy. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 24; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; nmst. in Sept. r, '62, as 

priv.; app. hosp. steward Sept. 12, '62; disch. disab. 

Nov. 10, '62, Cliff Mills, Va. 
Carey, John. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 22; cred. Nashua; 

enl. July 22, '62 ; must, in .\ug. 25, '62, as priv.; disch. 

disab. May 9, '63, Ft. Monroe, Va. Died Dec. 30, '65, 

Manchester. 

Carter, Joseph. Co. B; b. Concord; age 24 ; res. Nashua 
cred. Nashua; enl. July 23, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, 
as Corp.; app. sergt.; i sergt. May 24, '65; 2 It. June 
I, '65; not mu.st.; must, out June 21, '65, as i sergt. 
P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Caskins, James. Co. B ; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 21 ; cred. 
Nashua ; enl. July 22, '62 ; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as 
Corp.; app. sergt. May 11, '64 ; must, out June 21, "65. 
Died June 18, '92, Lowell, Mass. 

Chaniberlin, Cornelius W. Co. B ; b. Canada ; age 29 ; 
cred. Nashua; enl. .\ug. 7, '62; miist. in --^ug. 25, '62, 
as priv.; app. corp. Apr. i, '63; wd. Oct. i, '64, Ft. 
Harrison, Va.; disch. disab. Jan. 16, '65. P. O. ad., 
Lowell, Mass. See i N. H. V. 

Clark, Edward. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 21 ; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. II, '62 ; must, in Sept. i, '62, as priv.; disch. 
disab. May 22, '63, Bower's Hill, Va. Supposed iden- 
tical with Edward Clark, Co. E, i N. H. V. 

Coney, Edward. Co. B; b. FCngland; age 33; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 15, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as 
priv.; must, out June 21, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Cortis, Thomas T. Co. B ; b. Thompson, Conn.; age 40; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 11, '62; must, in .\ug. 25, 
'62, as priv.; disch. disab. Jan. 17, '63, Fredericks- 
burg, Va. 

Courtney, Dennis. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. July 24, '62; must, in .\ug. 25, '62, as 
priv.; must, out June 21, '65. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Crooker, Charles T. Co. H; b. Bow; age 20; res. .\m- 

herst, creel. Amherst; enl. Aug. 27, '62; must, in 

Sept. 4, '62, as priv.; app. Corp.; must, out June 21, 

'65. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 4 N. H. V. 
Crowley, Timothy B. Co. B; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 31; 

res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. .'\.ug. 11, '61, as 

priv.; app. capt. Sept. 18, '62; must, in to date Sept. 

I, '62, as capt.; wd. sev. Oct. 27. '64, Fair Oaks, Va.; 

app. maj. Nov. 23, '64; -must, out June 21, '65. Died 

July 4, '86, Nashua. 
Cochrane, William H. D. Co. E; b. North Chelmsford, 

Mass.; age 23 ; res. Goffstown ; app. i It. .Sept. 18, '62; 

must, in to date Sept. 17, '62; app. adjt. Jan. i, '63; 

disch. Feb. 27, '63, to accept promotion. P. O. ad., 

Nashua. See i N. H. V. and miscel. organizations. 
Donahue, John. Co. B ; b. Ireland ; age 40; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Aug. II, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; 

must, out June 21, '65. Died Mar. 27, '83, Lowell, 

Mass. 
Donohue, Thomas H. Co. B ; age iS; res. Nashua; enl. 

July 31, '62; must, in .\ug. 25, '62, as priv.; tr. to i 

batt'l, V. R. C, Nov. 25, '64; not assigned to com- 
pany; disch. Aug. 16, '65, Washington, D. C. 
Doyle, Lawrence. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 40; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 13, '62; must, in .\ug. 25, '62, as 

priv.; must, out June 21, '65. Died. dis. Aug. 13, '65, 

Nashua. 
Duffy, Owen. Co. B; b. Ladoonegan, Ire.; age 18; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 11, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, as 

priv.; wd. .'^ug. 5, '64. near Petersburg, Va.; disch. 

May 18, '65. P. O. ad., Nat. home, Togus, Me. 
Durant, William H. Co. B ; b. Hampstead ; age 30; res. 

Hudson; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 13, '62; must, in 

Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. May 20, '63, 

Suffolk, Va. P. O. ad., Derry. See V. R. C. 
Early, John. Co. B; b. Boscawen ; age 18; res. Nashua, 

cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, 

as priv.; wd. sev. June 3, '64, Cold Harbor, Va.; disch. 

disab. Nov. 29, '64. Died Nov. 23, '76, Nashua. 
Edgcumbe, George. Co. B; b. Burlington, Vt.; age 26; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 11, '62, as priv.; app. i It. 

Sept. 18, '62; must, in to date Sept. i, '62, as i It.; tr. 

to Co. D, Apr. I, '63; resigned Aug. 6, '63. P. O. 

ad., Nashua. 
Fitzgerald, Patrick, Co. B; b. Ireland; age 30; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 25, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as 

priv.; disch. disab. Dec. i, '62. Died Mar. 6, '63, 

Nashua. 
Flood, James M. Co. B; b. Concord, Mass.; age 18; 

cred. Nashua; enl. July 26, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, 

as priv.; killed Aug. 5, '64, near Petersburg, Va. 
Foley, John. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 21; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Aug. 8, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as sergt.; 

must, out June 21, '65, as priv. 
Garvey, John. Co. B ; b. Ireland; age 34 ; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Aug. II, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as wagoner; 

disch. disab. Nov. 9, '63, Portsmouth, Va. P. O. ad., 

Nashua. 
Gorman, Peter. Co. B ; b. Ireland ; age 44; cred. Nashua ; 

enl. Aug. II, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; 

disch. disab. June 24, '63, Ft. Monroe, Va. 
Gray, John F. Co. B ; b. Nashua ; age 25 ; cred. Nashua; 

enl. .\ug. 12, '62; must, in .A-ug. 25, '62, as priv.; 

disch. disab. Feb. 21, '63, Washington, D. C. Died 

Feb. 26. '63, Nashua. 



Gray. Irvin. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 21; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Aug. 12, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; 

must, out June 21, "65. Died Oct. 15, '84, Nashua. 
Hall, Levi W. Co. B; b. Manchester; age 18; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 14, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as 

priv.; must, out June 21, '65. 
Hallisey, Michael. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 24; res. 

Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 13, '62; must, in 

Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; must, out June 21, '65. Died 

Dec. 16, '75. Nashua. 
Harrington, Jeremiah. Co. B ; b. Ireland; age 22; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 8, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as 

priv.; killed Oct. 27, '64, F'air Oaks, Va. 
Heale}', John. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 44; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Aug. 12, '62 ; must, in .\ug. 25, '62, as priv.; disch. 

June 14, '65. Died hyr. 30. '71, Nashua. 
Hill, Clinton C. Co. H ; b. New York city ; age 29 ; cred. 

Manchester; enl. Aug. 18, '62, must, in Sept. 4, '62, 

as priv.; disch. June 24, '65, Norfolk. Va. P. O. ad., 

Nashua. See 8 N. H. V. 
Johnson, Augustus. Co. B; b. Bennington; age 25; res. 

Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. July 30, '62; must, in 

Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; tr. to I. C. Sept. i, '63; assigned 

to Co. C, 21 V. R. C; re-enl. Aug. 22, '64, for 3 yrs.; 

cred. Wainer; disch. Nov. 10, '65, Trenton. N. J. P. 

O. ad., Mont Vernon. See 3 N. H. V. 
Killela, John. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 23; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Aug. II, '62; must, in Sept. i. '62, as priv.; killed 

June 3, '64, Cold Harbor, Va. 
Lee, Owen. Co. B; age 18; res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; 

enl. Aug. 7, '62 ; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; disch. 

to date Nov. 25, '64. 
Lonergan, Patrick. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 21, res. 

Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 7, '62; must, in 

Sept. I, '62, as priv.; disch. June 6, '65. P. O. ad., 

Nashua. 
Lowney, Jeremiah. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 22; cred. 

Nashua; enl. July 22, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as 

priv.; wd. Aug. 5, '64, near Petersburg. Va., and died, 

wds. Oct. 4, '64. 
Lyons, John. Co. B ; b. Ireland ; age 34 ; res. Nashua, 

cred. Nashua ; enl. Aug. 9, '62 ; must, in Aug, 25, '62, 

as Corp.; wd. sev. Aug. 5, '64, near Petersburg, Va.; 

disch. May 18, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Mahon, John. Co. B; age 25; cred. Nashua; enl. .\ug. 

14, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; entered hosp. 

Feb. 21, '65, Ft. of Rocks, Va. N. f. r. A. G. O. 
Marden, David D. Co. B; b. Bennington; age 29; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 6, '62; must, in .■\ug. 25, '62, as 

priv.; app. corp.; sergt. June i, '65; must, out June 

21, '65. 
McLaughlin, James. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 25; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 12, '62; must, in .\ug. 25, '62, as 

priv.; app.com. sergt. Sept. i, '63; must, out June 

21, '65. P. O. ad.. Lowell, Mass. 
McMahon, Robert. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 20; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 14, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, as 

priv.; must, out June 21, '65. 
McManus, John W. Co. B ; b. Ireland ; age 23 ; cred. 

Nashua ; enl. Aug. 7, '62 ; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as 

priv.; disch. disab. Apr. 9, '64, Portsmouth Grove, R. I. 
McSweeney, Myles. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 26; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 11, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, as 

priv.; app. q. m. sergt. vSept. 12, '62 ; hosp. steward 

Nov. 10, '62 ; disch. disab. Nov. 28, '64, New York city. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Tfil 



Meighan, Carroll. Co. B; b. Malone, N. Y.; age 19; 
cred. Nashua; enl. July 23, '62; niu.st. in Sept. 12, 
'62, as priv.; app. corp. Dec. i, '64; must, out June 
21, '65. Died May 12, '86, Nashua. 

Meighan, Charles. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 23; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 11, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, as 
priv.; app. sergt.; wd. June 22, '64, and .\ug. 5, '64, 
near Petersburg, Va.; captd.Oct. 27, '64, Fair Oaks, 
Va. Died Dec. 11. '64, Salisbury, N. C. 

Miller, Daviil W. Co. B; b. Peterborough; age 38; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. July 28, '62; must, in 
.Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; must, out June 21, '65. P. O. 
ad., Lowell, Mass. 

Minard, George H. Co. B; age 20; res. Nashvia, cred. 
Nashua; enl. .-Aug. 5, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, as 
muse; app. prin. muse. 5Iar. 10, '65; must, out June 
21, '65. 

Monaghan, John, Co. B; b. Ireland; age 2i; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 5, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, as 
priv. Died, dis. Mar. 5, '65, Nashua. 

Moore, George A. Co. B; b. Hook.sett ; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. July 30, '62; must, in .Aug. 25, '62. as 
priv.; wd. July 5, '64, near Petersburg, Va.; must, ovit 
June 21, '65. P. O. ad., Worcester, Mass. 

Moran, Michael. Co. B; b. Ireland ; age 42 ; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; app. 2 It. Sept. t8, '62; 
must, in to date Sept. i, '62, as 2 It.; app. i It. Jan. 
10, '63; resigned May 13, '63. Died May 28, '89, 
Nashua. 

Nichols, Charles E. Co. B.; b. Nashua; age 19; cred. 
Nashua; enl. July 25, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, as 
Corp.; must, out June 21, '65. See i N. H. V. 

Quaid, Alfred. Co. A.; b. Nashua; age 25; res. Bedford, 
cred. Bedford; enl. Aug. 5, '62; must, in Sept. i '62, 
as Corp.; app. sergt.; captd. Oct. 27, '64, Fair Oaks: 
Va. Died, dis. Dec. 21, '64, while prisoner of war, 
Salisbury, N. C. 

Reed, Leland. Co. B; b. Langdon ; age i8; res. Nashua, 
cred. Nashua; enl. -Aug. 12. '62; must, in .\ug. 25, 
'62, as priv.; captd. Oct. 27, '64, Fair Oaks, Va.; par. 
Mar. 20, '65; disch. May 30, '65, Concord. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Richardson, Isaac C. Co. B; b. Londonderry; age 40; 
cred. Nashua; enl. -A.ug. 11, '62 ; must, in Aug. 25, '62, 
as Corp.; app. sergt.; 2 It. Co. K, Mar. 3, '64; i It. 
Feb. 23, '65; must, out June 21, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Robbins, Benjamin F. Co. B; b. Claremont ; age 18; 
cred. Nashua; enl. July 24, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, 
as priv.; killed July 9, '64, near Petersburg, Va. 

Roberts, Edgar. Co. B; b. Boston, Mass.; age 30; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 11, '62; must, in 
Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. July 13, '63, Con- 
cord. P. O. ad., Penacook. 

Russell, Daniel \V. Co. B; age 19; cred. Nashua; enl. 
Aug. I, '62; must, in .\ug. 25, '62, as i sergt.; app. 2 
It. Co. G, Feb. 15, '63; tr. to Co. D, .\ug. 31, '63; 
killed June 2, '64, Cold Harbor, Va. 

Ryan, Patrick. Co. B; b. Ireland ; age 27 ; cred. Nashua ; 
enl. Aug. II, '62; must, in .Aug. 25, '62, as priv.; app. 
Corp. June i. '65; must, out June 21, '65. P. O. ad., 
Lowell, Mass. 



Sanborn, Henry J. Co. E; b. Andover; age 18; res. 
Andover, cred. Andover; enl. Sept. 6, '62; must, in 
vSept. 12, '62, as priv.; must, out June 21, '65. P.O. 
ad., Nashua. 

Short, Richard II. Co. B; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 29; 
cred. Nashua; enl. .Aug. 15, '62; must, in Aug. 25, 
'62, as priv.; app. com. sergt. Sept. 12, '62 ; 2 It. Co. 
B, Jan. 10, "63; disch. Jan. 19, '64. 

Smith, Edward J. Co. G; substitute; b. Hudson; age 
30; cred. Strafford; enl. Aug. 14, '63; must.., in .Aug. 
14, '63. as priv.; tr. to Co. D, 2 N. H. V., June 21, '65 ; 
must, out Dec. 19, '65. Died Dec. 20, '72,'_Nashua. 

Smith, George F. Co. C; b. Nashua; age 19; cred. Pem- 
broke; enl. Aug. 26, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, as 
priv.; app. corp. Feb. 18, '65; must, out June 21, '65; 
P. O. ad.. Concord. 

Smith, William C. Co. B; b. Scotland; age 39; cred. 
Nashua; enl. .Aug. 7, '62; must, in -Aug. 25, '62, as 
priv. Died, dis. Jan. 4, '63, Ft. Columbus, N. V. 

Steele, John A. Co. B ; b. Antrim ; age 18 ; res. Nashua, 
cred. Nashua; enl. July 28, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, 
as priv.; disch. July 11, '65. P. O. ad., Londonderry. 

Sullivan, James. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 25; cred. 
Nashua; enl. .Aug. 11, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as 
priv.; disch. disab. Mar. 24, '63. P. O. ad., Columbus, 
Ohio. 

Sullivan, James, 2d. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. .Aug. 13, '62; must, in Sept. i, "62, as 
priv.; app. corp.; wd. .Aug. 5, '64, near Petersburg, 
Va.; app. .sergt. June i, '65 ; must, out June 21, '65. 

Sullivan, Joseph. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 30; cred. 
Nashua; enl. -Aug. 13, '62; must, in .Aug. 25, '62, as 
priv.; disch. May 16, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Sullivan, Matthew. Co. B; b. Kenmare, Ire.; age 22; 
cred. Nashua; enl. .Aug. 7, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, 
as sergt.; tr. to Co. I, 4 V. R. C, Jan. 10, '65; disch. 
July 20, '65, Springfield. 111. P. O. ad., New Haven, 
Conn. See i N. H. V. 

Sullivan, Peter. Co. B ; b. Ireland ; age 22 ; res. Nashua, 
cred. Nashua; enl. .Aug. 8, '62; must, in -Aug. 25, '62, 
as priv.; must, out June 21, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Sullivan, Thomas. F. and S.; b. Ireland; res. Nashua; 
^PP- Q- M. .Aug. 6, '62; must, in Aug. 6, "62; dis- 
missed Nov. 22, '62. 

Tebbitts, Hanson. Co. C; b. Danville. P. Q.; age 18; 
res. Manchester, cred. Manchester; enl. July 18, '62; 
must, in Sept. i, '62, as priv.; must, out June 2i, '65. 
P. O. ad.. Nashua. 

Thornton, John. Co. B; b. Ireland; age4o; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. I, '62; must, in vSept. i, '62, as priv.; tr. to 
Co. I, 14 V. R. C, Jan. 10, '65; disch. July 20, '65, 
Springfield, 111. 

Towns, .Albert M. Co. B; age 18; cred. Nashua; enl. 
July 23, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, as priv.; app. corp. 
June 25, '64 ; captd. Oct. 27, '64, Fair Oaks, Va. Died 
Dec. I, '64, Richmond, Va. 

Vickery, John H. Co. B; b. Litchfield; age 18; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 9, '62; must, in 
-Aug. 25, '62. as priv.; must, out June 21, "65. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 

Waters, Edward. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 31; cred. 
Nashua; enl. .Aug. 11, "62; must, in .Aug. 25, '62, as 
priv.; disch. June 16, '65. P. O. ad., Nat. home, 
Togus, Me. 



368 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Waugh, Thomas. Co. B; b. Ireland; age i8; cred. 
Nashua; enl. July 25, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as 
priv.; wd. sev. June 3, '64, Cold Harbor, Va.; must, 
out June 21, '65. 

Whipple, John F. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 19; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. i, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, as 
priv.; app. corp. June i, '65 ; must, out June 21, '65. 



Wills, Thomas F. Co. B; b. Ireland; age 29; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. i, '62; must, in Sept. i, '62, as 
priv.; must, out June 21, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Wilson, James. Co. B; age 38; res. Nashua, cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 6, '62; must, in Aug. 25, '62, as 
priv. Died, dis. Sept. 30, '64, Ft. Monroe, Va. 



ELEVENTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[THREE YE.\R.S.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



White vStilphur Springs, Va., . Nov. 15, 1S62 

Fredericksburg, Va., . . . Dec. 13, 1862 

Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., Jtine 1510 July 4, 1863 

Jackson, Miss., . . . Juh' 10-17, 1863 

Siege of Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 17 to Dec. 4, 1863 

Strawberry Plains, Tenn., . . Jan. 21, 1864 

Wilderness, Va., . . . May 6, 1864 

Spottsylvania, Va., . . . May 9-18, 1864 

North Anna River, Va., Ma}- 23-27, 1864 

Totopotoraoy, Va., , . May 28, 31, 1864 

Bethesda Church, Va., . June 2, 3, 1864 

Barr, Elbridge. Co. E; b. Bedford; age 18; res. Goffs- 
town, cred. Goffstown ; enl. .\ug. 14, '62; must, in 
Aug. 29, '62, as priv.; disch. disalj. June 3, '63, Balti- 
more, Md.; name changed to Edward Graham by act 
of legislature June, '66. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 
V. R. C. 

Collins, Phineas G. Co. F; b. Grafton ; age 25 ; res. Sut 
ton, cred. Sutton ; enl. Aug. 14, '62 ; must, in Aug, 
29, '62, as priv.; must, out June 4, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Dodge, Frank G. Co. B ; b. Nashua; age 18; cred. Barn- 
stead; enl. Jan. 22, '64; must in Jan 22, '64, as priv.; 
disch. May 11, '65, Washington, D. C. 

Dutton, Frank. Co. I; b. Nashua; age 18; res. Hills- 
borough, cred. Hillsborough ; enl. vSept. 4, '62 ; must, 
in Sept. 6, '62, as priv.; tr. to Co. E, 2 art., U. S. A.; 
re.-tr. May 26, '65; disch. June 12, '65, Camp Barry, 
D. C. P. O. ad., Whiteiield. 

Huse, William. Co. D; b. Ireland; age 20; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 22, '63; must, in Dec. 22, '63, as 
priv.; wd. June 16, '64, near Petersburg, Va.; tr. to 
Co. D, 6 N. H. v., June i, '65; must, out Jul}' 17, '65. 



Cold Harbor, Va., . . June 5-12, 1864 

Siege of Petersburg, \'a., 

June 16, 1864, to Apr. 3, 1865 
Petersburg, (assault at the Shand 

House), Va., .... June 17, 1S64 
Mine Explosion, Petersburg, \'a., 

(assault), .... July 30, 1864 
Weldon Railroad, \'a., Aug. 18, 19, 21, 1864 

Poplar Springs Church, Va., 
Hatcher's Run, Va., . 
Petersburg, Va., 



Sept. 30, 1864 
Oct. 27, 1864 
Apr. 1-3 1865 



Johnson, Elijah W. Co. H; b. Lyman; age 36; res. 
Canaan, cred. Canaan ; enl, Dec. 29, '63 ; must, in 
Dec. 29, '63, as priv.; tr. to Co. E, 21 V. R. C, Jan. 
24, '65; disch. disab. Aug. 8, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
See 5 N. H. V. 

McGilvrey, George F. Co. C; b. Nashua; age 19; res. 
Merrimack, cred. Merrimack; enl. Aug. 4, '62; must, 
in Aug. 2r, '62, as priv.; wd. sev. May 6, '64, Wilder- 
ness, Va.; disch. May 10, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Morrison. Charles R. F. and S.; b. Bath; age 43; res. 
Nashua; app. adjt. Sept. I, '62; must, in Sept. 2, '62; 
wd. Dec. 13, '62, Fredericksburg, Va.; May 12, '64, 
Spottsylvania, Va.; disch. Sept. 9, '64. Died Sept. 
15, '93, Concord. 

Robinson, James T. Co. E; b. Goshen; age 21; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 14, '62; must, in 
Sept. 9, '62, as priv.; captd. Nov., '63, near Kingston, 
Tenn. Died on or about Nov. 20, '64, Florence, S. C. 

See I N. H. V. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 
TWELFTH RHGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[THRK1-; YKARS.] 

E N G A G F. M E N T S . 



369 



Dec. 12-15, 


1862 


. May 2, 3, 


1863 


. July 2, .V 


1863 


• July 23, 


1863 


. May 9, 


1864 


Maj- 12-16, 


1S64 



P'redericksburg, Va., . 

Chancellorsville, Va., . 

Gettysburg, Pa., 

Wapping Heights, Va., 

Swift Creek, \'a., 

Drewry's Bluff, Va., . 

Relay House, (or Ft. Stevens), \'a.. May 14, 1864 

Brown, Henry. Co. C; b. Portugal; aged 40; cred. 
Nasliua; eiil. Dec. 2, '63; must, in Dec. 2, '63, as 
])riv.; vvd. June 3, '64, Cold Harbor, Va., and died, 
wds, June 7, '64, White House, Va. 

Hnss, Joseph. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 45 ; cred. Hollis ; 
enl. Dec. 7, '63; must, in Dec. 7, '63, as priv. Died, 
dis. Oct. 13, '64, Ft. Monroe, Va. See 3 N. H. V. 

Clogston, Henry N. Co. G; b. Nashua; age 18; res. Gil- 
ford, cred. Gilford ; enl. Aug. 14, '62; must, in Sept. 
9, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Jan. 26, '63, Washington, 
D. C. Died Jan. 8, '79, Laconia. 

I'erdinand, Joseph. Co. C ; b. Nova Scotia ; age 22 ; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 2, '63; must, in Dec. 2, '63, as 
priv.; tr. to U. S. navy Apr. 30, '64, as a seaman ; 
served on U. S. S. "Commodore Morris"; captd. 
fourth quarter '64. N. f. r. Navy dept. 



THIRTEENTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[THRIiK VK-\RS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



Port Walthall, Va May 26, 1864 

Cold Harbor, Va., . . .Junei-ii, 1864 

Siege of Petersburg, Va., June 15 to Aug. 25, 1S64 

Mine Explosion, Petersburg, Va., July 30, 1864 

Bermuda Hundred, Va., . . Nov. 17, 1864 

Richmond, Va., occupation of Apr. 3, 1865 



Smith, John, 2d. Co. B; b. New Jersey; age 22; cred^ 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 4, '63; must, in Dec. 4, '63, as 
priv.; wd. June, '64, near Petersburg, Va.; tr. to Co. 
F, 2 N. H. v., June 21, '65; reported on m. o. roll 
dated Dec. 19, '65, as absent sick. N. f. r. A. G. Q^ 

Smith, John, ist. Co. C; b. Sweden; age 26; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 2, '63; must, in Dec. 2, '63, as 
priv.; reported on roll dated June 21, '65, as tr. on 
that date to 2 N. H. V., with remark, "absent sick 
since Apr. 11, '64, Pt. lookout, Md." ; never joined 2 
regt. N. f. r. A. G. O. 



Fredericksburg, \'a., . . Dec. 11- 

Getty's Night Assault, . Dec. 

Siege of Suffolk, Va., Apr. 10, to May 
Providence Chtxrch Road, \'a., . May 

Port Walthall, Va May 6, 

Swift Creek, \'a., , . May g. 

Proctor's and Kingsland Creeks, 

Va., . . . . May 12, 

Drewry's Bluff, Va., . . May 14- 

Bermuda Hundred (Front), \'a.. 

May 16-27, 1864; Aug. 27 to Sept. 



16, 


1862 


13. 


1862 


• 4. 


I S63 


.1> 


1 863 


' 7' 


1S64 


10, 


1864 


13. 


1864 


16, 


1864 



28. 



1 864 



Cold Harbor, \'a., . June 1-12, 1864 

Battery Five, Petersburg, \'a., . June 15. 1864 
vSiege of Petersburg, \'a., June 15 

to Aug. 27, 1864 
Mine Explosion, Petersburg, \'a., Jul\- 30, 1864 
Fort Harrison, Va., capture of . Sept. 29, 1864 
Fort Harrison, \'a., defence of . Sept. 30, 1864 
Fair Oaks, \'a., .... Oct. 27, 1864 
Richmond, \'a., occu])ati()n of . Apr. 3, 1865 



Badger, George W. Co. I; b. Hatley, Can.; age 30; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua ; enl. Aug. 23, '62 ; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Jan. 21, '64, Phila- 
delphia, Pa. 

Bartlett, George. Co. I; b. Unity; age 40; res. Nashua, 
cred. Nashua; enl. .\ug. 23, '62; must, in Sept. 20, 
'62, as priv.; disch. June 7, '65. 

Bennett, John I.. Co. I : b. Tunbridge, Vt.; age 32 ; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. .Aug. 21, '62; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as wagoner; disch. disab. Feb. 18, '65, 
Concord. 



Bowers, George. V. and S.; b. Dunstable (.now Nashua); 
age 45 ; res. Nashua; app. It. col. Aug. 26, '62; must, 
in Sept. 23, '62 ; resigned May 30, '63. Died Feb. 14, 
'84, Nashua. 



b. Merrimack ; age 23 ; res. 
enl. .\ug. 21, '62; must, in 
disch. June 29, '65, to date 



Boyson, George T. Co. I 

Nashua, cred. Nashua 

Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; 

June 21, '65. 
Burnham, Israel. Co. B; b. Mont Vernon ; age 24; res. 

Mont Vernon, cred. Mont Vernon; enl. Aug. 20, '62; 

must, in Sept. 18, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. May 20, 

'6). P. O. ad., Nashua. 



370 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Burton, John B. Co. I; b. Boston, Mass.; age 21; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 23, '62; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as sergt.; app. i sergt. Apr. i, '63; 
reduced to ranks Juue 6, '64; must, out June 21, '65. 
Burton, William T. Co. I ; b. Boston, Mass ; age 22 ; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 23, '62; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as sergt.; reduced to ranks June 6, '64; 
must, out June 21, '65. 
Buswell, Gardner H. Co. I; b. Acworth ; age 34; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 25, '62; must, m 
Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; disch. May 15, '65. P. O. ad., 
Acworth. 
Butterfield, Daniel W. Co. I; b. Francestown ; age 33; 
res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 21, '62; must. 
in Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; app. hosp. steward Nov. 28, 
'64; must, out June 21, '65. Died Feb. 18, '80, Nat. 
soldiers' home, Va. 
Chase, Oilman F. Co. I ; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 27 ; res. 
Hudson, cred. Hudson ; enl. Sept. 15, '62 ; must, in 
Sept. 20, '52, as priv.; tr. to Co. C, Sept. 25, '62; to 
band, 2 brig., 3 div., 24 A. C, Jan. 19, '63; must, out 
June 21, '65, as i class muse. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Colburn, George W. Co. C ; age 23 ; res. Windham, cred. 
Windham; enl. Aug. 16, '62; must, in Sept. 19, '62, 
as priv,; wd. Dec. 13, '62, Fredericksburg, Va.; des. 
Feb. 9, '63; appreh. Sept. 26, '64; returned Jan. 18, 
'65, to regt.; tr. to Co. B, 2 N. H. V., June 21, '65 ; 
must, out Dec. 19, "65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Conant, Andrew. Co. I ; b. Acton, Mass.; age 39; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 25, '62; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Sept. 30, '63. 
Currier, George A. Co. G; b. Bennington; age 21; res. 
Bennington, cred. Bennington; enl. Aug. 15, '62; 
must, in Sept. 19, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Apr. 18, 
'63, Concord. P. O. ad., Nashua. .See 18 N. H. V. 
Decatur, Alonzo L. Co. I; b. Worcester; age 30; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 30, '62; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Dec. 8, '64, Brat- 
tleboro, Vt. P. O. ad., Weare. 
Dodge, Charles W. Co. B ; b. Nashua; age 18 ; res. Mont 
Vernon, cred. Mont Vernon ; enl. Aug. 15, '62; must. 
in Sept. 18, '62, as priv.; app. corp. Mar. 12, '63; 
disch. Dec. 22, '63, to accept promotion. See U. S. C. 
T. and V. R. C. 
Dunham, Lucian R. Co. I; b. Warehouse Point, Conn.; 
age 22 ; res. Nashua, cred. Nashua ; enl. Aug. 25, '62 ; 
must, in Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; app. corp. Apr. i, '63; 
reduced to ranks May 12, '64 ; must, out June 21, '65. 
Eaton, Nathaniel, Jr. Co. G; b. Bennington; age 38; 
res. Greenfield, cred. Greenfield ; enl. Aug. 16, '62 ; 
must, in Sept. 19, '62, as sergt; disch. Feb. 24, '64, to 
accept promotion. P. O. ad., Nashua. See U. S. C. T. 
Ellenwood, Frank M. Co. I; b. Pelham ; age 18; res. 
Pelliam, cred. Pelham; enl. Aug. 18, '62; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; wd. May 3, '63, Providence 
Church road, Va.; disch. disab. May 20, '64, Ports- 
mouth Grove, R. I. Died July 13, '86, Nashua. 
Flanders, Daniel P. Co. I; b. Derrj' ; age 36; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 27, '62; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; disch. disab. Feb. 16, '63. 
Flanders, Robert K. Co. C; b. Concord; age 20; res. 
Concord, cred. Concord; enl. Aug. 12, '62; must, in 
Sept. 19, '62, as corp; app. sergt.; disch. Jan. 11, '65, 
to accept promotion. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 18 
N. H. V. 



Field, James G. Co. I; b. Merrimack; age 40; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 23, '62; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; disch. June 18, '65. P. O. ad., 
Annisquam, Mass. 
Field, Myron B. Co. I; b. Townshend, Vt.; age iS ; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 21, '62; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; must, out June 21, '65. 
Folsom, Nathaniel W. Co. I ; b. Texas ; age 15 ; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Dec. 31, '63; must, in 
Dec. 31, '63, as muse; disch. June 19, '65. P. O. ad., 
Salem, Mass. 
Gillis, George H. F. and S.; b. Nashua; age 27; res. 
Nashua; app. adjt. Sept. 3, '62; must, in .Sept. 23, 
'62 ; resigned Mar. 23, '63. P. O. ad., Boston, Mass. 
See state service. 
Glover, Charles F. Co. C; b. Nashua; age 21; res. Con- 
cord, cred. Concord ; enl. Aug. 12, '62; must, in Sept. 
19. '62, as priv.; app. corp.; wd. June I, '64, Cold 
Harbor, Va.; app. sergt. Jan. i, '65 ; must, out June 
21, '65. 
Gordon, Arthur C. Co. I ; b. New Hampton ; age 27 ; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 26, '62; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; app. corp. Nov. i, '63; must. 
out June 21, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Jones. George G. F. and S.; b. Sterling; Mass.; age 39; 
res. Nashua ; app. chaplain Sept. 3, '62 ; must, in 
Oct. 6, '62; resigned May 9, '65. Died May 9, 'gr, 
Brighton, Mass. 
Marshall, Jacob. Co. I; b. Nashua; age 19 ; res. Nashua'; 
cred. Hudson; enl. Aug. 19, '62; must, in Sept. 20, 
'62, as priv. Died, dis. Aug. 21, '63, Portsmouth, Va. 
McGaffrey, Charles. Co. I; b. St. Johnsbury, Vt.; age 
30; res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 30, '62; 
must, in Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; app. corp. Feb. 20, 
'63; sergt. Apr. i, '63; i sergt. June 7, '64; disch. 
disab. Nov. 13, '64, Pt. of Rocks, Va. 
Newton, Erastus. Co. I; b. Newport; age 21; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 26, '62; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; must, out June 21, '65. P. O. 
ad., Lowell, Mass. 
Olmstead, George A. Co. A; b. Tolland, Conn; age 33; 
res. Wakefield, cred. Marlborough ; enl. Sept. i, '62 ; 
must, in Oct. 4, '62, as priv.; disch. Nov. 15, '62, to 
accept promotion. P. O. ad., Nashua. See U. S. 
navy . 
Parker, Daniel. Co. I; b. Nashua; age 18; res. Mason, 
cred. Mason; enl. Aug. 16, '62; must, in Sept. 23, '62, 
as priv.; must, out June 21, '65. P. O. ad., Stoddard. 
Parker, Edward. Co.H; b. Gilsum; age 25 ; res. Nashua ; 
app. 2 It. Sept. 27, '62 ; must, in to date Sept. 19, '62 ; 
resigned May 28, '63. P. O. ad., Uxbridge, Mass. 
Parker, Llewellyn C. Co. I ; b. Lj'man ; age 23 ; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua ; enl. Aug. 30, '62 ; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; wd. Dec. 13, '62, Fredericks- 
burg, Va.; tr. to Co. C, 19 I. C, Oct. 20, '63; disch. 
July 13, '65, Elmira, N. Y. Died Mar. 17, '66, Lyman. 
See I N. H. V. 

Peckham, William H. Co. B; b. Amoskeag; age 30; 
res. Rollinsford, cred. Rollinsford ; enl. Aug. 30, '62; 
must, in Sept. 18, '62, as priv.; tr. to band, 2 brig., 3 
div., 24 A. C, Jan. 20, '63; must, out June 21, '65, as 3 
class muse. P. O. ad., Nashua. 



HISTORY OP NASHUA, M H. 



371 



Powers. William H. Co. G; b. Nashua; age 21; res. 
Greenfield, cred. Greenfield ; enl. Aug. 12, '62; must, 
in Sept. 19, '62, as priv.; app. corp ; disch. Feb. 24, 
'64, to accept promotion. See l'. S. C. T. 

Prescott, Royal B. Co. V,\ b. Nashua; age 23; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 30, '62; must in 
Sept. 30, '62, as priv.: app. hosp. steward Nov. 22, 
'62; I It. Co. C, Oct. 28, '64; must out June 21, '65. 
1*. t). ad., Nashua. 

I'uliKini, .\lbert M. Co. I; b. Nashua; age 33; res. An- 
trim, cred. .Antrim; enl. Aug. 20, '62; must, in Sept. 
23, '62, as priv.; disch. June 12, '65. P. O. ad., Bos- 
ton, Mass. 

Keed, James A. Co. I; b. Nashua; age 21; res. Nashua, 
cred. Merrimack; enl. Aug. 26, '62; must, in Sept. 
20, '62, as priv.; app. corp. Nov., '63; tr. to Co. F, 14 
V. R. C Jan. i, '65; disch. Aug. 14, '65, Washington, 
D. C. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Robbins, David G. Co. I ; b. Nashua ; age 26 ; res. Nashua, 
cred. Hudson; enl. Aug. 15, '62; must, in Sept. 20, 
'62, as priv.; app. corp.; wd. and died, wds. Sept. 30, 
'64, Ft. Harrison, Va. 

Sawyer, Levi P. F. and S.; b. Stockbridge, Vt.; age 44; 
res. Nashua; app. asst. surg. Jan. 2, '65; not must.; 
Declined appointment Jan. 10, '65. Died April 28, 
'68, Nashua. 

Sawyer, Oliver M. Co. I; b. Plymouth; age 23; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 30, '62; must, in 
Sept. 20, '62, as I sergt.; app. 2 It. Nov. 15, '62; app. 
I It. Co. E, July 15, '64; resigned Mar. 10, '65. P. O. 
ad.. Hastings, Minn. See I N. H. V. 

Shaw, Major A. Co. I ; b. Alstead ; age 29; res. Nashua, 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 30, '62, as priv.; app. 2 It. 
Sept. 27, '62; must, in to date Sept. 20, '62, as 2 It.; 
app. I It. Nov. IS, '62 ; wd. Dec. 13, '62, Fredericks- 
burg, Va.; resigned Apr. 29, '63. See i N. H. V. and 
I N. H. H. art. 

Shedd, George F. Co. B ; b. Francestown ; age 23 ; res. 
Rollinsford, cred. Rollinsford ; enl. Aug. 4, '62; 
must, in Sept. 18, '62, as sergt.; disch. disab. Feb. 7, 
'63, Philadelphia, Pa. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Stevens, Aaron F. F. and S.; b. Derry ; age 41 ; res. 
Nashua ; app. col. Aug. 26, '62 ; must, in Sept. 23, '62 ; 
wd. June l, '64, Cold Harbor, Va.; sev. Sept. 29, '64, 
Ft. Harrison, Va.; disch. disab. Feb. 4, '65 ; disch. 
suspended Feb. 14. '65; disch. to date June 21. '65, 
Bvt, brig. -gen. U. S. V., to date Dec. 8, '64. Died 
Mav 10, '87, Nashua. See i N. H. V, 



Taggard, George H. Non-com. staff; b. Jackson, N. V.; 

age 26; res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Sept. 5, '62; 

must, in Sept. 30, '62, as com. sergt.; app. 2 It. Co. F. 

Mar. 16, '64; wd. sev. June 3, '64, Cold Harbor, Va.; 

app. I It. Oct. 28, '64; adjt. May 30, '65; must, out 

June 21, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Towns, Oscar W. Co. I; b. Salem; age 26; res. Nashua, 

cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 21, '62; must, in Sept. 20, 

'62, as priv.; must, out June 21, '65. 
White, Jeremiah W. I', and S.; b. Pittsfield ; age 40; res. 

Nashua; app. asst. surg. Sept. 3, '62; not must.; de- 
clined appointment Sept. 3, '62. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Whittemore, John J. Non-com. staff; 1>. Hancock; age 

27; res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 30, '62; 

must, in Sept. 30, 62, as hosp. steward ; disch. disab. 

Dec. 15, '62, Washington, D. C. Died -Aug. 13, '84, 

Nashua. 
Willard, Andsen J. Co. I; b. Clarendon, Vt.; age 26; 

res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl; Aug. 25, '62; must. 

in Sept. 23, '62, as priv.; disch. to date June 21, "65. 
Willoughby, Alfred. Co. I; b. Hollis; age 39; res. 

Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 25, '62; must, in 

Sept. 20, '62, as Corp.; disch. disab. Jan. 22, '63, 

Washington, D. C. 
Wilson, Charles H. Co. B; b. Deering; age 24; res. 

Antrim, cred. Antrim; enl. Aug. 20, '62; must, in 

Sept. 18, '62, as priv.; tr. to Co. K, 3 I. C, Sept. 30, 

'63; disch. July 10, '65, Hartford, Conn. P. O. ad., 

Nashua. 
Wilson, George W. Co. I; b. Nashua; age 22; res. 

Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. .•\ug. 27, '62; must, in 

Sept. 20, '62, as priv.; must, out June 21, '65. P. O. 

ad., Lynn, Mass. See I N. H. V. 
Woods, George W. Co. .\; b. Nashua; age 14; res. 

Nashua; enl. Dec. 31, '63; must, in Dec. 31, '63, as 

muse; tr. to Co. B, 2 N. H. V., June 21, '65; must. 

out Dec. 19, '65. 
Wright. Luther M. Co. I ; b. Pepperell, Mass.; age 35 ; 

res. Nashua ; app. capt. Sept. 27, '62 ; must in to date 

Sept. 20, '62; resigned Dec. 28, '62. 



372 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 
FOURTEENTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[THRHE YEARS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



Deep Bottom, Va., (right wing, 

Cos. A, B, C, D, H, I,) July 27, 28, 1864 

Winchester, Va.,( left wing, Cos. 

E, F, G, K,) . . . . Aug. 17, 1864 

Halltown, Va Aug. 26, 1864 

Berryville, Va vSept. 3, 1S64 

Bailey, Cyrus. Co. I ; b. Warner ; age 18; res. Bradford, 
cred. Bradford; en!. Aug. 22, '62; must, in Sept. 24, 
'62, as priv.; must, out July 8, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Caldwell, Daniel F. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 25; res. 
Walpole, cred. Alstead ; enl. Aug. 25, '62; must, in 
Sept. 22, '62, as priv.; must, out July 8, '65. P. O. 
ail., Surry. .See i N. H.V. 

Haley, Michael. I'lias'd; substitute; b. Ireland; age 
22; cred. Nashua; enl. July 29, '64; must, in July 29, 
'64, as priv.; reported on roll dated Galloup's Isl., B. 
H., Mass., -\ug. 19, '64, as sent to regt. N. f. r. 
A. G. O. 

Hardy, William. Co. I; b. Wilton; age 41 ; res. Goshen, 
cred. Goshen; enl. Sept. 15, '62; must, in Sept. 26, 
'62, as priv.; must, out July 8, '65. Died Nov. 28. '70, 
Nashua. 

Hunt, James H. Co. G ; b. Stoddard; age 20; res. Stod- 
dard; cred. Stoddard; enl. .\ug. 13, '62; must, in 
Sept. 23, '62, as Corp.; app. sergt. Nov. 14, '63; i 
sergt.; 2 It. Feb. 17, '65; must, out July 8, '65. P. 
O. ad.. Nashua. 



Lock's Ford, \'a., 

Opequan (or Winchester ) , \'a., . 

Fisher's Hill, Va 

Tom's Brook, \'a., 
Reconnoissance to Strasbiirg,\'a. 
Cedar Creek, \'a.. 



Sept. 13, 1864 

Sept. 19, 1864 

Sept. 22, 1864 

Oct. 9, 1864 

Oct. 13, 1864 

Oct. 19, 1864 



Nye, George W. Co. C; b. Roxbury ; age 40; res. Rox- 

bury, cred. Roxbury; enl. Aug. 12, '62 ; must, in Sept. 

22, '62, as Corp.; app. sergt. Jan. i, '64; reduced to 

ranks May i, '64; app. Corp. June 12, '64; must, out 

July 8, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Templeman, Elnathan R. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 20; 

res. Walpole, cred. Walpole; enl. Aug. 7; '62; must. 

in Sept. 22, '62, as priv.; app. corp. Feb. i; '65; must. 

out Juh- 8, '65. P. O. ad., New Britain, Conn. 
White, Charles. I'nas'd ; substitute; b. Ireland ; age 21; 

cred. Nashua; enl. July 29, '64; must, in July 29, '64, 

as priv.; borne on muster and description roll dated 

Aug. 19, '64. N. f. r. A. G. O. 



FIFTEENTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



[NINE MONTHS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS 



Siege of Port Hudson, La., 



Banks, Edward P. Co. K; b. Alstead; age 20; res. 
Alstead, cred. Alstead; enl. Sept. 8, '62; must, in 
Oct. 16, '62, as priv.; must, out Aug. 13, '63. Died 
.Sept. 28, '92, Nashua. 

Butler, George H. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 19; res. Dan- 
bury, cred. Danbury ; enl. Sept. 29, '62; must, in Oct. 
10, '62, as priv.; killed July 3, '63, Port Hudson, L. .•\. 

Colburn, Ai. Co. F ; b. Milford ; age 42 ; res. Hollis, 
cred. Hollis; enl. Sept. 13, '62; must, in Oct. 9, '62, 
as priv.; must, out Aug. 13, '63. Died Feb. 21, '94, 
Nashua. 

Hardy, Isaac. Co. E; b. Hollis; age 37; res. Hollis, 
cred. Hollis; enl. Sept. 5, '62; must, in Oct. 9, '62, as 
priv.; disch. to date Aug. 13, '63. D:t"i Nov. 21, '87, 
Nashua. 



May 27 to July 9, 1863 



McGregor, Charles. Co. H; b. Londonderry; age 19; 

res. Londonderry, cred. Londonderry; enl. Sept. 11, 

'62; must, in Oct. 11, '62, as Corp.; must, out Aug. 13, 

'63. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Rideout, David J. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 21; res. 

Hollis, cred. Hollis; enl. Oct. 9, '62; must, in Oct. 

17, '62, as priv.; must, out .\ug. 13, '63. Died .Sept. 

9, '89, Nashua. .See 8 N. H. V. 
Willoljy, Harvey M. Co. E. b. Hollis; age 29; res. 

Hollis, cred. Hollis ; enl. .Sept. 15, '62 ; must, in Oct. 

9, '62, as priv.; must, out .\ug. 13. '63. P. O. ad., 

Nashua. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 
SIXTEENTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[nink months.] 
E N G A G E M t N r S . 



373 



Port Hudson, La., 
liuttc-a-la-Rose, La., 



Mar. 14, 1863 Siege of Port Husoii, La., Juue 3 to July 9, 1863 
Apr. 20, 1863 



Avery, Charles M. Co. K; b. Vershire, \'t.; age 19; res. 

Oxford, cred. Oxford; enl. Sept. 5, '62; must, iu Oct. 

16, '62, as priv.; tr. to Co. A, Jan. i, '63; must, out 

Aug. 20, '63. P.O. ad., Nashua. 
.\ndrews, Calvin L. Co. G ; b. New Boston ; age 19 ; res. 

New Roston, cred. New Boston; enl. Sept. 3, '62; 

must, in Oct. 24, '62, as priv.; must, out -Vug. 20, '63. 

P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Boutwell, Ramsey C. Co. C ; b. Leech Lake, Minn.; age 

25; res. Wilton, cred. Wilton; enl. Sept. 11, '62; 

must, in Oct. 18, '62, as priv.; must, out .^ug. 20, '63. 

P. O. ad., Nashua, 
liohanon, John. Co. C ; b. Brookline ; age 18 ; res. Brook- 
line, cred. Brookline ; enl. Sept. 4, '62; must, in Oct. 

18, '62, as priv.; must, out Aug. 20, '63. P. O. ad., 

Nashua. See miscel. organizations. 
Bacon, Charles R. Co. C ; b. Nashua; age 20; res. Lynde- 

borough. cred. Lyndeborough ; enl. Sept. 13, '62; 

must, in Oct. 18, '62, as priv.; must, out .\ug. 20, '63. 

P. O. ad., San Francisco, Cat. 



Burnham, Oranius W. Co. B; 1). Antrim; age 35; res. 
Hillsborough, cred. Hillsborough; enl. Aug. 30, '62, as 
priv.; app. i It. Nov. 4, '62; must, in to date Oct 29, 
'62, as I It.; resigned Feb. 4, '63. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Jewell, Alviu A. Co. C; b. Groton ; age 19; res. Nashua, 
cred. Hebron; enl. Sept. 15, '62; must, in Oct. 18, '62, 
as priv.; must, out Aug. 20, '63. See 1 N. H. H. art. 

Merrill, James A. Co. C; b. Corinth, Vt.; age 26; res. 
Brookline, cred. Brookline; enl. Sept. 3, '62; must. 
in Oct. 18, '62, as priv.; must, out Aug. 20, '63. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 

Stiles, Oscar C. Co. I ; b. Greenfield ; age 41 ; res. Green- 
field, cred. Greenfield; enl. Sept. 13, '62; must, in 
Oct. 23, '62, as Corp.; must, out Aug. 20, '63. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 



SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



[nine months.] 

Jackson, Willard A. Co. A; b. Portland, Me., age 27; res. Lancaster, cred. Lancaster; enl. Nov. 17, '62; must, in 
Nov. 22, '62, as priv; tr. to Co. I, 2 N. H. \'., .\pr. 16, '63; disch. disab. May 16, '63, Concord. P. O. ad., Nashua. 



374 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 
EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

[ONE AND THREE YEARS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



Fort Steadnian, Va. 



Mar. 25, 29, 1865 Petersburg, Va., 



Apr. 2, 1865 



Abbott, Albert F. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 15; cred. 
Antrim; enl. Sept. 2, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 13, 
'64, aspriv.; must, out June 10, '65. P. O. ad., Oak- 
land, Cal. 

Bell, Bowers H. Co. F; b. Lunenburg, Vt.; age 23 ; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 20, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 
28, '64, as sergt.; must, out June 10, '65. See i N. H. 
V. and miscel. organizations. 

Buckham, John E. Co. K; b. Litchfield; age 18; cred. 
Nashuo ; enl. Mar. 23, '65, for i yr.; must, in Mar. 
23, '65, as priv.; must, out May 6, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Buttrick, Caldwell. Co. F; b. Pelham ; age 26; cred. 
Pelham; enl. Sept. 19, '64, for 1 yr.; must, in Sept. 
28, '64, as priv.; must, out June 10. '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Chandler, George H. Co. D; b. Nashua; age 26; cred. 
New Boston; enl. Sept. 12, '64, for i yr.; must, in 
Sept. 15, '64, as priv.; must, out June 10, '65. Sup- 
posed identical with George H. Chandler, band, ir 
Mass. inf. See miscel. organizations. 

Currier, George A. Co. C; b. Bennington; age 23; cred. 
Bennington; enl. Sept. 5, '64, for i yr.; must, in 
Sept. 13, '64, as sergt.; reduced to ranks Jan. i, '65; 
must, out June 10, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 13 
N. H. V. 

Dearborn, Samuel G. F. and S.; b. Northfield ; age 37 ; 
res. Milford ; app. surg. Sept. 29, '64; not must.; de- 
clined appointment Mar. 14, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
See 8 N. H. V. 

Uodge, Thomas F. Co. G; b. Nashua; age 21 ; res. Lon- 
donderry ; app. 2 It. Feb. 14, '65 ; must, in Mar. 6, 
'65, unexpired term, (i yr.); app. i It. July 29, '65; 
not must.; must, out July 29, '65, as 2 It. P. O. ad., 
Manchester. See 7 N. H. V. 

Duffy, John. Co. F; b. Ireland; age 25; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 27, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 28, '64, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. G, June 10, '65 ; must, out July 29, '65. 



Flanders. Laurin. Co. F; b. Sandown ; age 38; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Sept. 22, '64, for i yr.; must, in Oct. 28, 

'64, as priv.; must, out June 10, '65. P. O. ad., Nat. 

home, Togus, Me. 
Flanders, Robert K. Co. H; b. Concord; res. Concord; 

app. 2 It. Nov. 30, '64 ; must, in Mar. 7, '65, for i yr.; 

app. I It. July 29, '65; not must.; must, out Juh' 29, 

'65, as 2 It. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 13 N. H. V. 
Grimes, Edwin H. Co. F; b. Milford; age 18; cred. 

Concord ; enl. Sept. 27, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 

30, '64, as muse; tr. to Co. G, June 10, '65 ; disch. 

Aug. II, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Lee, Charles H. Co. K. b. Princeton, Mass.; age 19; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Mar. 27, '65, for i yr.; must, in 

Mar. 27, '65, as priv. Died Apr. 5, '65. 
Lee, John. Co. E; b. Nashua; age 23; cred. Pittsfield ; 

enl. Sept. 26, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 26, '64, as 

priv.; des. Oct. 4, '64, Concord. 
Parker, Monroe R. Co. K; b. Brooklyn, N. Y.; age 18; 

cred. Nashua; enl. .\pr. 3, '65, for i )'r.; must, in 

Apr. 3, '65, as priv.; must, out Maj' 6, '65. 
Russell, Joseph. Co. H; b. Middlesex, Vt.; age 32; cred. 

Gilford; enl. Feb. 21, '65, for i yr.; must, in Feb. 21, 

'65, as Corp.; reduced to ranks May 15, '65 ; app. corp. 

July I, '65 ; must, out JuU- 29, '65. Died Dec. 23, '88, 

Nashua. 
Shepherd, Aaron W. F. and S.; b. Biddeford, Me.; age 

23; res. Nashua; app. asst. surg. Nov. 10, '64; must. 

in Dec. 18, '64, for i yr.; must, out July 29, '65. P. O. 

ad., Brooklyn, N. Y. See 9 N. H. V. 
Slate, Lyman J. Co. H; b. Bernardston, Mass.; age 39; 

cred. Londonderry ; enl. Feb. 14, '65, for i yr.; must. 

in Feb. 14, '65, as priv.; disch. June 22, '65. P. O. ad., 

Nashua. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 
NEW HAMPSHIRE BATTALION, 
FIRST REGIMENT NEW ENGLAND VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 

[Also known as First Regiment Rhode Island Volunteer Cavalry.] 

[THRKE VKAR.S.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



375 



Front Royal, \'a., . . . May 30, 1862 

(The New Hampshire Battalion.) 

Cedar Mountain, \'a., Aug. 9, 1862 

Groveton, Va., .... Aug. 29, 1862 

Bull Run, (second), Va., . . Aug. 30, 1862 

Chantilly, Va Sept. i, 1862 

Mountville, Va.,(Cos. L, K, M,) Oct. 31, 1862 

Fredericksburg,Va.,(Cos. K, M, ) Dec. 12-14, 1862 

Hartwood Church, \'a., . . Feb. 26, 1863 

Kelly's Ford, Va Mar. 17, 1863 

.\ins\vorth, William P. Co. M ; b. New Hampshire; age 

37; res. Nashua; enl. Dec. 2, '61, as priv.; app. capt. 

Dec. 3, '61 ; must, in Jan. 21, '62, as capt.; killed May 

30, '62, Front Royal, Va. 
Allen, Frank. Co. K; b. Chelsea, Vt.; age 25; res. 

Nashua; enl. Oct. 8, '61; must, in Oct. 24, '61, as 

priv.; app. sergt. Oct. 28, '61; 2 It. Dec. 3, '61; i It. 

Co. D, July 15, '62; tr. to Co. G, Sept. i, '62; app. 

capt. Jan. i, '63 ; tr. to Co. I, i N. H. cav., F'eb. 8, '64; 

disch. Apr. 23, '64, P. O. ad., Hudson, Mass. 
.\ndrews, Joseph F. Co. M ; b. New Boston; age 44; res. 

Nashua; app. i It. Dec. 3, '5i ; must, in Dec. 24, '61 ; 

app. q. m. 3 batt'l, Jan. i, '62; captd. Oct. 31, '62, 

Mountville, Va.; par. '62; assigned to Co. M, as i It.; 

app. maj. Mar. 18, '64; must, out July 15, '65. Died 

June 29, '88, Nashua. 
Baldwin, George H. Co. M; b. Nashua; age 19; res. 

Nashua; enl. Dec. 20, '6r ; must, in Dec. 24, '61, as 

priv.; re-enl. Jan. 1, '64; must, in Jan. 5, '64; must. 

out July 15, '65. 
Bowman, Eugene M. Co. K; b. Bedford; age 23; res. 

Manchester; enl. Dec. 9, '61; must, in Dec. 24, '61, as 

priv.; app. sergt. -maj. 3 batt'l, Jan. i, '62; disch. 

Sept. 23, '63, near Culpeper courthouse. Va. P. O. 

ad., Nashua. 
Brigham, Edward H. Co. M; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 

Nashua; enl. Dec. 9, '61 ; must, in Dec. 24, '61, as 

priv.; re-enl. Jan. i, '64; must, in Jan. 5, '64; wd. and 

captd. June 29, '64, Ream's station, Va.; released June 

30. '65 ; app. Corp. July i. '65; must, out Jul}- 15, '65. 

Died Oct. 22, '80, Nashua, 
Brown, Robert A. Co. M; b. Manchester; age 30; res. 

Nashua; enl. Dec. 21, '61; must, in Dec, 24, '61, as 

priv.; captd. June 18, '63, near Middleburgh, Va.; 

par. '63; re-enl. and must, in Feb. i, '64; must, out 

July 15, '65. 
Caldwell, William H. Co. I; b. Nashua; age 19; res. 

Concord (Fisherville, now Penacook); enl. Aug. 8, 

'61 ; must, in Dec. 17, '61, as priv.; captd. .\ug. 22, 

'62, Catlett's station, Va.; par. .Vpr. '63; captd. .\ug. 

17, '64, Winchester, Va.; released Feb. 21, '65; disch. 

May 8, '65, Concord, tm. ex. 



May 


8, 


1863 


June 


9. 


1863 


June 


17. 


1863 


June 


18, 


1863 


Sept. 


>4. 


1S63 


Oct. 


12, 


1863 


Oct. 


•4. 


1863 



Stoneman's Raid, Va., Apr. 27 to May 
Brandy Station, Va., . 
Thoroughfare Gap, Va., 

Middleburgh, Va 

Rapidan Station; Va., 
Culpepper, (or White Sulphur 

Springs, also called Warrenton 

Springs), Va.. 
Bristol Station, \'a., . 



Caven, Thomas. Co. M; b. Ireland; age 32; res. Nashua; 

enl. Dec. 30, '61 ; must, in Jan. 8, '62, as priv.; disch. 

disab. Nov. 21, '62. 
Claflin, Calvin. Co. M; b. Grafton, Mass.; age 19; res. 

Nashua; enl. Dec. 2, '61 ; must, in Jan. 8, '62, as priv.; 

re-enl. Jan. i, '64; must, in Jan. 5, '64; app, sergt. 

Jan. I, '65; must, out July 15, '65. 
Clark, Matthew N. S. Co. M; b. Solon, Me.; age 22 ; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 30, '62; must, in Sept. 15, 

'62, as priv.; captd. Oct. 12, '63, Culpeper, Va. Died, 

dis. Oct. 15, '64, .\ndersonville, Ga. 
Diggles, John P. Co. M; b. England; age 32; les. 

Nashua; en!. Nov. 7, '61; must, in Dec. 24, '61, as 

priv.; re-enl. Jan. i, '64; must, in Jan. 5, '64; disch. 

to date July 15, '65. 
Eastman, David R. Co. M; b. Croydon; age 22; res. 

Nashua; enl. Dec. 17, '61; must, in Dec. 24, '61, as 

priv.; wd. July, '63; disch. Dec. 27, "64, tm; ex. Died 

Feb. 20, '86. 

Eaton, Alvin S. Co. M; b. Hillsborough Bridge; age 21; 
res. Nashua; enl. Dec. 23, '61 ; must, in Jan. 8, '62, as 
priv.; app. corp. Jan. 28, '62; sergt.; re-enl. and 
must, in Feb. r, '64; app. i sergt. Co. C, Apr. 30, '64; 
wd. Oct. 9, '64, Tom's Brook, Va.; captd. Nov. 12, '64, 
Middletown, Va.; par. Feb. 28, '65 ; disch. June 24, 

Egleston, Clifton. Co. K; b. Hillsborough; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 12, '61; must, in Oct. 24, '61, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. M, Dec. 31, '6r ; app. bugler; disch. 
disab. June 10, '62. 
'65, Anuapolis, Md. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Eustis, George C. Co. M; b. Rutland, Mass.; age 18; 
res. Nashua; enl. Jan. 13, '62; must; in Jan. 20, '62, 
as priv.; captd. Feb. 25, '63 ; par.; captd. Oct. 12, '63, 
Culpeper, Va. Died, dis. May 3, '64, Anderson- 
ville, Ga. 

Ferrell, George V. Co. M; b. Shoreham, Vl.; age 26; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 30, "62; must, in Sept. 15, 
'62, as priv.; captd. June 18, '63, near Middleburgh, 
Va.; par. July 23, '63; app. corp.; sergt.. and tr. to 
Co. C, Apr. 30, '64; disch. Juue 5, '65, Washington, 
D. C. 



376 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Fairbanks, Charles. Co. M; b. Lancaster, Mass.; age 25; 
cred. Nashua ; enl. Aug. 28, '62; must, in Sept. 15, 
'62, as priv.; wd. June 18, '63, near Middleburgh, Va., 
and died, wds. June 19, '63, See i N. H. V. 

Foster, Nathan H. Co. M; b. Nashua; age 29; res. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 21, '61; must, in Dec. 24, '61, as 
priv.; app. sergt.; Co. q. m. sergt. Jan. 31, '62; re-enl. 
Jan. I, '64, as sergt.; must, in Jan. 5, '64; disch. to 
date July 15, '65. Died Dec. 21, '80, Nashua. 

Greeley, James B. F. and S.; b. Nashua; age 33; res. 
Nashua; app. asst. surg. Nov. 3, '61 ; must, in Dec. 3, 
'61; app. surg. June 4, '62; resigned Aug. 31, '62. 
P. O. ad., Thornton's Ferry. 

Hoitt, Nathan B. Co. M; b. Northwood ; age 44; res. 
Nashua ; enl. Dec. 2, '61 ; must, in Jan. 8, '62, as 
priv.; disch. disab. July 10, '62. P. O. ad., Augusta, 
Me. See 3 N. H. V. 

Moulton, William H. Co. I; b. Hooksett ; age 27; res. 
Andover ; enl. Oct. 2, '61 ; must, in Dec. 17, '61, as 
Co. Q. M. sergt; re-enl. Jan. 2, '64; cred. Clareniont ; 
must, in Jan. 5, '64; app. i It. Apr. 21, '64; regt'l 
com. Jan. 25, '65; must, out July 15, '65. Died Jan. 
25, '90, Nashua. 

Phillips, John H. Co. M ; b. Londonderry ; age 44; cred. 
Hudson; enl. Sept. 10, '62; mvist. in Sept. 15, '62, as 
priv.; tr. to 8 Co., i batt'l, I. C. (became 71 Co., i 
batt'l, I. C, and Co. B, 9 V. R. C), Aug. 20, '63 ; app. 
Corp.; disch. disab. Jan. 27, '64, Washington, D. C. 
P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Saw}-er, Charles A. Co. L ; b. Nashua ; age 22 ; res. 
Nashua ; enl. Nov. 23, '61 ; must, in Jan. 8, '62, as priv.; 
app. sergt.; 2 It. Co. D, Aug. 4, '62. Died Nov. 14, '63, 
from effects of surgical operation, Alexandria, Va. 

Smith, Mark. Co. M; b. Nashua; age 22; res. Nashua; 
enl. Jan. i6, '62 ; must, in Jan. 20, '62, as priv.; disch. 
disab. Apr. i, '62. 

Stevens, Francis E. Co. M; b. Cavendish, Vt.; age 19; 
res. Nashua; enl. Dec. 17, '61; must, in Dec. 24, '61, 
as priv.; wd. Aug. 9, '62, Cedar Mountain, Va.; disch. 
wds. Dec. 8, '62, Newark, N. J. P. O. ad., Chelsea, 
Mass. 



Thorn, Vidal Letain. Co. L; b. Nashua; age 20; res. 
Pel ham ; enl. Dec. 25, '61 ; must, in Jan. 8, '62, as 
priv.; captd. June 18, '63, near Middleburgh, Va.; par.; 
re-enl. Jan. 2, '64, as sergt.; cred. Portsmouth; must, 
in Jan. 5, '64; app. 2 It. Co. A, Mar. 17, '64; killed 
July 18, '64, on picket duty, Cox's Mills, Va. See i 
N. H. V. 

Thompson, William H.J. Co. M; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 
23; res. Nashua; enl. Jan. 17, '62; must, in Jan. 20, 
'62, as bugler ; captd. June 18, '63, Middleburgh, Va.; 
par. before Dec, '63; disch. Jan. 20, '65, Winchester, 
Va., tm. ex. See i N. H. V. 

Weston, Samuel B. Co. M; b. Chester, Me.; age 38; res. 
Nashua ; enl. Dec. 9, '61 ; must, in Dec. 24, '6r, as 
priv.; app. i sergt. Dec. 24, '61 ; wd. June 18, '63, 
near Middleburgh, Va.; disch. disab. Jan. 22, '64, as 
of I N. E. (or I R. I ) cav., Portsmouth Grove, R. I. 
P. O. ad., Nashua. 

White, Edwin D. Co. M; b. Nashua; age 20; res. Nashua; 
enl. Dec. 28, '61; must, in Jan. 8, '62, as priv.; app. 
hosp. steward 3 batt'l, Jan. '62 ; captd. June 18, '63, 
near Middleburgh, Va.; par. July 23, '63; disch. Dec. 
28, '64, as of R. I. cav.. Camp Russell, Va., tm. ex. 
Died Mar. 12. '86, Nashua. 

Wilder, Lyman F. Co. M; b. Dover; age 23; res. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 19, '61; must, in Dec. 24, '61, as 
priv.; capt. Mar. 17, '63, Kelly's Ford, Va.; par. Mar. 
31, '63; re-enl. Jan. i, '64; must, in Jan. 5, '64; app. 
Corp.; wd. Oct. 9, '64, Tom's Brook, Va.; tr. to 243 
Co., 2 batt'l, V. R. C, Jan. i, '65; disch. July 18, '65, 
Washington, D. C. 

Woods, Franklin L. Co. G; b. Nashua; age 20; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 7. '62; must, in Sept. II, '62, as 
priv.; tr. to Co. INL Mar. i, 63; to Co. C, 13 L C, Aug. 
I, '63 ; disch. July i, '65, Galloup's Isl., B. H. Mass., 
See I N. H. V. 

Wyman, Warren A. Co. M; b. Hudson; age 25; res. 
Nashua; enl. Dec. 11, '61; must, in Dec. 24, '61, as 
priv.; app. Corp. Jan. 28, '62; disch. disab. June 4, '62. 
Died July 21, '62, Epping. See i N. H. V. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 
FIRST REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 

[THREE YEARS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



377 



Hanover Courthouse, \'a., . May 31, 1864 
Cold Harbor, Va., . . . June 2, 1864 
White Oak Swamp, \'a., . . June 13, 1864 
Wilson's Raid on Weldon Rail- 
road, Va., . . . June 22-30, 1864 
Ream's Station, Va. (during 

Wilson's raid), . . . June 22, 1864 
Nottoway Courthouse, Va. (dur- 
ing Wilson's raid), . . June 23, 1864 
Roanoke Station and High Bridge, 

Va. (during Wilson's raid), June 25, 26, 1864 
Stony Creek, Va. (during Wil- 
son's raid), . , . June 28, 29, 1864 
Ream's Station, Va. (during 

Wilson's raid), , . . June 29, 1864 

Winchester, Va., . . . Aug. 17, 1864 

Summit Point, Va., . . . Aug. 21, 1864 

Charlestown, \'a., . . . Aug. 22, 1864 

Blodgett, Charles H. Unas'd ; b. Nashua; age 18; cred. 

Nashua ; enl. .\pr. 23, '64 ; must, in Apr. 23, '64, as 

priv. Died, dis. Apr. 30, '64, Concord. 
Caldwell, Ira. Co. B ; b. Pelhani ; age "19;" cred. Dub- 
lin; enl. Mar. 29, '64; must, in Mar. 29, '64, as priv. 

Died, dis. Mar. 14, '65, Nashua. See 9 N. H. V. 
Chase, Joseph W. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 18; res. 

Nashua; cred. Brentwood; enl. Mar. 24, '64; must. 

in Mar. 24, '64, as priv.; captd. June 29, '64, Ream's 

Station, Va. Died, dis. Nov. 15, '64, Anderson- 

ville, Ga. 
Coburn, George C. Unas'd; b. Warner; age 26; res. 

Littleton, cred. Nashua; enl. Apr. 6, '65, for i yr.; 

must, in Apr. 6, '65, as priv.; disch. May 6, '65, Gal- 

loup's Isl., B. H., Mass. Died June 10, '91, Lisbon. 

See 2 N. H. V. 
Colburn, Eugene F. Co. K; b. HoUis ; age 18; cred. 

Nashua, enl. Mar. 21, '65, for i yr.; must, in Mar. 

21, '65, as priv.; must, out July 15, '65. 
Curby, Philip. Unas'd ; b. Hollis ; age 23; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Apr. 5, '65, for i yr.; must, in Apr. 5, '65, as priv.; 

disch. May 6, '65, Galloup's Isl., B. H., Mass. See 

miscel. organizations. 
Dodge, Dana D. Co. B ; b. Nashua ; age 22 ; res. Nashua, 

cred. Nashua; enl. Mar. 24, '64; must, in Mar. 24, 

'64, as priv.; app. sergt.; captd. Dec. 21, '64, Lacey's 

Springs, Va.; released Feb. 15, '65; disch. July 6, '65, 

Washington, D. C. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Dodge, Edwards O. Co. H; b. Nashua; age 21; cred. 

Webster; enl. July 25, '64; must, in July 29, '64, as 

priv.; app. sergt.; must, out July 15, '65. P. O. ad., 

Manchester. See i N. H. V. 
Dufous, .\nthony. Co. C; b. Canada; age 32, cred. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 12, '64; must, in Apr. 12, '64, as 

priv.; wd. June, '64, White Oak Swamp, Va.; must. 

out July 15, '65. 



Kearneysville, Va., . . . Aug. 

Berryville, Va Sept. 

Gpequan (or Winchester), Va., Sept. 

Front Royal Pike, Va., . . Sept. 

Gooney Manor Grade, Va., . Sept. 

Milford, Va., .... Sept. 

Waynesborough, Va., . . Sept. 

Columbia Furnace, Va., . Oct. 

Tom's Brook, Va,, . . . Oct. 
Mine Run Foad (or Back Road), 

Va Oct. 

Cedar Creek, Va., , , . Oct. 
Middle and Back Roads (or 

Middletown), Va., . . Nov. 11, 
Lacey's Springs, Va., . Dec. 20, 

Waynesborough, Va., . . Mar. 
North Fork, Shenandoah (or 

Mount Jackson), Ya.., . 



25. 
15. 
19, 
21, 
21, 
22, 
28, 

7. 

9. 

13, 
19. 

12, 
21, 

2, 



Mar. 6, 



1864 
1864 
1864 
1864 
1864 
1864 
1864 
1864 
1864 

1864 
1864 

1864 
1864 
1865 

1865 



Flagg, John. Unas'd ; b. Worcester, Mass.; age 23; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Apr. 8, '65, for i yr.; must, in Apr. 8, 

•65, as priv.; disch. May 6, '65, Galloup's Isl., B. H. 

Mass. 
Fleniming, George. Co. A; b. Roxbury, Mass.; age 18; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Mar. 12, '64 ; must, in Mar. 14, '64, 

as priv.; wd. Aug. 3, '64; mis. Mar. 6, '65, Mount 

Jackson, Va.; gd. from mis.; must, out July 15, '65. 
Foley, William H. Co. A; b. Malone, N. V; age 18; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Mar. 12, '64; must, in Mar. 14, '64, 

as priv.; must, out July 15, '65. 
Grey, George G. Co. I; b. Bethlehem; age 26; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Mar. '31, '65 ; must, in Mar. '31, '65, as 

priv.: must, out July 15, '65. 
Griffin, William H. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 35; cred. 

Manchester; enl. Mar. 30, '65 ; must, in Mar. 30, '65, 

as priv.; app. corp. May i, '65; sergt. July i, '65; 

must, out July 15, '65. 
Guild, George A. Co. B; b. Wrentham, Mass.; age 22; 

res. Nashua, cred. Nashua ; enl. Mar. 24, '64 ; must. 

in Mar. 24, '64, as priv.; app. sergt. Apr. 30, '64; 

disch. July 21, '65, to date July 15, '65, Concord. P. 

O. ad., Nashua. 
Hamblett, John F'. Co. D; b. Nashua; age 19; cred. 

Webster; enl. July 29, '64; must, in July 29, '64, as 

priv.; app. corp. Jan. I, '65; must, out July 15, '65. 
Kimball, Charles M. Co. D ; b. Nashua; age 19; cred. 

Deering; enl. Mar. 27, '65; must, in Mar. 27, '65, as 

priv.; must, out July 15, '65. 
Kimball, Samuel H.; Co. C; b. Nashua, age 18; res. 

Hinsdale, cred. Hinsdale; enl. Mar. 31, '64; must, in 

Mar. 31, '64, as priv.; disch. June 5, '65, Concord. P. 

O. ad., Keene. 
Lund, Henry O. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 23; cred. Upper 

Gilniautou ; enl. Mar. 29, '64; must, in Mar. 29, '64, 

as priv; app. Co. q. m. sergt.; must, out July 15, '65. 



30 



378 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Martin, Henry E. Co. K; b. Francestown ; age 20; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Mar. 9, '64; must, in Mar. 14, '64, as 
priv.; wd. Nov. 12, '64, Middletown, Va.; disch. June 
5, '65, Concord. P. O. ad., South Lyndeborough. 

McComb, John. Co. A; b. at sea; age 19; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Mar. 12, '64; must, in Mar. 14, '64, as priv.; wd. 
Aug. 25, '64, Kearneysville, Va.; must, out July 15, '65. 

McDonald, Robert. Co. F; b. Glasgow, Scot.; age 40; 
cred. Fitzwilliam; enl. Mar. 22, '65, for i yr.; must. 
in Mar. 22, '65, as priv.; must, out July 15, '65. Died 
Aug. 3, '84, Lynn, Mass. 

McDonald, George E. Co. K; b. Nova Scotia; age 18; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Mar. 21, '65, for i yr.; must, in 
Mar. 21, '65, as priv.; must, out July 15, '65. 

Peabody, Thomas E. Co. A; b. Nashua; age 18; cred. 
Bristol; enl. Mar. 24, '64; must, in Mar. 24, '64, 
as priv.; mis. June 30, '64, Wilson's raid on the 
Weldon railroad, Va.; gd. from mis.; disch. June 22, 
'65, Concord. 

Pinkham, Eri W. Co. E ; b. Milton ; age 18 ; cred. North- 
umberland ; enl. Mar. 29, '65, for i yr.; must, in Mar. 
29, '65, as priv.; must, out July 15, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Staples, Alphonzo E. Co. K ; b. Cavendish, Vt.; age 19; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Mar. 21, '65, for i yr.; must, in 
Mar. 21, '65, as priv.; disch. to date July 15, '65. P. 
O. ad., Amherst. 

Stevens, Charles \V. Co. H ; b. Cavendish, Vt.; age 19; 
res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. July 25, '64; must, 
in July 29, '64, as priv.; app. q. m. sergt. Sept. i, '64; 
must, out July 15, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 



Sullivan, Matthew. Co. C; b. Ireland; age iS; res. 

Nashua; cred. Sanborntou ; enl. Apr. 5, '64; must. 

in Apr. 5, '64, as priv.; app. corp. Maj' i, '65 ; must. 

out July 15, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Thompson, Willard P. Co. E; b. North Elba, N. V.; age 

31 ; res. Goffstown, cred. Goffstown ; enl. Aug. i, '64; 

must, in Aug. i, '64, as priv.; app. saddler; must, out 

July 15, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 2 N. H. V. 
Tinker, Milan. Co. A; b. Marlow; age 21 ; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Mar. 14, '64; must, in Mar. 16, '64, as priv. Died 

dis. Sept. I, '64, Alexandria, Va. 
Whitman, George E. Co. B; b. Nashua; age 20; cred. 

Peterborough; enl. Mar. 19, '64; must, in Mar. 19, 

'64, as priv.; app. seigt.; captd. June 23, '64, Notto- 

wa}- Courthouse, Va. Died, dis. Feb. 15, '65, Ander- 

sonville, Ga. 
Winn, William E. Unas'd ; b. Nashua; age 27; cred. 

Nashua; enl. .\pr. 5, '65, for one )'r.; must, in Apr. 6, 

'65, as priv.; disch. May 6, '65, Galloup's Isl., B. H., 

Mass. 
Woods, David P. Co. B; b. Pepperell, Mass.; age 40; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Mar. 30, '64; must, in Mar. 30, 

'64, as priv.; captd. June 29, '64, Ream's Station, Va. 

Died, dis. July 29, '64, Liljby prison, Richmond, Va. 

See state service. 



FIRST NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER LIGHT BATTERY. 

[THREE VK.^RS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 



Rappahannock Station, Va 


. Aug. 


22, 


1S62 


Sulphur Spring.s, Va., 


• Aug. 


26, 


1862 


Groveton, Va., . 


• Aug. 


29- 


1862 


Bull Run, Va 


• Aug. 


30, 


1862 


Antietani, McL, 


. Sept. 


17. 


1862 


Uppen-ille, \'a., 


. Nov. 2 


1 3i 


1862 


Fredericksburg, Va., 


Dec. 12- 


-15, 


1862 


Fredericksburg, Va., 


. May 


2 


1863 


Chancellorsville, Va., 


. May 3 


, 4. 


1863 


Gettysburg, Pa., 


. July 2 


> 3, 


1863 


Brandy .Station, Va., . 


. Nov. 


8, 


1863 


Mine Run, Va., 


. Nov. 


30, 


1863 


Wilderness, Va., 


May 


6, 


1S64 


Po River, Va., . 


. May 9, 


10, 


1864 


Spottsylvania, Va., . 


May 12, 14, 


18, 


1864 



North Anna River, Va., 
Sheldon Cross Roads, Va., 
Totopotomoy, Va., . May 
Cold Harbor, \'a.. 
Siege of Petersburg, Va., June 

16 to July 26 : July 30 to Aug. 

12 ; Aug. 20, 1864 to 
Deep Bottom, Va., 
Boydton, Plank Road, Va. 
White Oak Road, Va., 
Amelia Springs, Va., . 
Deatonsville, Va., 
Sailor's Creek, Va., . 
High Bridge, \'a., 
Farmville Va., . 



May 23, 


1864 


May 28, 


1864 


9, 31 ; June i, 


1864 


. June 3-12, 
ine 


1864 


Mar. 29, 


1865 


July 27, 28, 


1864 


Mar. 31, 


1865 


Apr. 2, 


1865 


Apr. 6, 


1865 


Apr. 6, 


1865 


Apr. 6, 


1865 


. Apr. 7. 


1865 


. Apr. 7, 


1865 



Beckwith, Oliver P. b. Nashua ; age 19 ; res. Manches- 
ter ; enl. Aug. 17, '61 ; must, in Sept. 26, '61, as priv. 
Died, dis. Aug. 15, '62, Falls Church, Va. 

Collins, Kitridge J. b. Springfield, Mass.; age 22 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 16, '61; must, in Sept. 26, '61, as 
priv.; re-enl. Dec. 23, '63; cred. Manchester; must, 
in Dec. 26, '63; app. corp.; must, out June 9, '65. P. 
O. ad., Nashua. 



FMfe, John W. b. Nashua; age 23 ; res. Manchester ; enl. 

Aug. 21, 61 ; must, in Sept. 26, '61, as priv.; app. 

Corp. Jan., '62; must, out Sept. 25, '64. 
Hamlett, Albert T. b. Nashua ; age 19; res. Manchester; 

enl. Aug. 16, '61 ; must, in Sept. 26, '61, as priv.; wd. 

July, '63, Gettj-sburg, Pa.; re-enl. Dec. 23, '63 ; must. 

in Dec. 26, '63 ; must, out June 9, '65. P. O. ad., 

Fitchburg, Mass. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



379 



Griswold, George W. b. Canada, age 39 ; res. Manches- 
ter; enl. Aug. 21, '61 ; must, in Sept. 26, '61. as priv.; 
must, out Sept. 25, '64. P. (). ad., Nashua. 

Hopkins, Cleaves W. b. Francestown ; age 24 ; res. Man- 
chester; enl. Aug. 26, '61; must, in Sept. 26, '61, as 
priv.; app. Corp. Dec. 31, '61 ; must, out Sept. 25. '64. 
P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Longa, Horatio W. b. Nashua ; age 25 ; res. Merrimack ; 
enl. Aug. 22, '61 ; must, in Sept. 26, '61, as priv.; 
re-enl. Dec. 23, '63; must, in Dec. 26, '63; app. corp. 
.\pr. 30, '64; sergt. Dec. 31, '64; must, out June 9, '65. 
P. O. ad., Manchester. See i N. H. V. 

Longa, John H. b. Merrimack ; age 25 ; res. Merrimack, 
cred. Merrimack; enl. Aug. 19, '62; must, in Aug. 
20, '62, as priv.; must, out June 9, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. See i N. H. V. 

McGilvra}-, Charles H. b. Nashua; age 20; res. Merri- 
mack; enl. Aug. 26, '6i ; must, in Sept. 26, '5i, as 
priv.; must, out Sept. 25, '64. P. O. ad., Newark, N. 
J. See state service. 



Mooney, James R. b. Nashua; age 19; cred. Peter- 
borough; enl. Aug. 19, '64; must, in Aug. 19, '64, as 
priv.; must, out June 9, '65. P. O. ad., Holyoke, Mass. 

Mooney, Smith G. b. Stewartstown ; age 35 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Sept. 26, '61 ; must, in Sspt. 26, '61, as priv.; wd. 
May, '64, Po River, Va.; must, out Sept. 25, '64. P. 
O. ad., Warner. 

Taber, Orrin. b. Grafton; age 21 ; res. Manchester; enl. 
Aug. 19, '61 ; must, in Sept. 26, '61, as Co. q. ni. sergt.; 
app. I sergt. Apr. 16, '63; 2 It, Feb. 13, '64; resigned 
Oct. 7, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Voung, Morrill N. b. Maine; age 43; res. Manchester; 
enl. Aug. 19, -61; must, in Sept. 25, '64. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 



FIRST COMPANY NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

[THREE VE.\R.S.] 



Balch, Enos C. b. Addison, Vt.; age 29; res. Nashua, 
cred. Nashua; enl. July 15, '63; must, in July 18, '63, 
as priv. Died, dis. Sept. 7, '64, Ft. Simmons, D. C. 
See I N. H. V. 

Center, Benjamin L. b. Londonderry ; age 44 ; res. Man- 
chester ; enl. .\pr. 23, '63; must, in May 25, '63, as 
muse; must, out Sept. 11, '65. Died May 23, '83, 
Nashua. See unattached company, N. H. V. 

Dodge, Edward B. b. Francestown ; age 25 ; res. Nashua, 
cred. Nashua; enl. July 13. '63; must, in July 18, '63, 
as priv.; must, out Sept. 11, '65. P. O. ad., Stoddard. 

Hall, Charles A. b. Nashua; age 27 ; res. Nashua, cred. 
Nashua; enl. July 15, '63; must, in July 18, '63. as 
priv.; app. corp. Aug. 25, '63; sergt. Dec. 17, '63; Co. 
q. m. sergt. Nov. 14, '64; must, out Sept. 11, 65. P. 
O.ad., Waltham, Mass. 

Joss, Frederick A. b. Saco, Me.; age 30, res. Nashua, 
cred. Nashua; enl. July 13, '63; must, in July 18, '63, 
as priv.; died Nov. 11, '64, Ft. Slocum, I). C. 



Leonard, .\lbert H. b. Nashua; age 29; res. Ossipee, 
cred. Ossipee; enl. June 8, '63; must, in July 2, "63, 
as Corp.; reduced to ranks Feb. i, '65; must, out Sept. 
ri. '65. P. O. ad., Lowell. Mass. 

Peirce, .-Mbert P. b. Lunenburgh, Mass.; age 28; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. May 20, '63; must, in 
May 26, '63, as corp.; reduced to ranks Nov. 30, '63; 
must, out Sept. 11, '65. 

Presby, Porter S. b. Bradford; age 26; res. Nashua, cred. 
Nashua; enl. July 15. '63; must, in July 18, '63, as 
priv.; app. corp. Dec. 18, '63; reduced to ranks Jan. 

17, '64; app. Corp. Nov. i. '64; muBt. out Sept. 11, 
'65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Richardson, Charles A. b. Hudson ; age 23; res. Nashua, 
cred. Nashua; eul.Juh- 15, '63; must, in July 15, '63, 
as priv.; must, out Sept. u. '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Tapper, George A. b. New York city ; age 16; res. 
Nashua, cred. Nashua ; enl. July 4, '63; must, in July 

18, '63, as priv.; must, out Sept. 11, "65. P. O. ad., 
Lowell, Mass. 



SECOND COMPANY NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

[THREE VE.\RS.] 



lloynton, John A. b. .\mherst ; age 23; res. New Boston, 
cred. New Boston; enl. Aug. 31, '63; must, in Aug. 
31, '63, as wagoner; must, out Sept. 11, '65, as priv.; 
P. O. ad., Nashua. 



McKean, George 11. b. Hollis; age 20; res. Nashua, cred. 
Nashua; enl. .'Vug. 21, '63; must, in Aug. 24, '63, as 
priv.; must, out Sept. 11, '65. Died May 7, '69, 
Nashua. Sec 4 N- H. V. 



FIRSTR REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER HEA\ Y ARTILLERY. 



ONE AND THREE VE.VRS. 



Bancroft. John M. Co. D ; b. Londonderry ; age 31 ; cred. 
Londonderry; enl. Aug. 30, '64, for I yr.; must, in 
Sept. 4, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 



Austin, Charles J. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 34; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Sept. 2, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 

'64, as priv.; disch. disab. Dec. 29, '64. 
Brirnes, John. Co. JL See i N. H. L. battery. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H 



Barnes, Charles. Co. F ; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 27 ; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. i, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; disch. Sept., '64, Concord, by reason of 
rejection for disab. at organization of company. 

Blood, James W. Co. F; b. Merrimack; age 42; cred. 
Nashua ; enl. Aug. 25, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Bonner, Charles. Co. F; b. Boston, Mass.; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 30, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in ,Sept. 
6, '64, as priv.; tr. to Co. B, June 10, '65; must, out 
Sept. II, '65. 

Boutelle, Albert L. Co. F; b. Chelmsford, Mass.; age 
21; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 31, '64, for i yr.; must, 
in Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Boutelle, Landon H. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 31, '64, for 1 yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Boutelle, William. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 24, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 
II, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Butler, James. Co. F; b. Amherst; age 36 ; cred. Nashua ; 
enl. Aug. 23, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, '64, as 
priv.; disch. Sept. 12, '64, Concord, by reason of re- 
jection for disab. at organization of company. 

Campbell, Albert A. Co. F; b. Bedford; age 18; cred. 
Hudson; enl. Aug. 30, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 
6, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. Died Oct. i, 
'68, Nashua. 

Carkin, .\lbert J. Co. F ; b. Lyndeborough ; age 27 ; cred. 
Wilton ; enl. Sept. 3, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Carry, Michael. Co. F; b. Ireland ; age 26; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. 29, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, '64, as 
priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Case, Levi. Co. F; b. St. Albans, Vt.; age 40; cred. 
Nashua; enl. .\ug. 25, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. Died Nov. 16, 
'92, Nashua. 

Chase, Enoch E. Co. K; b. Nashua; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 17, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 
17, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. See Martin Guards. 

Cortney, Michael. Co. F; b. Cavan, Ire.; age 19; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 29, 64, for i yr.; must, in .Sept. 11, 
'64, as priv.; disch. Sept., '64, on account of rejection 
for disab. at organization of company. 

Davis, Judson. Co. M; b. Belfast, Me.; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Feb. 27, '65, for i yr.; must, in Feb. 27, 
'65, as priv.; must, out June 9, '65. P. O. ad., Charles- 
town, Mass. 

Dorr, Wilson. Co. F; b. Peru, Me.; age 32; cred. 
Nashua ; enl. Aug. 30, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; disch. May 16, '65, Concord. Died June 
27, '84, North Sutton. 

Douglass, Asa H. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 24; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 29, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Dunlap, James H. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 21; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. i, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as Co. q. m. sergt.; must, out June 15, '65. 



Eayrs, Edward F. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 24; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 2, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., Hud- 
son. 

Eayrs, Frank M. Co. F; b. Brooklyn, N. Y.; age 22; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Sept. 2, '64, for i yr.; must, in 
Sept. 5, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 

Fisher, Frank U. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; cred 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 31, '64, fori yr.; must, in Sept. 11, 
'64, as priv.; disch. Sept. '64, by reason of rejection 
for disab. at organization of company. 

Flanders, Daniel. Co. D; b. Derry ; age 38; cred. Lon- 
donderry; enl. Aug. 25, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 

4, '64, as priv.; disch. disab. Feb. 27, '65. Died Nov. 
20, '84, Nashua. 

Flanders, Daniel J. Co. F; b. Wheelock, Vt.; age 28; 
cred. Nashua; app. capt. Sept. 5, '64; must, in Sept. 

5, '64, for I yr.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. See 3 N. H. V. 

Flanders, John A. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 20; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Sept. i, '64, for i j-r.; must, in Sept. 6, 

'64, as priv. Died, dis. Jan. 24, '65. Ft. Simmons, D. 

C. Supposed identical with John A. Flanders, U. S. 

navy. 
Fletcher, Ansel W. Co. M; b. Littleton, Mass.; age 18; 

cred. Nashua ; enl. Feb. 27, '65, for 3 yrs.; must, in 

Feb. 27, '65, as priv.; must, out June 9, '65. 
Forrest, John E. Co. F; b. Danville, Vt.; age 29; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 29, '64, for 1 yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 

'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 
Forrest, Joseph S. Co. F; b. Danville, Vt.; age 28; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 25, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 

'64, as Corp.; app. sergt. Oct. 5, '64; must, out June 

IS. '65- 
French, Nat L. Co. F; b.Epping; age 18; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Sept. i, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, '64, as 

Corp.; must, out June 15. '65. 
Gallison, James P. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; cred. 

Manchester; enl. Sept. i, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 

6, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Gray, George A. Co. F ; b. Nashua ; age 21 ; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. 23, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, '64, as 
priv.; must, out June 15, '65. Died Mar. 3, '88, 
Nashua. 

Grater, John A. Co. F; b. .\mherst ; age 22; cred. 
Nashua; enl. ."^ug. 24, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 
6, '64, as Corp.; app. sergt. to date Feb. 26, '65; tr. to 
Co. A or B, June 10, '65; never joined Co. A, or B, 
there being no vacancy in the grade of sergt.; disch. 
June 23, '65, Concord, as supernumerary non-commis- 
sioned officer of Co. F. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Greenwood, Horace E. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 20; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 24, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as sergt.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., Bos- 
ton, Mass. 

Hale, Frank A. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; res. Hopkin- 
ton ; cred. Nashua; enl. Sept. i, '64, for i yr.; must, 
in Sept. II, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. 
O. ad., Boston, Mass. 

Hale, James. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 44; cred. Merri- 
mack; enl. Aug. 29, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
■64, as priv.; disch, May 16, '65, Concord. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, AL //, 



381 



Hall, La Roy S. Co. K; b. Manchester; age 18; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Sept. 17, '64, fori yr.; must, in Sept. 

17, '64, as Corp.; must, out June 15, '65. See Martin 

Guards. 
Harding, Rufus .\. Co. K; b. Newport, Me.; age 18; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Sept. 17, '64, for i yr.; must, in 

Sept. 17, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. See 

Martin (ruards. 
Hayden, (ieorge A. Co. F; b. Harvard, Mass.; age 18; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Sept. 2, '64, for i yr.; must, in 

Sept. 6, '64, as sergt.; app. i sergt. Oct. 5, '64 ; must. 

out June 15, '65. 
Hobert, Silas. Co. F; b. Bridgewater, Mass.; age 44; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 25, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in 

Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; tr. to Co. B, June 10, '65; must. 

out Sept. II, '65. Died Mar. 14, '69. 
Holcomb, George. Co. F; b. Concord; age 18; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Sept. 3, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 

II, '64, as priv.; tr. to Co. B.June 10, '65; must, out 

Sept. II, '65. 
Hunt, Joshua W. Co. F; b. Wilkesbarre, Pa.; age 19; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Sept. 2, '64, for i yr.; must, in 

Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. 

ad., Nashua. 
Jewell, Alvin A. Co. F; b. Groton ; age 21 ; cred. Nashua; 

enl. .-^ug. 25, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, '64, as 

Corp.; must, out June 15, '65. See 16 N. H. V. 
Kennedy, Matthew. Co. F ; b. Manchester; age 26 ; cred. 

Nashua ; enl. Aug. 24, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 

6, '64, as Corp.; tr. to Co. B, June 10, '65 ; reduced to 

ranks Apr. 27, '65 ; must, out Sept. 11, '65. Supposed 

identical with Matthew Kennedy, Co. C, 9 N. H. V. 
Lambert, Edward. Co. F; b. Sutton, Mass.; age 19; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 31, '64, for i yr.; must, in 

Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 
Lanon, Patrick. Co. F ; b. Ireland ; age 30 ; cred. Nashua ; 

enl. Aug. 31, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, '64, as 

priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 
Lefavor, Francis. Co. F; b. Shedgee, Can.; age 22 ; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 31, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 

'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 
Lincoln, Edwin S. Co. E ; b. Boston, Mass.; age 18 ; cred. 

Concord ; enl. Aug. 24, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 5, 

'64, as priv.; app. muse; must, out June 15, '65. P. 

O. ad., Nashua. 
Lincoln, Henry H. Co. F; b. Sturbridge, Mass.; age 23 ; 

cred. Nashua ; enl. Sept. 2, '64, for i yr.; must, in 

Sept. 6, '64, as sergt.; must, out June 15, '65. See i 

N. H. V. 
Lovejoy, Weston. Co. F; b. Stoddard; age 42; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 26, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 

'64, as priv.; app. artificer Dec. 26, '64; must, out 

June 15, '65. 
Lund, William P. Co. D; b. Nashua; age 44 ; cred. Lon- 
donderry ; enl. Aug. 23, '64, for i \r.\ must, in Sept. 

4, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 
Marden, Calvin C. Co. M; b. Windham; age rS; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Mar. 6, '65, for i j-r.; must, in Mar. 6, 

'65, as priv.; must, out June g. '65. P. O. ad., Opop- 

ka, Fla. 
Mattison, Thomas A. Co. B; b. Scituate, R. I.; age 27; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 27, '64, fori yr.; must, in 

Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 



Mcintosh, George. Co. F; b. Brookline ; age 30; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 2, '64, for 1 yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Merriam, George A. Co. F; b. Londenderry ; age 19; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 27, •64, for i yr.; must, in 
Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Mills, Henry M. Co. F; b. Grafton, Vt.; age 27, cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 25, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; app. i It. Sept. 9, '64 ; must out June 15, 
'65. P. O. ad., Lowell, Mass. See i and 16 N. H. V. 

Moore, Edward L. Co. F; b. Worcester, Mass.; age 19; 
cred. Nashua; enL Aug. 29, '64, for i yr.; must, in 
Sept. 6, '64, as corp.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Morgan, Pliny F. Co. F; b. Johnson, Vt.; age 37; cred. 
Nashua ; enl. Aug. 25, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
•64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Morrill, James E. Co. C; 1>. Nashua; age 22; cred. 
Derry; enl. Aug. 23, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 2, 
'64, as priv.; disch. May 23, '65, Concord. 

Neligan, Maurice. Co. F; b. Ireland; age 39; cred. 
Nashua ; enl. Aug. 27, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 
6, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Osborn.John E. Co. K; b. Weymouth, Mass.; age 23; 
res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. Sept. 3, '64, for i 
yr.; must, in Sept. 17, '64, as priv.; must, out June 
13, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. See miscel. organizations. 

Otis, Charles A. Co. K; b. Worcester, Mass.; age 18; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 29, '64, for i yr.; must, in 
Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; rejected and discharged on or- 
ganization of company, by reason of concussion of 
brain from a blow of slung shot received from a sub- 
stitute in general rendezvous after muster in; re-enl. 
and must, in Feb. 27, '65, for 3 yrs.; cred. Nashua; 
assigned to Co. M; disch. June 27, '65, Philadelphia, 
Pa. 

Parmenter, Edwin H. Co. K ; b. Providence, R. I.; age 

18; cred. Nashua; enl. Sept. 17, '64, for i yr.; must. 

in Sept. 17, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. 

O. ad., Lowell, Mass. See Martin Guards. 
Pierce, George W. Co. F; b. Brookline; age 19; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Sept. i, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 

'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., Pep- 

perell, Mass. 
Pierce, Theodore W. Co. F; b. Leominster, Mass.; age 

39; cred. Nashua; enl. ."^ug. 29, '64, for i yr.; must. 

in Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; app. corp. June i, '65; must. 

out June 15, "65. 
Preston, Edward. Co. F; b. Stratford, Vt.; age 31; cred. 

Nashua; enl. .^ug. 30, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 

6, '64, as priv.; disch. May 16, '65, Concord. 
Proctor, Orlando. Co. M ; b. Chateaugay, N. V.; age 28; 

cred. Manchester; enl. Feb. 21, '65, for 1 yr.; must, in 

Feb. 21, '65, as priv.; must, out June, 9, "65. Died 

Nov. 24, '91, Nashua. 
Purinton, John G. Co. V ; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 28 ; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 27, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 

6, '64, as priv.; tr. to Co. B. June 10, '65 ; must, out 

Sept. II, '65. 
Reed, Orrin W. Co. K ; b. I.angdon : age 22 ; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Sept. 3, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 17, 

'64, as priv.; app. corp.; must, out June 15, '65. 



382 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H 



Reed, Roberto. Co. F; b. Topshani, Me.; age 20; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 2, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Robbius, John L. Co. F ; b. Nashua; age 21 ; cred. Mer- 
rimack; eul. Aug. 29, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Robinson, Albert B. Co. C ; b. Nashua ; age 22 ; cred. 
Manchester; enl. .\ug, 18, '64, for i yr.; must, in 
Sept. 2, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Robinson, George H. Co. F; b. North Studley, Can.; 
age 22; cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 26, '64, for i yr.; 
must, in Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Roby, Ben Ormond. Co. K; b. Northfield, Vt.; age 18; 
cred. Nashua ; enl. Sept. 17, '64, for i yr.; must, in 
Sept. 17, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. See Martin Guards. 

Sawyer, Joseph T. Co. F; b. Antrim; age 44; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 22, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 
6, '64, as priv.; tr. to Co. B, June 10. '65; must, out 
Sept. II, '65. 

Sawyer, Judson. Co. K; b. Warner; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 3, '64, for i yr.; must, in vSept. 17, 
'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Sears, George H. Co. F; b. I.eroy, X. Y.; age 23; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 31, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; app. 2 It. Sept. 9, '64 ; must out June 15, 
'65. P. O. ad., Deering. See 16 N. H. V. 

Seavey, Mortimer. Co. F; b. Wilton; age 21; cred. 
Nashua; enl. .Sept. 3, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; must, out June 13, '65. Died Nov. 11, 
'93, Marblehead, Mass. 

Shattuck, James W. Co. F; b. Pepperell, Mass.; age 44; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 31, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in 
Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; disch. disab. Ma)- 26, '65. Sup- 
posed identical with James W. Shattuck, Co. D, 4 N. 
H. V. 

Shaw, Major A. Co. F; b. Alstead ; age 31; cred. 
Nashua; app. I It. Sept. 5, '64; must, in Sept. 12, '64, 
for I yr.; must, out June 15, '65. Died May 10, '81, 
Lowell, Mass. See i and 13 N. H. V. 

Smith, Croydon S. Co. F; b. Londonderry, Vt.; age 26; 
cred. Nashua ; eul. Aug. 25, '64, for I yr.; must, in 
Sept. II, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. 
ad., Somerville, Mass. 

Smith, Frederick F; Co. F; b. Boston, Mass.; age 24; 
res. Hudson, cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 27, '64, for i 
yr.; must, in Sept. 5, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, 
'65. P. O. ad., Hudson. 

Spalding, Edwin G. Co. F; b. Dunstable, Mass.; age 22 ; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 25, '64, for 1 yr.; must, in 
Sept. II, '64, as priv.; rejected for disab. on organiza- 
tion of company and disch. Sept., '64. 

Spalding, Warren F. Co. F ; b. Hillsborough ; age 23 ; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 29, '64, for i yr.; must, in 
Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; disch. May 26, '65. 

Steele, James, Jr.; Co. F; b. Antrim; age 24; cred. 
Nashua; enl. .\ug. 31, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6. 
'64, as sergt.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. See i N. H. V. 

Stone, Henry J. Co. F; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 25; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. i, '64. for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as sergt.; reduced to ranks Feb. 26, '65; must, 
out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., Waltham, Mass. 



Suddard, John F. Co. V ; b. Cranston, R. I.; age 18; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Sept. 2, '64, for i yr.; must, in 

Sept. 6, "64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 
Sullivan, John. Co. F; b. Ireland; age 28; cred. Nashua; 

enl. Aug. 30, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 5, '64, as 

priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 
Tarbox, Orrison J. Co. F' ; b. Dracut, Mass.; age 21; 

cred. Nashua; enl. .^ug. 26. '64. for i yr.; must, in 

.Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. 

ad., Springfield, Mass. 
Taylor, Milton A. Co. F; b. Francestown ; age 22; cred. 

Nashua; app. 2 It. Sept. 5, '64; must, in Sept. 12, '64, 

for I yr.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Thorning, James C. Co. F; b. Peterborough; age 38; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 22, '64, for i yr.; must, in 

.Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 
Tinker, Ezekiel. Co. K; b. Lenipster ; age 20; cred. 

Nashua; enl. Sept. 17, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 

17, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. Died April 

II, '94, Nashua. See Martin Guards. 
Tinkham, George M. Co. K; b. Lowell, Mass.; age 18; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Sept. 17, '64, for i yr.; must, in 

Sept. 17, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. See 

Martin Guards. 
Towle, William H. Co. F; b. Lake Village; age 29; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 31, '64, for i yr.; must, in 

Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. 

ad., Greenfield. 
Towns, Charles O. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 20: cred. 

Nashua; enl. Sept. 2, '64, for I yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 

'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., Fall 

River, Mass. 

Tryan, George F. Co. F; b. Burlington, Vt.; age 28; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 25, '64, for i yr.; must, in 
Sept. 6, '64, as priv.; app. artificer Dec. 26, '64; must. 
out June 15, '65. 

Wallace, David W. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 36; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 29, '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Wellman, Samuel T. Co. F' ; b. Wareham, Mass.; age 
18; cred. Nashua; enl. .\ug. 31, '64, for l yr.; must. 
in Sept. 6, '64, as corp.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Wilkins, John E. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 31, '64, for r yr.; must, in Sept. 
6, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15. '65. 

Williams, Nahum E. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 27, '64, for I yr.; must, in Sept. 6, 
'64, as priv.; app. muse. Dec. 26, '64; must, out June 
15. '65- 

Wilson, David .\. Co. C; b. Nashua; age 33; cred. 
Manchester; enl. .\ug. 24, '64, for i yr.; must, in 
Sept. 2, '64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. 

Wilson, John. Co. F; b. Canada; age 21 ; cred. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. 22, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 6, '64, as 
sergt.; tr. to Co. A or B, June 10, '65 ; never joined Co. 
A. or B, there being no vacancy in the grade of sergt.; 
disch. June 23, '65, Concord, as supernumerary non- 
commissioned ofl&cer of Co. F. 

Winn, William F. Co. L; b. Nashua; age 37; cred. Con- 
cord ; enl. Sept. 29, '64. for i yr.; must, in Sept. 29, 
'64, as priv.; must, out June 15, '65. Died Aug. 22, 
'85, Chelsea, Mass. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



383 



Witham, George W. Co. F; b. Hartford, Conn.; age rg; Wright, John. Co. F; b. Nashua; age 18; cred. Nashua- 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 26, -64, for i yr.; must, in eul. Aug. 27. '64, for i yr.; must, in Sept. n, '64, as 

.Sept. 6, '64. as priv.; must, out June 15. '65. priv.; must, out June 15, '65. P. O. ad., Brookline. 

COMPANY E, 
FIRST REGIMENT UNITED STATES VOLUNTEER SHARPSHOOTERS. 

[THREE VK.VRS.] 

ENGAGE. MENTS. 



Levvinsville, \'a,, 

Falls Church, Va., 

Big Bethel, Va., 

Siege of Yorktown, \'a., Apr. 

Hanover Courthouse, Va., 

Mechanicsville, Va. 

Gaine's Mill, Va., 

Malvern Hill, \'a., 

Gainesville, Va., 

Bull Run, \'a., 

Antietam, Md., 

Black Ford, \'a., 

Fredericksburg, Va., 

Chancellorsville, Va., 

Gettysburg, Pa., 

Wapping Heights, \^a. 



Badger, Henry E. b. Warner ; 
Sept. 3, '61 ; must, in Sept 
30, '62, Bull Run (2d), Va 
must, out Sept. 9, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua 
H. V. 



. Sept. 


27. 


1861 


. Sept. 


29, 


1861 


Mar. 


27. 


1862 


5 to May 


4. 


1862 


May 


27- 


1862 


June 


26, 


1862 


June 


27. 


1862 


• July 


I, 


1862 


• Aug. 


29. 


1862 


• Aug. 


30, 


1862 


. Sept. 


17. 


1862 


Sept 19, 


20, 


1862 


. Dec. 


13. 


1862 


. May : 


2-4- 


1863 


• July : 


. 3. 


1S63 


July 


23. 


1863 



Auburn, \'a., 
Kelly's F^ord, Va., 
IvOcust Grove, Va., . 
Mine Run, Va., 
Wilderness, Va., 
Todd's Tavern, Va., . 
Po River, Va., . 
Spottsylvania, Va., 
North Anna River, Va., 
Totopotomoy Creek, Va., 
Cold Harbor, Va., 
Petersburg, Va., 
Weldon Railroad, \'a.. 
Siege of Petersburg, Va., July 
Aug. 14; Aug. 
Deep Bottom, \■^., July 27 and 



Oct. 13, 
Nov. 7, 
Xov. 27, 
Xov. 30, 
May 5-7, 
May 8, 
May 10, II, 
Maj' 12, 13, 
May 24, 25, 
May 30, 31, 
• June 3-5, 
June 16-18, 
June 22, 
23-26; July 
17 to Sept. 8, 



Auf 



5, 16, 



1S63 
1863 
1863 
1863 
1864 
1864 
1864 
1864 
1864 
1864 
1864 
1864 
1864 
28 to 
1864 
1864 



age i8; res. Warner ; enl. 

9, '61, as priv.; wd. Aug. 

; app. Corp. July i, '63; 

See I N. 



Brooks, George W. h. Dublin; age 27; res. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. 19, '61 ; must, in Sept. 9, '61, as priv.: wd. 
sev. Sept. 29, '61, Monson's Hill, Va.; app. sergt.; 
disch. disab. Jan. 29, '63, near Falmouth, Va. P. O. 
ad., Waltham, Mass. .See i N. H. V. 



384 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

COMPANIES F AND G, 

SECOND REGIMENT UNITED STATES VOLUNTEER SHARPSHOOTERS. 

[THREE YEARS.] 

ENGAGEMENTS. 

Mine Run, Va., . . Nov. 28-30, 1863 

Wilderness, Va., . . . May 5-7, 1864 

Todd's Tavern, Va., . . . May 9, 1864 

Po River, Va., .... May 10, 1864 

Spotts^-lvania, Va., . . May 11-16, 1864 

North Anna River, Va., . May 23-26, 1864 

Totopotomoy Creek, Va., . May 30, 31, 1864 

Cold Harbor, Va., . . June 3-12, 1864 

Petersburg, Va., . . June 16-20, 1864 

Weldon Railroad, Va., . June 21-23, 1864 

Deep Bottom, Va., July 27 and Aug. 14-18, 1864 

Mine Explosion (Petersburg, Va.), July 30, 1864 
Siege of Petersburg, Va., Sept. 10-22, 

and Oct. 10, 1864 

Poplar Springs Church, \'a., . Oct. 7, 1864 

Boydton Plank Road, Va., . Oct. 27, 1864 

Weldon Railroad, Va., . . Dec. 8-10, 1864 

Hatcher's Run, Va., . . Feb. 5-7, 1865 



Falmouth, Va., . 


Apr. 


19. 


1862 


Orange Courthouse Road, 


Va., July 


26, 


1862 


Bowling Green, Va., 


• Aug. 


6, 


1862 


Rappahannock Station, Va 


Aug. 21- 


-23. 


1862 


Sulphur Springs, Va., 


■ Aug. 


26, 


1862 


Gainesville, Va., 


. Aug. 


28, 


1862 


Bull Run, Va., . 


Aug. 29, 


30, 


1862 


Chantilly, Va., . 


. Sept. 


I, 


1862 


vSouth Mountain, Md., 


. Sept. 


14. 


1862 


Boonsborough, Md., . 


. Sept. 


15. 


1862 


Antietam, Md., . 


Sept. 16, 


17. 


1862 


Fredericksburg, Va., 


Dec. 13- 


~i5. 


1862 


Chancellorsville, Va., 


. May 


1-4. 


1863 


Gettysburg, Pa., 


■ July . 


2-4. 


1863 


Wapping Heights, Va., 


• July 


23. 


1863 


Auburn, Va., 


Oct. 


13. 


1863 


Kelly's Ford, Va., . 


. Nov. 


7- 


1863 


Brandy vStation, Va., . 


. Nov. 


8, 


1863 


Locust Grove, Va., . 


. Nov. 


27. 


1863 



Fletcher, Warren H. Co. G ; b. Cornish; age 23; res. 
Claremont ; enl. Oct. 8, '61 ; must, in Dec. 12, '61, as 
priv.; app. corp. Jan. i, '62 ; re-enl. Dec. 21, '63; cred. 
Nashua; must, in Dec. 24, '63; app. sergt. .\pr. 12, 
'64; 2 It. Nov. 21, '64; tr. to 5 N. H. V.. Jan. 30, '65; 
app. I It. Co. F, May i, '65; not must.; assigned to 
Co. G, June 12, '65 ; must, out June 28, '65, as 2 It. P. 
O. ad., Cla\' Centre, Kan. 

Gilson, David. Co. G; b. Brookline; age 35; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 12, '61 ; must, in Dec. 12, '61, as 
Corp.; wd. Sept. 17, '62. Autietam, Md.; disch. wds. 
Feb. 28, '63. Died May 20, '88, Meridan, Conn. 

Hoyt, Lewis S. Co. G; b. Cornish; age 32; res. Nashua; 
enl. Dec. 6, '61 ; must, in Dec. 12, '61; as priv.; disch. 
disab. Mar. 24, '62, Washington, D. C. 

Lovejoy, John. Co. G; b. Bangor, Me.; age 21; res. Lis- 
bon; enl. Nov. 29, '61 ; must, in Dec. 12, '6i, as priv.; 
re-enl. Dec. 21, '63 ; cred. Nashua ; must, in Dec. 24, 
'63; app. wagoner; tr. to 5 N. H. V., Jan. 30, '65; 
assigned to Co. I, June 17, '65; must, out June 28, 
'65. See I N. H. V. 



NATIONAL GUARDS, NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



Redfield, Henry A. Co. G; b. Nashua; age 21; res. 
Claremont; enl. Dec. 11, '61; must, in Dec. 12, '61, 
as priv.; disch. Dec. 22, '62, Washington, D. C. P. 
O. ad., Dover. 

Thompson, John W. Co. G; b. Newmarket; age 26; res. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 9, '61; must, in Dec. 12, '61, as i 
sergt.; app. 2 It. July 16, '62 ; killed Sept. 17, '62, 
Antietam, Md. See i N. H V. 

Upton, Charles. Co. F ; b. Amherst ; age 25 ; res. Am- 
herst ; enl. Oct. 19, '5i ; must, in Nov. 26, '61, as 
Corp.; disch. disab. June 18, '62. Died June 18, '76, 
Nashua. 



[SIXTY DAYS.] 

Mooar, Alfred L. b. Amherst; age 25; res. Amherst, cred. Amherst; enl. May 9, '64; must, in Jlay 9, '64, as priv.; 
must, out July 27, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. ,See state service. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, X. H. 
MARTIN GUARDS, NHW HAMPSHIRH VOLUNTEtR INFANTRY. 

[XINKTY DAVS.] 



385 



Chase, Iviiufli I-;, b. Nashua; aj;e 18; res. Nashua, cred. 

Nashua; eul. July 25, '64; must, in July 25, "64, as 

priv.; must, out Sept. 16, '64. 1*. (). ad., Nashua. 

See I N. H. H. art. 
Danforth, John M. b. .\inlKrst ; age 18; cred. Nashua; 

enl. July 25, '64; must, in July 25, '64, as priv.; must. 

out Sept. 16, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Davis, Francis H. b. Williamstown, \'t.; age iS; res. 

Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. July 25, '64; must, in 

July 25, '64, as Corp.; must, out Sept. 16, '64. 1". (). 

ad., Bridgeport, Conn. 
Davis, Frankli:. .\. b. Williamstown, \'t.; age 18; res. 

Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. July 25, '64; must, in 

July 25, '64, as priv.; must, out Sept. 16, '64. 1', (). 

ad., Nashua. 
Dixon, William H. .\ge 20; cred. Nashua; enl. July 25, 

'64; must, in July 25, '64, as priv.; must, out .Sept. 

16, '64. 
Mall, I,a Roy S. b. Manchester; age 18; res. Nashua, 

cred. Nashua; enl. July 25, '64; must, in July 25, '64, 

as priv.; must, out Sept. 16, '64. See 1 X. H. H. art. 
Harding, Rufus A. b. Newport, Me.; age 18; res. Nashua, 

cred. Nashua; enl. July 25, '64; must, in July 25, '64, 

as priv.; must, out Sept. 16, '64. See i N. H. II. art. 
ICelsey. Edgar. .\ge 21; cred. Nashua; enl. July 25, '64; 

must, in July 25, '64, as sergt.; must, out .Sept. 16, '64. 



Morris, Charles M. .^ge 23; res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; 

enl. July 25, '64; must, in July 25, '64, as priv.; must. 

out Sept. 16, '64. 
I'armenter, Kdwin H. b. Providence, R. I.; age 18; res. 

Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. July 25, "64; must in July 

25, '64, as priv.; must out Sept. 16, '64. P. O. ad., 

I,owell, Mass. See i N. H. H. art. 
Robie, Edward A. h. Hooksett; age 18; res. Hooksett, 

cred. Nashua; enl. July 25. '64; must, in July 25, '6|, 

as ])riv.; must, out Sept. 16, '64. P. O. ad., .\Hens- 

town. 
Koby, Ben Ormond. b. .N'orthlicld ; age 18; res. Nashua, 

cred. Nashua; enl. July 25, '64; must, in July 25, '64, 

as priv.; must, out Sept. 16, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

See I N. II. II. art. 
Searles, Francis. .\ge 18; res. Nashua, cred. Nashua; 

enl. July 25, '64; must in July 25, '64, as priv.; must. 

out Sept. 16, '64. 
Tinker, K/.ekiel. b. I.empster; age 19; res. Nashua, 

cred. Nashua; enl. July 25, '64; must, in July 25, '64, 

as priv.; must, out Sept. 16, '64. See I N. H. H. art. 
Tinkham, (ieorge M. b. Lowell, Mass.; age 18; res. 

Nashua, cred. Nashua; enl. July 25, '64; must, in 

July 25, '64, as priv.; must, out Sept. '16, '64. See i 

N. H. II. art. 



LAFAYHTTH ARTILLERY, NEW HAMPSHIRE VOUINTEERS. 



NiNirrv D.VVS. 



I'ord, .\Ivin J. b. Lyndeborough ; age 28; res. Lyndc- 

borough, cred. Lyndeborough ; enl. .\ug. 1, '64; 

must, in Aug. i, '64, as priv.; must, out Sept. 23, '64. 

P. O. ad., Nashua. 
llamt)lett, Judson A. b. Milford; age 21; res. Milford, 

cred. Milford; enl. Aug. i, '64; must, in .\ug. i, '64. 

as priv.; must, out Sept. 23, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

•See 8 and 9 N. II. V. 



Hutchinson, Isaac H. b. Wilton; age 38; res. Wilton, 
cred. Wilton; enl. .Vug. 1, '64; must, in .^ug. t, '64, 
as priv.; must, out Sept. 23, '64. P. O. ad., Nashua. 



VETERAN RESERVE CORPS. 



[Designated Invalid Corps, when first organized.] 
[THRlili VE.VRS.] 



Uarr, Hlbridge. Co. B; 24 regt.; b. Bedford; age 21; 
cred. Concord; enl. Aug. 18, '64; must, in .Vug. 18, 
'64, as priv.; disch. Nov. 14, '65, Washington, D. C. 
Name changed to Edward Graham by act. of legisla- 
ture, June '66. P. O. ad., Nashua. SeeiiN. H.V. 

Beman, Alfred H. Co. F, 13 regt.; b. Malone, N. Y.; age 
31 ; cred. Dublin ; eul. June 23, '64; must, in June 23, 
■64, as priv.; disch. Nov. 13, '65, Concord. Died June 
24, '81, Nashua. See 4N. H. V. 

Blood, .\lbert. Co. E, 20 regt.; b. Nashua, age 20; cred. 
Manchester; enl. Dec. 16, '63; must, in Dec. 16, '63, 
as priv.; app. corp.; disch. Nov. 21, '65, Philadelphia, 
Pa. P. O. ad., Manchester. See 3 N. H. V. 



Colburn, Joel. Co. A. 13 regt.; b. Milford; age "42;" 
cred. Nashua; enl. Dec. 23, '63; must, in Dec. 23, '63, 
as priv.; disch. Nov. 17, '65, Galloup's Isl., B. H., 
JIass. Died Feb. 8, '79, Clinton. Mass. See 8 N. 
H. V. 

Dodge, Charles W. Co. K. 24 regt.; b. Nashua; age 21; 
res. Mont Vernon; app. 2 It. Jan. 30, '65.; must, in 
May 18, '65; disch. .\ug. 27, '68. See 13 N. H. V. and 
U. S. C. T. 

Donlan, John. Co. E, 13 regt.; b. King's county. Ire.; 
age "34;" cred. Nashua; enl. Dec. 29, '63; must, in 
Dec. 29, '63, as priv. Died, dis. Sept. 16, '64, Nashua. 
See3N. H.V. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Ferguson, Thomas. Co. D, 24 regt.; b. Scotlaud ; age 
"45;" cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 19, '64; must, in Aug. 
19, '64, as priv.; disch. Nov. 17, '65, Washington. D. 

C. P. O. ad., North Sanbornton. SeeSN. H. V. 
I'oss, Edward G. Co. D, 24 regt.; b. Nashua; age " 22;" 

cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 17, '64; must, in Aug. 17, 
'64, as priv.; disch. disal). June i, '65, Washington, 

D. C. Supposed identical with Edward Foss, I'. S. 
navy. .See 7 N. H. V. 

Oroves, George H. Co. B, 13 regt.; b. Fall River, Mass; 
age 22; cred. Nashua; enl. Dec. 25. '63; must, in Dec. 
25, '63, as priv.; disch. Nov. 15, '65, Iloslun, Mass. 
Prior service in Co. H, 2 R. I. inf. 



Fox, Henry J. Co. .\, 9 regt.; b. "Jeffrie," N. Y.; age 35; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Sept. 3, '64; must, in Sept. 3, '64. 

as priv.; disch. Nov. 16, '65, Washington. I). C. Prior 

service in 2 cav., U. vS. A. 
Nichols, Grovenor D. Co. A, 13 regt.; b. Amherst; age 

24 ; cred. Nashua; enl. Dec. 28, '63 ; must, in Dec. 28, 

'63, as priv.; disch. disab. Apr. 27, '65, Galloup's Isl., 

B. H., Mass. P. O. ad., Nashua. See i and 4 N. H. V. 
Ripley, Charles H. S. Co. A, 13 regt.; 1i. Nashua; age 

"30;" cred. Nashua; enl. Dec. 28, '63; must, in Dec. 

28, '63, as priv.; disch. Nov. 17, '65, Galloup's Isl., B. 

H., Mass. P. O. ad., Nashua. See i N. H. V. 



UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS. 



[THRKK VE.\RS.] 



.\danis, William !•'. Co. I, 84 inf.; 1). Nashua; age 29; 

res. Nashua; app. i It. Nov. 2, '63; must, in Dec. 15, 

'63, to date Nov. 2, '63; app. (j. m. Fel).,'65; must. 

out Mar. 14. '66. Bvt. capt. V . S. V., Mar. 13, '65. 

See 1 and 8 N. H. V. 
Dodge, Charles W. Co. F, 22 inf.; b. Nashua; age 20; 

res. Mont. Vernon; app. 2 It.; must, in Feb. i, '64; 

mu.st. as I It. Mar. i, '64; disch. wds. Nov. 21, '64; 

See 13 N. H. V. and V. R. C. 
F;aton, Nathaniel, Jr. Co. E, 39 inf.; b. Bennington ; age 

40; res. Cireenfield ; app. 2 It. Mar. 2, '64; must, in 

Mar. 2, '64; app. i It. Co. .^, Nov. 29, '64; capt. Oct. 

14, '65; must, out Dec. 4, '65. P.O. ad., Nashua. 

See 13 N. H. V. 
Kimball, Lewis, Jr. Co. A, 4 inf.; b. Piermonl; age 22; 

res. Nashua; app. 2 It.; must, in July 19, '64; tr. to 

Co. C, Jan. 14, '65; disch. disab. Jan. 23, '65. P. O. 

ad., Winthrop. S. D. See 3 N. H. V. 



Powers, William II. Co. Ct, 25 inf.; b. Nashua; age 23; 
res. (Vreenfield ; app. i It. Mar. i, '64; must in Mar. 
3, '64; must, out Dec. 6, '65; killed on railroad Mar. 
2, '68, Oak Dale Bridge, Mass. See 13 N. H. V. 

White, Caleb B. Co. C, i N. C. colored inf.; (became 35 
U. .S. C. inf.); res. Nashua; must, in Nov. 14, '63, as 
2 It.; must, as I It. Co. K, Oct. 10, '64 ; capt. Co. V . 
104 U. S. C. inf., June 15, '65; must, out Feb. 5, '65. 
See niiscel. organizations. 

Wilson, .\dam D. Co. D, 3 inf.; substitute; b. at sea; age 
23; res. Manchester, cred. Nashua; enl. Oct. 17, '64; 
must, in Oct. 17, '64, as priv.; app. Corp.; must, out 
Oct. 31, '65, Jacksonville, Fla. Died Dec. 8, '91, Man- 
chester. 



MISCELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 

New Hampsliirc Men Wiio SciAfJ in United States Army, Llnited States Volunteers, and in Organiza- 
tions triiin Other States. 



.\tkinson, Robert. Co. D, 20 Mass. inf.; b. Manchester, 
FvUg.; age 23; res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 4, '61, for 3 
yrs.; must, in Sept. 4, '61, as priv.; disch. to date 
Sept. I, '62. P. O. ad., .\mherst. 

Atlierton, Henry B. Co. C, 4 Vt.; age 26; b. Cavendish, 
Vt.; must, in .Sept. 21. '61, as capt. Co. C; wd. at 
Lee's Mills, Va., Apr. 16, '62; must, out Aug. 12, '62. 
P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Adams, Daniel. Co. D, 59 Mass. inf.; age 26; res. 
Nashua, cred. Lawrence, Mass.; enl. Jan. 19, '64, for 
3 yrs.; must, in Feb. 9, '64, as priv.; disch. disab. 
May 17, '65, Concord. 

Adams, Franklin. Co. F', 34 Mass. inf.; age 25; res. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 4, '62, for 3 yrs.; must, in Aug. 5, 
'62, as priv.; disch. disab. June 8, '65. 

Barnes, George W. Co. B, 5 inf., Mass. vol. militia; b. 
Nashua; age 18; res. Litchfield; enl. Sept. 19, '62, for 
9 mos; must, in .Sept. 19, '62, as priv.; must, out July 
2, '63. 



Batchelder, Stephen. Co. G, 33 Mass. inf.; age 36; res. 
Nashua; enl. July 14, '62, for 3 yrs.; must, in Aug. 5, 
'62, as priv.; disch. disab. Mar. 10, '64. Died Mar. 
26, '64. 

I'.laisdell, Lorenzo C. Co. B, 12 Mass. inf.; b. Boston, 
Mass.; age 48; res. Nashua; enl. June 26, '61, for 3 
yrs.; must, in June 26, '61, as priv.; re-enl. Jan. 5, '64; 
cred. Boston, Mass.; tr. to U. S. navy .\pr. 19, '64, as 
an ord. seaman; served on V. S. S. "Alleghany," 
"New' Hampshire," and " Patapsco ; " no record after 
Dec. 31, '64. 

Bohanon. John. Co. B, 6 inf., Mass. vol. militia; b. 
Brookline ; age 20; res. Brookline ; enl. July 7, '64, 
for 100 days ; must, in July 17, '64, as priv.; must, out 
Oct. 27, '64, tm. ex. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 16 N. H. V. 

Boutelle, James E. Co. G, i Mass. cav.; b. Hancock ; age 
40; res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 23, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, 
in Sept. 25, '61, as priv.; disch. disab. Apr. 27, '63. 
Died Nov. 24, '76, Concord. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



3S7 



Kowers, Horace vS. Co. H, 23 Mass. inf.; I). Hancock; age 

21 ; res. Hancock; enl. Sept. 11, '61, for 3 yrs.; must. 

in Sept. 28, '61. as corp. Died. (lis. Feb. 28, '62, 

Nashua. 
Urackett, Clarence .\. Co. E, 17 VI. inf.; b. Xashua ; aj;e 

24; res. Antrim, cred. Barre, Vt.; enl. Mar. 25, "64, 

for 3 yrs.; must, in .\pr. 12, '64, as Corp.; app. sergt.; 

vvd. and captil. Sept. 30, '64; par. Mar. 10, '65; discli. 

June 7, '65. T. O. ad.. Chelsea, Mass. See 2 X. H. V. 
Hiadley, Michael. Co. I), 16 Mass. inf.; b. Longford, Ire.; 

age 22; res. Na.shua; enl. July 12, '61. for 3 vrs.; 

must, in July 12, '61, as priv.; wd. Mav 12, '64; must. 

out July 27, '64, tni. ex. 
Hrennan, Patrick. Co. D, 12 Iowa inf.; b. Ireland ; age 

22; res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 3, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in 

Oct. 26, '61, as priv.; captd. \\i\. 6, '62, Shiloh, Tenn.; 

released ; app. corp. Sept. i, '63; re-enl. Sept. 25, '63; 

reduced to ranks Oct. 15, '64; app. corp. June i, '65; 

must, out Jan. 20, '66, Memphis, Tenn. 
lUirke, Ceorge \\'. i unattached C()., Mass. cav.; 1). 

Nashua; age 19; res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 30, '61, for 

1 yr.; must, in Sept. 30, '61, as .saddler; disch. disab. 
June 28, '62, New Orleans, I,a. P. O. ad., .^cworth. 
See I N. H. V. 

Hurgess, James 1,. Co. B, 56 Mass. vol.; b. Hrookline ; 
res. Harvard, Mass.; age 25; cred. Harvard; enl. Nov. 
25, 1S63 ; must, in Feb., '64, as priv.; wd. May 18, '64, 
at Spotsylvania courthouse, \'a.; must, out at Wash- 
ington, D. C, May 18, '65, tin. ex. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Brown, Cjcorge. Co. D; 13 Mass. inf.; substitute; b. St. 
John, N. B.; age 27; res. Nashua, cred. Eastham, 
Mass.; enl. July 27, '63, for 3 yrs.; must, in July 27, 
'63, as priv.; wd.; tr. to Co. H, 39 Mass. inf., July 13, 
'64; to Co. H, 32 Mass. inf.; disch. wds., June 13, '65. 

Care\-, John J. Co. D, 16 Mass. inf.; b. Kerry, Ire.; age 
21; res. Nashua; enl. July 12, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in 
July 12, '61, as priv.; app. corp. Mar. i, '64; w-d. May 
6, '64; must, out July 27, '64, tm. ex. 

Cliandler, George H. Band, 11 Mass. inf.; b. Nashua; 
age 23 ; res. New Boston ; enl. June 27, '61, for 3 yrs.; 
must, in Aug. 3, '61, as muse; disch. Aug. 8, '62. 
Supposed identical with George H. Chandler, Co. I), 
18 N. H. V. 

Cochran, James A. Co. K, 2T0 I'a. inf.; b. New Boston; 
3ge 30; res. Nashua ; enl. Sejit. 9, '64, for i yr.; must, 
in Sept. 9, '64, as priv.; must, out May 30, '65, near 
Alexandria, Va. Died May 28, '86, Hudson. 

Cochrane, William H. I). U. S. V.; b. North Clielms- 
ford, Mass.; age 23; res. Goffstown ; app. capt., .-V. 
q. m., Feb. 27, '63; assigned to duty July, '64, as div. 
c|. m., 1 div., 9 a. c, with rank and pay of maj.; tr. to 
headquarters 9 A. C. Sept. i, '64; to I div. 2 A. C, 
Nov. I, '64 ; disch. June 15, '66. Bvt. It. col. to date 
Mar. 13, '65, for faithful and meritorious services dur- 
ing the war. On duty as quartermaster's clerk, 2 div., 

2 corps, Aug. 20, '61, to Aug. 24, '62, from date disch. 
from I N. H. V., to date app. in 10 N. H. \'. P. O. 
ail., Nashua. See i and 10 N. H. \'. 

Colby, Cyrus Portei. Co. B, 3 Mass. cav.; b. Sandown ; 
age 20; res. Nashua, cred. Boston, Mass.; enl. Mar. 
17, '64, for 3 yrs; must, in Mar. 17. '64, as priv.; disch. 
June 10, '65, Readville, Mass. P. O. ad., Milford. See 
7 N. II. V. 



Conner, John. Co. D, 5 Vt. inf.; res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 

13. '6r, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. i6, '61, as priv.; re- 

enl. Dec. 15, '63; app. Corp.; wd. May 10, '64; must. 

out June 29, '65. 
Cox, William. Co. E. i Mass. H. art.; b. Concord, Mass.; 

age 43; res. Xashua; cred. Lowell, Mass.; enl. Aug. 

6, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Aug. 6, '64, as priv.; disch. 

June 4, '65. 
Coburn, Horace G. Unas'd ; 22 Mass. inf.; b. Windham ; 

age 48; res. Xashua; enl. Sept. 25, '62, for 3 yrs.; 

must, in Sept. 25, '62, as priv.; tr. to i Co., Mass. 

sharpshooters; disch. disab. Mar. 11, '63. SeeV. R. C. 
Damon, Willard. Co. E, 3 Mass. H. art.; age 27, res. 

Nashua; enl. June 24, '63, for 3 yrs.; must, in Aug. 

27, '63, as priv.; must, out .Sept. 18, '65. 
Dane, Hiram. Co. G, 2 Mass. inf.; b. Westford, Mass.; 

age 21; res. Nashua; enl. May 25, '6r, for 3 yrs.; 

must, in May 25. '61, as priv.; disch. disab. June 23, '62. 
Davis, Henry Clinton. Co. A, 18 Conn, inf.; b. (ioffstown; 

age 26; res. Nashua; app. capt. Aug. 8, '62 ; must, in 

.•\ug. 18, '62, for 3 yrs.; captd. June 15, '63, Winches- 
ter, Va.; par. Dec. 10, '64; disch. Apr. 17, '65. Died 

Dec. 6, '78, Nashua. 
Dustin, Eben S. Co. A, 2 Mass. inf.; b. Nashua; age 19; 

res. Xashua; enl. May 25, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in May 

25, '61, as priv.; wd. and died wds. Sept. 17, '62, 

.Antietam, Md. 
Eayres, William B. Co. C, 20 Mass. inf.; age 28; res. 

Nashua; enl. Aug. 3. '62. for 3 yrs., as priv.; disch. 

disab. Dec. 17, '63. 
Eayrs, Winslow P. Co. C, 19 Mass. inf.; substitute; b. 

Nashua; age 28; res. Nashua, cred. Beverly. Mass.; 

enl. Aug. I, '63, for 3 yrs.; must, in .\ug. i, '63, as 

priv.; disch. Dec. 12, '63. 
Elliott, .\ugustus S. Co. A 42 inf., Mass. vol. militia ; 

b. Mont. Vernon; age 20; res. Nashua; cnl. July 12, 

'64, for 100 da\-s ; must, in July 14, '64. as priv.; must. 

out Nov. II, '64. Supposed identical with ,S. Augustus 

Elliott, Co. A, 8 N. H. V. 
Emerson, Edward M. U. S. V.; b. Nashua; age 19; res. 

Nashua; app. capt., commissar)' subsistence. May 8, 

'63; appointment revoked Feb. 4, '64. Died -Aug. 12, 

'66, New Orleans, La. .See 6 N. H. \'. 
Estey, George P. 14 Ohio inf.; b. Xashua; age 32; It. 

col. 14 Ohio vol. inf. .\pr. 24, '61 ; must, out Aug. 13, 

61 ; It. col. 14 Ohio vol. inf., Aug. 16, '61 ; col., July 

17, '62; wd. Nov., '63. Lookout Mountain. Tenn.; wd. 
Jonesboro, Sept. 1, '64; must, out July 7. '65. Died 

Feb. 6, '91, X'ew 'Vork. 
Few, Robert. Co. D, 5 Me. inf.; b. Nashua; age 25; res. 

Nashua; enl. May 2, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in June 24. 

'61, as priv.; disch. July 27, '64, Portland, Me. tm. ex. 
F'ifield, Rodney. Co. C, 2 Mass. cav.; b. Weare; age 31 ; 

res. Nashua, cred. Barre, Mass.; enl. Mar. 31. '64. for 

3 yrs.; must, in Mar. 31, '64, as priv. Died I'cb. 25, 

'65, Winchester, Va. 
F'isher, James H. Co. II, 16 Mass. inf.; b. Woodstock, 

Vt.; age 21 ; res. Nashua ; enl. June 29, '61, for 3 yrs.; 

must, in June 29, '61, as priv.; must, out July 27, '64, 

tm. ex. 
I'lood, Thomas. Co. B, 22 Mass. inf.; b. Concord, Mass.; 

age 18; res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 26, '61, for 3 yrs.; 

must, in Oct. 26, "61. as priv.; wd. Dec. 13, '62; disch. 

disab. Feb. 17, '63. P. O. ad., Xashua. 



:,8.s 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



I'oster, Charles W. 14 battery, Mass. L. art.; b. Johnson, 
Vt.; age 20; res. Nashua; cred. Taunton, Mass.; enl. 
Jan. 27,''64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Feb. 27, '64, as priv.; 
must, out Juue 15, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 
Foster, John -G. V. >S.:A.; b. Whitefield; aRe 24; res. 
Nashua; Cadet Military academy; bvt. 2 It. engi- 
neers July I, '46; app. 2 It. May 24, '48; i It. .\pr. i, 
■54; capt. July I, '60; brig.-gen., U. S. V., Oct. 23, '61; 
maj.-gen. V. S. V., July 18, '62; maj. engineers, U. S. 
A., Mar. 3, '63; disch. from t'. S. V. Sept. i, '65; 
app. It.-col. engineers U. S. A., Mar. 7, '67. Bvt. i It. 
U. S. A., Aug. 20, '47, for gallant and meritorious con- 
iluctat Contreras and Churubusco ; bvt. capt., U. vS. 
A.,' Sept. 8, 47, for gallant and meritorious conduct at 
Moliuo del Rey ; bvt. maj. V. S. A., Dec. 26, '60, for 
distinguished part taken in the transfer of the garri- 
son of Ft. Moultrie to Ft. vSumter, S. C; bvt. It.-col. 
r. S. A., Feb. 8, '62, for gallant and meritorious ser- 
vice in the capture of Roanoke Isl., N. C; bvt. col. 
I'. S. A., Mar. 12, '62; for gallant and meritorious 
service in the capture of New Berne, N. C; bvt. brig.- 
gen., V . S. A., Mar. 13, '65, for gallant and meritori- 
ous service in the capture of Savannah, Ga.; bvt. 
maj.-gen. V . S. A., Mar. 13, '65, for gallant and meri- 
torious service in the field during the war. Died 
Sept. 2. '74, Nashua. 
Freeman, John. 15 battery, Mass. L. art.; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Jan. 18, '63, for 3 yrs.; must, in Feb. 17, 
'63, as priv.; disch. Feb. 26, '63. 
I'rench, George H. Co. B, 12 Mass. inf.; b. Epping; age 
21 ; res. Nashua; enl. June 26, '61, for 3 yrs.; must in 
June 26, '61, as sergt.; app. sergt.-maj.; 2 It. Sept. 11, 
'62; I It. Dec. 21, '62; wd. sev.; disch. Oct. 28, '63. 
French, Orrin. Co. C, 15 Mass. inf.; b. Nashua; age 18; 
res. Brookline, cred. Dartmouth, Mass.; enl. Mar. 15, 
'64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Mar. 15, '64, as priv.; tr. to 
Co. E, 20 Mass. inf., July 27, '64; captd. Died Jan. i, 
'65, .Salisbury. N. C. 
Gay, Ebenezer. W ,S. A.; b. New Hampshire; res. 
Nashua; Cadet Military academy. Bvt. 2 It. i dra- 
goons July I, '55; app. 2 It. 2 dragoons July i, '55; i 
It. Mar. 31, '61 ; capt. 16 inf. May 14, '61 ; tr. to 34 inf. 
Sept. 21, '66; app. maj. 17 inf. Sept. 16, '67; dismissed 
June 3, '69; reinstated Jan. 24, '70, as maj. inf.; disch. 
Jan. I, '71. Bvt. maj. Oct. 8, '62, for gallant and meri- 
torious services at the battle of Perr\'ville, Ky.; bvt. 
It.-col. Sept. I, '64, for gallant and meritorious ser- 
vices during the Atlanta campaign. 
Gilson, Andrew I. Co. F, 5 Conn, inf.; res. Nashua; enl. 
June 21, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in July 22, '61, as priv.; 
app. asst. surg. Jan. 26, '63; wd. July 20, '64, Peach 
Tree Creek, Ga.; must, out July ig, '65. 
Grandam, Christopher. Co. C, 16 Mass. inf.; b. Suther- 
land, Scot.; age 23; res. Nashua ; enl. July 2, '61, for 
3 yrs.; must, in Jul)^ 2, '61, as priv.; des.; appreh.; 
tr. to Co. E, II Mass. iuf. July 11, '64; disch. June 5, 
'65. See state service. 
Greeley, F^dwin S. Co. C, 10 Conn, inf.; res. Nashua; 
app. I It. Aug. 31, '61 ; must, in Oct. 22, '61, for 3 yrs.; 
app. capt. Co. A, Apr. 25, '62; maj. Mar. 14, '63; It.- 
col. Sept. 7, '64; col. Feb. 16, '65; must, out Aug. 25, 
'65. Brev. brig.-gen., U. S. V., Mar. 13, '65. 
Greeley, William V. 11 inf., V. S. A.; b. Nashua; age 30; 
res. Nashua ; app. i It. Aug. 5, '61 ; resigned May 30, 
'65. P. O. ad., Boston, Mass. See i N. H. V. 



Greenwood, Calvin W. Co. I, 26 Mass. inf.; b. Perkins- 
ville, Vt.; age 18; res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 8, '6r, for 3 
vrs.; must, in Oct. 8, '61, as muse; re-enl. Jan. 5, '64 ; 
cred. I^owell, Mass.; must, out Aug. 26, '65. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. 
Griffin, John. Co. E, 14 Conn, inf.; res. Nashua; enl. 
June 4. '62, for 3 yrs.; must, in .^ug. 20, '62, as priv.; 
app. Corp. Jan. 24, '65 ; must, out May 31, '65. 
Guild, John H. Read's Co., 3 Mass. cav.; age 23; res. 
Nashua; enl. Oct. 30, '61, for 3 j'rs.; must, in Oct. 30, 
'61, as priv.; disch. Nov. 26, '64. 
Hamilton, Henry E. Co. M, i Mass. cav.; age 25; res. 
Nashua ; enl. Sept. 17, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 23, 
'61, as priv.; must, out .Sept. 24, '64, as of Co. M, 4 
Mass. cav. 
Hayden, George A. Co. H, 23 Mass. inf.; age 18; res. 
Nashua ; enl. Sept. 9, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 28, 
'61, as priv.; disch. disab. Nov. 29, '62. 
Heintz, Christian. Co. K, 35 Mass. inf.; b. Strasbourg, 
F'rance ; age 29; res. Nashua, cred. Palmer, Mass.; 
enl. June 7, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in June 7, '64. as 
priv. Died, wds. Aug. 3, '64, Washington, D. C. 
Hunter, Charles W. Co. K, i Mass. H. art.; b. Nashua; 
age 18; res. Nashua; enl. July 29, '62, for 3 yrs.; 
must, in July 29, '62, as priv.; must, out July 8, '64. 
Hunter, George V . Co. K, i Mass. H. art.; b. Nashua ; 
age 18; res. Nashua; enl. July 29, '62, for 3 yrs.; 
must, in July 29, '62, as priv.; killed June 16, '64, 
Spottsylvania, Va. 
Hutchinson, Anion. Co. H, 20 Conn, inf.; res. Nashua; 
enl. .^ug. 30, '62, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 8, '62, as 
priv.; app. corp. Sept. 4, '63; must, out June 13, '65. 
Langdell, William. Co. -\, i batfl, 14 inf.; I'. S. A.; b. 
Nashua; age 20; res. L,yndeborough ; enl. Aug. 30, 
'6[, for 3 yrs., as priv.; app. sergt.; captd. Mays, '64, 
Wilderness, Va. Died dis. .Sept. 25, '64, .\nderson- 
ville, Ga. See 1 N. H. V. 
Lewis, George F. Co. Ct, 4 Mass. cav.; b. L,}'nn, Mass.; 
age 18, res. Nashua; cred. Chelsea, Mass.; enl. Jan. 
16, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Jan. 27, '64, as priv.; di.sch. 
to date .\ug. 18, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua, 
l.owney, Dennis. Co. D, 16 Mass. inf.; b. Cork, Ire.; age 
17; res. Nashua; enl. July 12, '61, for 3 yrs. must, in 
July 12, '61, as priv.; must, out July 27, '64, tm. ex. 
Lund, Henr)' O. Co. L, 3 Mass. cav.; age 21 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. Oct. '23, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in Oct 23, '61, as 
Corp.; disch. disab. Apr. 3, '62, as priv. 
Mf>ck, Oscar Addison. Art. F. .S. A.; b. Nashua; age 22; 
res. Gilsum ; Cadet Jlilitary academy. Bvt. 2 It. 3 
art. July I, '50; app. 2 It. 4 art. Jan. 9, '51 ; i It. Feb. 
14, '56 ; captd. 13 inf. May 14, '6r ; maj. 9 inf. June 19, 
'66; unas'd Mar. 15, '69; assigned to i inf. Dec. 15, 
'70; app. It.-col 21 inf. Dec. 15, '74. Bvt. maj. Sept. 
10, '61, for gallant service at the battle of Carnifex, 
Ferry, Va.; bvt. It.-col. Dec. 31, '62, for gallant and 
distinguished service atthe battleof Murfreesborough, 
Tenn.; bvt. col. Mar. 13, '65, for gallant and meritori- 
ous service during the war. Died Oct. 22, '76, Bruns- 
wick, Mo. 
Marsh, Eli C. U. S. .\.; b. Sunderland, Mass.; age 46; 
res. Clareniont ; enl. Aug. 5, '64, as hosp. steward ; 
disch. Dec. 8, '65, Philadelphia, Pa. Died Oct. 7, '82, 
Nashua. See i N. E. cav. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



389 



McDerniott, James. Co. C, 11 Mass. inf.; h. Ireland ; age 
18; res. Xasliua, cred. Cambridge, Mass.; enl. Mar 22, 
'64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Mar. 22, '64, as priv.; reported 
on m. o. roll dated July 14, '65, as absent sick. N. f. 
r. A. G. ()., Mass. 

McDonald, John, 2<1. Co. K, 4 Mass. inf.; b. (ilasgow, 
Scot.; age 25; res. Nashua, cred. Rehoboth, Mass.; 
enl. .\ug. 17, '64, for I yr.; must, in .Xug. 18, '64. as 
priv.; disch. July 30, '65. 

Messenger, William F. Co. (>, 28 Mass. inf.; b. Chenango 
county, X. V.; age 18; res. Nashua, cred. Hrookline, 
Mass.; enl. Mar. 21, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Mar. 21, 
'64, as priv.; wd. Died Sept. 24, '64, Petersburg, Va. 

Miles, James. Co. .\, i Mass. inf.; b. I^ondon, Eng.; age 
23; res. Nashua; enl. May 23, '61, for 3 )'rs.; must, 
in May 23, '61, as priv.; app. sergt. .\pr. i, '64 ; must. 
out May 25, '64, tm. ex. 

Morey, Norman E. Co. .\. 3 \'l. inf.; res. Nashua; enl. 
Keb. 20, '62, for 3 yrs.; must, in .\pr. 12, "62, as priv.; 
re-enl. Mar. 27, '64; app. corp. Sept. 30, '64; reduced 
to ranks Apr. 3, '65 ; app. corp. May 23, '65 ; must, 
out July II, '65. Supposed identical with Norman E. 
Morey, Co. K, i N. H. V. 

Morrill, John \V. Co. H, 20 Mass. inf.; age 21 ; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 29, '5i, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 
29, '61, as priv.; killed May 6, '64, Wilderness, \"a. 

Nott, Richard. Co. A, 14 Mass. inf. (became i Mass. H. 
art.); age 22 ; res. Nashua ; enl. July 5, '61, for 3 yrs.; 
must, ill July 5, '61, as priv.; re-enl. Nov. 6, '63 ; cred. 
Cambridge, Mass.; disch. disab. June 27, '65. 

Noyes, Francis Gardner. Com. sub. l'. S. vols.; b. Nashua ; 
age 27; res. Clinton, la.; com. It. -col. and A. D. C, 
May 10, '61, on staff of S. J. Kirkwood, Gov. of Iowa, 
and assigned to duty in adjt.-gen.'s office organiz- 
ing troops for U. S. service ; com. capt. and C. ,S. Nov. 
26, '62, by Pres. IJncoln ; wd. Ft. Esperanza, Tex., 
I'"eb. 10, '64; assigned to duty by Pres. U. S. A., Mar., 
1865, as chief C. S. of 13th army corps, with rank of 
It. -col.; bvt. niaj. Mar. 13, '65, for gallant and merito- 
rious .services during the war; hon. disch. Nov. 9, '65. 
P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Noyes, George H. Surgeon 2 la. cav.; b. Nashua; age 
30; res. Clinton, la., cred. Clinton. la.; app. asst. 
surg. 2 la. cav. Sept. 10, '61 ; must, in Sept. ig, '61 ; 
surg. 2 la. cav. June 9, '62; must. out. Sept. 19. '65. 
Died, Nashua, Dec. 10, '81. 

O'Brien, William J. Co. I, 24 Mass. inf.; b. Boston, Mass.; 
age 19; res. Nashua; enl. Sept. 23, '61, for 3 yrs.; 
must, in Sept. 23, '61, as sergt.; re-enl. Jan. 2, '64; 
cred. Cambridge, Mass.; app. i sergt.; i It. Oct. 14, 
'64; not, must, as i It.; app. capt. Co. F, Oct. 15, '64; 
must, out Jan. 20, '66. See i N. H. V. 

Osborn, John E. 7 unattached Co., inf., Mass. vol. 
militia; b. Weymouth. Mass.; age 22; res. Nashua; 
enl. May 4, '64, for 90 days; must, in May 4, '64. as 
priv.; must, out Aug. 5, '64. See i N. H. H. art. 

Parker, John P. E. T'nattached Co., 7 Mass. vol. militia; 
b. Brookline ; age 23; res. Nashua, cred. Boston, Mass.; 
enl. May 4, '64; must, out -\ug. 2, '64. P. O. ad., 
Boston, Mass. 

Peacock, Alonzo A. Co. K, 4 Mass. H. art.; b. Ilollis; 
age 2,' T res. Nashua, cred. Rehoboth, Mass.; enl. 
Aug. !';» "64, for i yr.; must, in .\ug. iS. '64. as priv.; 



inu.st. out June 17, '65. 



Piper, Edwin A. Co. B, 28 Mass. inf.; b. Nashua; age 18; 
res. Nashua, cred. Wendell, Mass.; enl. Apr. i, '64, 
for 3 yrs.; must, in Apr. i, '64,88 priv.; killed May 
12, '64, Spotlsylvania, Va. 

Putnam, George F. Co. G, 3 inf., Mass. vol. militia ; age 
18; res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 16. '61, for 3 mos.; must, 
in Apr. 23, '61, as priv.; disch. July 22, '61. 

Parrish, Thomas D. Co. F, 26 Mass. inf.; b. Charlestown; 
age 20; res. Claremont ; enl. Oct. 14, '61, for 3 yrs.; 
must, in Oct. 14, '61, as priv.; re-enl. Jan. 5, '64 ; cred. 
Lawrence, Mass.; app. sergt. Jan. 5, "64 ; i sergt. July 
2, '65; must, out .\ug. 26, '65. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Randlett, James F. 39 inf., U. S. A.; b. Newmarket; age 
32; res. Nashua; app. capt. June 6, '67; unas'd .\pr. 
20, '69; assigned to 8 cav. Dec. 15, '70; app. maj. 9 
cav. July 5, '86; It.-col. Oct. 14, "96; ret. W S. A., 
Dec. S, '96. P. O. ad., Washington, D. C. .See ^ N. 
II. V. 

Reynolds, Thomas W'. Co. D., 1 Mass. inf.; b. Boston, 
Mass.; age 21 ; res. Nashua; enl. May 22, '61, for 3 
yrs.; must, in May 24, '61, as priv. Died dis. .\ug. 5, 
'62, Harrison's Landing, Va. 

Robbins, Alfred J. Co. C, 12 Mass inf.; b. Nashua; age 
28; res. Nashua; enl. July 8, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, 
in July 8, '61, as priv.; disch. disab. Feb. 3, '63. 

Robbins, Isaiah, Jr. i unattached Co., Mass. cav. (became 
Read's Co., 3 Mass. cav.); b. Surry; age 22; res. 
Keene ; enl. Sept. 27, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 
27, '61, as Corp.; disch. disab. July 15, '62, New 
Orleans, La. P. O. ad., Nashua. .See 5 N. H. V. 

Rol)inson, Thomas. Co. G, 21 Mass. inf.; b, Epsom; age 
21; res. Nashua; enl. .\ug. 21, '61, for 3 yrs.; mu.st. 
in .-Vug. 23. '61, as ])riv.; re-enl. Jan. i, '64; cred. 
Holden, Mass.; tr. to Co. K, 36 Mass. inf.; to Co. E, 
56 Mass. inf.; must, out July 12, '65. 

.Sabine, Caleb. Co. B, 3 Vt. inf.; res. Nashua; enl. June 
I, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in July 16. '61, as corp.; disch. 
Mar. 14, '63. 

.Seavey, Fayette G. Co. C, 21 N. V. inf.; b. Nashua; res. 
Nashua; enl. May 12, '61, for 2 yrs.; must, in May 12, 
'61, as priv.; must, out May 18, '63. Supposed identi- 
cal with Fayette G. Seavey, U. .S. navy. 

.Shaw, Elijah Morrill. Co. F. i Me inf.; b. Kensington; 
3gs 35; res. Lawrence, Mass.; enl. .A.pr. 28, '61 ; must. 
in Apr. 28, as 2 It.; i It. and adjt. Oct. 3, '61 ; capt. Co. 
H, Mar. 2, '63; must, out May 8, '63. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Smart, Martin. Co. D. 2 R. I. cav.; age 21; res. Nashua; 
enl. Dec. 17, '62, for 3 yrs.; must, in Dec. 24, '62, as 
priv.; captd. Mar. 26, '63, Baton Rouge, La.; confined 
as a deserter May 16. '63, Richmond, Va.; while in 
hands of the enemy he voluntarily stated that he en- 
listed for the purpose of getting to the South, and 
took oath of allegiance to the Confederate states and 
was recommended for enlistment in the nav)' ; par. 
June 13, '63, as a prisoner of war; sent to Camp 
Parole, Md., June 22, '63, from College Green bar- 
racks, Md. N. f. r. A. G. O. 

Smith, George J. Co. H, 5 R. I. H. art.; age 42; res. 
Nashua; enl. Nov. 16, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in Dec. 16, 
'61, as Corp.; disch. disab. May 7, '63, New Berne, N.C. 

Snow, George. Co. D, 2 Mass. inf.; b. Orleans, Mass.; 
age 24; res. Nashua; enl. May 25, '61. for 3 yrs.; 
must, in May 25, '61, as sergt.; disch. Oct. 2, '62. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H 



Spaulding, George B. Co. D, 13 Mass. inf.; b. Tewks- 
bury, Mass.; age 23; res. Nashua; eul. Apr. 30, '61, 
for 3 yrs.; must, in July 16, '61, as Corp.; must, out 
Aug. I, "64, tm. ex. 

Staples, AlvahH. Co. H, 4 Me. inf.; b. Temple. Me.; age 
18; res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 11, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in 
Nov. 9, '61, aspriv.; disch. disab. Dec. 7, '62, Arling- 
ton, Va. 

Staples, Hiram. Co. A. 25 Mass. inf.; age 20, res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 14, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 14, '5i, as 
priv.; tr. to I'. S. Signal corps Nov. 22, '63; di.sch. 
Oct. 29, '64, tm. ex. 

Sullivan, Michael S. Co. E, 20 Mass. inf.; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. July 22, '61. for 3 yrs.; must, in July 22, 
'61, as priv.; \vd. Oct. 21, '61, and Dec. n, '62; tr. to 
48 Co.. 2 Iiatt'l, I. C, Nov. 6, '63; disch. July 21, '64. 
tm. ex. 

Sullivan, Timothy. Co. D, 16 Mass. inf.; b. Kerry, Ire.; 
age 19; res. Nashua; enl. July 12, '61, for 3 yrs.; 
must, in July 12, "61, as priv.; must, out July 27, '64, 
tm. ex. 

Swett, Hartfonl S. Co. I), 23 Mass. inf.; b. Claremont; 
age 24; res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 2, '62, for 3 j-rs.; must, 
in Aug. 2, '62, as priv.; re-enl. Dec. 2, '63; cred. New 
Bedford, Mass.; must, out June 25, '65. 

Taylor, James H. Co. H, 23 Mass inf.; age 19; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 5, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 
28, '61, as sergt.; must, out Oct. 13, '64, as priv. 

Tenney, Whitney. Co. I, 2 Vt. inf.; drafted; b. Wind- 
ham, Vt.; age 27; res. Nashua, cred. Londonderrj-, 
Vt.; drafted July 31, '63, for 3 yrs.; must, in July 31, 
'63, as priv.; wd. May, '64, Wilderness, Va.; must, out 
July 15, '65. See i N. H. V. 

Towne, Archie C. Co. D, i Mass. cav.; age 22; res. 
Nashua; enl. Sept. 18, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in vSept. 
19, '61, as priv. Died, dis. Nov. 5, '62, Hilton Head. 
S. C. 

Totman, George D. Co. G, 61 Mass. inf.; b. Nashua ; age 
19; res. Auburn, cred. Shrewsbur3', Mass.; enl. Nov. 
30, '64, for I yr.; must, in Nov. 30, '64. as priv.; disch. 
June 16, '65 

Tupper, Charles. Co. E, 4 Vt. inf.; res. Nashua; enl. 
Sept. 4, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in Sept. 21, '61, as sergt.; 
reduced to ranks; app. corp. June 7, '64; must, out 
>Sept. 30, '64. 



Turrell, James L. Co. A, 26 Mass. inf.; b. Lowell, Mass.; 

age 19; res. Nashua; enl. Oct. 7, '61, for 3 yrs.; must. 

inOct. 7, '61, as priv.; re-enl. Jan. i, '64; cred. Lowell, 

Mass.; must. out. Aug. 26, '65. 
Watson, Charles W. Co. F, 35 Wis. inf.; b. Nashua; age 

16; res. Janesville, Wis.; enl. Feb. 25. '64; must, in 

Feb. 27, '64, as priv.; must, out .\pr. 14, '66. 1'. (). 

ad., Greenville, HI. 
Whidden, George W. Co. G, i Mass. cav.; age 26; res. 

Nashua; enl. .Sept. 23, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in .Sept. 

23, '61, as priv. Died Oct. 31. '64, tm. ex. 
Whipple, George W. Co. E, 31 Me. inf.; b. Andover; age 

35; res. Nashua, cred. vSherman, Me.; enl. Feb. 27. 

'64, for 3 yrs.; must. must, in Mar. 11, '64, as Corp.; 

killed June 3, '64, Danville, Va. See i N. H. V. 
Whipple, William F. Co. A, 6 inf., Mass. vol. militia; 

b. Nashua; age 18; res. Nashua; enl. July 12, '64, for 

100 days; must, in July 15, '64, as priv.; must, out 

Oct. 27, '64, tm. ex. 
Whitcomb, William W. Co. C, 11 Mass. inf.; b. Lowell, 

JIass.; res. Nashua; enl. June 13, '61, for 3 yrs., as 

priv.; app. Corp.; wd. sev. July 2, '63; disch. wds. 

Nov. 21, '63. 
White, Caleb B. Co. H, 23 Mass. inf.; age 26; res. Nashua; 

enl. Oct. 26, '61, for 3 yrs.; must, in Oct. 26, '61, as 

Corp.; app. sergt. Dec. 19, '62; disch. Nov. 9. '63, to 

accept promotion. See U. S. C. T. 
Whittier. Horatio G.. Jr. Co. C, i inf., R. I. detached 

militia; b. Nashua; age 28; res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 

17, '61, for 3 mos.; must, in May 2, '61, as priv.; 

must. out. Aug. 2, '61, tm. ex. 
Whittemore, Charles L. Co. E, 2 Mass. inf.; b. Nashua; 

age 18; res. Charlestown, cred. Roxbury, Mass.; enl. 

Aug. 26, '64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Aug. 26, '64, as priv.; 

must, out July 14, '65. 
Wilkins, Irving G. Co. D, 26 Mass. inf.; b. Litchfield ; 

age 20; res. Nashua, cred. Boston, Mass.; enl. Jan. 29, 

'64, for 3 yrs.; must, in Jan. 29, '64, as priv.; must. 

out ."Vug. 26, '65. Supposed identical with Irving G. 

Wilkins, Co. E, i N. H. V., and Co. D, 8 N. H. V. 



UNITED ST.ATES N.4VV. 



-\dams, Oliver, li. Nashua; age 27; enl. .■\ug. 5, '62, at 
Boston, Mass., for t yr., as an ord. seaman ; served on 
T^. S. S. " Ohio " and " Ino ;" disch. Sept. 12, '63, from 
" Ino," tm. ex. 

.Mien, Charles, b. Nashua; age 28; enl. May 8. '61, at 
Boston, Mass., for 3 yrs., as an ord. seaman , >erved 
on U. S. S. "Ohio" and " Bainbridge ;" des. Oct. 25, 
'61, from "Bainbridge;" mark of desertion removed 
by secretary of the navy, under act of congress of 
Aug. 14, '88, and a discharge issued to him bearing 
date of Oct. 25, '61. 

Anderson, Charles. .Substitute; 1). Switzerland; age 22; 
cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 25, '64, for 3 yrs., as coal 
heaver; served on L. S. S. "Vandalia," "Colorado," 
"Florida." and "Pinta;" disch. Aug. 24, '67, as 2 
class fireman, fiom receiving ship, Philadelphia, Pa., 
tm. ex. 



.\ver3-, Charles H. b. Nashua; age 23; enl. May 7. '61, 
at Boston, Mass., for i yr., as a landsman; served on 
V. .S. S. "Ohio" and ".South Carolina;" disch. Apr. 
15, '62, from "South Carolina;" tm. ex. 

Barker, .Stephen N. b. .\ntrim; age 20; enl. in Co. C, 
2ist regt. N. V. vols. Feb. 25, 1862, at Buffalo, N. V., 
for the unexpired term of 2 yrs.; disch. at Buffalo, N. 
v., May 18, 1863; re-enl. in V. S. navy at Buffalo, 
June 16, 1863; promoted to acting master mate June 
29, 1863; promoted to acting ensign May 22, 1865; 
served on U. S. S. Fort Hindnian. Resigned at 
Brooklyn navy yard Feb. 13, 1866. P. O, ad., Nashua. 

. ;t'' 

Baldwin, George .\. b. Nashua; age 29; t [,s,.[ay 6, '5i, 
at New York city, for i yr., as an ord. seaman ; disch. 
June 22, '6i, Washington, D. C. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



.^91 



BanfieUl, William K. 1). I lavL-rhill ; age 24; res. Nashua; 
enl. June 4, '61 , at Porlsnioulli, for I yr., as a seaman; 
served on I'. S. S. "Ohio;" disch. disab. July 6, '61, 
from "Ohio," Hoston, Mass. 

Chase, William W. b. Nashua; age 24; enl. Dec. 7, '63, 
at New York city, for i yr., as a seaman; served on 
r. S. S. " North Carolina" and " Metaconiet ;" disch. 
Dec. 9, '64, as coxswain, from receiving ship, I'hila- 
delphia, I'a., tin. ex. 

Clifford, William. Substitute ; b. Scotland ; age 25; cred. 
Nashua ; enl. Dec. 7, '64, for 3 \-rs., as 2 class fireman ; 
served on U. ,S. S. "Vandalia," " De .Soto," and 
"Fahkee;" tr. to receiving ship, Philadelphia, Pa., 
June 24, '65; never reported. N. f. r., navj- dept. 

Cochran, James A. b. Nashua; age 27 ; res. Nashua; enl. 
Oct. 26, '61, at Boston, Mass., for 2 yrs., as an ord. 
seaman; served on V . S. S. "Ohio," "Quaker City," 
and "Wabash;" disch. Nov. 30, '63, from receiving 
ship, Washington, D. C, tni. ex. 

Cochrane, Joseph N. b. New Boston ; age 35 ; res. Nashua; 
enl. Aug. 26, '62, at Boston, Mass., for i vr., as a 
landsman; served on V . S. S. "Ohio," "Princeton," 
and "Keystone State;" disch. June 20, '63, from 
" Keystone State," tni. e.x. 

Coggin. Frederick G. Regular officer; b. Nashua; age 
24; res. Nashua; app. 3 asst. engineer Sept. 21, '61 ; 2 
asst. engineer July 30, '63; served on U. S. S. "Saga- 
more;" retired Jan. 5, '66. P. O. ad., Lake Linden. 
Mich. See r N. H. V. 

Dailey, James, b. Nashua; age 22; enl. Sept. 6, '61, at 
Boston, Mass., for i yr. as an ord. seaman; served on 
r. S. S. "Ohio," and " Ino ;" disch. -\ug. 7, '62, as a 
landsman, from "Ino," tm. ex. 

Dailey, James, b. Nashua; age 23; enl. Aug. 20, '62, at 
Boston, Mass., for i yr., as an ord. seaman; served on 
U. S. S. "Ohio" and "Princeton;" last appears on 
"Princeton's" roll dated Dec. 31, '62. N. f. r. navv 
dept. 

Davis, Stilman S. Volunteer officer; b. Massachusetts; 
res. New Hampshire ; app. acting asst. paymaster July 
I. '64; served in Mississippi squadron; disch. Dec. 
12, '65. Died May 26, '86, Nashua. 

Iiewey, Ephraini H. Volunteer officer; res. Nashua; 
app. acting master's mate vSept. 17, '6[ ; acting en- 
sign May I, '63; served on U. S. S. "Quaker City;" 
resigned Dec. 11, '63. 

l''aiiner, Erwin. b. Nashua; age 28; enl. Jan. 19, '63, at 
Boston, Mass., for i yr., a 2 class fireman; served on 
U. S. S. "Ohio" and "Sacramento;" disch. Jan. 18, 
'64, from "Sacramento," tm. ex. 

Flanders, John k. b. Nashua; age 19; res. Nashua; enl. 
F'eb. 12, '63, at Boston, Mass., for i yr., as a lands- 
man ; served on U. S. S. "Ohio;" disch. .\pr. 28, '63, 
from receiving ship, Boston, Mass. .Supposed identi- 
cal with John A. Flanders, Co. F, i N. H. H. art. 

I'letcher, Henry A. b. Nashua; age 32; res. Amherst; 
enl. Nov. ri, '61, at Charlestown, Mass., for 3 yrs., as 
a landsman; served on U. S. S. "Ohio," " Kittatin- 
ney," and "Williaiu G. Anderson;" disch. Dec. 18, 
'63, from "Ohio." Died July 20, '67, .\mherst. 

loss, Edward, b. Nashua; age 21 ; enl. Oct. 6, '62, at 
Boston. Mass., for i yr., as a landsman; served on V . 
S. S. ' Ihio;" disch., unfit for the service. Dec. 2, 
'62, from "Ohio," Boston, Mass. Supposed identical 
with Edward G. Foss, Co. B, 7 N. H. V., and V. R. C. 



Foss, George H. Substitute; b. Nashua; age 16; enl. 

Nov. 17, '64, at Boston, Mass., for 2 yrs., as 2 class 

1)oy; served on V. S. S. "Ohio;" disch., reduction 

naval force, Aug. 29, '65, from "Ohio." 
Gallagher, Edward. Substitute; b. New York; age 32; 

cred. Nashua; enl. Aug. 22, '64, at Portsmouth, for 3 

yrs., as a seaman ; served on V. S. S. " Vandalia " and 

"Colorado;" disch. Sept. 7, '67, as capt. of lop, from 

"Colorado," tm. ex. 
Gerard, Joseph, b. Nashua; age 21; enl. .\ug. 7, '61, at 

Boston, Mass., for i yr., as an ord. seaman; served on 

U. S. S. "Ohio" and "Fear Not;" disch. Sejit. 17, 

'62, from " Miami," tm. ex. 
Green, Charles F. b. Nashua; age 22; enl. June r8, '61, 

at Boston, Mass., for 1 yr., as a seaman ; served on l". 

S. S. "Ohio" and "Marion;" disch. June 23, '62, from 

" Marion," tm. ex. 

Greenwood, Walter, b. Nelson; age 36; cred. Nashua; 

enl. .\ug. 24, '64, for 3 yrs., as 2 class fireman ; served 

on U. S. S. "Ohio" and "Massasoit;" disch. disab. 

July 14, '65, from hosp., Boston, Mass. 
Harrington, Warren, b. Nashua; age 21; enl. Oct. 26, 

'61. at Boston, Mass., for 2 yrs., as an ord. seaman; 

failed to appear. 

Holt, George R. Regular officer; b. New Ilamiishire; 
res. Nashua; app. 3 asst. engineer Oct. r6, '61 ; 2 asst. 
engineer Aug. 3, '63; served on U. S. S. "Aroostook," 
"Tahoma." and "Rhode Island;" resigned May 4, 
'69. P. O. ad., Waynesborough. Pa. 

Holbrook, Hiram If. b. Great l-'alls; age 18; enl. Mar. 
I, '64, at Portsmouth, for 3 yrs., as a landsman; 
served on U. S. S. " Vandalia," ".\gawam," and "Lan- 
caster ; disch. Mar. 18, '67, from " Lancaster," tm. ex. 
P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Howe, George H. B. li. Nashua; age 23; cred. Ports- 
mouth; enl. .\ug. 23, '62, for i yr.. as an ord. .seaman; 
served on U. S. S. "Ohio," "Princeton," and "New 
Ironsides;" disch. Oct. 7, '63, as a seaman, from re- 
ceiving ship, Philadelphia, Pa., tm. ex. 

Hutchinson. Charles .\. b. Nashua; age 34; enl. Nov. 2, 
'63, at Boston, Mass.. for i yr., as coal heaver; served 
on I'. S. S. " Ohio." " Dacotah," and "Gettysburg;" 
disch. disab. Oct. 15, '64, from hosp., Norfolk, Va. 

Keyser, Walter .S. b. Wilmot; age 22; res. Nashua; enl. 
May 7. '61, at Boston, Mass., for i yr., as a landsman ; 
served on U. S. S. "Ohio" and "South Carolina;" 
disch. May 3, '62, as ship's cook, from "South Caro- 
lina," tm. ex. 

Ladd, Wesley J. b. Canaan, Vt.; age 24; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. i, '64, at Jersey City, N. J., for i yr., as 2 
class fireman ; served on U. S. S. " Vermont." "Pink," 
and "Potomac;" disch. Nov. 17, '65, as 1 class fire- 
man, from receiving ship, New York city. 

Lane, James, alias James Jordan, b. Ireland; age 20; 
res. Nashua; enl. .\ug. 11, '64, for i yr., as a lands- 
man; served on F. S. S. "North Carolina," "Pem- 
bina," and "Potomac; disch. Aug. 12, "65, tm. ex. 
P. O. ad., Gardner, Mass. See 8 N. H. V. 

Lee, John. b. Nashua; age 21 ; res. Nashua; enl. July i, 
'62, at Boston, Mass., for 3 yrs., as a seaman ; served 
on F. S. S. "Ohio" and "Tioga;" disch., reduction 
naval force, May 2, '65, from receiving ship, Ports- 
mouth. 



39-' 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Leland, George W. Volunteer officer; b. Nashua; age 
28; res. Nashua; enl. Mar. 20, '62, at Boston, Mass., 
for 2 vrs., as a seaman; app. acting master's mate 
Nov. II, '63; served on U. S. S. "Ohio," "Lehigh," 
and "Daffodil;" resigned Aug. 13, '64. 

Leland, George \V. b. Nashua; age 28; cred. Boscawen ; 
enl. Dec. 13, '64, for 3 yrs., as a seaman; served on 
U.S. S. "Ohio," "Connecticut," "Princeton," and 
"Shenandoah;" disch. .4ug. 14, '68, as coxswain, 
from "Hartford," tm. ex. 

Locke, James A. Substitute; b. Great Falls; age 18; cred. 
Nashua; enl. Aug. 22, '64, for 3 yrs., as an ord. sea- 
man; served on U. S. S. "Vandalia" and "Colo- 
rado;" disch. Sept. 7, '67, from "Colorado," tm. ex. 

Lyon, William H. b. Nashua; age 30; enl. Sept. 11, '61, 
at New Bedford, Mass., for 3 yrs., as an ord. seaman ; 
served on U. S. S. "Ohio;" disch. disab. Oct. 22, '61, 
from "Ohio," Boston, Mass. 

Mackres, Joseph, b. Nashua; age 24; enl. Jan. 23, '62, 
at Boston, M.-iss., for 2 yrs., as a landsman ; served on 
V. vS. S. " Ohio " and "Vermont;" disch. disab. Apr. 
4, '62, as a seaman, from hosp., New York city. 

McEvoy, Patrick H. b. Nashua; age 21 ; enl. .Sept. 8, '62, 
at Boston, Mass., for i yr., as a landsman ; served on 
r. S. S. "Ohio." N. f. r. navy dept. 

Meriani, Frank B. Volunteer officer; b. Boston, Mass.; 
res. Nashua; app. acting master Oct. 3r, '61; served 
on r. S. S. "Madge" and "Norwich;" resigned Oct. 
II, '64. P. O. ad., West Atlanta, Ga. 

Newton, Gilbert C. b. Nashua; age 24; enl. June 3, '61, 
at Portsmouth, for i yr., as landsman ; served on I'. 
,S. vS. "Ohio " and "Guard ;" disch. July 9, '62, from 
"Princeton," tm. ex. 

()lmstead, George A. Volunteer officer ; b. Tolland, Conn.; 
age 34; res. Wakefield; app. acting master's mate 
Nov. 20, '62; served on U. S. S. "T. A. Ward ;" disch. 
.\ug. 24, '67. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 13 N. H. V. 

Parker, Edward E. b. Brookline ; age 21; cred. Brook- 
line, res. Nashua; enl. Aug. 20, '63, at Boston, Mass., 
for I yr., as a landsman ; served on l^. vS. S. "Ohio '> 
and V. S. brig "Perry" as yeoman; disch. Oct. 20, 
'64, tm. ex. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Palmer, Oilman, b. Nashua; age 21 ; enl. Dec. 4, '60, at 
Boston, Mass., for 3 yrs., as an ord. seaman ; rejected. 

Pratt, Charles W. Volunteer officer ; b. New Hampshire ; 
res. Nashua; app. acting master Apr. 22, '62; served 
on U. .S. S. " De Soto," "Samuel Houston," and 
"New Hampshire ;" disch. Nov. 5, '65. 

Ricker, David P. b. Rochester ; age 24 ; res. Nashua ; 
enl. .\ug. 26, '62, for i yr.; as a landsman; served on 
r. ,S, vS. "Ohio," "Princeton," and "Lodona;" tr, 
from " Lodona " to " Boston " for discharge .\ug. 29. 
'63. N. f. r. navy dept. See i N. H. V. 

Robertson, George, b. Nashua; age 32; cred. Franconia; 
enl. Mar. 7, '65, for 3 yrs., as an ord. seaman ; served 
on U. S. S. "Ohio," " Supply," and " Macedonian;" 
disch. disab. Oct. 30, '66, from hosp., Norfolk, Va. 



.Smith, Amos. b. Nashua; age 40; res. Nashua; enl. June 

12, '61, at Boston, Mass., for i yr., as an ord. seaman ; 

served on U. S. S. "Ohio" and "Vincennes;" disch. 

-\ug. 25, '62, from "North Carolina," tm. ex. 
.Smith. Amos. b. Nashua; age 43; enl. Sept. 11, '63, at 

Portsmouth, for i 3'r., as a seaman ; served on U. S. 

S. "Ohio;" disch. disab. June 30, '64, from receiving 

ship, Portsmouth. 

Smith. Levi. b. Nashua; age 26; enl. .-Vug. 8, '63, at 
Portsmouth, for i yr., as a landsman ; served on U. S. 
,S. "Ohio " and "Release;" disch. Sept. 2, '64, from 
receiving ship, Philadelphia, Pa., tm. ex. 

Thornton, James S. Regular officer ; b. Merrimack; age 
14; res. Nashua; app. midshipman Jan. 15, '41; 
passed midshipman Aug. 20, '47 ; master May 7, '55 ; 
It. Sept. 15, '55; It. commander July 16, '62; com- 
mander July 25, '66; capt. May 24, '72; served on I'. 
S. S. "Ohio," " Bainbridge," "Hartford," and 
"Kearsarge." Died May 14, '75, Germantown, Pa. 

Wallace, Bryant W. b. Brookline; age 21; res. Brook- 
line ; cred. Brookline; enl. .^-Ug. 12, '62, for i yr., as a 
landsman; served on U. S. S. "Ohio," "North Caro- 
lina," and "Morse;" disch. Aug. 14, '63, from 
"Morse," tm. ex. P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Wallace, Joseph W. b. Nashua; age3o; enl. June 11, '61, 
at Boston, Mass., for r yr., as a landsman ; served on 
U. S. S. " Ohio " and " Preble ;" disch. Oct. 8, '62, as 
master at arms, from " Preble," tm. ex. 

White, Russell, b. Newton, Mass.; age 25 ; res. Nashua; 
enl. Sept. 17, "62, at Boston, Mass., for i yr., as a 
landsman; served on U. S. S. "Lancaster" and 
"Cyane;" disch. Nov. 30, '63, from receiving ship, 
" North Carolina." P. O. ad., Nashua. 

Woodbury, Leander S. b. Nashua ; age 24 ; cred. South 
Reading, Mass.; enl. Sept. 10, '63, at Boston, Mass., 
for I yr., as i class fireman; served on ('. ,S. ,S. 
"Ohio" and ".Sassacus;" disch. Oct. 18, '64, from 
"Savannah," tm. ex. 

Wright, (ieorge L. b. Nashua; age 29; enl. .A.ug. 2, '61, 
at Boston, Mass., for 2 yrs., as a seaman ; served on 
U. S. S. "Ohio," "Key West," and " Fernandina ;" 
disch. Sept. l8, '63, as capt. of top, from "Fernan- 
dina," tm. ex.; re-enl. Oct. i, '63, at Portsmouth, for 
3 yrs., as a seaman ; served on U. S. S. "Ohio" and 
"Niagara;" disch., reduction naval force, Sept. 19, 
'65, as gunner's mate. Died Sept. 22, '85, Lowell, 
Mass. 

Webster, Alljert. b. Hill; age 29; enl. Oct. 19, '60, at 
Boston, Mass., for 3 yrs., as a seaman; served on V. 
S. S. "Ohio," "Cumberland," and "Rattler;" disch. 
Nov. 8, '63, as quartermaster, from "Rattler," tm. 
ex. P. O. ad., Nashua. 



•4sT 



HISTORY Ol- NASHUA, N. H. 
UNITHI) STATHS MARINH CORPS. 



393 



Blodgctt; Charles H. b. Nashua; age 23; enl. Oct. 21, 
'58, at Boston, Mass., for 4 yrs., as priv.; served on U. 
S. S. "Levant;" dropped from rolls Jnl\ i, '61, by 
act of conj;ress, " Levant " lost. 

Walker; Willard. b. Alstead ; age 23 ; res. Nashua; enl. 
Aug. 26, '61, for 4 yrs., as priv.; app. corp. Jan. 9, '63; 
served on I'. S. S. "Portsmouth;" discli. Sept. 4, "65, 
Brooklyn, X. V., tin. ex. Died Jan. 17, '89, Nashua. 



Webster, Edson H., alias Kdwin Webster, b. Chittenden 
county, Vt.; age 19; res. Nashua; enL Aug. 22, '59, 
at Boston, Mass., for 4 yrs., as priv.; served on U. S. 
S. "Cumberland" and "Mackinaw;" disch. disab. 
Sept. 5, '64, Norfolk, Va. I'. O. ad.; Nashua. See q 
N. H. V. 



STATE SERVICE. 



Anisden, Eugene H. Milford volunteers; b. Nashua; age 

19; res. Milford; enl. Apr. 22, '61, as priv.; disch. 

July 12, '61, as of Capt. George \\. Gillis's Co. See 8 

N. H. V. 
Beadley, Michael, b. Ireland; age 21 ; res. Nashua; enl. 

Mav 6, '61, by Joel \\. Rhoades, as priv.; paid to June 

17, '61. 
Buckley, Michael. 1). Ireland; age 27; res. Nashua; enl. 

May 8, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv.; paid to June 

12, '61. Supposed identical with Michael Buckley, 

Co. B, 10 N. H. V. 
Burnett, James, b. Lowell, Mass.; age 28; res. Nashua; 

enl. May 7, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv.; paid to 

June 17, '61. I'. O. ad., Hudson. See 8 N. H. V. 
Butler, Augustus, b. "Mo.sco," C. W.; age 24; res. 

Nashua; enl. May 6, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as 

priv. No further record. See 4 N. H. V. 
Butler, Michael M. b. " Mosco," C. E.; age 35; res. 

Nashua; enl. May 7, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. 

No further record. Supposed identical with Mitchell 

M. Butler, Co. B, 4 N. H. V. 
Carey, James, b. Ireland; age 25; res. Nashua; enl. iMay 

4, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No further reconl. 
Carr, George D. b. Nashua; age 24; res. Nashua; enl. 

.Apr. 22, '61, by Richard O. Greenleaf, as priv.; disch. 

May 20, '61; re-enl. May 20, '61, for 3 yrs.; paid to 

June 17, '61. 
Chaniberlin, George W. b. Peachnm, \'t.; age 43; res. 

Nashua; enl. May 3, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. 

No further record. 
Cutter, James R. b. Hubbardston, Mass.; age 20; res. 

Nashua; enl. May 2, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv.; 

paid to June 17, '61. See 3 N. H. V. 
Clifford, Frederick G. b. Lowell, Mass.; age 18; res. 

Nashua; enl. .\pr. 19, '6r, by Richard O. Greenleaf, 

as priv.; served 7 days. .See 4 N. H. V. 
Dempsey, John. b. Ireland; age 25; res. Nashua; enl. 

May 2, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv.; paid to June 

17, '61. 
Duples, Edgar, b. Sciota, N. V.; age 19; res. Nashua; 

enl. .Apr. 22, '61, by Richard O. (ireenleaf, as priv.; 

served 3 days. See 3 N. H. V. 
Drew, George H. Milford volunteers; b. Methuen, Mass.; 

res. Milford ; enl. .\pr. 25, '61, as priv.; elected sergt. 

of Capt. George II. Gillis's Co. on or about June I2, 

'61 ; disch. July 12, '61. 1'. O. ad., Nashua. See g N. 

H. V. 
Emerson, William 1). b. Johnson, \'t.; age 21; res. 

Nashua; enl. \\t\-. 29, '61, by William V. CJreeley, as 

priv.; paid to June 13, 'h\. 



Gardner, James, b. at sea; age 22; res. Nashua ; enl. May 
20, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv.; disch. June 13, 
'61. 

Gillis, George H. Milford volunteers; b. Nashua; age 

25; res. Milford; enl. .Apr. 22, '61, as capt.; elected 

capt. of Capt. George H. Gillis's Co., June 11, or 12, 

'61 ; paid to July 12, '61 ; paid as— It. of Capt. James 

Davidson's Co. Aug. 19 to Oct. 21, '61; app. 2 It. in 

.same company by governor, Oct. 22, '61 ; paid as i It. 

to Nov. 21, '61; as — it. to Mar. 31, '62; disch. Apr. 

I, '62, as 2 It. P. O. ad., Boston, Mass. See 13 N. 

H. V. 
Grandani, Christopher, b. "Scotland;" age 23; res. 

Nashua; enl. May 3, '61, by Joel II. Rhoades, as priv.; 

re-enl. May 9, '61, for 3 yrs.; assigned to Capt. Joshua 

Chapman's Co.; paid to June 17, '61. See miscel. 

organizations. 
Hennessey, Peter, b. Kerry, Ire.; age 20; res. Nashua; 

enl. .\pr. 20, '61, by Richard O. Greenleaf, as priv.; 

assigned to Capt. Joshua Chapman's Co.; paid to June 

17, '61. 
Ilustus, George C. b. Rutland, Mass.; age 18; res. Nashua; 

enl. May 8, '61, by Joel II. Rhoades, as priv. No 

furthur record. 
Lapham, James, b. New Brunswick ; age 30; res. Nashua; 

enl. May 2, "61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No 

further record. Supposed identical with James Lap- 
pan, Co. C, 9N. H. V. 
Lay. Charles, b. " North .\dams, — ;" age 26; res. Nashua; 

enl. .\pr. 22, '61, by Richard O. Greenleaf, as priv.; 

served 3 days. See 3 N. II. V. 
Leach, Lyman, b. Bangor. Me.; age 26; res. Nashua; 

enl. May 3, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, priv. No further 

record. 
Mahoney, Timothy, b. Ireland; age 25; res. Nashua; 

enl. May 6, '61, l)y Joel M. Rhoades, as priv. No 

further record. 
Mann, Charles W. b. Upton, Mass; age 25; res. Nashua; 

enl. May 3, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No 

further record. See 3 N. 11. ^■. 
McComb, James, b. Ireland; age 29; res. Nashua; enl. 

May 3, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No further 

record. See 3 N. H. V. 
McGilvray, Charles H. Milford volunteers; b. Nashua; 

res. Merrimack; enl. Apr. 25, '61, as priv.; disch. 

July 13, '61, as of Capt. George H. Gillis's Co. P. O. 

ad., Newark, N. J. See i N. H. L. battery. 
McGowen, John. b. Ireland; age "35;" res. Nashua; 

enl. May 2, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades. as priv.; paid to 

June 12, '61. P. O. ad., Worcester, Mass. See 3 

N. H. V. 






394 



HISTORY OF NASHUA. N. H. 



Millet, William F. b. South Andover, Mass.; age 24; res. 
Nashua; enl. May 7, '6r, by Joel H. Rhoades.as priv.; 
paid to June 17, '61. See 3 N. H. V. 

Mooar, Alfred L. Milford volunteers; b. Amherst; res. 
Amherst; enl. Apr. 25, '61, as priv.; disch. July 13. 
'61, as of Capt. George H. Gillis's Co. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. See National guards. 

Parker, Joseph C. b. Morristown, Vt.; age 34; res. 
Nashua; enl. May 3, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. 
No further reconl. 

Reid, William H. R. b. Scotland ; age 27; res. Nashua; 
eul. May 2, '61, by Joel H. Rhodes, as priv.; paid to 
June 10, '61. 

Rhoades, Joel H. b. Hopkiuton, Mass.; age 39; res. 
Nashua; enl. Apr. 27, '61, by William F. Greeley, as 
priv.; assigned to Capt. Joshua Chapman's Co.; paid 
to June 17, '61. See j.N. H. V. and V. R. C. 



Stark, George, b. Manchester; age 38; res. Nashua; 
brig. -gen., 3 brig., 2 div. N. H. vol. militia; paid as 
brig. -gen. for services in commanding troops at Ports- 
mouth and Ft. Constitution, Jlay 2 to June 21, '61. 
Died Apr. 13, '92, Nashua. 

Taggart, William. Milford volunteers; b. New Boston; 
age 20; res. New Boston; enl. Apr. 23, '61, as priv.; 
disch. by order of governor, June 10, '6r. P. O. ad., 
Nashua. 

Tuttle, Eben. b. Nashua; age 20; res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 
20, '61, by Richard O. Greenleaf, as priv,; paid June 
13, '61, for I day's service. 

Walker, George, b. Bangor, Me.; age 39; res. Nashua; 
enl. May 25, '5i, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv.; disch. 
June II, '61. 

Wood, Nelson. Milford volunteers; b. Burlington, — ; 
enl. Apr. 25, '61, as priv.; disch. July 12, '61, as of 
Capt. George H. Gillis's Co., Ft. Constitution. P. O. 
ad., Nashua. See 8 N. H. V. 




HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



.■^95 



DANIHI. ABBOT. 

Hon. Daniel Abbot was Ijorn at Andover, Mass., Feb. 
25, \---. (lied at Nashua, Dec. 3, 1853. He was of the 
sixth generation in descent from George and Hannah 
(Chandler) Al)bot, who emigrated from England about 
1640 and were among the early settlers of Andover. The 
Chandler's were an equally old and distinguished Massa- 
chusetts family. His father and mother were cousins. 

Mr. Abbot was graduated at Harvard )inivvrsilv in the 
class of 1797. He 

read law in the 

odice of Parker 
Xoyes at Salis- 
bury, Daniel Web- 
ster being his fel- 
low-student, and 
coniineuced prac- 
tice at London- 
derry in 1802. 
The same year he 
moved to Nashua 
and here he re- 
mained until his 
death. Mr. .\bbot 
was a man of schol- 
arly attainments, 
learned in the law 
and an eloquent 
advocate and ora- 
tor, several of his 
addresses on secu- 
lar themes being 
published at the 
time of their de- 
livery and attract- 
ing wide atten- 
tion. Benjamin 
French, who after- 
wards became dis- 
tinguished in 
Massachusetts, 
was at one time 
his law partner, as 
was also his son- 
in-law, Charles J. 
Fox. 

Mr. Abbot, how- 
ever, was a go<jd 
deal more to 
Nashua in its 
early history than 
a resident and dis- l>AXli;i 

inguislied attor- 
ney. He was a citizen in the fullest sense of the word. 
Whatever interested the public interested him. What- 
ever was incepted for the advancement of the industrial 
pursuits, and the benefit of the people at large, had his 
hearty co-operation. He was something more than a 
looker-on. He was a veritable pioneer in the wilderness 
and was determined that it should blossom anil bear fruit 
for posterity. The .Middlesex canal had his indorsement, 
and on the Fourth of July, i8()'^, when the first boat was 
launched >ipon it at this place he delivered an oration, in 
which he christened the settlement "Nashua." bv which 




It has since been known, an<i which historic fact was rec- 
ognized in 1833 by introducing him to President Andrew 
Jackson, when a guest of the people of the town, as the 
father of Nashua, Mrs. Abbot being introduced at the 
same time as the mother. Mr. Abbot was one of the 
projectors of the Nashua Manufacturing company and 
president of the corporation ; his influence was also fell 
in building the Nashua & I^owell and the Wiltou rail- 
roads, and he was president of the first named company 
fourteen years, liesides this and many minor enterprises, 

he was president at 
one time of the 
Nashua State bank 
and the Hillsboro" 
Bar association. 

Mr. Abbot was a 
Whig in politics 
an<l one of the 
leaders of that 
parly in the state. 
He served the 
town of Nashua as 
moderator of an- 
nual meetings 
twenty-one years 
in succession, and 
Nashville, (after 
the town was di- 
vided), in the same 
capacity a third as 
many more. Mr. 
-\bbot was a mem- 
ber of the legisla- 
ture from 1816 to 
1824, and again in 
1838, and repre- 
sented Nashville 
in the same body 
in 1848 and in the 
constitutional con- 
vention in 1850. In 
1831 and 1832 he 
represented the 
district in the sen- 
ate. He served 
several years as 
chairman of the 
judiciary commit- 
tee, and as a mem- 
ber of other com- 
mittees, and was 
a wise and pru- 
\i!i;nr. dent lawmaker 

who looke<l well to 
the interests of the people. Mr. .\bbot, from whom Abbot 
square and .\bbot street took their names, owned and 
occupied the house at the corner of .Vbbot and Nashville 
streets, owned and occupied at the present time (1895) by 
:^Irs. (ieo. W. Ferham. 

Mr. .Abbot was united in marriage Nov. 18, 1805 with 
Elizabeth I'ickman, daughter of William and Elizabeth 
(Lcavitt Pickuian) of Salem, Mass. Mrs. .Abbot was in 
the fifth generation in descent from Benjamin and Eliza- 
beth (Hardy) Pickniau, who emigrated from Bristol. 
Eng., to Salem as early as 1667. The children of their 



396 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. M. 



marriage were Wiiliam Pickman, born in Nashua in 1811, 
died in Keene in 1881 ; Charles Dudley, born in Nashua 
in 1813, died in Nashua in 1848; Catherine Pickman, born 
in Nashua in 1819. married Charles J. Fox, died in Phila- 
delphia in 1891. 

CHARLES GORDON ATHHRTON. 

Hon. Charles G. Atherton was Ijoru at Amherst, July 4, 
1804, died at Manchester, Nov. 15, 1853. He was a de- 
scendant of dis- 
tinguished ances- 
tors, among whom 
was Joshua Ath- 
erton, (his grand- 
father), an early 
settler in Amherst, . 
a noted lawyer, 
member of the 
convention that 
ratified the Con- 
stitution of the 
United States, and 
subsequently sen- 
ator and attorney- 
gene ral of the 
state. His father, 
Charles H. Ather- 
ton, was a thor- 
oughly read and 
accomplished law- 
yer, a pleasing 
orator, who was 
several times a 
ni ember of the 
legislature, anil 
represented his 
district in the 
fourteenth con^ 
gress. On the ma- 
ternal side he was 
a descendant in 
line with the Spal- 
(Jings. (,See sketch 
pf Edward Spal- 
ding.) 

Senator .Ather- 
ton obtained his 
primary education 
in the schools of 
his native town 
and was fitted for 
college by private 
tutors. He en- 
tered Harvard university at the age of 14 years; was 
graduated in the class of 1822 ; read law in the office of 
his father, was admitted to the bar at the age of 2i years, 
and immediately thereafter commenced the practice of 
his profession at Nashua. "In his profession," savs a 
writer of a .sketch of his career for History of Hills- 
borough county, "his success was decided and his rise 
rapid. His mind was clear, logical and strong with a 
ballast of excellent common sense, while his adornment 
of a quick fancy and cultivated taste were admirably 
adapted to the study and labor of the laws." 



.Senator Atherton commenced his public career in 1830, 
when he was elected to the legislature. He was re-elected 
several times, and in 1833 was chosen speaker. In 1837 
he was elected to the 25th congress. He was re-elected to 
the 26th congress and again to the 27th, and proved him- 
self an able debator. In 1843 he was elected to the United 
States senate to succeed Leonard Wilcox, and was retired 
in 1849 by reason of the election of Moses Norris, Jr. In 
1853, he was again elected to the senate, to succeed John P. 
Hale, for a term of six years. Senator Atherton was a 

member of the 
Baltimore conven- 
tion that nomi- 
nated Franklin 
Pierce for the 
presidency, and to 
him more than 
any other man 
General Pierce 
owed his prefer- 
ment. During all 
these years of use- 
fulness Senator 
Atherton found 
time to participate 
in local affairs and 
to do his part to 
advance the inter- 
ests of the state 
and his town. He 
was the projector 
and builder of 
the three miles 
of corduroy road 
on Amherst street, 
which includes 
" th e willows," 
and many other 
prominent i m - 
provemeuts of his 
day were due to 
his advocacy and 
judgment. He 
served the people 
of Nashville as 
moderator more 
than half the years 
that town hcd an 
existence, and rep- 
resented it in the 
constitutional con- 
vention of 1850, 
Daniel Abbot be- 
ing his colleague. 
Senator Atherton's speeches and addresses on secular 
themes are evidence that he was a man of learning and 
classic diction. 

Senator Atherton had barely entered upon the term for 
which he was elected in 1853, when, while arguing a 
cause in the supreme court, sitting at Manchester, he 
was stricken down with apoplexy. He was carried to a 
hotel where he died three days later. The funeral ser- 
vices at the Unitarian church in this city were attended 
by United States officers and members of congress, the 
governor of the state, judges of the court, mayor, city 




CH.MU.ES GDRDrt.V .\T1I E1;T< )X. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



397 



council and many (listinj^uished men and friends from 
near and remote places. The body was buried in the Nash- 
ua cemetery. Senator Norris, his colleague, announced 
his death in the United States senate and made a fitting 
eulogy in memoriam, while remarks were made by Senator 
Hunter of Virginia and Senator Williams his successor, 
the latter saying: "In manner Mr. Atherton was naturally 
reserved, quiet and unobslrusive, but affable and cour- 
teous, gentlemanly an<l polished. He was incapable of 
deceiving by false or hyiiocritical profession; and Ijy 
keeping his faith 
with all, gave a 
beautiful exempli- 
fication of the in- 
corrupta fidis in 
life devoted to fi- 
delity, justice and 
truth, which left 
among the living 
not a single re- 
sentment or un- 
kind feeling to be 
buried in 1 he 
grave." 

vSenator Ather- 
ton was united in 
marriage June lo, 
1828, at Princeton, 
Mass., with Anne 
Barnard Clark, 
Rev. Samuel Clark 
being the offici- 
ating clergyman. 
Mrs. -\therton's 
father, Hugh 
Hamilton Clark, 
was a native of 
New Boston and 
a merchant in 
Boston, Mass. He 
married Nancy 
Barnard, daughter 
of Rev. Jeremiah 
Barnard of Am- 
herst. Mrs. Ath- 
erton died in Rox- 
bury, Mass., May 
9, 1889. There 
were no children 
l)y their marriage. 

Their local resi- 
dence wason Man- 
chester street. 




.\AH(iN woiuivsi i;k ^.\\\^ r:i!. 



AARON WORCESTER SAWYER. 

Hon. Aaron \V. Sawyer was born at Mont Vernon, Oct. 1 1, 
1818, died at Nashua Aug. 23, 1882. His father, .Xaron V. 
Sawyer, was one of the distinguished men of New Hamp- 
shire in the early days of this century, being a graduate 
of Dartmouth college, a wise law-maker, a learned coun- 
sellor, a prominent Congregationalist, and an old school 
gentleman. His mother, Hannah (Locke 1 Sawyer, was a 
granddaughter of Rev. Samuel Locke, D. D., president of 
Harvard college from 1770 till 1773, and a woman of 



marked character and strong moral and intellectual quali- 
ties. The family moved to Nashua in 1829. 

Judge Sawyer was educated in the public schools of 
Nashua, at Crosby's Literary institution, and at the acade- 
mies in Hancock and Derry. He read law in the office of 
his father and was admitted to the Hillsborough bar at 
the October term, 1841. He then formed a co-partnership 
with his father, and after his death and in 1849, with 
Charles G. .\therton, which partnership continued until 
Senator .-Mlierton gave u]) j)ractice in 1853. His next and 

last partner was 
Gen. Aaron F. 
Stevens, 1858, and 
that partnership 
lasted till Mr. 
Sawyer gave up 
practice in 1874. 
Mr. Sawyer rep- 
resented Ward 
four in the legis- 
lature in 1865 and 
1866, and was one 
year in the state 
senate from the 
old seventh New 
Hampshire dis- 
trict. He was 
president of the 
I'enuichuck bank 
during its entire 
existence and was 
mayor of Nashua 
in i860 and city 
solicitor in 1867-71. 
He was appointed 
associate judge of 
the supreme court 
of the state Aug. 
17, 1876, and held 
the commission 
about one year, 
when failing 
health from dia- 
betes caused his 
resignation. He 
was also I'nilcd 
States register of 
bankruptcy. Mr. 
Sawyer was a dili- 
gent student and 
successful lawyer. 
He worked hard 
and faitnfully for 
his clients, and 
when he could not see a case clear to the end he had a 
wonderful faculty of bringing about a settlement. The 
warmest friendship ever existed between him and his 
partners and clients, and those who survive him are 
sincere mourners. 

Judge Sawyer was a successful and effective advocate 
and a most entertaining and instructive speaker on gen- 
eral topics. During his long years of practice he rarely 
made an enemy, and those who were his clients would 
not and did not, relin(|uish their claims upon him till he 
no longer had the strength to advise them. About ten 



39S 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



years before his death Dartmouth college conferred upon 
him the honorable degree of A. M. Early in his career 
Judge Sawyer became identified with the Congregational- 
ists, and during the last ten years of his life was a zealous 
member of that denomination. In 1874 the HoUis asso- 
ciation licensed him to preach, and from time to time he 
supplied in the city churches of that and other denomi- 
nations, and preached and lectured in the greater number 
of churches in the county. He wrote several able dis- 
courses, and was listened to with marked attention and to 
the instruction of his hearers. He was also an earnest 
advocate of the cause of temperance, and often ad- 
dressed his fellow-citizens on that subject at the City 
hall, and the people of the state wherever his services 
were requested. 

General Stevens in announcing his death at a meeting 
of the Hillsl)orough bar said of him: "If to have won for 
himself a proud position in the ranks of his profession, 
the suffrages and approbation of his fellow-citizens to the 
full measure of his opportunities and aspirations; to have 
utilized superior intellectual power and endowments to 
the constant and wise solution of the abstruse problems 
and varied affairs of his profession ; to have gained with- 
out pretention or ostentation by the strength and force of 
character, the abiding confidence of his clients, and to 
have held that confidence through all tests and trials to 
the end ; to have become the favorite adviser of his 
}-oungerand trustful brethren of the bar; to have con- 
stantly clothed his daily walk with the example of a pure 
life, whose morality, though firm and constant, never 
taught him to be morose or austere ; to have elevated 
that life of undeviating morality to its twiuship with a 
Christian faith; if to have adorned his domestic life with 
the enduring fidelity of the husband, the deep and con- 
stant affection of the father; to have so cherished indus- 
try, frugality and temperance, that those virtues won for 
him, and for those who were his by the sweet and holv 
ties of nature and kindred, the boon of independence and 
fortune, and then to have mtt death without fear, and in 
the calm triumphant hope of a glory beyond — if these, 
and such as these, are the true and justly coveted fruits 
of human life and human exertion, we have their illnstra- 
tration and example in the life and death of Aaron W. 
Sawyer." 

Judge Sawyer was twice married ; his first wife was 
Mary Francis Ingalls of New York city, who died in a 
few months after their marriage; second, Sept. 12, 1855, 
Fanny Winch, daughter of Dea. Francis and Alniira 
(Stetson) Winch of Nashua. Her ancestors came to this 
country in the seventeenth century and their descendants 
have been conspicuous in the professions, in mercantile 
life and in the various callings and occupations of men, 
her father being one of the first citizens of Nashua, regis- 
ter of deeds several years and a man of a high sense of 
honor and strict integrity. Mrs. Sawyer inherits their 
traits of character. She has labored long and earnestly 
in the cause of temperance, being a member and past 
president of the Woman's Christian Temperance union, 
a promoter of the Young Woman's reading-room, and a 
generous contributor for the support of these worthy 
objects and other causes for the advancement of the moral 
and spiritual welfare of the people. Their children were 
Fanny Ingalls, deceased ; Fanny Locke, married George 
A. Bowers, D. D. S., Oct. 4, 1893; Aaron Frank, deceased, 
and William Merriam. 



GEORGE YEATON SAWYER. 

Hon. George Y. Sawyer was born at Wakefield, Dec. 5, 
1805, died at Nashua, June 15, 1882. He w^as a son of Wil- 
liam Sawyer, one of the most distinguished New Hamp- 
shire men of his day. His primary education was obtained 
in the district schools of his native town, advanced under 
the tuition of his father, who was a learned man and able 
lawyer, and continued in the Phillips academy, F.xeter, 
till at the age of seventeen years when he entered Bow- 
doin college, where he became a classmate of the late 
William Pitt Fessenden of Maine, Henry W. Longfellow, 
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Franklin Pierce, Jonathan Cilley, 
who was a brilliant man and was killed in Kentucky in a 
duel, the late Chief Justice Boyd of Mississippi, S. S. 
Prentiss, the famous western journalist and wit, and John 
P. Hale, all of whom graduated within two years of each 
other — Judge Sawyer in 1826. 

Judge Sawyer then read law in the office of his father, 
and at the August term of the court in 1830, at Meredith 
Bridge, now Laconia, which was then in Strafford county, 
was admitted to the bar. He practiced his profession in 
the town mentioned till October, 1834, when he removed 
to Nashua, where he became a partner with the late 
Aaron F. Sawyer. In 1839-40 and 1841 he represented the 
town of Nashua in the legislature, and in one of the 
exciting political campaigns of that decade he was the 
whig candidate for member of congress, falling short a 
few votes of election. He also represented Ward four of 
the city of Nashua in the same body in 1866, when he was 
chairman of the committee on judiciary and a leader in 
the debates on all important measures which were con- 
sidered that year. He was appointed justice of the court 
of common pleas July 7, 1851, and resigned Sept. 15, 1854. 
The next year the courts were remodeled by the legisla- 
ture and he was appointed a justice of the supreme judicial 
court on July 20, 1855. Judge Sawyer held this commis- 
sion till Nov. I, 1859, when, owing to the fact that his 
practice was more lucrative and entailed less of wandering 
about the state, he resigned. Although an ardent and 
uncompromising whig, his great ability was recognized 
by his college mate. President Pierce, and he was offered 
the governorship of one of the territories, which honor he 
declined on the ground that he was not in political sym- 
pathy with the administration. In 1S62-63 and in 1864 he 
was city solicitor of Nashua and acting solicitor of the 
county of Hillsborough. He was again solicitor of the 
city in 1873 and 1874. In 1865 he was appointed one of 
three commissioners, Samuel D. Bell and Asa Fowler 
being his associates, to revise, codify and amend the 
statute laws of the state, with marginal notes and cita- 
tions similar to the laws of Massachusetts, and in 1875 he 
was chairman of a commission to recommend a system of 
taxation or modification of the tax law-s of the state. His 
law partners were, first, Aaron F. Sawyer; second, Peter 
Clark; third, Aaron F. Stevens; fourth, and at the time 
of his death, George Y. Sawyer, Jr. 

Judge Sawyer was an intellectual giant in all that ap- 
pertained to the law; had the best legal mind in the 
state ; was direct and forcible, and his quotations and 
citations, made without a moment's reflection, were often 
the wonder of the bench and the bar. His decisions in 
important cases, as reported in the New Hampshire 
reports, are among the most clear and lucid. "They 
often rose to literary merit, and were I to criticise them," 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 



399 



says a member of the Hillsborough county bar, " I should 
say they are owing to Judge Sawyer's happy faculty of 
expression and the fact that he was a magnificeut pen- 
man and could compose and write with great rapidity — 
a little verbose, but dignified, learned, logical and 
jiiilicial." Judge Sawyer's knowledge of law and his great 
intellectual capacity often caused embarrassment to the 
presiding justices, and it was no uncommon occurrence to 
hear the interrogatory from the bench: "Will Judge 
Sawyer state how he understands the law," or "How- 
does Judge Sawyer 
understand the 
law as applicable 
to the point in 
controversy?" 
These qualities 
ni a d e h i ni a 
marked m a n i n 
New Hampshire, 
and caused his 
services to be 
eagerly sought in 
all cases where 
large sums of 
money or other 
important inter- 
ests were in issue. 
It was also these 
ij u a 1 i t i e s that 
marked him as a 
member of the 
commission to re- 
vise the laws, and 
it is to his judicial 
u nderst an ding, 
with that of Asa 
Fowler, — Judge 
Hell, chairman of 
t h e commission, 
lieing incapacitat- 
ed from labor by 
sickness — that the 
state to-day owes 
the fact that in 
symmetry and en- 
tirety they are 
equal to those of 
.my state in the 
union. As a n 
ailvocate he was 
plain and compre- 
liensive, confin- 
ing himself close- 
ly to the law and 

evidence, and never lowering his high standard to defame 
a witness or catch the earof the multitude. In addressing 
jury, it was the speech of a matter-of-fact man to men 
whom he quietly persuaded to believe the facts as he 
understood them. Among the many notable cases in 
which Judge Sawyer was counsel was the case of the 
State vs. Edw-in \V. Major, who was hanged for murder. 
1 1 is defence was masterly and every point was shaped in 
completeness. Some idea of the man and his power may 
be obtained from a scene in that famous trial. Said the 
Court: "I make the suggestion, Judge Sawyer, to save 




{JKOUGE VEATON" S.WVVKli. 



time." Judge Sawyer arose in his place, and as he ail- 
vanced a little to face the court sipiarely, the silence of 
death came over the multitude of spectators. His words 
were slow and impressive: "Save time, your honor. 
Time! Does the court realize with this respondent this 
issue is time or eternity?" It had its desired effect. 
There was no further attempt at unseemly haste. The 
deceased had many good traits of character. If a man or 
woman had a poor case and was likely to lose he told 
them so frankly and advised a settlement. He was par- 
ticularly obliging 
to the younger 
members of the 
bar. and many a 
middle aged mem- 
ber of the New 
Hampshire bar of 
to-day recalls his 
words of encour- 
agement to them 
in their early 
struggle. He en- 
couraged all who 
desired his encour- 
agement, and he 
often gave them 
points of law and 
advice, never tak- 
ing a fee from 
them. In early 
life he was a com- 
municant in the 
Ivpiscopal church. 
I'pon his removal 
to Nashua, there 
being no church 
of that creed 
here at that 
time, he identified 
himself with the 
I' i r s t Congrega- 
tional church, and 
for a number of 
years was a teach- 
er in its Sunday 
school and a tower 
of strength in all 
that appertained 
to the temporal 
and spiritual ad- 
vancement of the 
community. He 
gradually with- 
drew, however, 
and for many years was not i<lentified with any society 
or denomination. 

Judge Sawyer was united in marriage in Meredith 
liridge, now I,aconia, X. H.. October, 1S34, to Kmeline, 
second daughter of Daniel Tucker of I,aconia. She died 
Sept. 16, 1891. Seven children were born of this mar- 
riage: ICnielinc Augusta, died in infancy ; George Yeaton ; 
Charles Albert, died in the army in 1863; Helen Mary, 
married Elislia U.Hubbard, Aug. 27, 1873; Clara Hazle- 
ton; William Edward, died in infancy; Alice, married 
Fred W. Es1al)rook, Nov. 5, 1879, died Nov. 21, 1893. 



400 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



WILLIAM WALLACE BAILEY. 

Hou. William W. Bailey was born in Hopkintoii in 1S29. 
He is a son of Thomas and Jemima (.Smith) Bailey. His 
great grandfather, Humphrey Bailey, was probaV>ly a 
descendant of John Bailey, who came from Hampshire, 
Eng., about 1640 and settled at Rowley, Mass. His great 
grandfather and grandfather, Thomas, moved from Hav- 
erhill, Mass., to Hopkinton about 1771. They were sturdy 
and respected farmers and resided there until their death. 
On the maternal 
side he is a de- 
scendant of Moody 
Smith, a Revolu- 
tionary pensioner, 
who came from 
Danville to Hop- 
kinton about 1780. 

Mr. Bailey at- 
tended the di.strict 
schools of his na- 
tive place and was 
a student at Pem- 
broke academy 
and the N e w 
Hampshire con- 
ference seminary 
at Northfield, 
where he fitted for 
college. He e n - 
tered Dartmouth 
college in iSsoand 
was graduated in 
the class of 1854. 
Mr. Bailey read 
law in the office of 
George & Foster, 
Concord, and com- 
pleted his course 
of study of this 
profession at the 
Albany, N. Y., 
law school, where 
he was graduated 
in 1856 with the 
degree of LIv. B. 
Following his 
graduation he set- 
tled in Nashua, 
and has continued 
in practice to the 
present time. Mr. 
Bailey is a sound 

and able lawyer, having the confi- 
dence of the court, his associates at 
the bar and has a numerous client- 
age. He served the city as solicitor 
in 1884, during which time its legal 
interests were faithfully cared for. 

Mr. Bailey, like many another citizen and attorney of 
Nashua, has been a good deal more than a professional 
man among the people. He has been active in public 
affairs, and that he has the confidence of his fellow-men 
is shown in the fact that he represented Ward one in the 
legislature in 1863 and 1864, and was supported by his 




ly. 7t 



party for state senator in 1867 and 1868, for presidential 
elector at large on the democratic ticket in 1884, and for 
member of congress in 1886. Mr. Bailey served the state 
as trustee of the New Hampshire College of Agricul- 
ture and Mechanic Arts from 1871 to 1876, and the city 
of Nashua for several years as member of the board of 
education, and as trustee of the public library from 
1873 to the present time. In all these positions he has 
rendered the state and this communit}" faithful service ; 
his integrity and singleness of purpose never having been 

called in question. 
He was director 
and president of 
the Wilton rail- 
road c o m pa n y 
from 1871 to 1874, 
when he was 
elected a director 
of the Nashua c& 
Lowell railroad, 
having been re- 
elected every year 
since then, and 
has also been 
treasurer of the 
corporation since 
I 89 I . He was 
president of the 
Nashua Savings 
bank from 1879 to 
1895, also a direc- 
tor in the Indian 
Head National 
bank and the 
nil Isborough 
mills, being presi- 
dent of the last 
named company. 
Mr. Bailey is a 
member of the 
!• i r s t Congrega- 
tional church, the 
New F^ngland His- 
toric Genealogical 
societ)\ and presi- 
dent of the State 
Library associa- 
t i o n . He is a 
member of Rising 
Sun lodge, A. F. 
and A. M., of 
which he was the 
worshipful master 
in 1862 and 1S63, and is a Scottish 
rite Mason of the 32d degree. 

Besides attending to the duties of 
his profession he has found time to 
devote to the preparation of articles 
of historic interest, which he has 
read before the New England Historical society. 

Mr. Bailey was united in marriage in 1858 with Mary 
B. Greeley, daughter of .\lfred and Mary (Webster) 
Greele}', and a descendant of .Andrew Greele}-, who was 
born in England and came to this country early in the 
seventeenth century, settling at Salisbury, Mass. Four 



OiOJ-Xjla^ 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



401 



cliililreii have been born of their marriage: Marion C, 
who died in 1867, at the age of eight years; Caroline W., 
graduated at Wheaton seminary, died Aug. 21, [891 ; 
William T., graduated at Dartmouth college in 1861, ami 
Helen G. 

HENRY BRIDGE ATHERTON. 

Capt. Henry B. Allicrton was born at Cavendish, Vt., 
Sept. 21, 1835, and is the youngest son of Jonathan and 
Roxana (Ives) 
Atherton. Captain 
.\therton's father 
was fifth in descent 
from the emigrant, 
James Atherton. 
who came about 
1635 from Lanca- 
shire in Englanil 
to Dorchester with 
his kinsman, ISIaj. 
Gen. Humphrey 
Atherton, who 
succeeded Sedg- 
wick in the com- 
mand of the mili- 
tary and n aval 
forces of the Bay 
colony. Charles 
('.. Atherton, late 
liiited States sen- 
ator from N e w 
Hampshire, was 
also fifth in de- 
scent from the 
same emigrant an- 
cestor, James. Wr. 
.\therton's moth- 
er, Roxana Ives, 
was the only 
daughter of Capt. 
Elihu and Phebe 
(Hall) Ives and 
was born in Lud- 
low, Vt. She was 
a cousin of the 
late bishop, Silli- 
man Ives of South 
Carolina and the 
late N. K. Hall of 
Buffalo, United 
States District 
judge, a member 
of President I'ill- 
ni ore's cabinet, 
and she was also a lineal descendant of the emigrant John 
Morse of Connecticut, who was the ancestor of George 
Kennan, the author, of Prof. S. F. B. Morse and of Chan- 
cellor Kent. She was educated at a young ladies' school 
in Middlebury, ^'t., in which town her only brother, 
Isaac, attended college, and before her marriage she 
taught school. She was a good wife and devoted mother 
and her many noble qualities of mind and heart endeared 
her to all who knew her. She lacked but a few weeks of 
being ninetv-four vears old when she died in 1890. 




Jonathan Atherton, grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, was born in Massachusetts, served in the Revo- 
lutionary army, married Nancy Bridge and removing 
from Harvard, Mass., became one of the first settlers of 
Cavendish about 1782, and was the first representative 
elected to the legislature from that town. He was a 
farmer and also practiced law until his death in 1826. 
His son, Joseph, was a lieutenant in the regular army and 
served in the War of 1812. The sou, Jonathan, a man of 
marked ability and great decision of character, of simple 

tastes and fond of 
reading, preferred 
the free and inde- 
pendent life of the 
N e w E n g I a n d 
farmer of the last 
generation and 
continued to re- 
side on the broad 
acres where he was 
born until his 
death in 1875, at 
the age of eighty- 
seven. 

Captain .ather- 
ton obtained his 
education in the 
public schools of 
his native place, 
at Black River 
academy, Ludlow, 
Leland seminary, 
T o w n s e n d . and 
Dartmouth c o 1 - 
lege where he was 
graduated with 
the degree of .\. B. 
in 1859. .\mong 
his classmates in 
college were Dr. 
Edward Cowles, 
Dr. Ph i n ea s S. 
Conner, John 
Davis, B. F. Hayes, 
Prof. E. R. Rug- 
gles, Asa W. Ten- 
ney and Wheclock 
G. Veazey. 

He read law in 
the office of Joseph 
Sawyer in Alton, 
111., for a short 
time and subse- 
quently in the 
office of John F. 
Dcanc with whom upon admission to the bar he entered 
into partnership. He took a year's course at the Albany 
Law school where he received the degree of LI- B. in 
i860. Among his associates at the law school were Sena- 
tor William F. Vilas of Wisconsin, Gen. W. G. Veazey of 
the Interstate Commerce commission and Senator Red- 
field Proctor of Vermont. 

Before he was fairly settled in the practice of his 
profession the Rebellion broke out and he offered his 
services to the governor of the state who requested him 



n^.&XAxxy^Jj^^ • 



4o2 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



to raise a company. He received recruiting papers Aug. 
12, i85i, and on the following day began the work of en- 
listment. In fourteen days his company was full with 
nearly twenty men to spare. September 3 he was elected 
captain and on the twenty-first of the same month his 
company was mustered into the United States service at 
Brattleb'oro as Company C, of the Fourth Vermont volun- 
teers and the regiment left the next day for the front. 

This regiment formed a part of the famous First Ver- 
mont brigade and with General Hancock's brigade was 
in the division of Gen. "Baldy " Smith. They were sta- 
tioned across the Potomac at Camp Griffin near Lewins- 
ville, Va., and during the fall, winter and the next spring 
took part in General McClellan's peninsular campaign. 
At Lee's mills on Warwick Creek, April 16, 1862, Captain 
Atherton, while in command of his company attacking 
the enemy's position, was severely wounded by a minnie 
bullet in the right groin. He also received a scalp wound 
from a piece of shell at the same time. Having in conse- 
quence become disabled from active duty he resigned on 
the twelfth of August, 1862. 

Oct. 27, 1862, he removed to Nashua to take the edito- 
rial chargeof the New Hampshire Telegraph, which paper 
he conducted until April, 1864. He then resumed the 
practice of his profession which he has continued up to 
the present time. From 1866 to 1872 he was in partner- 
ship with the late William Barrett. For two 3'earshe was 
treasurer of Hillsborough county and from 1872 to 1876 
postmaster of Nashua. In 1867 and 1868 and again in 
1885 and in 1887 he was a member of the state legislature, 
serving the last two terms on the judiciary committee and 
as chairman of the committee on national affairs. 

Captain Atherton was a delegate to the Republican Na- 
tional convention at Chicago in 1884. At the beginning 
of President Harrison's administration he was appointed 
land commissioner for Samoa under the treaty of Berlin, 
and through his old comrade. Senator Redfield Proctor, 
then secretary of war, he was also offered the governor- 
ship of Alaska, both of which he declined. In 1890 he 
was elected member of the board of education for four 
years, and in 1893 and 1894 he was president of that body. 
Captain Atherton is a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. 
F. and A. M., ami is also a Scottish rite Mason of the 33d 
and last degree. He attends the service of the Pilgrim 
church. 

,\s an attorney Captain .atherton is among the leading 
members of the New Hampshire bar. He prepares his 
cases with great care and presents them with tenacious 
regard for his clients' rights. In argument before a jury 
he bears himself with dignity and discusses the evidence 
he has sirbmitted in a clear and forcible light. Captain 
Atherton, however, is more than an attorney. He is a 
man of learning in the great field of general knowledge, 
a thinker and an essayist who develops his subject in terse 
expression that shows his newspaper training. Besides 
this he is an earnest and lucid public speaker, Ijoth on 
political and other themes, and has made many Memorial 
Day addresses that have instructed his comrades and 
other auditors and won for him general approbation. 
Captain Atherton is a member of John G. P'oster Post, G. 
A. R., and one of its past commanders. 

Captain Atherton was united in marriage at Ludlow, 
Vt., Jan. 7, 1861, with Abbie Louise Armington, daughter 
of Dea. Samuel Laton and Eunice fWatkins) Armington. 
Her grandfather, Stephen Watkins, was a soldier in the 



Revolution. She was a graduate of Black River academy* 
in Ludlow, where she also taught before her marriage. 
She was a member of tne Baptist church in that town — 
the church of her parents — from which she never severed 
her connection. After a long and painful illness she died 
at Nashua, Dec. 8, 1896. The children of their marriage 
are Maud, born in Nashua, Aug. 2, 1863, married Almon W. 
Griswold of New York, Sept. 23, 1885 ; Grace, born Feb. 
8, 1869, married William F. Hazelton, M. D., of Spring- 
field, Vt., Dec. 29, 1892; Robert, born Sept. 26, 1872, died 
Aug. I, 1873; Anna H., born July 2, 1876; Henry F'rancis, 
born .\ug. 3, 1883. 

GEORGE ALLEN RAMSDELL. 

Hon. George A. Ramsdell was born in Milford March 11, 
1834. He is a direct descendant of Abijah Ramsdell, who 
was born in England in 1695, and in early manhood came 
to America and settleed at Lynn, Mass., the line continu- 
ing through Abijah, 1730; William, 1766, married Mary 
Southward; William, 1803, married Maria A. Moore; to 
himself, 1834. These worthy sires were noted for strength 
and ruggedness of character. Captain William, 1803, 
being a man of rare intellectual capacity and possessed of 
a gift that enabled him to utilize his varied knowledge of 
men and things for entertainment and instruction at 
short notice and in addresses of power and eloquence for 
a man who was not a speaker by profession. On the 
maternal side he is a descendant of John Moore, who 
came from England in 1638 and settled in Sudbury, 
Mass., in the same year. The lineage is traced through 
six generations to Humphrey Moore, D. D., 177S, who 
married Hannah Peabody, to the subject of this sketch in 
the eighth generation. The genealogy intermingles on 
his father's side with the Hawthornes and other promi- 
nent families of Massachusetts, and on his mother's side 
with Francis Peabody, who settled in Hampton as early 
as 1635 and was the immigrant ancestor of George Pea- 
body, the philanthropist, and other noted families of 
New England. 

Mr. Ramsdell obtained his primary education in his 
native town and was fitted for college at Appleton aca- 
demy, now McCollom institute, Mont Vernon. He com- 
pleted a year at Amherst college, but was compelled by 
reason of delicate health to retire at the end of his sopho- 
more year. His ambition, however, to fit himself for a 
useful career did not end her«:. .After a season of rest he 
entered the office of Bainbridge Wadleigh at Milford and 
read law. He completed his profession in the office of 
Daniel Clark and Isaac W. Smith at Manchester, and in 
1857 was admitted to the Hillsborough bar. Soon after 
he located at Peterboro where he remained six years in 
active practice. In 1864 he was appointed clerk of the 
supreme court of Hillborough county and removed to 
-Amherst, where he resided till 1866, when the records 
were moved to Nashua and he became a resident here. 
In 1887 he resigned the office mentioned and resumed the 
practice of his profession, forming a copartnership with 
Lyman D. Cook, under the firm name of Ramsdell & Cook. 
The firm continued in business three or four years, when 
banking responsibilities made such a demand upon Mr. 
Ramsdell's time that he gave up his court practice and 
became directly identified with the City Guaranty Savings 
bank as its treasurer, at the same time continuing as pres- 
ident of the First National bank. The duties of clerk of 
the court took Mr. Ramsdell out of active practice and, 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



403 



therefore, he has not been known as an advocate before 
juries. His legal acumen, however, has been recognized 
by the bar and every justice of the supreme court in the 
past twenty-five years has appointed him referee and 
auditor in a large numVjer of important and perplexing 
civil actions. In this judicial cajiacity he has visited 
every county and all the large towns in the state. Mr. 
Ramsdell's ability and impartiality in weighing evidence 
has never been called in ((uestion, and although he has 
determined many causes, often involving large pecuniary 
interests in which 
it frequently hap- 
pened that bitter 
feeling was engen- 
dered, there have 
been Imt few ap- 
peals from his 
judgment and no 
aspersion relative 
to motive. This 
honorable record 
was recognized by 
Gov. John B . 
Smith, who, on the 
death of Judge W- 
len in 1893, tend- 
ered him a seat on 
the supreme 
bench, which he 
rel u ctan tly de- 
clined. Meantime 
Dartmouth col- 
lege honored him 
with the degree of 
A. M. But Mr. 
Ramsdell has not 
devoted his time 
and attention 
wholly to the in- 
tricate problems 
and science of the 
law. He has ad- 
ministered upon a 
large number of 
private estates, 
and carried many 
responsibilities in 
connection with 
personal and cor- 
poration invest- 
ments, the wisdom 
of his judgment be- 
ingapparent in the 
fact that those who 
have relied upon 
his sagacity have 

never had cause to regret it. He has been identified in 
the temperance movement and responsive in everything 
incepted to promote the moral well-being of society and 
guard the home. Mr. Ramsdell was the orator at the 
dedication of the modern town hall buildings in his 
native place in 1870, and for some time past has been 
engaged in gathering material for a history of the town. 
Mr. Ramsdell's public career includes ten years" service 
on the board of education, twenty years as truste of thee 




^/2^ 



^^<^>2^tf^^ 



public library, and many other places of trust and re- 
sponsibility. In 1870, 1871 and 1872 he was a member of 
the legislature. He served upon the judiciary and other 
important committees, and won an enviable reputation as 
a careful and painstaking law-maker, a luminous and 
convincing debater and a man whom no influence could 
swerve from the path of duty. In fact many of his con- 
stituents remember with pride his staying qualities in 
in the great struggle in the house in 1871, when, Bain- 
bridge Wadleigh having spoken on the previous ques- 
tion till his voice 
failed, and need- 
ing a substitute to 
hold the floor till 
morning, Mr. 
Ramsdell stepped 
into the breach 
and spoke six 
hours with scarce- 
ly an intermission. 
In this and many 
other trying epi- 
sodes in that re- 
markable legisla- 
tive body, as in 
the performance 
of duty as a citi- 
zen, he has been a 
leader of the peo- 
ple and a fearless 
advocate of what 
he believed to be 
right. Mr. Rams- 
dell was a working 
member of the 
constitutional 
convention of 1876 
and represented 
the third district 
in the governor's 
council in 1891 
and 1S92. In the 
Republican guber- 
natorial conven- 
tion of 1894, com- 
posed of nearly 
eight hundred 
delegates, he re- 
ceived a flattering 
vote, and in the 
convention of 1896 
he received the 
distinguisheil hon- 
or of being nomi- 
nated by acclama- 
tion and without 
a dissenting vote. In the election that followed he was 
cho.sen governor by the largest majority (17.977) e^'^"" 
given a candidate in the history of the state. 

.\niong the minor yet equally important positions in 
which Mr. Ramsdell has served the people of Nashua 
and the state may be mentioned that of president for sev- 
eral years of the board of trustees of the Slate Industrial 
school at Manchester and trustee of the Orphans' home 
at Tranklin, being at the present time a member of the 



^A.^^^_y 



404 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



last named board. He has been many times earnestly 
solicited to stand as the republican candidate for mayor 
of the city, but owing to onerous duties in the positions 
mentioned, and the added fact that his duties as president 
of the First National bank, treasurer of the City Guaranty 
Savings bank, director in the Wilton Railroad company, 
in the Peterborough railroad, in the Jackson company, in 
the Nashua Manufacturing company, besides other clients 
whose interests he must guard in the supreme and pro. 
bate courts, the management of the ancestral farm at 
Milford and prop- 
er attention to his 
private affairs, he 
has been com- 
pelled to decline 
the honor. 

Mr. Ramsdell 
was made a Mason 
in A 1 1 e r m o n t 
lodge, A. F. and 
A. M., at Peter- 
borough, while 
residing there and 
is now a member 
of Rising Sun 
lodge in Nashua 
and a Scottish rite 
Mason of the 32d 
degree in Edward 
A. Raymond con- 
sistory. 

In his religious 
convictions he is a 
liberal Congrega- 
tionalist and a 
member of the 
First church of 
that denomination 
in Nashua. Nei- 
ther his religious, 
social or masonic 
life are marked or 
marred by display 
or a forbidding 
spirit. The sum- 
mary, therefore, 
of Mr. Ramsdell's 
career is valuable 
to the readers of 
this work in im- 
pressing a useful 
lesson upon the 
mind of genera- 
tions to come, and 
as a reminder that 
the belter way of 
life, and the surer hope of happiness is in keeping in 
close touch with the teachings of the book of books. 

Mr. Ramsdell was united in marriage in November, 
iS6o, with Eliza D. Wilson, born Sept. 5, 1836, and 
daughter of David and Margaret (Dinsmore) Wilson of 
Deering. She is a descendant, paternally, of David 
Wilson, and maternally of John Dinsmore, both of whom 
were immigrants in the Scotch-Irish colony that settled 





in Londonderr)' about 1719. Four children have been 
born of their marriage: Harry W., born Feb. i, 1862, 
married Mary L. Scott, daughter of Col. Charles Scott of 
Peterborough; Arthur D., born Aug. 2, 1864; Charles T., 
born July 6, 1866, married Jessie M. Austin of Denton, 
Tex. ; Anne M., born Dec. 8, 1873. 

EDWARD EVERETT PARKER. 

Hon. Edward E. Parker was born in Brookline, Jan. 7, 
1842. He is a son of James and Deverd (Corey) Parker and a 

descendant, both 
paternally and 
maternalh-, from 
English families 
that came to this 
countr}- about 1660 
and settled in 
Ty ngsborough 
and Groton. His 
grandfather was 
one of the first 
setilers in Brook- 
line. He held 
many important 
trusts in the town 
government a n d 
was its s e c o n d 
representative in 
the legislature fol- 
lowing its incor- 
poration in 1779. 
His grandmother, 
Sarah (Boynton) 
Parker, was a de- 
scendant of John 
Boynton and Wil- 
liam Boynton who 
came to America 
from Yorkshire, 
Eng., and settled 
in Rowley, Mass., 
in 1638, and whose 
children and chil- 
dren's children 
have been promi- 
nent in every sta- 
tion of life. His 
maternal great 
g r a n d m o t h e r , 
Prudence (Cum- 
mings) Wright, 
wife of David 
Wright of Pepper- 
ell, Mass., com- 
manded the band 
of patriotic women 
of that town who arrested the notorious tory. Col. Leon- 
ard Whiting at Jewett's bridge in April, 1775, on the 
morning after the fight on Lexington green , as he was 
on his way from Canada with dispatches for the British in 
Boston. The news of the British's march was brought 
into Pepperell by Dea. John Boynton, an ancestor of Mr. 
Parker. The minute men responded and marched imme- 
diately. The ^vonlen resolved that no enemy of the 



Cl.. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



405 



country slunild pass tlie bridge. Tliey inel, orjjani/.ed 
and chose Mrs. Wright as coniniauder. The next morn- 
ing, dressed in men's clothes and armed with pitchforks, 
scythes, etc., the}' assembled at the bridge under the 
command of Mrs. Wright. The clatter of horses hoofs 
soon announced W'hiting's approach ; he was seen, recog- 
nized and arrested, and the disloyal dispatches found in 
one of his boots. The dispatches were forwarded to the 
committee of safety at Cambridge and he was sent as a 
])risoner to Groton, Mass., and is said to have been con- 
lineil during the rest of the war. A. granite la1)let, appro- 
liriatelv iTiscribed, commemorative of the affair, erected 
liv Jlrs. II. .■\. Pevear of I.ynn, Mass., a granddaughter of 
Mrs. Wright, now stands Ijy the highway at the west end 
of the bridge. 

Judge Parker, like the boys of the forties, allended 
the district school, fie then became a student at Phillips' 
I'^xeter academy. In 1863 lie left Phillips and entered 
.\ppleton academy at Mont Vernon where he was gradu- 
ated in 1863. Meantime he determined to serve his 
country, and Aug. 20, 1863, enlisted in the United States 
navy. He was detailed on board brig Perry — the last 
sailing brig admitted to the service — and was soon ap- 
pointed yeoman of the vessel, a position which he con- 
tinued to hold till he was discharged from the service, at 
Philadelphia in October, 1864, by reason of the expiration 
of his term of enlistment. In the spring of 1865 he 
returned to his books with a determination to complete 
his education. He entered Colby academy at New 
London, graduated there in the summer and entered 
Dartmouth college in the autumn, where he was gradu- 
ated in the class of 1869, being the centennial poet at the 
commencement exercises in that year. Following his 
graduation Judge Parker accepted the position of princi- 
pal of Warrensburg academy at Warrensburg, N. Y., and 
held the position one j'ear, when he resigned and returned 
to New England to become principal of the high school at 
Wareham, Mass. Meantime he decided to make the law 
his profession, and so he resigned his position at the end of 
his first term and entered the office of Thomas Cunning- 
ham at Warrensbvirg, N. Y., where he remained six months. 
Returning again to New England and feeling the necessity 
of saving money with which to pursue his studies, he 
accepted the position of principal of the high school at 
Middlesboro, Mass., and taught one year. 

In .\ugust, 1871, Judge Parker became a resident of 
Nashua. He entered the office of Gen. Aaron P. Stevens, 
and while studying law was principal of a Nashua evening 
school and engaged from time to time in reporting state 
cases before the supreme court for the newspapers. Judge 
Parker was admitted to the Hillsborough bar at the 
March term of the court, then held at Amherst, in 1873. 
Immediately after he formed a co-partnership with Gen- 
eral Stevens under the firm name of Stevens & Parker, 
which continued until about 1880. He was city solicitor 
in 1876 and 1S77, and in 1879 on the resignation of Judge 
Henry E. Burnham of Manchester, was appointed judge 
of probate by Governor Cheney, a position which he 
still holds. He has given the city six years of faithful 
and valuable service on the board of education and has 
been identified with many of the projects that have been 
employed for the development and advancement of the 
interests of Nashua. Judge Parker was made a Mason in 
Denevolent lodge, .A. F. and A. M. of Milford in 1868, is 
a Knight of Pythias and a member of John G. Foster 



post, G. .A. R., of which he is past coniniander. He has 
held appointments on the G. A. R. commander-in-chief's 
staff and has served twice as judge advocate general, the 
last time in 1893. He was a delegale-at-large to the 
National encampment, G. A. R., at I^ouisville, Ky., in 
September, 1895. 

.\s a lawyer Judge Parker stands high in his profession ; 
as judge of probate his decisions have invariably stood 
the test of the supreme court, while his sincerity of pur- 
pose to mete out fair and impartial justice and in every 
way in his power protect the interests of legacies and 
legatees has never been called in question. In fact it 
may be said — for it is absolutely true — that he is one of 
the fairest minded and most conscientous public officials 
in the county. He is, however, more than teacher, law- 
yer and upright judge. He is an interesting talker and 
public speaker whose only handicap is his inborn mod- 
esty. Added to this is the instinct and hand of an artist, 
and the mind of a poet ; excelling in the latter gift to the 
extent of having composed for public events, dedications 
of soldiers' and sailors' monuments, some of the best 
descriptive verse in our language, and given to m.'igazines 
and newspapers humorous waifs and poems of beauty, 
fancy and ideal thought. Judge Parker's latest work 
may be found in the historical department of this work 
of which he was the editor. 

Judge Parker was united in marriage Dec. 20, 1877, 
with Alice Prince Hammond, youngest daughter of Dr. 
Evan B. and Sarah .\nn (.\danis) Hammond, whose lineage 
is given in a sketch of the life of the former, which 
appears in this work. The children of their marriage 
are Rena Deverd, born Nov. 23, 1878, and Edna Alice, 
born Dec. 13, iS8o. 

JAMES BOUTELLE FASSETT. 

Hon. James B. Fassett was born at Enosburg, Vt., March 
4, 1833, died at Nashua, Feb. 3. 1889. He was a son of 
Hiram and Cynthia (.\dams) Fassett and a descendant of 
Judge John Fassett of Bennington, Yt., the genealogy of 
the family reaching back into the mother country and its 
lineage including many of the brightest minds and most 
distinguished men in Great Britain and America. On the 
maternal side he was a descendant of Henry Adams of 
Braiutree, Mass., a race of men who trace their lineage 
through fifteen generations to .Ap Adam. (See genealogy 
of Mrs. Hammond, in sketch of Evan B. Hammond, in 
this work. ) 

Judge Fassett was educated in the public schools of his 
native place and at New London academy, graduating at 
the latter institution. Following his graduation he 
taught school at Franklin, Vt., Medina, O., Wolfe- 
borough, Hillsborough, Hudson, HoUis and Deering. In 
:862 he gave up teaching as a profession and entered the 
office of John Y. Mugridge at Concord and later attended 
Harvard Law school, after which, in 1864, he located at 
Nashua and practiced his profession until his last sick- 
ness. He was commissioned justice of the police court 
in 1876 by Gov. Person C. Cheney and held that respon- 
sible position till his death. Judge Fassett was a mem- 
ber of the board of education six years, being president 
of the organization the last three years of his service. 
He also represented his ward in the constitutional con- 
vention of 1889. He attended the Unitarian church and 
was a F'ree Mason. 



4o6 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



As a lawyer Judge Fassett was able and conservative, as 
a judge he was careful, consistent in his ruling and 
inflexible in his purpose to deal justly, while leaning 




JAMES BOUTELLE FASSEIT. 

toward the side of mercy. His perceptive faculties were 
remarkably well developed, and contributed in no small 
degree to his success as a judge ; as did his gentlemanly 
bearing and social qualities to increase the respect and 
esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens. As an 
educator he ranked high, and, in the department of 
which he made special study — mathematics — he excelled 
beyond most professors and authors. He was deeply 
interested in whatever affected in any way the interests 
of the public schools and was ever ready to solve hard 
problems for students who sought his aid. He was 
democratic in all things, and no men of his generation 
have attained greater popularity among their fellow-citi- 
zens. This came about in part through the fact that he 
had an even temperament, was a model of physical pro- 
portions, an athlete and a promoter of the sports of 
the field. He was with all else a great lover of domestic 
animals and always the owner of a perfect horse. In a 
word Judge Fassett was an all round man, such as the 
great masses of the people admire and follow. 

Judge Fassett was united in marriage Sept. 9, 1S67, with 
Ellen M. Morrill, daughter of Hon. Hiram T., and Anne 
(Mason) Morrill of Nashua. Seven children were born 
of their marriage : James H., born Jan. 11, 1869, graduated 
at Dartmouth college and at the present time, 1895, 
superintendent of the public schools of Nashua; Annie 
M., born Aug. 25, 1871 ; Nellie M.. born Sept. 22, 1873, 
died Dec. 31, 1876; William M., born Jan. 28, 1876, at the 
present time a cadet at the United States Military aca- 
demy. West Point. Alice E., born Aug. 3, 1877; Mary A., 
born Nov. 27, 1879; Charles .\., born .\pril 21, 1884. 



EDWARD HILL WASON. 

Edward H. Wason, son of George A. Wason, was born 
at New Boston, Sept. 2, 1865. He obtained his education 
at Francestown academy and at the New Hampshire Col- 
lege of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, graduating from 
the last named institution with the degree of B. S. in the 
class of 1886. Following his graduation he read law in 
the office of George B. French at Nashua, and later 
attended lectures at the Boston University School of 
Law, where he was graduated in the class of 1890 with 
the degree of LL. B. He was admitted to the New Hamp- 
shire bar in March, i8go, and immediately after opened 
an ofiice here. In 1894, and again in 1895, he was chosen 
city solicitor, in the office of which he has shown tact 
and good ability, the awards against the city for damages 
having been reduced to a minimum. Mr. Wason's suc- 
cess at the bar has been such as to give promise of a 
brilliant future. He is in company with George F. Jack- 
son, the firm name being Wason & Jackson. 

Mr. Wason has been prominent in the affairs of the city 
and in politics. He has also had valuable experience as 
a school master, having taught several terms as principal 
of the Main Street Evening school while pursuing his 
law studies. In 1887 he was chosen sergeant-at-arms of 
the New Hampshire senate and in 1889 was re-elected to 
the same position. In i8gi he was chosen assistant clerk 
of the same body, and in 1893 he was re-elected to the 
same position. In 1895 he was chosen clerk of the same 
body, all of which attests his popularity and influence in 
his party. In 1891 Mr. Wason was elected a member of 
the Nashua board of education, and in January, 1895, his 
associates recognized the valuable service he had rendered 
by electing him president of that body. He is treasurer 
of the Nashua Driving Park association, a member of 
Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., of which he is a past 
master, Meridan Sun Royal Arch chapter, Israel Hunt 
council and St. George commandry, K. T., Edward A. 




EDWARD lUEL W.V.SON. 

Raymond consistory, and .\lleppo temple of Boston, also 
of Nashua lodge, K. of P., and the City Guards club. 
Mr. Wason is unmarried. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



407 



EDWARD STEARNS CUTTHR. 

FVlward S. Cutter was born in Jaffrey, JIarcli 27, 1822. 
lie is a son of Daniel and Sally (Jones) Cutter. Mr. 
Cutter is a descendant of Richard Cutter, who emigrated 
to this country from Newcastle, Eng., in 1640 and settled 
at Cambridge, Mass. His maternal grandmother was a 
descendant of Henry Hastings, fifth earl of Huntington. 
Tie is a lineal descendant of Rev. Peter Hobart, a graduate 
from Oxford college and an immigrant who became the 
first settled min- 
ister at Hingham, 
Mass., and also 
from John Pres- 
cott, fourth gen- 
eration from 
James of Standish, 
1564, who came to 
Boston and Water- 
town in 1640 and 
was the progenitor 
of Col. William 
I'rescott of Revo- 
lutionary fame, 
and William H. 
I'rescott the his- 
torian. On the 
maternal side his 
ancestors were 
first settlers of 
Bedford, Mass . , 
Col. Timothy- 
Jones of that 
place being his 
grandfather, (see 
Brown's history 
of Bedford). 
Three of his an- 
cestors, including 
the last mention- 
ed, were in the 
Revolutionarv 
War. 

Mr. Cutter fitted 
for college at Xew 
Ipswich academy, 
and was graduated 
from Dartmouth 
college in 1844, 
ranking in schol- 
arship among the 
best in his class, 
which included 
ex-(;ov. Charles 
H. Bell, Col. John 
H. George, Con- 
gressman A. A. Ranney and Judge Mellen Chaniberlin of 
Massachusetts, and several others who have become dis- 
tinguished in public life. He read law with James 
Walker in Peterborough and afterwards with Daniel 
Clark in Manchester, and was admitted to the bar in 
December, 1848. Mr. Cutter commenced the practice of 
his profession in Peterborough and continued there in 
practice till 1858 when he was apjiointcd clerk of the 
supreme judicial court and court of common pleas for 



Hillsborough county, which office he held until June, 
1864, when he resigned. Me removed to Manchester and 
practiced law there and in Boston until 1876, when he 
came to Nashua. Mr. Cutter is still in practice, (1895;, 
in partnership with his son, Henry A. Cutter. He is a 
well read, careful and prudent attorney, who finds favor 
and clients among conservative people who seek to con- 
duct their important business without legal flaws and 
thus guard themselves against the vexations incidental to 
acrimonious litigation. In early life Mr. Cutter was a 

prominent leader 
in the politics of 
Hillsborough 
county, but since 
settling in Nash- 
ua he has not 
been active in 
public affairs and 
yet his party asso- 
ciates insisted on 
supporting him at 
the polls for sena- 
tor and one or two 
other important 
offices. He has, 
however, pub- 
licly advocated 
modern innova- 
tions in state laws, 
instanced by the 
Australian ballot 
and other popular 
enactments. Mr. 
Cutter was, for 
several years after 
he came to Nash- 
ua, a member of 
the state board of 
equalization. He 
has been a fre- 
quent contributor 
to newspapers and 
other publica- 
tions, and is the 
author of the 
chapter on the 
" Bench and Bar," 
in this work. Mr. 
Cutter is a mem- 
ber of the First 
Congregational 
church and socie- 
ty, of Rising Sun 
lodge, A. F. and 
A. M., and Mt. 
Horeb chapter. 
Adoniram council, and Trinity conimandery, K. T., Man- 
chester. Jlr. Cutter has been twice married : first. May 
21, 1850, to Janette Swan, daughter of Samuel and Janet 
(Steele) Swan of Peterborough. She died in Amherst, 
Sept. 14, 1873. Mr. Cutter married for a second wife 
Sarah K. Lord of Limiiigton, Me., Dec. 31, 1874. His 
children were all by his first marriage: Edward Jones, 
born July 5, 1855, a physician and surgeon of Leominster, 
Mass., who married Nellie D. Greeley, oldest daughter of 




4o8 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



J. Thornton and Hannah A. (Morrison) Greeley, June 15. 
1887; Henry Arthur, born Oct. 27, 1857, attorney, Nashua, 
who married Katharine M. Greeley (sister of Nellie D.,) 
Oct. 7, 1885; Annie Louise, born June 13, 1863, died Aug. 
31, 1877; Leonard Taylor, born Nov. 3, 1871, now a cadet 
in the United States revenue service. 

GEORGE B. FRENCH. 

George B. French was born at Tuftonborough, Nov. 27. 
1846. He is a son of James and Eveline .\. (Moulton^ 
French. His pa- 
ternal ancestors 
were among the 
first settlers on the 
eastern shore of 
Winuipesaukee. 
On the maternal 
side his ancestors 
were pioneers of 
the wilderness. 
They helped set- 
tle the town where 
they resided and 
named it Moulton- 
borough, which 
name it has borne 
ever since. 

Mr. French be- 
gan his education 
in the public 
schools of Moul- 
tonborough, to 
which place his 
parents removed 
when he was about 
five years of age, 
and fitted for col- 
lege at the New 
Hampshire Con- 
ference Seminary 
and Female Col- 
lege at Tilton, be- 
ing a student there 
in 1866, 1867 and 
1868. He entered 
Dartmouth col- 
lege in the last 
year mentioned 
and was graduated 
in 1872. Follow- 
ing his graduation 
he was principal 
of the high school 
in Mil ford two 

years, after which he read law one year in the office of 
Wadleigh & Wallace. Mr. French was influenced to 
make the law his profession through early impressions on 
his mind of a brother of his mother, a young man whose 
professional career was cut short by death. Leaving the 
office of Wadleigh & Wallace, Mr. French went to Boston 
and continued his studies in the office of Nathan Morse, 
a former partner of A. A. Rauney, and attended lectures 
at the Boston university. He was examined and admitted 
to practce in Boston, May 24, 1876. On the first day of 
the following September he removed to Nashua and began 




l.EDJit.l'. B. KKlixeu. 



the practice of his profession here, and here he has 
remained ever since. 

The prominence and success that Mr. I'rench has at- 
tained in his profession warrants the statement that he 
ranks among the best practitioners in New Hampshire. 
He has a methodical mind, firmness of conviction, de- 
cision, and is nervously energetic in whatever cause he is 
engaged. Nothing goes by default with Mr. French. In 
fact, he makes a careful and painstaking study— often 
fathoming puzzling mysteries with the ability of a de- 
tective — of every 
case in which he 
is retained, and 
hence it happens 
that when he en- 
ters upon a trial 
he is fully pre- 
pared to parry his 
opponent and 
meet the issue. 
With him there is 
none of the hesi- 
tancy a n d half- 
heartedness that 
often weakens a 
cause. On the 
other hand he is 
earnest, forciljle 
and direct, keep- 
ing the balance of 
attention of court 
and juror directed 
to the problems 
involved on his 
side. In a word, 
no e le ni e n t of 
weakness is per- 
mitted to creep in, 
and no impression 
given that he en- 
tertains any doubt 
concerning the 
final outcome. 
Mr. French has 
ni ad c successful 
issue in a large 
number of cases 
that were involved 
in deception, 
fraud a n d even 
forgery, many of 
which have be- 
come noteworth}'. 
His success before 
a jurj- in summing up is found in a remarkable faculty 
for grouping, explaining and arguing scattered and ap- 
parently conflicting testimony in a manner that, without 
attempt at oratory or figurative speech, is persuasive and 
effective. In a word, he is an all round lawyer, in coun- 
sel reliable, in preparation and trial of causes intense, 
and when questions of law- carry him to the full bench he 
is there found with untiring tenacity, searching ever\' 
corner for authority and every legal principle to sustain 
his cause. Mr. French is also an interesting and in- 
structive speaker, but, owing to the demands upon his 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



time ill his profession, appears hut seldom before the 
public. 

Mr. French gave the city several years of faithful and 
valuable service as a member of the board of education 
and represented Ward four in the constitutional conven- 
tion of 1889. He was appointed by Governor Goodale as 
one of the commissioners to revise the statutes of \ew 
Hampshire, but resigned before entering upon the work, 
not being able to see his way clear to devote the 
necessary time to 
it. Mr. French 
is president of 
the Nashua Trust 
company, a mem- 
ber of the First 
Congregation a 1 
society and of 
Ancient York 
lodge, A. F. and 
A. M. With all 
else Mr. French is 
an enthusiastic 
sportsman. He is 
the owner, with 
Dr. R. F. McQues- 
ten, Dr. Bradford 
Allen, William H. 
Beasom, Charles 
J. Hamblett and 
others of a club- 
house in the wil- 
derness of Maine 
and thither at cer- 
tain seasons of the 
j'ear, with one 
or more of the 
gentlemen men- 
tioned, he goes for 
rest, recreation, 
and the pleasure 
that comes of fish- 
ing, hunting and 
roughing it. 

Mr. French was 
united in marriage 
at Milford, Dec. 
24, 1879, with 
Sarah F. Burn- 
ham, daughter of 
D. S. and Harriet 
M. Burnham of 
that place. Four 
children have 
been born of their 
marriage : Ruth 
H., Robert A., 
Helen B., and 
George M. 

HENRY ARTHUR CUTTER. 

Henry A. Cutter was born in Peterborough, Oct. 27, 
1857. He is a son of Edward S. and Janette (Swan) 
Cutter. (For ancestors see sketch of his father J. Mr. 
Cutter obtained his primary education in the schools of 




409 

Manchester, to which place his parents moved in 1864, 
and was graduated in the English High school in Boston 
in the class of 1875, and at the Boston Tniversity Law 
school, class of 1879. He was admitted to the bar March 
19, 1880, at Concord, and to the bar of the United States 
circuit court Dec. 27, 1882. Mr. Cutter has been in partner- 
ship with liis father since his a.lmission to the profession. 
He is an attorney who has a thorough knowledgeof the law, 
who prepares his cases and presents them in a systematic 

and comprehen- 
sive manner, main- 
taininghisclients" 
interest with vigor 
and with clearness 
and force of argu- 
ment. Mr. Cutter 
has been quite an 
extensive traveler, 
having been in 
every state a n d 
territory in the 
union, made three 
ocean voyages 
across the .Atlantic 
and traveled over 
a great part of 
F.urope. In addi- 
tion to his law 
business he takes 
an active part in 
public affairs. He 
was for some time 
a trustee of the 
Mechanics' Sav- 
ings bank, and a 
director in the 
Security Trust 
company, and is 
also a director in 
the Peterborough 
railroad. It is to 
Mr. Cutter's credit 
that he organized 
the Nashua Board 
of Trade of which 
he was secretary 
three years, and 
which did some 
effective and val- 
uable work in lo- 
cating industries 
here. Hewasalso 
one of the organi- 
zers and promot- 
ers of the Masonic 
building, being 
secretary of the 
corporation. Mr. 
Cutter is a member of the First Congregational society, of 
Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., of which he was mas- 
ter in 1884 and 18S5, of Meridian Sun Royal Arch chapter, 
and of St. George commandery, K. T. He is also a mem- 
ber of the order of Sons of the American Revolutoin. 
Mr. Cutter was united in marriage Oct. 7, 1885 with. 



4IO 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Katherine M. Greele\'. Mrs. Cutter is a direct descendant 
of Matthew Thornton, the signer of the Declaration of 
Independence. Her great grandfather was a Revolution- 
ary- soldier and was one of two from this section who were 
wounded at Bunker Hill. Her grandfather was Col. 
Joseph Greeley, who was a verj' successful man, and 
prominent in the affairs of Nashua in the early part of the 
century. He was one of those who started the Nashua 
Manufacturing company, was an incorporator of the In- 
dian Head National bank and its first president. Many 
other institutions owe their establisnient to him in part. 
Horace Greeley, the famous journalist, was related to the 
family. On the maternal side her ancestors are the 
Morrisons, Dinsmores and Nesmiths of Londonderry and 
Windham, families that have been conspicuous in the 
state since colonial times. The children of their marriage 
are : Janet, born Jan. 20, 1889; Madeleine, born Dec. 6, 1890. 

JOSEPH B. PARKER. 

Joseph B. Parker was born in Hollis, Sept. i. 1840. His 
career furnishes a forcible illustration of what a young 
man mav accomplish by perseverance and a determina- 




JOSEPH R. PARKER. 

tion to win success. He obtained a good common school 
education in his native town, but this did not satisfy his 
ambition. He therefore entered Dartmouth college and 
by making a manly struggle — sawing wood, taking care 
of a horse, at one time keeping a boarding-house with 
forty boarders, and also keeping a bookstore, succeeded 
in his purpose, and was graduated with the degree of B. 
A. in the class of 1869, and received the degree of A. M. 
in 1872. During his college days and after graduating 
he read law in the office of William H. Duncan. He 
came to Nashua in 1876, was admitted to the bar in 1877, 
and commenced the practice of his profession in Septem- 
ber of that year. Mr. Parker has done a large amount of 
business as a real estate agent and as agent of the Massa- 
chusetts Mutual P^ire Insurance company, besides taking 
good care of the interests of innumerable clients. He 



was united in mariage Feb. 8, 1882, with Emma L. Blake 
daughter of E. N. Blake of Woburn, Mass. He is a 
member of the First Congregational church. 

CHARLES J. HAMBLETT. 

Charles J. Hamblett, son of Judson A. and Marj' J. 
(Perkins) Hamblett, was born in Nashua, Jan. 31, 1862. 
He is a descendant on both the paternal and maternal side 




iii.\i;i.i> |. iiAMHi.irn. 

of Scotch-Irish ancestors who came from the north of 
Ireland and settled in Londonderry. 

Mr. Hamblett's parents moved to Milford shortly after 
the birth of their son and it was in the public schools of 
that town that he laid the foundation of his education. 
He afterwards became a student at the academy in Fran- 
cestown, at which place he completed his academic 
studies preparatory to taking up his profession. Mr. 
Hamblett then entered the law office of Judge Robert M. 
Wallace at Milford, where he read law several months. 
Later he read law and studied in the office of ex-United 
States Senator Bainbridge Wadleigh in Boston, and 
finally, after a full course of study, was graduated at the 
law school of the Bo.ston university. He was admitted 
to the New Hampshire bar in 1889 and at once opened an 
office in Nashua. 

Mr. Hamblett has always taken a very decided interest 
in public affairs. He served the state in 1887 as assistant 
clerk of the senate, and in 1889 as clerk. In 1891 , 1892 and 
1893 he was city solicitor of Nashua and from 1894 to 1897, 
three years, was president of the common council of 
Nashua. Besides these conspicuous positions he has 
held other trusts, in private bodies and societies, in all of 
which he has won the admiration and esteem of his 
associates. 

Mr. Hamblett possesses good natural and acquired 
ability. He is a good lawyer and an earnest man in what- 
ever he undertakes. In politics he is a republican, and 
in every campaign since attaining his niajori;y he has, 
under the auspices of the state committee, addressed the 
people of the state upon pending issues. He is a brilliant 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



411 



and forceful speaker whose services are always in ileniaml 
not alone in political campaigns, but as a Memorial Day 
orator and addresses upon widely different themes. 

Mr. Ilaniblett was united in marriage Oct. 4, 1894, with 
Georgie K. Stevens, daugliter of David and Cornelia 
(Sawtelle) Stevens of Nashua. Mrs. Hamblett is a de- 
scendant of an Knglish family that came to this country 
in early colonial days. One child, a daughter, has been 
1)orn of their marriage. They attend the services of the 
First Congregational cliurch. 

GEORGE F. JACKSON. 

George F. Jackson was Ijorn at Canning, N. S., l''eb. i.), 
1864. He is a son of James T. and Sarah R. (Smith) Jack- 
son. On the paternal side he is a descendant of William 
Jackson of Medford, N. S., whose father was a native of 
Lancashire, F'ng., and on the maternal side of James 
Smith of (_)ldtown, Me., his grandfather being William 
Smith of Windsor, N. S. His genealogy connects him 
with the Shaws, Aikins, Vaugns and Parmenters all 
prominent families in Nova Scotia, the Vaugns coming 
from London, Eng., and the others from Rhode Island. 

Mr. Jackson was educated in the Rice, Dwight and 
Lowell public schools of Boston, Mass., to which place 
his parents removed when he was a child. T'pon leaving 
school he entered the dry goods trade in a Boston house 
where he remained three years. He then accepted a posi- 
tion as travelling salesmen for a fancy goods and import- 
ing house and was on the road some more than four years. 
Tiring of travelling he came to Nashua and obtained 
employment in the mills of the Nashua Card and Glazed 
Paper company, where, Feb. 4, 1888, while at work on a 
plating mahine, he met with an accident by which he lost 
his right forearm. Shortly after his recovery he decided 
to read law and for that purpose entered the office of Capt. 
Henry B. Atherton, where he pursued the study- of law 
for two years. Then entering the Boston University 
school of law he received his technical training and two 
years later was graduated with the degree of LL. B., 
having taken the entire three years' course in two. Upon 
the following July he was examined at Concord for 
admission to the bar in this state, and after a searching 
examination of two entire days he was admitted as an 
attorney and counsellor at law, standing at the head of a 
class of thirteen candidates for admission. He imme- 



diately formed a co-partnership with Edward H. Wason, 
under the firm name of Wason & Jackson. He was elected 
city solicitor in 1897. 



r>- 



^ 




ClKOlUiK !•'. I.XCKSON. 

I\Ir. Jackson is something more than a successful attor- 
nev. He is an active society man, being a member of 
John Hancock lodge, A. V. and A. M., Mount Vernon 
Royal Arch chapter, Roxbury Council of Royal and 
Select Masters and Joseph Warren comraandery of 
Knights Templar of Boston. He is a member of Penni- 
chuck lodge, I. O. O. F., Evening Star lodge, K. of P. 
and W'atananock Tribe of Red Men of Nashua, the Phi 
Delta Phi law fraternity and the Signia Alpha Epsilon 
college fraternity and was for five years a member of the 
RoxI)ury City guards. Company D, First regiment, Mas- 
sachusetts volunteer militia, and is at present a member 
of the Roxbury Artillery \'eteran association of Boston. 

Mr. Jackson was united in marriage Dec. 31, 1888, with 
Mabel L. Alexander, daughter of Don P. and Martha 
(Clement) Alexander of Nashua. 



412 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

THE BENCH AND THE BAR. 

T!V E. S. CUTTER. 

IN THE early settlement of New England every town of any considerable importance, present or 
prospective, had among its inhabitants a member of the legal profession. The exigencies of the 
times seem to have demanded the aid of a resident lawyer immediately accessible for consulta- 
tion. The administration of the municipal affairs of the towns in those early times, the laying 
out and building of public highwaj-s, the settlement of disputed boundary lines between adjoining 
land owners, the conveyance of land titles among a people little accustomed to the rules and forms 
of law, and the enforcement of laws against criminal offences, taken in consideration of the lack of 
facilities for communication between one town and another, owing to the want of good roads, all 
combined to demand the presence and aid of a resident attorney ; and throughout New Hampshire 
from Massachusetts to the borders of Canada in those early times and down to the present century, in 
every village of any considerable size, could be seen the lawj^er's office located on some central street 
or square usually a small one-story wooden structure, in size about twenty by twenty-five feet, with a 
hipped roof, the door in front near one corner, with a lawyer's sign over it. Such was the typical 
lawyer's office in those early days. It was a center of influence and information for the country 
around, and thither came the farmers and the villagers with their questions of law, of politics, of 
economics and sometimes of theology, for the village "squire " was supposed to know almost every- 
thing on every subject, and "what he did not know" the old farmers used to say "wasn't worth 
knowing." The lawyers in those times were all or nearly all graduates of some one of our New 
England colleges, — in southern New Hampshire mosth' of Harvard University, — gentlemen of culture 
for those times, of broad practical scholarship and knowledge of affairs. 

They held the office of a justice of the peace at a time when that office was bestowed upon a few 
only and was considered an honor and a distinction, while at the present time, (1897), it is merely an 
office of business convenience. The influence of the legal profession in those formative times, scat- 
tered as were its members among the towns throughout the state in moulding and directing the 
municipal governments of the towns, those miniature republics which formed the bed-rock of the 
larger and more magnificent republics of the state and the nation, was salutary and invaluable; and 
the population of agricultural New England during the first half of the present century furnished the 
best population known in history for the support and maintenance of a republican form of government, 
the farmers residing on the hillsides and in the valleys owning the farms on which they lived, which 
with assiduous cultivation produced in abundance all the necessaries of life. 

Soon after the early settlements became permanently established on the banks of the Nashua 
river between Mine Falls and its confluence with the Merrimack river, con.stituting Indian Head 
village in Dumstable, as that village was fir.st termed, before Nashua was incorporated, Daniel Abbot, 
a young lawyer who had for a short time been practising his profession at Londonderry, left that place 
and came to Dunstable and opened a law office. He was the first lawyer settled within the 
confines of Nashua. He was born in Andover, Mass., Feb. 25, 1777 and was a son of Timothy and 
Sarah (Abbot) Abbot, one of the leading and most ancient families in that town and a lineal descen- 
dant from Cxeorge Abbot, one of its first .settlers. He was a graduate of Harvard University in the 
class of 1797,— studied for his profession first in the office of Ichabod Tucker in Haverhill, Mass., and 
finished his student course in the office of Thomas W. Thompson in Salisbury at that time, one of the 
leading lawyers in New Hampshire, was admitted to the bar in 1802 and soon after opened a law 
office in Londonderry, where he remained till the next year, 1803, when he removed to Dun.stable. 

The first law office occupied by Mr. Abbot in Dunstable was in the south part of the village, 
south of the "Harbor" as now known and near where the old meeting-house stood. Subsequently 
he occupied an office in a new building standing where the Whiting now stands, called "The 
Tontine," and later on he built a dwelling-house for himself and family on the north side of the 
square which bears his name and an office immediately east of it on the same square, which he con- 
tinued to occupy as a law office until his death. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 4,3 

111 i,Si6 Henjaiiiiii 1". French coiiiiiienced the practice of hiw in Dunstable. Me was the son of 
Frederick and Grace ( Hlaiichard) French, born in Dunstable on the second day of October, 1791, a 
graduate of Dartmouth College in the class of 1812, studied law in the office of Charles H. Ath- 
ertoii ill Amherst, was admitted to the bar in 18 16 and immediately opened a law office in his native 
town. He was for many years a partner in the law practice with Daniel Abbot under the style of 
Abbot .\: French till 1831, when he received the appointment of agent of the Jackson company, then 
recently organized, which office he held for several years with great credit to himself and success to 
the manufacturing company. Afterwards he received the appointment of agent for the Boott Mills 
in Lowell, Ma.ss., to which place he then removed and there resided till his death, May 16, 1S53. 

Nov. 15, 18 19, he was united in marriage with Mary vSouthgate Iceland, of Saco, Maine, daughter 
of Hon. Joseph Lelaiid and sister of the wife of the late Dr. Nathan Ix)rd of Hanover, for many years 
president of Dartmouth College. 

Mr. French was a gentleman of scholarly atlainiiients, literary ta.ste and cultured manners, and 
was a leader in social life. As a lawyer he was well ver.sed in his profession, and his opinions on 
questions of law and his excellent judgment in matters of business commanded universal respect 
among his townsmen. He was elected a representative from his native town to the General Court in 
1825, 1826 and i82y. 

Peter Clark, Jr., was in the practice of law in Nashua from 1833 to 1841. He was born in Lynde- 
borough April 29, 1810, son of Peter and Jane (Aiken) Clark, a graduate of Dartmouth College in 
the class of 1S29 ; studied law in the office of Hon. Edmund Parker in Amherst and at the New Haven 
Law School, was admitted to the bar in 1832 and first opened an office for the practice of law in Frances- 
town, where he remained one year and then removed to Dun.stable (Nashua). Mr. Clark was 
thoroughly versed in the law and took a high rank in his profession. He was a gentleman of fine lit- 
erary tasts, of popular address and superior business talent. 

His talent for general business tended to withdraw him from the more immediate practice of his 
profession and turned his attention to more active business affairs. He took a very active part in the 
building of the Concord railroad, and for several years and at the time of his death was the treasurer 
of the corporation. 

He was married on the twenty-eighth day of May, 1834, to Susan, the daughter of Nathaniel 
Lord of Kennebunkport, Maine, by whom he had four children. Mr. Clark died on the twenty-ninth 
day of May, 1841, at Nashua. 

Hon. Charles F. Gove was born at Goffstown, May 13, 1793, died at Nashua Oct. 21, 1856. He 
was a son of Dr. Jonathan and Polly (Dow) Gove. He was graduated at Dartmouth college in the 
class of 1817, read law in the office of Josiah Forsaith in his native town and at the Dane law school, 
and was graduated at the Harvard law school in 1820 with the degree of LL.B. He practiced in 
Goffstown till 1839, when he removed to Nashua. During his residence in Goff.sto\vn he served the 
town as clerk two years, was assistant clerk of the house of representatives in 1829, representative in 
the legislature in 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833 and 1834, and was a member of the .senate and its president 
in 1835. He was solicitor of Hillsborough county in 1834 and 1835, when he was appointed attorney- 
general of the state and served until 1842. He was circuit judge of the court of common jjleas from 
1842 to 1843, and then became superintendent of the Nashua & Lowell railroad, which position he 
held until his death. He was a man of great energy of mind but unfortunately possessed a feeble 
constitution. He married, Sept. 22, 1844, Mary Kennedy, daughter of Ziba Gay of Nashua. 

General Aaron F. Stevens was born at Londonderry, now Derry, Aug. 9, 18 19; died at Nashua 
May ID, 1887. He was the only son of Capt. John F\ and Martha Stevens, both of whom were 
natives of Massachusetts. Captain Stevens, who had followed the sea for many years, settled at 
Londonderry shortly before the birth of his .son. Here he remained until 1828, when he removed to 
Manchester. Three years laterhis parents removed to Peterborough, where they remained until 1838, 
when they settled in Nashua. At Peterborough he worked in a factory under the management of 
Governor Steele, and during his residence there alternated between the mill and the public school. 
In the meantime the savings of the family enabled him to return to his native place and attend the 
Piukerton academy. About the time of his settlement in Nashua he learned the niachini.st's trade. 
He was, however, ambitious to fit himself for a profession, and one evening while attending the trial 



^14 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

of a case in which the late Judge George Y. Saw^-er was counsel, he made up his mind that the law 
offered him a field in which he could hope to succeed. Shortl_v after he called on Judge vSawyer and 
unbosomed himself. Judge Sawyer, who had a keen insight into character, was favorably impressed 
with him, and while encouraging him in his desire, urged the necessity of obtaining more of an 
education than he possessed. 

For two or three years he toiled early and late at his trade, and, with the assistance of his sisters, 
attended the Nashua Literary institution, of which Proft David Crosby, who fitted scores of young 
men for useful and honorable careers, was principal. After making satisfactory progress in his 
studies, and after entering the office of Judge Sawyer in 1S42, he taught district school in several 
places. In 1845 he was admitted to the bar, and at once became a partner with Judge Sawyer. The 
young attorney, notwithstanding he was surrounded by giants in his profession — men who had the 
advantage of a collegiate education — rose rapidly in his profession, and was soon recognized as a man 
of learning, natural ability, and a lawyer capable to cope with the most successful members of the 
bar. His partnership continued until 185S, when. Judge Sawyer being debarred from practice by 
reason of being on the bench, he became a partner with the late Judge Aaron W. Sawyer, which 
continued until the war broke out, and was renewed at the close of the war, and again at the close of 
liis congressional career. His last partner was Judge E. E. Parker, now of the court of probate. 

General Stevens was engaged in the trial of many of the most intricate cases, both civil and 
criminal; he was county solicitor from 1856 to 1S61, and held the position of city solicitor of Nashua 
at different times as many more years. He was always thoroughly prepared for battle and deeply in 
earnest for his client. Although tenacious, he never invoked the impatience of the court or resorted 
to tricks, subterfuge or cunning, and he had a happj- faculty of placing himself on friendly relations 
with opposing witnesses and jurors. His pleas showed the .skillful tuition of the elder Judge vSawj-er, 
in that they were perfect in their oratorical deliver}-. Their honesty and freedom from cavil, and 
their courtesy to opponents always carried great weight with a jury. He invariably, like the elder 
Saw\-er remained a respectful distance from the panel, never descending to familiarity, common- 
place talk or truckling. In this way he came to be admired. When he was arguing the most 
ordinar)- case, a crowded room was no uncommon event. So much for the lawyer. 

As a soldier no man from New Hampshire civil life made a more honorable or patriotic record. 
When the cry to arms came he at once offered his services to the government, and was commissioned 
major in the First New Hampshire volunteers. His regiment took part in the movements at Harper's 
Ferry, but escaped battle. At the end of his enlistment, three months, he was honorably discharged. 
His patriotic impulses, however, would not allow him to remain at home, and so in the autumn of 
1862 he accepted the colonelcy of the Thirteenth regiment New Hampshire volunteers, and followed 
the fortunes of that brave command until the close of the war. At Fredericksburg "he led his 
regiment into the vortex of death," says the New Hampshire reports, "moving forward in line of 
battle." Being repulsed, he and Colonel Donohoe of the Tenth New Hampshire regiment, re-formed 
their commands under a murderous fire with the intention of renewing the charge, but were ordered 
to retire. In the action at Suffolk he commanded a brigade that included his regiment and led the 
charge, "carrying the works at the point of the bayonet," capturing prisoners and guns. He was 
heavily engaged and performed heroic service at Walthall Road, at Swift Creek, at Kingsland Creek 
at Drury's Bluff, and was wounded in the hip by a spent ball in the desperate charge at Gaines farm, 
notwithstanding which he took part the two days following in the battle at Cold Harbor. In the 
attack on Petersburg, General Stevens was again a gallant, cautious and conspicuous leader. The 
Thirteenth captured the works, battery five and two hundred prisoners, and General Burnham said 
in his official report to General Brooks: " I desire, sir, particularly to bring to your favorable notice 
Colonel Aaron F. Stevens of the Thirteenth New Hampshire volunteers, both for his personal 
gallantry in charging the enemy's works and for the able manner in which he handled his regiment 
on that occasion. To him and his regiment the success which was achieved is due in a very great 
measure, and I take pleasure in recommending him for promotion." In the two days' movement that 
ended in the assault on Fort Harrison, Colonel Stevens commanded a brigade and was a conspicuous 
figure in the thickest of the fight, "receiving the attacks of the enemy in open ground." In the 
final movement, carrying the fort by storm, while moving forward at the head of his regiment and 
brigade, and when within a few yards of the fort, he fell severely wounded in the hip, and lay where 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 415 

he fell until the tattered colors of his command, which had been shot into shreds during the action, 
were jjlanted upon the parapet and the victory was secure, when he was carried from the field. In 
December following he was, for gallant and meritorious service, breveted brigadier general. His 
wounds did not permit him to take part in the final movements about Richmond, although he was in 
ever\- engagement of his command. 

In this connection it is appropriate to mention that Ceneral Stevens was on the platform with his 
comrades of John G. Foster Post, G. .\. R., of which he was a member, on Memorial day, 1S85. 
George Bruce, major of the Thirteenth, was the orator. Said Major Bruce: "When we entered 
Richmond we mis.sed at the head of his command one who should have been there to share our 
triumphs; we missed one who in as gallant a charge as was made during the war, planted the tattered 
flag of his country nearer Richmond than it had been before during the four years' struggle, and 
who fell wountled in the fight. I need not name him here. \'ou all know him. You all know him — 
General vStevens." Every eye was dimmed with tears, and the general bent forward and wept like 
a child. "It was a scene in its touching simplicity," says the reporter of the meeting, "that will 
ne\-er be effaced from the memories of those who witnessed it." On Memorial daj', 1886, another 
touching scene was enacted. The procession made a detour, and upon approaching his residence 
the band pla\ed "Hail to the Chief," and halting, drew up in line, saluted the general, who stood 
upon his piazza and was so overcome with emotion that he was unable to speak. As he sank into 
his chair he said : " Let me take leave of my comrades," but his friends begged him not to speak, 
and told him that he would march with them many years. He saluted the veterans as they moved 
away. Tlie Grand Army ])o.st of Peterborough is named in honor of him — Aaron F. Stevens. 

Cieneral Stevens was for more than thirty years a conspicuous figure and trusted leader in the 
Republican party of New Hampshire. From the principles of this party he never for a moment de- 
parted. He believed in them, and whether in \-ictory or defeat, whether in the ranks, in congress or 
smarting because of not reaching the station which he felt due him liecause of his service to the state, 
he was true as .steel and ready to do yoman service by addressing the people on the issue. He was 
originally a Whig. He represented this party in the state legislature in 1S49 and 1S54, and as a dele- 
gate in 1852 to the convention at Baltimore that nominated General Scott for the presidency. In 1S53 
and 1854 he was president of the common council of Nashua. He enrolled in the Republican 
party at its inception, and was elected to the legislature by it in 1S56 and 1S57. In 1866, following 
his service in the field, he was unanimously nomina-ed for congress and was elected the following 
March. He was re-elected for a second term in March, 186S, and was nominated, but defeated at the 
polls by a few votes, in 1871. He served on the committee on Revolutionarp claims, on na\-al affairs, 
and on treatment of Union prisoners. He cook a prominent part in many important debates, made 
several exhaustive speeches relative to naval affairs, and in February, 1870, he addressed the hou.se 
on "Grant's administration," in which he full.\- sustained the president and denounced repudiation 
and the expansion of the currency. 

From 1876 to i883-'84 he was a Repul)lican member of every state legislature, and uniformh- 
served on the committee on judiciary and other imjxirtant debates and discussions. In 1879 he lacked 
but two votes of the nomination, which was equivalent to an election, for United States senator, and 
in a long and heated contest for .senatorial honors in 1883, he was one of the candidates whose friends 
and admirers voted for to the last. In the winter of 1883, while at his winter home in Florida, he 
met with an accident which made it difficult for him to use his arm, and following the senatorial con- 
test his health failed, so that during the remainder of his life he was compelled to relinquish the ex- 
citement of political life. He was active in the courts, however, until December, 1885. His speeches, 
addresses and orations would fill volumes, while a page of this book print would hardly snflice to 
enumerate the important trusts which he has held. The Hillsboro bar, standing in .solemn silence, 
passed a .series of resolutions presented by Gen. Charles H. Burns, in which this eulogy appears: 
" In the death of General Stevens the bar of New Hampshire has lost one of its most eminent mem- 
bers and the state one of her most gallant and patriotic sons. Kind, courteous, true, able and honest, 
his life has been one of great u.sefulness, his example worthy of imitation, and his departure to a bet- 
ter land is preceded by a long and distinguished record of manly and heroic deeds." 

Gener'JJ Stevens was eminently a .self-made man, a man of the people. He was below no man, 
and bore himself as above no man — from a society standpoint — who was clean and honest. He lived 



^i6 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

close to the pulse of the multitude, and was quick and accurate in judgment concerning what tlie 
masses were thinking about and whither public sentiment was drifting. In a word, he had certain 
and practical knowledge of men and things, where others had an impractical knowledge that comes 
of theorizing. He was a warm and generous friend, and if he had reason to distrust or dislike a man 
he treated him courteously and "let him alone." General vStevens attended the Congregational 
church, but was not a professing member. He was an honored member of Rising Sun lodge, A. V . 
and A. M., and of John G. Foster post, G. A. R. His last appearance at an important public meeting 
was at the General Grant memorial exercises at the City hall in Nashua. He prepared a series of elo- 
quent resolutions for that occasion, but, being in feeble health, they were read by one of his comrades. 
Dr. R. B. Prescott. The most fitting eulogy that can be spoken of him is the peroration of his last .set 
oration, delivered before his comrades of the Grand Army on a Memorial day a few years before his 
death : " Sleep, brave and gallant dead ! Sleep in peace. Sleep in your graves of glory. Yours is 
the repose of the warrior and patriot. No matter where your ashes rest, whether with kindred dust 
or beneath the star-lit turf of southern fields whereon you fell, the benediction of comrades and 
country shall fall iti bannered and flower\- tribute upon the green and grassy mounds that tell us 
where vou lie: your deeds and your memory emlmlmed in the hearts of the nation shall live in song 
and .story. No matter in what sphere of life in the days of peace you moved, that country shall 
cherish the proud knowledge that in the days of war and danger your step was firm and steady to the 
great connnand. Forward! and now hereafter yours shall be a national renown." 

There were many touching scenes in the closing days of General Stevens' career. A few months 
before he died, and while at his winter home at Greylook, Florida, his mind wandered, but even in his 
weakness, his loyalty to his comrades and his loved New Hampshire dominated his dreams. Again and 
again he was heading his old command at Fort Harrison. In such hours his features were animated 
with the excitement of battle and his voice was pitched to the lieight of command: "Forward!" he 
would exclaim, "Forward! Order up the reserve. Steady! The fight is stubborn, but we .shall 
win!" and when the delirium had passed he would urge Mrs. Stevens to take him home to his native 
hills. His wish was gratified. Mrs. vStevens accompanied him home, and while passing away he 
often remarked that he had no misgivings. He felt that he had championed the right cause and 
fought a good fight. His body was buried in the Nashua cemetery with military honors. 

General Stevens was united in marriage at the Methodist church at Naliant, Mass., May 19, 1861, 
to Adelaide M. Johnson of Boston, Mass. Mrs. .Stevens, who survives the general, followed the for- 
tunes of her husband in all his campaigns, and when the battle was on was as near him as her safety 
would permit. She nursed him and his comrades in field and hospital, and few women are equally 
loved and honored by a wider circle of friends and acquaintances. There were no children by their 
marriage. 

Benjamin F. Emerson was born in Hollis, July ,^, 1S06, died in Na.shua, Sept. 6, 1S84. He was 
a son of the Rev. Daniel and Esther ( Frothingham) limerson, and a descendant on the paternal side of 
Thomas Emerson, a baker, who came to Ipswich, Mass., before 1635 and was the ancestor of most of 
the name, many of whom ha^•e become well known in New England. His maternal ancestors, the 
Frothinghams, have been distinguished in Massachusetts in many generations. 

Mr. Emerson obtained his primary education in the schools of his native place and fitted for col- 
lege in various academies. He entered Dartmouth college in 1826 and remained two years. He then 
went to Union college, N. Y., where he graduated in the class of 1830. Mr. Emerson then read law 
in the office of B. M. Farlej- in Hollis and attended lectures at Harvard law school. In 1836, shortly 
after liis admission to the bar, he became a resident of Nashua and a partner of Aaron F. Sawyer. 
This partnership was dissolved in 1840 and from that time until his death he practiced b}' himself, his 
office being in the building on the north corner of Main and Fletcher streets. For more than a quar- 
ter of a century he gave his attention largely to matters before the probate court and had the largest 
and most successful practice in that line, (in which he was unsurpassed), of any man in the county. 
Mr. Emerson was an active man of affairs. He was one of the leading citizens in the town of Nash- 
ville, being a member of its board of selectmen in 1S52, when the first iron bridge was built o\-er the 
Nashua river to replace a wooden structure that was carried awaj' in the freshet of tha*" year. In 
1859, he represented Ward One in the board of aldermen ; in i860, in the legislature ; ana'in 1876, in 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



41: 



the constitutional convention. He was a useful an.l reliable citizen who enjoyed the confidence and 
respect of the coniinunit>'. 

Mr. Emerson was twice married: first, with Ivliza Kendall ol Bedford, who died SejU. 26, 1S70; 
second, with Mrs. Caroline C. Morse of Nashua, who died March i 1S86. His children, two .sons', 
were by his first marriage : Benjamin K., born Dec. 20, 1843, professor of geology at .Amherst college! 
Charles H., born Oct. 11, 1S46, civil engineer, Nashua. 

Aaron P. Hughes was born in Windham May 7, 1815; died suddenly at Worcester, Mass., when 
returning from Washington to his home in Nashua, Feb. 23, 1864. His grandfather was a Scotch 
Presbyterian and emigrated to this country from England in the middle of the last century. His 
father was Capt. Barnet Hughes, a carpenter and widely known in Rockingham county. Both of his 
parents were members of the Presbyterian church and were remarkable for their native talents, and 
were well known and much respected in the community where they resided. 

Mr. Hughes obtained a common school education and learned the carpenter's trade of his father. 
He obtained a situation at Methuen, Mass., in the emjiloy of David Gillis, afterwards a prominent 
cotton manufacturer and resident of Nashua, and while employed in his trade unfortunately cut his 
arm with a chi.sel or .some other tool. The wound proved serious and he lost his arm. Being thus 
incapacitated to obtain a livelihood at mechanical jjursuits, he turned his attention to letters as a 
profession. He attended schools at the academies in fJerry and Hancock. He early distinguished 
himself as a declaimer, and while at Hancock was always at the head of his class. Completing his 
education at the last named place he entered the law oflfice of Aaron F. Sawyer in Nashua in 1842, 
and in 1846 was admitted to the bar. He then opened an office in Nashua, and, with occasional 
intervals, practiced in his profession until his death. He was a lawyer of acknowledged abilitv, and 
distinguished eminence as an advocate. 

In the first year of his political career he was an active and influential Whig, and as such was 
elected to represent the town of Nashua in the legislature. F'rom 1848 to 1852 he held the office of 
postmaster under Taylor's and F'illmore's administrations. Subsequently he dissolved his affiliation 
with the Whig party and joined the Democratic party, b>- which he was elected to represent Ward 
one in the legislature. ]\Ir. Hughes was the Democratic candidate for mayor against his brother-in- 
law, Aaron W. vSawyer, in i860, and was defeated by a few votes. He had an active, shrewd and 
far-seeing mind and with all was a public speaker of force, argumentative ability and persuasive 
eloquence. But life to Mr. Hughes was not made of law and politics. These were secondary 
considerations. He was an earnest and sincere Presl)yterian, like his ancestors before him, a teacher 
in the Sunday school and a man in whom philanthropy was a leading characteristic. IHs friends and 
acquaintances recognized this fact, and fjecause of it he had no enemies among those who were 
politically opposed to him. 

Mr. Hughes devoted a good share of his time to jiromoting the interests of plain, everj-daj^ 
people, and to freemasonry. He was a director in the l^ennichuck State bank of Nashua, first citv 
solicitor of Nashua in 1853 and 1854, held many positions of trust and procured the charter and 
founded the Nashua Savings bank, of which he was the treasurer from its organization until the time 
of his death. He was made a Ma.son in Rising .Sun lodge, and was its worshipful master in 1851, 
1S52 and 1853, was a member of Meridian ,Sun Royal Arch chapter, a select master and knights 
temjilar, and by his worthiness had attained the highest eminence in the order, being a Scottish rite 
Mason of the thirty-second degree, and having one of the bodies of the consistory — Aaron P. Hughes 
lodge of perfection — named in honor of him. At the time of his death he was grand-commander of 
the grand consistory of New Hampshire, and illustrious second-lieutenant of the grand commandery 
of the grand consistory of the supreme chiefs of exalted masonry for the United States, their 
territories and dependencies. 

His funeral, which was held in the first edifice of the First Congregational church, was attended 
by the officers of all the grand l)odies of Masonry in the state, l)y the commanderies of Manchester 
and other places, by the blue lodges of southern New Hamiishire, and representatives from masonic 
bodies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Edward A. Raymond, whose name is borne by the 
consistory of the valley of Nashua, the only consistory in the .state, being among those present. 
The religious service, which was of a very impressive character, was conducted by Rev. Charles J. 
Hill, and the burial rite of the order was feelingly performed by William W. Bailey, worshipful 



35 



4i8 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

master of Rising Sun lodge. The body was buried in the Nashua cemetery, and all the members of 
the ancient order cast a sprig of the acacia upon the casket, the sj^mbol of their faith, and the 
tomb was closed. 

Mr. Hughes was united in marriage Nov. 17, 1845, with Charlotte L. Sawyer, daughter of Aaron 
F. and Hannah (Locke) Sawyer. ( For ancestors see sketch of her father). The children of their 
marriage are James A. D., born Sept. 6, 1846, graduated at Dartmouth college, i868, and at West 
Philadelphia Divinity school, 1S74, ordained in the ministry and pastor of the St. Andrews church, 
Philadelphia, married Emma A. Mieninger, 1S84; Aaron Porter, born Feb. 20, 1849, graduated at 
Dartmouth college, 1.S70: civil engineer, resides in Nashua. 

Hon. Bernard B. Whittemore, son of Bernard and Jane (Holmes) Whittemore, was born in 
Boston, May 15, 1S17, died at Cambridgeport, Mass., March 5, 1893. His paternal ancestors were 
natives of Hitchen, Hertfort county, Eng., Thon:as Whittemore being the first to settle in this coun- 
try, at Maiden, Mass., in 1641. His grandfather, Nathan Whittemore, a Revolutionary soldier, set- 
tled at Peterboro' in 1781, at which place both his parents were born. On the maternal side his 
ancestors came from Londonderry in the north of Ireland in 1740 and settled at Londonderry in this 
state. His grandfather, Nathan Holmes of Peterboro', was a Revolutionary soldier anil a prominent 
man in affairs of his town, 

Mr. Whittemore attended the puljlic schools of his native town and Mont X'ernon academy. He 
fitted for college at Phillips' E)xeter academ>' and entered Harvard college in the class of 1832, E. E. 
Hale, D. D., and Nathaniel E. Baker, afterwards go\-ernor of New Hampshire, being among his 
classmates. Mr. Whittemore graduated in 1839 and then read law in the law school of the same col- 
lege. He was admitted to the Hillsboro' bar in 1842, practiced a few years at Palmer, NLass., and 
Amherst, and then, in 1846, in connection with his brother, Francis P. Whittemore, purchased the 
Nashua Weekly Gazette, which he edited from that time to July i, 1889, meantime, in 1S72, founding 
and editing the Nashua Daily Gazette. Mr. Whittemore represented the district in the state senate 
in 1852 and 1853, and was the first Democratic candidate for mayor in 1853. He was the mayoralty- 
candidate of his party in 1854, 1864 and 1865. In i860 he represented his ward in the board of alder- 
men, and in 1861 was city treasurer. He served the county two or three teruis of five years each as 
coroner, was a trustee in the public library a good many j-ears, and from 1874 to 1877 associate jus- 
tice of the Nashua police court. Although bred to the law and serving a clientage during his active 
years, the great work of his life was performed in the newspaper profession. As a lawyer he was a 
safe adviser who seldom or never prosecuted in ojsen court : as an editor sharp, incisive and plain 
spoken. He served a generation in which more of personal controversy' was e.'ipected and demanded 
by party constituency than is admissable at the present time and served it faithfully . from the stand- 
point of his reasoning. Mr. Whittemore was a modest man and in his intercourse with his fellow- 
citizens kind, obliging and considerate. He was a Unitarian and a bachelor. 

Hon. Samuel T. Worcester, born in Hollis, Aug. 30, 1804, died in Nashua, Dec. 5, 1882. 
He was a son of Jesse and Sarah (Parker) Worcester and brother of Joseph E. Worcester, author of 
Worcester's dictionary. The Worcesters came of an old and distinguished family ; men who made 
their impress upon the laws of the land, who distinguished themselves in all the wars of the country, 
who have graced bench, bar and puljiit and walked in paths of honor in the mercantile and agricul- 
tural world. 

Judge Worcester was educated in the public schools of Hollis, in Peuibroke and Andover acade- 
mies, and was graduated in Harvard college in 1830. After leaving school he was principal for one 
year of an academy at Weymouth, Mass. He read law in the office of B. M. Farley at Hollis, was 
graduated at the Harvard law school in Cambridge, Mass., settled in Norwalk, Ohio, in 1835, and 
continued the practice of law there until 1867, when he removed to Nashua. 

Judge Worcester was a member of the Ohio senate in 1849 and 1850. In 1859 he was elected dis- 
trict judge of the Tenth Ohio judicial district, and, in i86i, while holding that office, was elected a 
member of congress, in which body he served at a critical period in the history of the country, and 
with credit to his constituents. In Nashua he was looked up to as one of the most distinguished of 
her citizens. He practiced his profession but little, being city solicitor in 1869 and 1870, but, on the 
other hand, found pleasure and contentment in efforts to advance the cause of education by serving 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H 

419 

the city as a ineniber of the board ul taucation. His publications were : 1S31, " Sequel to the Spell 
ing Book; " 1833, -Americau Primary Spelling Book ; " 1871, " Revised edition of Worcester's' Com- 
prehensive and Primary Dictionary;" 1871, - Old and New, or the School System of Ohio and Xew 
Hampshire Compared; " 1872, oration, " Bi-Centeimial of Old Dunstable and Nashua." This was a 
masterly production, of finished rhetorical language, and permeated with eloquent sentiment Hi's 
last publication— a monument to his memory— was " The History of Hollis." Among his posthumous 
papers, now in possession of the New Hampshire Historical society, is an exhaustive article conclu- 
sively showing that a majority of the troops engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill wen- furnished by 
New Hampshire. Judge Worcester, in religious matters, was a Swedenborgian. 

Judge Worcester was married May i;,, 1835, to Mary 1-. C, daughter of Samuel Wales of Stough- 
ton, ^^ass. Mrs. Worcester was a finely educated woman, and here, as in Ohio, was among the 
foremost in inauguraling and successfully carrying forward lecture courses and in contributing time 
and money to all charitable objects. She died in Nashua, April 29, 1874. There were no children 
by their marriage. 

Hon. Charles W. Hoitt was born in Newmarket, Oct. 26, 1847. He is a son of William K. 
A. and Sarah C. (Swain) Hoitt, and a descendant of John Hoyt, one of the original settlers of Salis- 
bury, Mass., who was born about 1610 in England. On the maternal side he is a descendant of 
Phineas Swain who served at Bunker Hill on the American side. 

Judge Hoitt attended the public schools at Dover and was fitted for college at Franklin academy 
in that city, and by a private tutor. He entered Dartmouth college in 1867, and was graduated in 
the class of 1871. During the autumn and winter of 1871 and 1872 he taught school at Sherborn, 
Mass. He read law in the office of Samuel M. Wheeler at Dover from February, 1872 to the latter 
part of August following, when he came to Nashua as ma.ster of the Mt. Pleasant .school. While 
under his care the school reached a high .standard of scholar.ship, and at the same time he introduced 
and enforced discipline — which before his time had not been satisfactory to the board of education or 
the parents of the district — that made the school one of the model ones of New England. In 1874 
the board of education reluctantly accepted his resignation, and he became an usher in the Lincoln 
grammar school in Boston. 

Judge Hoitt had reason to believe that he had made a success of teaching, but having made up 
his mind some years before to enter the legal profession, and believing that procrastination was detri- 
mental to his interests in that direction, he resigned his ushership in Boston in October, 1875, and re- 
turned to Nashua and entered upon the study of law in the office of Stevens & Parker. He was 
admitted to the Hillsboro bar at the September term, 1877, of the supreme court sitting at Nashua. 
He was appointed clerk of the Nashua police court Jiil.\' 18, 1876, and held that position till Oct. i, 
1S81, when he resigned. He was city solicitor in 1885, 18S6, 1887 and 1888, and April 25, 1889, he 
was appointed justice of the Nashua police court, which position he now holds. As an ad\-ocate. 
Judge Hoitt has taken high rank in his profession. His briefs and arguments are clearl\- drawn, and 
his summing up before a jury is earnest and persuasive. As justice of the municipal court, he evinces 
familiarity with the statute laws, impartialitN' in its ap]ilication and has a decided leaning to mercy. 
With all else he is a pleasing public speaker on political and secular themes. 

Judge Hoitt, however, has not given his attention wholly to teaching, the law and politics. He 
has been active in many directions. In 1872 and 1873 he was engrossing clerk of the legislature, and 
during eight yeras he served the people on the board of education, of which body he was the official 
clerk. He is a York rite mason and a member of St. George commandery, K. T., a Scottish rite 
mason and a member of Edward A. Raymond consistory, thirty-second degree, a meiiiljer of Penni- 
chuck lodge and Indian Head encampment, I. O. O. F., Watananock tribe of Red Men. in which 
order he has held the office of great sachem of the state. Governor Wentworth colony of Pilgrim 
Fathers, Eowell lodge of Elks, at Lowell, Mass., and the City Guards' Veteran association. Judge 
Hoitt is an Episcopalian. 

He was united in marriage Jan. 14, 1875, with Harriet Louise Gilman, daughter of Virgil C. and 
Sarah L- Gilman of Nashua. (For ancestors see sketch of her father.) Two children were born of 
their marriage; Richard Gilman, born Nov. i, 1875. died Oct. i, 1880; Robert Virgil, born Nov. 19, 
1882, died Aug. 22, 1889. 



420 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Eugene M. Bowman was born in Manchester, July 23, 1838. He is a son of Jonas B. and Ase- 
natli L. Bowman, and on the paternal side is ninth in descent from Nathaniel Bowman of Watertown, 
Mass., who came to America in 1636 from England, and on the maternal .side seventh in descent 
from Daniel Ladd who came to this country from England in 1633 and settled at vSalisbury, Mass., 
in 1837. 

Mr. Bowman received his education in the public schools of Manchester and at New Ipswich 
academy and Merrimack normal institute. He is a graduate of Albany law school, studied law with 
Herman Fo.ster and was admitted to the l)ar in 1859 in Hillsborough county. 

He married vSarah E. Parker in July, 1S5S. Mrs. Bowman is a daughter of Elkanah Phillips and 
Sarah (Corning) Parker of Merrimack, N. H., and is seventh in line of descent from Capt. James 
Parker who came to America from luigland in 163S and died in Groton, Mass., in 1701. Mr. Bow- 
man came to Nashua in 1873, where he has ever since resided. Although a lawyer by profession he 
has never practiced here, his time having been well occupied in other pursuits. He has held the 
position of city clerk for fifteen years, and other positions of trust, with honor and credit to himself 
and to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He has always taken a great interest in Nashua's wel- 
fare and is highly respected and esteemed as a citizen. Mr. Bowman is a veteran of the war of the 
Rebellion, having served in the .\rmy of the Potomac, and participated in all the battles in Virginia 
in 1862 and 1863; he was slightly wounded at the battle of Cedar Mountain in 1862. He attends the 
Pilgrim church. 

Lillian M., only child of Mr. and Mrs. Bowman, was born in 1859, and married Phineas Adams 
Hannnond, son of Dr. E. B. Hammond, of this city in 1884. One son, Roland Bowman, born July 
26, 1887, is the result of their marriage. 

Edwin B. Gould was born in Hillsborough, Jan. 24, 1839. He is a son of Jonathan S. and Sabra 
(Booth) Gould. Mr. Gould is of Scotch descent on the paternal side and traces his lineage to the 
Goulds who settled in Topsfield, Mass., in 1620. On the maternal side he is a descendant of the 
Booths who were among the first settlers of his native place, people of industrious habits and sterling 
worth. 

Mr. Gould was educated in the public schools of Hillsborough, at Appleton academy in Mont Ver- 
non, where he graduated in the class of 1858, and at Kimball Union academy in Meriden, where he 
was a scholar in 1859. After graduating in Mont Vernon he taught school. Mr. Gould commenced 
reading law in the office of James F. Briggs at Hillsborough Bridge in i860, and concluded in the 
office of Francis M. Blood at Hillsborough Lower Village. He was admitted to the bar at the term 
of the supreme court held at Manchester in January, 1864, and shortly afterwards entered upon the 
practice of his profession at Suncook, where he remained nine j^ears. He moved to Lebanon in 1873, 
and in 1876 came to Nashua where he still continues in practice and to meet with good success. Mr. 
Gould has held a commission for several 5-ears as notary public and has been identified with affairs 
for the public weal. He attends the services of the Pilgrim church, is a member of Howard lodge, 
I. O. O. F., at Suncook, and Indian Head encampment of the same order at Nashua. He is also a 
chevalier in the uniformed rank of the order. 

Mr. Gould was united in marriage Nov. 18, 1868, with Eliza J. Kelsey of Nottingham, daughter 
of John and Elizabeth Kelsey of that place. There are no children by their marriage. 

Royal Dexter Barnes was born at Northfield, Mass., June 18, 1855. He was a son of Warren M. 
and Mar>- (Blodgett) Barnes of Litchfield, who removed to Litchfield when the subject of this sketch 
was a lad. Mr. Barnes was educated in the public schools of Litchfield and at Cro.sby's literary 
institute, Na.shua. He read law in the office of Sawyer & Sawyer, Jr., was admitted to the bar of 
Hillsborough county, and practiced in Na.shua until his death, which occurred Aug. 28, 1891. 

Mr. Barnes was a man of considerable natural ability, a well read lawyer, and had a large and 
lucrative practice at one time. He was a man of very generous impulses, with a large circle of 
friends. He was city solicitor for several years. 

Mr. Barnes married Idella E. Prescott, a daughter of Nathan O. and Lucy A. (Richardson) 
Prescott, March 13, 1878. Three children were born of their marriage: Royal Sumner, born June 19, 
1879; Mabel Prescott, born Aug. 23, 1883; Alfred Dexter, born Sept. 8, 1889. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 421 

Charles D. Parker was born in Nashua, Dec. 17, 1861. He was educated in the schools of his 
nalivL- city and graduated from the Nashua Literary institute, of which Prof. David Crosby was 
princiiKil. Mr. Parker attended h'rench's commercial college in Bo.ston and finally settled down to 
llie study of law in the olTice of Ceorge Y. Sawyer & Sawyer Junior. He completed his reading in 
the olTicc of Judge V.. E. Parker, and was graduated at the Boston university of law and admitted 
1(1 the bar in 1SS6. Mr. Parker has made a gratifying success in his profes.sion and has a bright 
(lullook for the future. 

He was united in marriage Oct. 16, i.SSg, with Jennie A. Norris, daughter of William H. Norris 
of Holyoke, and has one child, Charles N., born May 23, icSgi. He represented his ward in the con- 
stitutional convention in 1889, and in the legislature in 1S90 and 1891. Mr. Parker is a member of 
the Manchester lodge, No. 146, lUks ; (irauite lodge, I. O. O. F".; Evening Star lodge, K. of P., of 
wliicli he is keeper of records and seals, and of Watananock tribe of Red Men in which he is a past 
sachem and an officer in the great council. His cheerful deportment among his fellow citizens is of a 
character that makes everybod\- his friend. 

Jeremiah J. Doyle was liorn in New Pioston, June 23, 1861. He is a siui of John and Julia 
(O'Neil) Doyle. 

Mr. Doyle obtained his education in the schools of Milford and Amherst, and be it said to his 
credit, there is no man in Hillsboro count\' who made a more manly struggle to better his condition 
or whose career more completely illustrates the possibilities within the reach of those who have 
courage and perseverance. He labored days and studied nights. He attended school when he could 
but he never for a day gave up his books, often poring over them by a dim light far into the night. 
At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching in a district school and for the next two years he was 
a schoolmaster of ability and popularity. 

Hax'ing made up his mind to study law he entered the office of George B. French in Nashua in 
1 88 1, and here he applied himself to his task with the same earnestness and determination to succeed 
that had characterized his previous career. By practicing self-denial he was able to take a three 
>ears' course at the Boston university of law, and Aug. 2^, 18S4, a full month before he had com- 
pleted his last term in the institution, he took an examination at the law term of the supreme court at 
Concord and was admitted to the bar. He then opened an office in Nashua and by strict attention to 
the affairs of his clients, by continued study and industry he has forged his way to the front ranks 
of the profession and to recognition among the attorneys of the county as a foeman worthy of their 
steel. 

Mr. Doyle has also made an enviable record for himself outside of the legal profession. He has 
proved himself an earnest debater, a man of original ideas, as well as a clear and forcible advocate, 
and an able and energetic speaker on public occasions. Mr. Doyle represented Ward Five in the board 
of alderman in 1886 and 1887, and served two years as city solicitor. He was a member of the legis- 
lature in 1S87 and 1889, and in 1894, and was elected to represent Ward Nine in the same branch of 
the government in 1895 and 1896. As a member of this body, as when in the board of aldermen, he 
had an active and intelligent part. 

Willi all else Mr. Doyle is a .society man. He has served division No. 2, Ancient Order of 
Hibernians, as president ; has lieen one of the foremost temperance advocates in the city ; was a char- 
ter member and the first chief ranger of Court Indian Head, A. O. F., also was grand chief ranger of 
the Oraud Court of New Hamiishire ; .state president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and dele- 
gate to the Omaha convention in 1892; member of the Oranite vState club (Manchester), and active 
in the affairs of the Church of St. Louis de Gonzague ; first delegate of Foresters to Brooklyn con- 
\enti<in, 1891. 

Mr. Doyle was united in marriage Nov. 8, 1886, with Luella J . Lucier, daughter of Paul, Jr., 
and IClizabelh (Brennan) Lucier. The children of their marriage are Lillian Elizabeth, born Aug. 
16, 1887; Paul Jeremiah, born Feb. 19, 1891 : Robert James, born .March ir, 1894, and Mary Julia, 
liorn Dec. 26, 1895. 

Stephen L. Hallinan was born at Fairfield, Vt., July 26, 1S62. He is a son of .Stephen and 
Nancy ( N Ulen) Hallinan, both of whom are dead. Mr. Hallinan obtained a common .school educa- 
tion in his native town, and at the age of sixteen years went to Brigham academy in Bakersfield, Vt. 



422 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

In 1882 he commenced the study of law under Henry R. Start, Bakersfield, Vt., and was admitted to 
the bar Oct. 30, 1884. He practiced at Highgate, Vt., until December, 1886, and at vSt. Albans from 
1 886 to February, 1889, and in the spring of that year settled in Nashua, and still remains in the 
same profession. While residing in Vermont he was state's attorney of Franklin county to the inter- 
est of his clients. He is a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Clover club. 
Mr. Hallinan was a member of the legislature of 1895 and 1896 from Ward Five. Mr. Hallinan is 
unmarried. 

Bertis A. Pease was born at Wilton, Me., Oct. 31, 1S54. He was graduated at Wilton academy 
in 1878, and at Colby university in 1882. He was principal of high school at Milford from 1882 to 
1885. In 1886 he became a resident of Nashua and principal of the Mt. Pleasant school, where he 
remained until 1888, being one of the most thorough and satisfactory masters in New Hampshire. 
Mr. Pease studied law in the ofhce of Charles H. Burns, was graduated at the Boston university 
school of law in 1889, and admitted to the Hillsboro' bar in the same >ear. He entered upon the 
practice of his profession immediately after his admission, and although he has given a share of his 
time to the affairs of the Nashua Building and Loan association, of which he is secretary and attor- 
ney, he has had a large and successful practice. He is energetic and earnest in his advocacy of a 
client's cause and popular with all with whom he is associated. 

Mr. Pease married, Jan. i, 1890, Linna B. F'lagg, daughter of W. H. Flagg of Lowell. She is 
an artist who ranks among the first in her profession. Their children are Eleanore, born April 16, 
1891, Robert A., born Nov. 21, 1893, Theodore S., born April 7, 1.S95, and Dorothy, born Nov. 3, 
1896. Mr. Pease is a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A M., and the First Congregational 
church. 

William J. McKay was born in Pembroke, Me., June 13, 1869. He is a son of Neil and Sarah 
(McKay) McKay, descendant of the old Scotch Camerons and Morrisons. He attended the public 
schools of his native place until he was fifteen years of age when, in 1884, following the death of his 
father, he became a resident of Nashua, attending the high school and graduating in the class of 
1888. He then read law in the office of William W. Bailey, and in 1890 entered the Boston university 
law school, where he graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1892. Mr. McKaj' is a self-made man. 
He has fought his way to the front single-handed and largely by teaching, having held the responsi- 
ble position of principal of a city evening school five 3'ears. He is a member of Rising Sun lodge, 
A. F. and A. M. 

Alvin J. Lucier was born in Nashua Jan. 6, 1869. He is a son of Paul and Elizabeth (Brennan) 
Lucier. His father came to Nashua from St. Damase, Can., about forty }ears ago. He attended the 
primar}- and grammar schools and was graduated at the Nashua high school in 1886. He then 
entered St. Hyacinth college in Canada where he was graduated in 1889. Mr. Lucier read law in 
the office of J. J. Doyle, attending the Boston law school and was admitted to the bar Jan. 31, 1891, 
at Concord. He then became a partner in the business of Mr. Doyle under the name of Doyle & 
Lucier. Mr. Lucier is a member of the church of St. Louis de Gonzague, where he has Iieen 
organi.st for several years. His brothers and sisters, as well as himself, are among the leading 
musicians of the city. In fact Mr. Lucier came very near choosing a musical career, but gave it up 
for the more congenial profession of the law. Mr. Lucier was united in marriage Oct. 8, 1895, with 
Katherine A. Doucet, daughter of Augustus F. Doucet, of Merrimac, Mass. They have one child, 
Alvin Augustus, born August 7, 1896. 

Edmund Parker was born in Jaffrey Feb. 7, 1783. He was a son of Abel and Edith (Jewett) 
Parker. He graduated at Dartmouth college in 1803, and read law first in the office of Samuel Dakin 
of Jaffrey, afterwards, and finishing, with David I^verett of Amherst, whom he succeeded in business. 
He represented Amherst in the legislature from the year 1813 to and including 1826, being speaker 
of the house in 1824, taking the place of Andrew Pierce, resigned. He was solicitor of Hillsborough 
county from 1825 to 1829, in which latter year he was appointed judge of probate, holding the office 
until 1835. He was a lawyer of high standing at the bar. Mr. Parker removed from Amherst to 
Nashua in 1836, where he was agent of the Jackson Manufacturing company. Hi^p ,)resented 
Nashua in the legislature for several terms, between the years 1849 and 1S54, and was a delegate to 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. ^,3 

the constUmional convention of 1S50. He was president of the Nashua & Lowell corporation for 
a time. 

Jn(li;e Parker married Susan, daughter of Joseph Cutter of Jaffrey. in 1.S12. for his first wife. 
by whom he had three children. His second wife was Mrs. Sarah (Leland) Boynton, daughter of 
Joseph Leland of Saco, Maine. 

William liarrell was born in Wilton, July 2, i,S,:;6. He fitted for college at Appletou academy, 
Mont Wrnon. graduated at Harvard university in 1S59 and at Harvard law school in i,S6i, and soon 
after commenced practice in Nashua. He was a partner of H. B. Atherton, from 1866 to 1872. He 
was city solicitor and held other offices of honor and trust. He was elected solicitor for Hillsboro 
count>- in 1S71. Mr. Barrett was a man of superior knowledge and bore the reputation of a man ex- 
cellently well read in his profession. In 1876 he moved to St. PauL Minnesota, where he gained a 
high rei)utation as a lawyer. He died at vSt. Paul Sept, 14, 1888, and his remains were brought to 
Nashua where they were interred in the Nashua cemetery. Mr, Barrett was a thirty-third degree 
Mason and had been grand master of New Hamjjshire and attained high position in other masonic 
bodies. While in St. Paul, in 1888, he published a work on the C'.enealogy of the descendants of 
of Thomas Barrett, vSr., of Braintree, Mass, 

Mr. Barrett married Sarah IC, daughter of Christopher Page of Nashua, vSept. 24, 1861. Of this 
marriage were born two children, William, who survives him, and a daughter who died in childhood. 

James F. J. Otterson was born in Nashua in 1855. He is a son of James P. S. and A.seueth H. 
Otter.son. (For further genealogy .see sketch of J, D, Otterson in this book.) Mr. Otterson received 
his education in the common schools of his native place, graduating at the high school in 1875. He 
read law in the office of Stevens & Parker and graduated at Harvard universitv law school. After he 
was admitted to the bar about 1879, he practiced for a short time in Nashua and then removed to 
Marlborough, Mass., where he has ever since resided. He is now and has been for quite a number 
of years clerk of the Marlborough police court and is a lawyer of standing and reputation. Mr. 
Otterson attends the Lpiscopal church : he is unmarried, 

Leonard Freeman Burbank was born in Melrose, Mass., Nov. 21, 1859. He is a son of Leonard 
F;. and Frances A. Burbank, and, on the paternal side, a descendant from FUeaser Burbank, one of 
the original settlers of Bradford, Mass., and on the maternal side, from vSamuel \'arnum, who came 
from Dracott, England, in 1649, and was the first settler in Dracut, Mass., and whose .son John was 
the first white child born in the Merrimack river valley. Mr. Burbank came to Nashua with his 
father's family in i860. He was educated in the public schools of the city, graduating from the High 
school in the class of 1878. After graduation, he attended the law school in Boston university, and 
in the same year entered the law office of Stevens & Parker as a student. He w'as an excellent and 
painstaking student, and at the close of his term was admitted to practice as an attorney in the 
Hillsborough county bar in 18S1. Soon after being admitted he entered into practice in partnership 
with E. E. Parker. His partnership continued about one year and was dissolved by mutual consent. 
P'or several years after this Mr. Burbank practiced his profession alone, occupying an office in 
Goodrich block. He then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he opened a law office and remained in 
practice a short time and then returned to Nashua. Since his return his tastes and inclinations 
— lying always in more artistic and literary lines than those afforded by the dry and dusty paths 
of the law, — have gradually divorced him from the active duties of his profession. Mr. Burbank is 
an exceedingly well read lawyer, and had he continued in active practice, had the qualities necessary 
to success. For the last few years he has been engaged in literary work, writing for newspapers and 
magazines, and with gratifying success and increasing popularity. Mr. Burbank has travelled 
considerably in his own country, and in 1893 made a tour of Klurope. He is a popular and active 
citizen and societv man. He attends the Unitarian church, is a mendjer of the \'esper Country club, 
the Nashua Golf club. Sons of the American Kc\-olution, and the Coon clul). He is uinnarried, 

Lyman Demerrette Cook was born in Sandwich. He is a son of John I), and F^lizabeth L. 
( Perkins) Cook. He came to Nashua, wath his parents, while yet a lad, and passed through its 
schools, g ;luating in the high school in the class of 1878. He graduated from Dartmouth college 
in 1882, and later from the law school of I^oston universit_\-. In 1S87 he became a partner of Geo. 



424 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

A. Ramsdell, in the practice of law in Nashua, with whom he remained for about three )-ears, 
when he determined to give up the practice of the law for the niinistr.y, and accordingly after the 
usual probation was installed as a clergyman in the Methodist Episcopal church in 1S91. He is now 
a member of the Northern New York conference of that church, and bears the reputation of being an 
eloquent and successful minister. 

Mr. Cook was married to Effie L. Smith, daughter of Riley D. and Elmira J. (Sargent) Smith of 
Nashua, March 31, 189 1. 

George Wilson Clyde was born at Dracut, Mass.. October 23, 1865. He is a son of Samuel W. 
and Hannah J. (Boles) Clyde of Hudson, coming therefrom Dracut in 1867. He was educated in 
the common schools of Hudson, is a graduate of Dean academy, Franklin, Mass., and took a 
special course of two jears at Tuft's college. He graduated at Boston university law school in 
1894; was admitted to the bar in 1895, and soon after opened an ofhce in Nashua, where he is 
practicing at the present time. Mr. Clyde is a lawyer of good abilities, which argues well for a 
successful and bright career in his profession. He holds the position of judge of the Hudson police 
court and is also a member of the Hudson board of education. He takes an active interest in civil, 
political and social affairs and is a popular citizen. 

Mr. Clyde is an attendant at the Universalist church, and a member of Hudson lodge, 94, I. O 
O. F. He is unmarried. 

Henri T. Ledoux was born in .St. Albans, Vermont, Nov. 4, 1873, where he resided until Nov. 
29, 1879, when he came to Nashua. He was educated in the public and parochial schools of Na.shua, 
St. Theresa classical college, vSt. Theresa, P. O., and Boston university law school. Mr. Eedoux 
has taken an active part as a young man in matters appertaining to the welfare of Nashua and its 
citizens, whose respect and esteem he enjoys. He was a member of the common council, from Ward 
Three, in 1895 and 1896, a representative to the general court in 1S97, and is also secretar}- of the 
Democratic city committee, a member of St. Francis Xavier's church — Catholic — the society of the 
Eeague of the Sacred Heart, Lafayette court, No. 440, C. O. F., organizer and first president of Les 
Montagnards club, and state chief ranger of the Catholic order of Foresters. 

Mr. Ledoux is a rising lawyer, and, although young in the profession, lias already a respectable 
clientage. He is unmarried. 

Walter E. Kittredge was born at Merrimack. He is a son of Walter and Anna C. (Fairfield) 
Kittredge who is a daughter of Benjamin Fairfield of New Boston. His father, who came to Merri- 
mack from Billerica, Mass., and who is now living at Reed's Ferry, is the author of many popular 
songs, among which may be mentioned "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground," which attained a na- 
tional reputation during the war of the Rebellion and is still popular. 

Mr. Kittredge was educated in the common schools of Merrimack and McGaw normal institute, 
and is a graduate of Dartmouth college, class of 1877. After his graduation he read law in the office 
of John A. Andrews of Manchester. He opened an ofhce in Nashua where he is now in practice. 
He attends the Congregational church. 

January 23, 1896, he married Addie L. Wilson, a daughter of Horace W. and J. (Burns) 

Wilson of Merrimack. One child, Annie I^., born Jan. 12, 1897, is the result of their marriage. 

Among the lawyers who have resided and practiced in Nashua for a short time, and who are 
either deceased or living and moving in other and distant fields, or have failed to furnish notes for 
sketches, and of whom time and space will allow only a brief mention, are William E. Carter, a son 
of Joel Carter of this city, who practiced here some time from 1857 to 1862. lulward A. Dana, origin 
unknown, a partner of G. Y. Sawyer for a short time about 1834. John W. Johnson. E C. Bates 
Smith, who came here from Worcester, Mass., in the seventies, and remained a short time, with his 
oihce in Beasom block; he married a daughter of M. A. Worcester. C. B. Tilden, a son of Eucius 
L. Tilden of this city, and brother of Mrs. George Gray, who has been for many years a successful 
patent lawyer in Washington, D. C. Samuel M. Wilcox, at one time a partner of the late Aaron P. 
Hughes, of whom it is said he was a good lawyer, and whose residence is now unkonwn to the writer. 
Fabius E. Elder, a quiet, unpretentious, gentlemanly man, who occupied rooms for a sh>ra^i me in the 
Telegraph block, in the seventies, and left for other fields and pastures new. William J. Nutt, a 



N /STORY Of NASHUA, iV. //. 

brother of the late George W. Nutt of this city; Mr. Nutt was horn in Nashua, studied law in the 
office of Charles R. Morrison, practiced here for a few years and died leaving no family, many years 
ago. Jes.se B. Twiss, who studied law with W. \V. Bailey, was admitted to the bar, had an oflfice in 
Beasom block, with R. D. Barnes, in the eighties for awhile, and finally removed to Jaffrey. James 
A. Leach, a son of Libeous Leach of this city, who studied with W. W. Bailey, and had an office in 
Telegraph block at the time of his decease, which occurred in the latter part of the eighties. Thomas 
D. Luce, the present popular clerk of the supreme court of this county, who came here from Man- 
chester. E. B. West, who was a partner of A. F. Stevens a while, and who left here about 1863 for 
Portsmouth. Lewis Smith, here in the fifties. 



Vfl 




Fl^ 






SACRED UEAUT I" A I!< >t 1 1 I AI. SCIIOOI,. 



426 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



LUTHER ABBOT ROBY. 

Luther Abbot Roby was born in Old Dunstable (now 
Nashua), Oct. 24, 1814. He is a son of Simon and Betsey 
(Wheeler) Roby, and a descendant on the paternal side 
of Philip Abbot Roby, who was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tion and fought in the battles of Ticonderoga and Bunker 
Hill. 

On the maternal side he is a descendant of George 
Wheeler, who came from luigland in the very early days 
of the Massachu- 
setts colony and 
settled at Concord , 
Mass. 

Mr. Roby was 
educated in the 
public schools of 
his native town. 
At an early age he 
was activel)' en- 
gaged in boating 
between Nashua 
and Boston, via 
the M e r r i m a c 
river and the Mid- 
dlesex canal. He 
was the owner of 
several boats, 
which were con- 
stantly passing 
back and forth, 
and which afford- 
ed at that time 
the easiest and 
most convenient 
method of trans- 
portation of heavy 
merchandise. In 
this business he 
continued until 
the advent of the 
railroad, in 183S, 
made unprofital)le 
the further use of 
the canal, which 
was soon after 
abandoned. 

He then turned 
his entire atten- 
tion to the lumber 
business, espe- 
cially oak piling 
and ship timber, 
in which he has 

ever since stood pre-eminent in the Boston market. From 
this has developed a considerable financial interest in 
shipping. 

His success has been due to an untiring industry and 
the strictest integrity, which, with his invariable readi- 
ness to lend a hand to every worthy cause, has gained for 
him the peculiar confidence and esteem of all. He has 
never sought public office or allowed it to be thrust upon 
him, preferring to live as a private citizen, and finding 
full enjoyment in so doing; but, while avoiding active 
participancy in public affairs, as an office holder, he has 




I-UTIIEK .\BI50T KOBY 



always responded readily and willingly to all demands 
for promoting its material and moral prosperity. He de- 
parted from the general tenor of his life in allowing him- 
self to be elected a director of the First National bank at 
the time of its organization, and has so remained ever 
since. He has always been an attendant of the First 
Congregational church, and a large contributor to its 
moral and material support. 

Mr. Roby was united in marriage April 8, 1847, with 
Eliza Campbell, daughter of Capt. William and Margaret 

(Hughes) C a mp- 
bell of Windham. 
On the eighth day 
of .\pril of the 
present j-ear, 1897, 
occurred the fifti- 
eth anniversary of 
their wedding. 
The occasion 
„,^^ was a memora- 

" ^, able one to both 

Mr. Roby and his 
estimable wife, 
who celebrated it 
by a reception of 
their friends and 
acquaintances at 
their residence on 
East Pearl street. 
During the da}' 
and evening they 
were visited and 
congratulated b}' 
hundreds of prom- 
inent and repre- 
sentative men and 
women of Nashua 
and vicinity, and 
were also the re- 
cipients of many 
beautiful presents. 
The large atten- 
dance of citizens 
and friends on this 
occasion furnishes 
a most notable and 
remarkable proof 
of the respect and 
esteem in which 
Mr. Roby is held 
by his fellow citi- 
zens, both as a 
business man and 
a citizen. 
Three children were born of their marriage : Clara 
Marshall, Oct. 7, 1849, married Elbert Wheeler of Concord, 
Mass., June 22, 1875; Charles Abbot, Nov. 3, 1854, mar- 
ried Kate Allen Gates of Lowell, Mass., June 12, 1884; 
Lizzie Appleton, March 7, 1863, married William Dumond 
Swart of New York, Oct. 7, 1890. His grandchildren are 
Marion Gates, born May 6, 1885; Kathleen, born Feb. 12, 
1S91 ; Luther .Abbot, born Nov. 11, 1894, children of 
Charles K. and Kate K. Roby. Elizabeth, born March 31, 
1892, and William Rob}', born Jan. 7, 1894, children of 
William D. and Lizzie R. Swart. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



427 



JOSIAH MOODY FLETCHER. 

Josiah M. Fletcher was lioni in Halifax, Mass., Jan. 14, 
1828. He is a .son of John and Dolly M. (Johnson) 
Kletcher, ami a (lesceiidant in the seventh generation 




JO.SI.MI .MOOnV l-Ll.'rtllKK. 

from Robert Fletcher, 1630, whose descendants form the 
Fletcher family union that meets triennially, generally in 
Boston. His grandfather, Josiah Fletcher, was the builder 
of the first mill in Lowell, (1812). His father was a 
manufacturer of woolen goods in I.owell and at Halifax, 
Mass., being at one time superintendent of the Hurd 
mills in the first named place. The subject of this sketch 
came to Nashua in 1842, following the death of his father, 
and since that time his home has been here. 

Mr. Fletcher was educated in Lowell, where he entered 
the high school but did not remain long enough to 
graduate. His first work was that of a bobbin boy and 
notwithstanding the hardship and long hours, (from five 
in the morning till seven at night), he contrived to 
improve his education by attending an operatives' night 
school. At the age of sixteen he entered the bookstore of 
J. Buffum, in Beasom block, where he remained three 
years. During this time he edited a work called the 
"Golden Gift," which was stereotyped and editions 
printed in Portland, Boston and Connecticut at the same 
time. His next employment was that of surveyor of 
stone in Lowell. .\ little later he traveled in the South. 
and then returned to Nashua and became proprietor of 
the bookstore in which he had been a clerk. A year 
later, in December, 1848, he went to California and re- 
mained a year and is consecjuently a "forty-niner." 
Upon his return he purchased the controlling interest in 
The Ladies Wreath, a magazine published in New York, 
and published and partly edited it, for three years, retain- 
ing his residence and business interests in Nashua. In 
1853 he published the Free Democrat, a campaign paper. 
After seven years as a bookseller, publisher, editor and 
manufacturer of specialties he gave up business for a 
time and traveled e.xtensisely through the West and 
South. 

Mr. Fletcher is one of the most versatile of men. His 
next enterprise was that of a manufacturer of furniture. 



He has formed as many as twenty partnerships and dur- 
ing the last ten years has been sole proprietor of the 
Fletcher- Webster Furniture company and Nashua Nov- 
elty works. His effort to promote the industrial interests 
of Nashua is shown in the fact that he was the first person 
in New F^ngland to manufacture metallic bird cages; 
among the first in the country to manufacture furniture 
by machinery ; first to manufacture carpet sweepers ; that 
he has manufactured soap and ink and sent out pedlers 
with Yankee notions, and has always been ready and 
willing to adopt and use the inventions of others, being 
the first person in Nashua to purchase and discover the 
utility of the sewing machine and typewriter. In fact, 
in all these things he has kept abreast of the times an<l 
has shown a progressive spirit. 

In the world of letters, religion and politics Mr. 
I'Metcher has always been of the radical school, and gen- 
erally allied with the minority. In religious matters his 
opinions reach to a universal church. He has investigated 
spiritualism in all its phases and holds advanced views. 
In politics he has drifted from the free soil party through 
the republican party, into the prohibition party. In the 
organization last named, he has been several times a 
candidate for mayor of Nashua, governor of the state and 
member of congress. He edits and publishes a prohibi- 
tion paper at the present time at Manchester, and when a 
political campaign is on he usually addresses the people 
on the issues before them. His last publication, for he is 
a pleasing writer of poetry as well as prose, is entitled 
'.\ Thousand Songs of Life, Love, Home and Heaven," 
which exhibits merit and has had a fair sale. He has 
been au extensive traveler and visited nearly every state 
in the union, many of the principal cities and all points 
of interest. Mr. Fletcher is an Odd Fellow, a Good 
Templar and a member of several other societies and 
organizations. In a word, few men, especially those of 
as delicate health as he, have accomplished so much and 
accomplished it so well as Mr. Fletcher, and certain it is 
that no citizen is more highly regarded as a conscientous, 
liberal and honorable man. 

Mr. Fletcher was united in marriage Jan. 23, 1851, with 
.\daline Jane Eastman of Rumney. Six children were 
born of their union all of whom died in infancy except 
Laurie Angle, who lived till her twent\'-sccond year. 

DAVID STEVENS. 

David Stevens, son of Samuel G. and Betsey (Davis) 
.Stevens, was born at Goffstown, Oct. 8, 1823. He came to 
Nashua with his parents when he was three years of age 
and was educated in the public schools of the town and at 
Crosby's Literary institution. I'ollowing his school days 
he learned the carpenters' trade, and during his active 
career followed that occupation and engaged in moving 
buildings, in which he is an expert and has performed 
some of the most difficult undertakings of any man in the 
state. Mr. Stevens never aspired to public ofTice and yet 
he has served his ward on the board of selectmen and 
represented it, 1876 and 1877, in the common council and 
in a good many political conventious. He is a man of 
unblemished reputation, a believer and worker in the 
cause of temperance, and an enterprising citizen ; a mem- 
l)er of the I'nitcd Order of the Golden Cross, the Nashua 
grange, and president of the landlord's league. Mr. 
Stevens was united in marriage .\pril 19, 1848. with Cor- 



42i 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



nelia Sawtelle, daughter of Ebenezer and Sally (Tolles) 
Sawtelle of Groton, Mass. Seven children have been 
born to him: Josephine, born Aug. 31, 1853; Clara Anna, 




D.WID STEN'E.NS. 

born April 16, 1855; Nellie May, born May 28, 1857, mar- 
ried Elden E. Cumniings of Hudson, Sept. 13, 1883; Fan- 
nie Elizabeth, born Dec. 9, 1863, died JuU' 19, 1889; David, 
born Jan. 2, 1865, married Nettie L. Knowles, June 25, 
1890; Jeunie P., born vSept. 10, 1867, married Menzell S. 
French of Nashua, June 20, 1894; Georgie Ellen, born 
Feb. 22, 1870, married Charles J. Hamblett, Oct. 4, 1894. 



JOHN CROSS. 

John Cross, son of Levi aud Hannah (Kidder) Cross, 
was born in Litchfield, Aug. 30, 1814. His ancestors were 
among the first eleven families that settled in Notting- 
ham West, now Hudson, in 1710. They lived in a 
garrison. His grandfather, John Cross, who died in 
Litchfield in 1816, at the age of 81 years, was au ensign 
in the Revolutionary army. His wife, Elizabeth (Dakiu) 
Cross, died March 6, 1820, aged 85. Nathan Cross, the 
great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was sur- 
prised by Pequawket Indians Sept. 4, 1724, while at work 
at a pine forest growing on the bank of the river not far 
from the present site of the Nashua cemetery, (see History 
of Hillsborough county, page 149), and with his com- 
panion, Thomas Blanchard, was hurried into captivity 
in Canada, where he remained about a year, when he 
was rescued. He came from England about 1710. On 
the maternal side he is a descendant of Capt. Jonas 
Kidder of Lyndeboro, who married Huldah Cram. He 
was a .soldier in the Revolutionary War, and (see History 
of Lyndeboro) a lieutenant in the service at the battle 
at Ticonderoga. He was promoted to a captaincy, and 
was a pensioner of the government; died in Litchfield, 
Nov. I, 1837, aged 94. 

Mr. Cross was educated in the public schools of Hudson. 
He followed the pursuits of agriculture in I^itchfield 
until he was twenty-four years of age, and after that in 



Hudson, where he served upon the board of selectmen 
two years. In 1862 he came to Nashua and entered the 
lumber business with Dana Sargent, under the firm name 
of .Sargent & Cross, their mills and yards being on the 
north bank of the Nashua river, near the Jackson com- 
pany's dam. The firm did a very large and prosperous 
l)usiness. In 1872 Mr. Tolles bought out the interest of 
Mr. Sargent, and since then the firm has been Cross & 
Tolles. A few years later the new firm absorbed the 
business of H. D. Melendy & Company on Quincy street, 
and removed thither. By the aid of new machinery for 
box making, house mouldings, aud finish, and by perse- 
vering industry and enterprise they have built up one of 
the largest manufactories and general lumber marts in 
southern New Hampshire, and are justly entitled to 
recognition among the first merchants in the state. But 
Mr. Cross' constant attention to business has not pre- 
vented him from taking a conspicuous part in public 
affairs or from performing the duties that are demanded 
of every faithful citizen. He represented Ward One in the 
common council in 1878-9 and 1879-80, and in the board 
of aldermen in 1881-2. In 1885 he served the city as a 
member of the board of assessors. Mr. Cross performed 
all the duties of these positions with ability and impar- 
tiality, and was highly regarded as a public official. 
He is a man of retiring disposition, quiet deportment, 
generous impulses and model citizenship, one who con- 
scientiously performs every duty that falls to his lot. He 
is a member of Ancient York lodge, A. F. and A. M., 
and of the First Congregational church. 




JOHN CRO.SS. 

Mr. Cross was united in marriage Nov. 15, 1838, with 
Sarah A. Sargent, daughter of Reuben and Eunice K. 
(Davis) Sargent of Hudson. (For ancestors, see sketch 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



429 



of her hroUier. Dana Sargent.) Two children were born 
of their marriage: John Allen, April 24, 1844, married 
Mary Jane Currier; Mary Kllcn, March 8, 1848, married 
James H. ToUes. 

WILLARD CLAl^K TOLI.HS. 

Capt. Willaril C. Tolles was born in Nashua Maj' 8, 
1843. He is a son of Horace C. and Sophia C. (Wright) 
Tolles. (l"or genealogy see sketch of his father.) 




WII.I.AKD (.I.AKK TOLI.ES. 

Mr. Tolles was educated in the public schools of 
Nashua and in his youth learned the machinists' trade, 
which he followed until 1S7S, when he was elected assist- 
ant city marshal. In 1S79, owing to a change in the ad- 
ministration, and notwithstanding the fact that his service 
was so satisfactory to the people that Mayor Holman 
offered him the commission of captain of the night 
watch, he returned to his former occupation. He de- 
clined the appointment through disinclination to serve 
nights, but the offer, being from a political opponent, 
was nevertheless a handsome compliment to him as an 
efficient, courteous and cautious officer. In 1884 he was 
elected city marshal. He served his year, and then came 
another change in the administration and he again re- 
turned to his trade. Jan i, 1887, he was again elected to 
the same position, which he continued to fill till 1891 — 
and in the administration of the business of which he 
won the respect of law abiding citizen.s and justices of the 
courts, receiving from them many words of compliment 
an<l approval on his retirement. 

In 1891 and 1892116 was in the insurance business and 
Jan. I, 1893, he was elected street commissioner for the 
whole city, a position in which, as in the police depart- 
ment, he proved efficient. Since Jan. i, 1894, he has been 
in the real estate and safe business. He attends the Uni- 
versalist church and is a member of Pennichuck lodge, I. 
O. O. P., of which he is a past grand. 

Captain Tolles was united in marriage Oct. 6, 1868, with 
Kllen F. Kendall, daughter of James and Hetsy (Page) 
Kendall of Dunstable. One child has been born of their 
marriage: Edith K., l)orn .\ug, 3, 1888. 



DANIEL FREDERICK RUNNELLS. 

Daniel K. Runnells was born in Hollis, JIarch 25, 1833 
He is a son of Kbenezer and I^yrlia (Lawrence) Runnells. 
His immigrant ancestor (see genealogy of Runnells and 
Reynolds families, published in Boston, 1873) was Samuel 
Runnells, who was born near Port Royal, N. S., of Scotch 
parents, about 1674. He married Abigail Middleton, of 
Haverhill, Mass., about 1700. He settle<l in lirafUord, 
Mass., about the time of his marriage, and is recorded as 
having a home in that place in 1710. The history of the 
times shows that he was a prominent man, and as his 
gravestone gives him the title of sergeant, it is evident 
that he was connected with the military of his times. 
He died Oct. 27, 1745, and of his eight children. I-;bene/.er, 
born in 1726, settled in Haverhill, Mass. He was engaged 
in ironing vessels, and was also a partner in ship-building 
at Newburyport. In 1777 he purchased a tract of land in 
Hollis, on the Nashua river, near what is now known as 
Runnell's bridge, which he afterwards gave to his sou, 
Samuel Runnells, born in 1767, who settled there about 
1791. Upon this estate the latter built the saw and grist 
mills, also a carding mill, known for more than half a 
century as "Runnells' Mills." He died June 5, 1834. 
His second son, Kbenezer, born 1794, the father of the 
subject of this sketch, inherited this property, the home- 
stead of which still remains in the Runnells family. 

Mr. Runnells was educated in the schools of his native 
place and at the academies in Hancock and Francestown. 
When he was twenty-one years of age he entered a store 
in Hollis as a partner in the firm of Sawtelle & Run- 
nells, where he remained until shortly before he came to 
Nashua in 1858. During the year following he was 
engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in i860 he estab- 
lished himself in the clothing business at the corner of 
Main and Water streets. In 1863 he admitted, as a 
partner in the business, C. H. Chase, under the firm 
name of Runnells & Chase. In 1865 the growth of the 
business had increased so that the firm took a larger 
store in Noyes block, where it remained until 1872, when 
Mr. Runnells built a section of Merchants Exchange and 
removed to it. In 1878 the firm was dissolved, Mr. 
Runnells continuing alone until 1883, when he admitted 
Luke .\. Farly to the firm as a partner. A few years 
later Mr. Farly retired from the business and since then 
Mr. Runnells has conducted it alone. 

.\Uhough a diligent merchant, with the cares of a large 
business on his hands, Mr. Runnells has found time to 
assist in many ways in the growth and prosperit5' of 
Nashua. In politics he is a democrat, and, while he is 
not an office seeker, he has represented Ward Seven in 
the legislature in 1874, and been honored by his parly 
associates with a nomination for the office of senator. 
He is a member of Rising Sun lodge, .\. F. and A. M., 
Meridian Sun Royal .•Vrch chapter, Israel Hunt council, 
St. George commandery, K. T., and Edward S.. Raymoiul 
consistory, Scottish rite, 32d degree. He is also a mem- 
ber of Pennichuck lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr. Runnells 
attends the Congregational church, and is a member of 
the New Hampshire club. He is one of the trustees of 
the Nashua public library and of Woodlawn cemetery, 
and has also been elected as one of the inspectors of the 
Hunt Home for Aged Couples. 

Mr. Runnells was united in marriage Sept. 9, 1858, 
with Sarah 'E. I--arley, daughter of Enoch and .\bigail 



430 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



(Hardy) Farley of HoUis. Mrs. Runnells has been 
identified with various public and private charities, and 
is an indefatigable worker in whatever enterprise she 




nWIEI, FREDERICK lU'.NXEI.I.S. 

enlists. She has held the office of president of the John 
G. Foster Wonians' Relief corps, and that of depart- 
ment president of the order for New Hampshire. She 
is now the president of the Nashua Protestant Home for 
Aged Women, besides taking an active interest in many 
other institutions. 

Seven children have been born of their marriage ; 
Belle Maude, born Sept. 30, 1861, died March 23, 1865; 
Florence Abbie, born March 20, 1863, graduated at Welles- 
ley college 1883, married July 18, 1888, to Edward F. 
Bryant of Chicago, 111., secretary of the Pullman Loan 
and Savings bank ; Myrta Belle, born Dec. 16, 1864, died 
Oct. 30, 1866; Katheriue Louise, born Nov. 24, 1868, 
educated at Wellesley college; Frederic Daniel, born 
Dec. 21, 1870, graduated at Dartmouth college 1893, now 
in business with his father; Nellie Grace, born Feb. 23, 
1873, died Oct. 25, 1S78; Josie, born March 9, 1877, died 
Oct. 22, 1878. 

GEORGE PHELPS. 

George Phelps was born in Dudley, Mass., July 30, 1826. 
He is a son of Horatio and Sarah H. (Davis) Phelps. His 
immigrant aucester, Henry Phelps, came to America from 
England in the ship Hercules in 1634 and settled in or 
near Boston. His descendants are scattered through 
northern and southern New England, and many of them 
have risen to places of eminence in mercantile pursuits 
and the professions. The name was originally spelled 



Phyelypps. On the maternal side he is a descendant of 
William Davis, an immigrant from Wales, 1635, who set- 
tled in Roxbury, Mass., in 1642. His immediate de- 
scendants bought land in Oxford and Dudley, Mass., 
where many of the same name now reside. Mr. Phelps is 
of the eighth generation. 

Mr. Phelps was educated in the public schools and 
high school of Worcester, Mass., to which place his par- 
ents removed when he w-as a child. In 1856 he entered 
the coal business and remained in it at Worcester until 
1870, when he came to Nashua and established himself in 
the same line of trade, in which he still continues. 

Mr. Phelps is a thorough business man, an honored 
and upright citizen who is highly regarded by the com- 
munity. He is a trustee of the New Hampshire Guaran- 
ty Savings bank and interested, directh- and indirectly, 
in enterprises for the advancement of the interests of the 
city. Mr. Phelps is a member of Montacute lodge, A. F. 
and A. M., of Worcester, and a Scottish rite mason of the 
32d degree, being a member of Edward A. Raymond con- 
sistory. He was treasurer and trustee of the old Olive 
street society, and is a member of the Pilgrim Congre- 
gational church and society. 

Mr. Phelps was united in marriage .\pril 15, 1851, with 
Laura A. Batchellor, daughter of Silas W. and Rhoda 
(Goddard ) Batchellor, of Royalston, Mass. Two sons and 
a daughter were born of their marriage : George Edwin, 
born in Jlillbury, Mass., May 9, 1852, died in Boston, Nov. 
I, 1S81 ; Arthur W., born in Worcester, Mass., April 12, 




UEOUGE PIIEI.PS. 

185S, married Oct. 28, i8go, Emma G. Osborn of Nashua, 
and is now in business with his father; Laura Gertrude, 
born in Worcester, March i, 1865. 

REUBEN MARSH SAWYER. 

Reuben M. Sawyer was born at Stockbridge, Yt., Nov. 
5, 1828. He is a son of Edward and Jane (Taggart) Saw- 
3'er, the former being a native of Goffstown and the 
latter of Antrim, and descendants of the pioneer set- 
tlers of those places. Mr. Sawyer came to Nashua when 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



43' 



he was twenty j-ears of age and entered the store of 
Francis Winch as a clerk. lie remained in the employ of 
Mr. Winch live years, and after one year spent in the 




ItKL^BEN MARSH SA\V\ER. 

mattress liusiness went into the grocery trade for himself, 
1855, and so continued until Maj-, 1893, when he sold out 
and retired. Mr. Sawyer represented Ward Four in the 
common council in i860 and in the board of aldermen in 
1870 and 1871. He also served his ward a number of years 
on the board of selectmen, and the city four years on the 
board of assessors. He is an earnest and honest citizen, 
who has done his part to make Nashua a prosperous 
place. Mr. Sa\v3-er is a member of Rising Sun lodge, .\. 
F. and A. M., and a Scottish rite mason of the 32d de- 
gree ; member of Pilgrim church. He was united in 
marriage June 17, 1856, with .\lmira Bowers, daughter of 
Mark and Selina (Foster) Bowers of Hancock. One son 
was born of their marriage: Frank M., born April 21, 
1861, died July 18, 1879. 

WEBSTER CHENEY BROWN. 

Webster C. Brown, son of Rev. .\ni<)S and .-\1)agail 
(Cheney) Brown, was born at Bristol, Sept. 27, 1829. He 
was educated in the district schools of his native place 
and at the academies at Andover Center, Wentworth and 
East -Vndover. Mr. Brown remained on the home farm 
until 1854, when he came to Nashua and accepted a situ- 
ation as travelling salesman for J. C. Kempton, confec- 
tioner. He followed this occupation six or seven years, 
and then was engaged eleven years as proprietor and 
manager of an eating house on Main street. Mr. Brown 
served Ward Six three years on the board of selectmen, 
represented it in the legislature iu 1S67 and 1868, and as 



inspector of checklists four years. He has ser^-ed the 
city three years on the board of assessors. 

In 1875 lie was appointed assistant city marshal of 
Nashua, which position he held, by re-appointment three 
years, performing the duties with credit to himself and 
the entire satisfaction of the public. In 1884 he was 
nominated and elected county commissioner, and he has 
been re-elected biennially ever since, his present term of 
office expiring April 1, 1899. The county farm buildings 
at (ioffstowu were erected during his term of service on 
the board, and, with his associates, he is entitled to credit 
for the careful and prudent manner in which the duties 
were performed. In view of this record, it need not be 
emphasized here that Mr. Brown ranks among the most 
popular and public men in the county. He attends the 
I'ilgrim church. 




\vici'.Mi;i; i.iii;m-.^ iiiiii\\\. 

Mr. Brown was united in marriage July 12, 1859, with 
Mrs. Sarah \. (English) Edmands, daughter of William 
and Sarah (Bond) English of Nashua.' No children. 

EGBERT ORRISON WOOD. 

Egbert O. Wood was born in Cornish, March 5. 1841. 
He is a sou of ."^rial K. and Emeline (Day) Wood, and on 
the paternal side is a descendant of Reuben Wood, a 
soldier in the Revolutionary War and a participant in 
the battle of Bunker Hill. On the maternal side he is a 
descendant of Rufus Day, who settled at Cornish in boy- 
hood and cleared a farm in the wilderness, where he 
lived an honest and u])right life and died in 1858. 

Mr. W'ood was educated in the public schools of his 
native place. He began life as a carriage painter and 
worked at his trade at Grantham and Lebanon, and then 
went into the piano factory at Leominster, Mass., where 
he was employed until 1871, when he came to Nashua and 
purchased a half interest in the Nashua Till company, an 
industry that was founded by John C. Lund in 1859, 
and which is the oldest manufactory of money drawers 
in the country. In 1880 he bought out his partner, John 
I". Baldwin, and since then has been the sole owner of the 



432 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



business. He has served as administrator for several es- 
tates. Mr. Wood is a self-made man, a vocalist of high 
rank in the profession, a citizen who takes a lively inter- 




EGBEKT (IKKINON WOOD. 

est in everything that helps Nashua upward and ouward. 
He is a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., 
Meridian Sun Royal Arch chapter, Israel Hunt council 
and St. George commandery, K. T., and a Scottish rite 
mason of the 32d degree, and a member of Edward A. 
Raymond consistory. He is also a member of Penni- 
chuck lodge, I. O. O. F., and Nashua lodge, K. of P. He 
attends the Pilgrim church. 

Mr. Wood was united in marriage Dec. 25, 1867, with 
.\nstris B. Baldwin, daughter of William T. and Charlotte 
(Felch) Baldwin of Hudson. Four children have been 
born of this marriage ; Egbert B., born July 8, 1869, mar- 
ried Annie Thomas of Portland, Me. Herbert A., born 
in December, 1871, died July 27, 1S73; Marja .\., born 
Sept. 2, 1873, died June 15, 1875 ; Karl D., born June 6, 
1878. 

WILLIAM HARVEY GREENLEAF. 

William H. Greenleaf was born in Haverhill, July 24, 
1839. He is a son of Seth Greenleaf and Ruth (Page) 
Stockwell. His father was born at Lancaster, June 28, 
1812, and connected with the Boston, Concord & Mon- 
treal railroad from its beginning until his death in 1880. 
His mother, Ruth Page, was the first white woman settler 
in Lancaster; coming there on horseback from Petersham, 
Mass.; she was a woman of remarkable energy of charac- 
ter, and it was owing to her efforts, in a great measure, 
that the infant settlement was kept together. His grand- 



parents on his father's side were David and Lydia (Burn- 
ham) Greenleaf, pioneers among the early settlers of 
Rumney. David Greenleaf was a Revolutionary soldier. 

He was educated in the public schools of Concord and 
at a private school. Mr. Greenleaf spent his summers 
for many years as a mountain hotel clerk. In 1861 he 
was commissioned in the government mail service, and 
for nine years thereafter was a postal clerk between 
Boston and Littleton. In 1871 Mr. Greenleaf took up 
permanent residence in Nashua and entered the grocery 
business of his father-in-law under the firm name of W. 
H. Greenleaf & Co., continuing until 1883, since which 
time he has been in the hotel business. At the present 
time he is the popular clerk at the Laton house, a position 
he has held for ten years. He served the city as a mem- 
ber of the common council in 1879, and in the board of 
aldermen in 18S0 and 1881, and assessor in 1885. He was 
a member of the legislature in 1883 from Ward Six. He 
is a member of the First Congregational church. Rising 
Sun lodge, A. V. and A. M., Meridian Sun Royal Arch 
chapter, Israel Hunt council in which he is now con- 
ductor, of St. George commandery, K. T., in which body 
he is junior warden, Edward A. Raymond consistory, 32d 
degree. Noble Mystic Shrine .-Meppo (Boston) and the 
City Guards club. 

In 1863 he was united in marriage with Lucy A. M. 
daughter of Col. H. F. Courser, and the children of this 
marrias;e are: Hattie M., wife of George F. Smith, and 



1 




^ 


H 


1 


^^H( -, 


1 


^^H 




m^s 




^iSscJI^^^^H 


1 




i^ 


' J^^^ ■'t^'i^iSM 






'■ ^ 


" .^^H^^^^HBIH 


i,' 




J 


^^r^^^^^^l 






1 '^-M ■ 


A^ ^. J 



\V1I.1.I.\M II.\l;\"EV (;UEi:XI.EAF. 

Carrie T., who was united in marriage May 15, 1895, with 
Arthur N. Richardson of Lancaster, now residing at 
Portland, Me. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



433 



ROSWhLI. THNNEY SMITH. 

Ruswcll T. Siiiilh was bom in llanovci-, Jan. 7, 1825. 
He is a son of Ashbel and Lucinda (Teiiney) Smith, and 
on the paternal side, a descendant in the eighth genera- 
tion from Lieut. Samuel Smith who. with his -wife liliza- 
beth, sailed from Ipswich, Kng., in .Xpril, 1634, on the 
ship ICli/.abeth and settled in Weathersfield, Conn., and 
lateral Hadley, Mass. The descent is: I'liilip and Re- 
becca I'oot of Hadley, Samuel and Mary Smith of Hadley 
and I'^ast Hart- 
ford, Conn.. Timo- 
thy and E st h e r 
Webster of Wind- 
sor and Hanover, 
Edward and Ruth 
Porter, Edward 
and H a n n a h 
Chandler, .\shbel 
and Lucinda Teu- 
ney, all of Hano- 
ver. On the ma- 
ternal side he is 
a descendant of 
John a n d .\ n n e 
W i g h i 1 1 , \\ li o 
came from Row- 
ley, Eng., and set- 
tled at Rowley, 
Mass., John and 
Mere}' 1' a r r o 1 1 , 
Samuel and Abi- 
gail Burle\', Jos- 
eph and Anne 
Wood, John and 
Olive .\rmstrong, 
John and Lucinda 
Eaton, Lucinda 
Tenney. 

Mr. .Smith was 
educated at Thet- 
ford acadenn'. He 
came to Nashua in 
April, 1852, for 
the p u r po s e of 
painting a por- 
trait of a child of 
Charles Tarbell. 
In 1854 he opened 
a small book and 
stationery store in 
Noyes' block, and 
in various locali- 
ties, he remained 

in that business nearly all the time till 1891, when he 
sold out. In all those years BIr. .Smith has been inter- 
ested in mechanical matters and has spent a good share 
of his time in mechanical engineering, man}' of his in- 
ventions having revolutionized the manufacture of the 
departments of industrial pursuits to which they have 
been applied. He invented and perfected the clippers 
and novelties manufactured bj- the American Shearer 
companw and was at one time an active partner in the 
company. The embroidering loom is considered the 
master production of his fertile brain. Mr. Smith visited 




ROSWEI.L TKVNEY .SMmi. 



Europe a few years ago in pursuit of knowledge touching 
mechanism and on business connected with his patents, 
and has spent much time in Washington and elsewhere 
for the same purpose. During his al)sence in Europe, 
which extended over a period of several months, and the 
greater part of which was passed in Germany in con- 
nection with his business, he found time to exercise his 
powers of observation, and took ample notes of men and 
things as he saw and heard them; the result of which 
appeared in a series of extremely interesting and intel- 
ligent letters in 
the Nashua Tele- 
graph ; these let- 
tersattracted more 
than ordinary at- 
tention at the lime 
from his fellow 
citizens, both on 
■ account of their 
merit, and partic- 
ularly from the 
fad that they dealt 
chiefly with the 
manners and cus- 
toms, — the home 
life and its sur- 
roundings,— of the 
middle classes of 
the German peo- 
ple, and were 
therefore out of 
the ordinary ruts 
of American nara- 
tion of Enrojiean 
travels. He is the 
author of a chap- 
ter in this work 
relative to Nashua 
industries. He is 
a member of the 
Pilgrim church, 
and one of Nash- 
ua's most honored 
citizens. 

Mr. Smith was 
united in mar- 
riage .Sept. 17, 
1856, with S. Jen- 
nie Marshall of 
Pepperell. Mrs. 
Smith is a descen- 
dant on the pater- 
nal side of John 
and Sarah Mar- 
shall, who came to .\merica from England in 1634 on the 
ship Hopewell; John and Mary Burrage, who settled in 
Billerica, Mass., in 1665; John and Eunice Rogers, 1695; 
Thomas and Mary Rogers of Tewksbury, Mass., 1740; 
Silas and Eunice Bailey, Tewksbury, Mass., and Ilollis, 
1767; John and Sally Eisk, Mollis and Pepperell, Mass., 
1S15. On the maternal side of Samuel and Elizabeth 
Parker, Pepperell, 1726; Eleazer and Esther Taylor, Dun- 
stable ; Nathan and Martha French, 1788; Sally Eisk. 
No children; an adopted son, Charles E. P. Smith, who 
married Lizzie K. Fitzgerald. 



434 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

MANUFACTURES. 



BY R. T. SMITH. 



OUR picture gives three views : Dunstable, a staid old New England community : Nashua, 
a village passing through an experimental or educational experience up to the Nashua 
of settled industries developed along true business lines and using true business meth- 
ods. The years 1S22-5 mark the beginning of our mechanical age, and 1880 witnessed a 
serious trend of our various industries towards true economic development. To an extent, the same 
is true of trade. Old Dunstable had its "country stores" with their miscellaneous display of the 
grosser commodities. Nashua Village, its many small stores with their limited assortments, followed 
bj' the fine stores and better business methods of to-da}'. 

As the manufacturing interests of Nashua enter into and form part of the progress of art the 
world over, it may be a matter of curiosity, and possibly of profit, to take a cursory view of the e^■o- 
lution of the mechanical arts leading up to art in Nashua. 

In ancient times civilization was confined to warm climates. The people required but few arti- 
ficial comforts. There was no continued discomfort compelling mechanical provisions for the comfort 
of the many. The rulers were tyrants, the people slaves. A laborer's time was not an element of 
cost. Sad as this state of affairs was to our eyes, it had its purpose to serve and its advantages. 
From it came develo])ment of the artistic sense. When every chair represents an indi\'idual effort, 
we may reasonably expect to see many quaint and beautiful designs in chairs. The same is true in 
all lines of art; for artistic designs we look to this age of individual effort. 

This .state of things continued to a large extent until the German and Flemish tribes began to 
feel the influence of civilization, their colder climate and greater needs so modified the conditions of 
life as to result in classes devoted to certain lines of art. From this development sjjrang the free 
cities of northern Europe, the advance guards of modern industrial conditions. 

In the eleventh century, William the Conqueror found Flngland a land of pastures abounding 
in sheep. The wool of these flocks was the principal export of the country. He brought workers in 
wool from France and Flanders and thereb}- laid the foundation of Ivngland's commercial supremacy. 
England soon became the refuge from bigotry and tyranny of thousands of skilled workmen, and so 
in time the humble homes of the English and Scotti.sh peasantry became workshops where the wool 
of her flocks was made into cloth to be sold wherever English ships were found. 

Under the condition of the mechanical arts and of transportation which we find before the pres- 
ent century, this household production was the oidy method of manufacture which could have been 
obtained. In Germany we find free cities; in England, free homes. 

In 1774 James Watt perfected the steam engine. This invention was followed rapidh- bv the 
development of machiner}' worked by power. The invention of the steam engine did not of itsel 
create the "Mechanical Age," but it made it possible. The growth of the mechanical instinct, slow 
to act, meeting bitter prejudice at first, has become an irresistible torrent in our da>', and has given to 
the world a century such as it never saw before, and will never see the like again. 

In 1825 most of the homes of the New England farmers contained a loom and most towns a card- 
ing and fulling mill for the manufacture of woolen goods, but the cotton mills had already begun to 
drive the linen looms out of the farmhouse. 

For half a century a factory system had been slowly growing in England, removing the loom 
from the cottage to the factory, and the cotter from the farm to the city. This factory system was to 
invade and conquer New England. 

The war of 1812-15 convinced the American people that their workshops and factories must be 
located where British gunboats could not interfere with their supplies, and that until such was the 
case they could not be an independent people. 

In 1815 this was a land of farmers. The farmhouses were full of l)right, energetic, ambitious, 
well-trained and educated young people, trained by circumstances to close economy, having great 
capacity for self-help (the mother of invention), but without especial mechanical instincts. They 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 43. 

were a host of free lances ready to attack tlie \vild lands of the west, or the great mechanical problems 
which confronted them in the east. 

Let us take a look at the Dunstable of 1822. We find a dam across the Nashua west of the 
bridge. At its north end stood the grist mill of James Patterson. At its .south end stood William 
Marshall's .saw mill. At the Harbor, and on the west side of the road and north of the brook, we 
find the saw and grist mill of Israel Hunt, Sr., where his sons John and Israel were workmen. On 
the .south side of the brook stood quite a pretentious three-story shop, occujjied by E. F. Ingalls as a 
l)lacksmith and iron-worker. This shop had a trip hammer, and he made axes, hatchets, hammers, 
the old fashioned heavy hoe with a ring for a handle, and such other iron work as was called for by 
the community. The scythe shop of Isaac March stood where tlie east mill now stands, and upon 
what was known as Dickerman's Location, just below the old Allds road bridge, was to be found the 
carding, fulling, pressing and dyeing shop of Enoch Dickerman. There was also a dam and shop 
below Dickerman's, occupied by Daniel Ingalls as a blacksmith shop, where he had a trip hammer 
and lathe. These shops supplied the wants of a limited community. 

If we look into the conditions that obtained at this time in Milford, Amherst, Hillsboro Bridge, 
Peterboro and kindred places, we find a restless .spirit of enterpri.se which would have resulted in 
numerous small mechanical centers of a higher order than the Dunstable of 1S25. Such places had 
begun to crystalize into the form indicated when the advent of the railway made great manufacturino- 
centers a possibility and largely concentrated the surplus energy of such places in cities like Nashua, 
Manchester and Lowell. 

In the winter of 1S21 loungers in the country stores of Dunstable heard stories of marvelous 
doings at Pawtucket falls. It was reported that "no end of money had been put into a cotton mill, 
and hundreds of working people were finding employment, trade was good, land was rising in value." 
The gossip had its influence upon certain Dunstable men, who had saved money and were waiting 
for a good chance to invest it. 

In 1822 an association was formed in Dunstable preliminar>- to incorporation, which purchased 
all lands between Mine falls and Main street, and in 1823 a charter was obtained by Daniel Abbot, 
Joseph Greeley, Moses Taylor, and others. The capital stock was fixed at §300,000, with the right 
to make it $1,000,000. This stock was divided into three hundred shares. B. F. French took thirty 
shares, J. K. and A. Greeley, tliirt>- shares, Moses Taylor, thirl\-six shares, Augustus Peabody of 
Salem, seventy-five shares, John Kendrick of Boston, fifteen shares, Daniel Webster, sixt>- shares. 
The stock was not all taken at first, and Daniel Webster never took the shares he subscribed for. 
The unsold shares were finally taken by Salem and Boston capitalists. The name adopted was the 
Nashua Manufacturing company. This company must have had on its board of directors some wise 
and far-seeing men to have planned the location and the surroundings of their mills and corporation 
houses so finely; or was it because land cost nothing, and, having plenty of room, things, somehow, 
came into shape themselves. 

Eben Runnells told the writer that when a l)oy he atteuiled an auction of land within the present 
city limits, and purchased the lot at six and a quarter cents per acre. 

The company first decided to locate the mills on the site they now occupy, bringing the water 
from Mine falls by canal. This canal was three miles long, fifty feet wide and ten feet deep, with a 
(all of thirty-six feet, and to dig it was a great enterprise for that day. 

As a matter of fact the dam was poorly built and equipped, the canal was a ditch, the entire 
plant was crude and not for a moment to be compared to the efllcient and fini.shed plant of our day. 
The growth of this plant and of its business methods fairly represents the mechanical and business 
growth of its day. 

The question of location must have been hard to decide. To us, of the present, it is plain, but 
let us wipe out all our railways, our city, and all our modern life, and the (luestiou would be hard 
to decide. 

The first building erected was a machine shop, located on the northeast corner of the present 
mill lot, upon the river bank. Work was begun in this shop in 1824, Ira Gay, superintendent. 
Col. William Boardman, engineer. Mill No. i was built in 1825 and went into operation in 1826. 
The first mill agent was Asher Benjamin, a prominent architect of Boston. 



^36 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Mill No. I was one hundred and fifty-five by forty-five feet on the floor, and five stories high, 
with steep roof. It was bnilt of brick in a good and substantial manner. Many of those who 
became workers in the mill labored in its erection. Thomas \V. Gillis, who for so many years filled 
the agent's place, worked on the foundation with shovel and barrow. 

The company not only provided a mill for work, but they built homes and boarding-houses for 
the workers. They built and stocked a store for the sale of family supplies and a meeting-house for 
worship. They had an agent for the mill, and an agent for outside matters. For this last named 
position, they obtained a bright and intelligent clerk from the employ of Greenleaf & Co. of Boston, 
(a firm interested in the company) by the name of L. W. Noyes, a name familiar to all who know 
the history of Nashua. 

In 1827 Mill No. 2 was built and was in full operation in 1S2S. This mill was of the .same size 
as No. I, and six stories high. The.se two mills were run by breast wheels. 

In 1836 Mill No. 3, of the same .size as No. 2, was built, giving the company an aggregate of 
32,000 spindles and seven hundred and ten looms, with the annual production of 9,300,000 yards 
annually; or of fourty-four yards of cloth a day from each loom. That is, the cotton was carded, 
spun and woven at the average rate of forty-four yards per loom; a product at least fifty times more 
than could be produced by hand labor. 

Mr. Benjamin was soon succeeded as agent by Ira Gay, the efficient superintendent, and, in 1835, 
Mr. Gay gave way for Thomas W. Gillis, who occupied this responsible place for eighteen years. 
Mr. Gillis' mechanical education was a product of these mills; his wonderful energy and great 
ability was a product of the New Hamp.shire hills. It was largely through his efforts that the mills 
were brought into an efficient working shape, and that a corps of capable helpers were trained to the 
work, making possible the advance in the art which has continued until our day. 

In 1844 Mill No. 4 was built, being of the same general size and design as the three previous 
mills. Mills Nos. 3 and 4 were run by turbine wheels. 

In 1853 Mr. Gillis gave place to Daniel Hussey as agent. This change was effected, not from 
lack of ability and energy on the part of Mr. Gillis — whose management had made the enterprise 
successful and profitable — but because the change in methods attending the growth of the business 
had made a change in management necessary. The four mills of that day had been, practically, 
worked sepa and independently of each other; each producing its own grade of work, and 

each having a .ate account in the books of the company. 

Economy required that these four mills become one, and under one overseer. The same was 
called for in the spinning, weaving, and all other departments of work. To bring about such a 
change effectually, there must be a change in the management, because the best of men become 
wedded to old ideas, and new men are required for an advance. 

In the summer of 1856 Mill No. i was burned. The fire took at noon, while the help were at 
dinner, except two women who were driven by the flames to the roof, from which, in their fright, 
they jumped and were killed. The mill was at once rebuilt. Gradually the .space between the mills 
was inclosed until a continuous building of one thousand feet in length was obtained, having twelve 
acres of floorage under one roof, '^'le mill is run by eight turbine wheels having 3,425 horse power. 
The engine and boiler house, whic. outside the factor}- proper, contains a 1,700 horse power engine 
and twelve boilers. 

On Basin street is located the building containing the office and the large building used as 
machine .shop and cloth room; six large storehouses, and a storehouse for cotton are included in the 
plant, also eighty-two tenement houses. Up to 1850 the help were all of New England origin. 
Many of the women who have graced our be.st homes and helped to give character to our city came 
to Nashua as mill girls. 

In 1869 Mr. Hussey resigned, to be followed by D. D. Crombie; he to be, in turn, succeeded by 
Oliver P. Hussey, who remained until his death, in 1875, when Rufus A. Maxfield assumed the 
duties. 

In 1886 E. M. Shaw was elected agent, to be followed in 1891 by William D. Cadwell, who is 
the present agent. 

No mills ever had better management than that of the Nashua Manufacturing company. 
Improvement and progress have been gradual and continuous. For many years its production was 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 4,7 

coarse and heavy cotton shirting and sheeting. It now produces over one hnn.hed kinds and grades 
i)f cotton flannels and bhinkets. From the first the mills have had constant employment, they never 
closed their gates but once, and that for only a short time, because of lack of work. This corpora- 
tion has a nionthl>- pay-roll of §40,000, and employs 1,500 hands. 

In May, 1825, Charles C. Haven and others, under the firm name of the Indian Head factories, 
bought the lower water privileges of the Nashua Manufacturing company and built their first mill 
the following year for the jiurpose of manufacturing woolen goods, Mr. Haven acting as agent. Lack 
of capital, enterprise, experience, or possibly all of these combined, soon brought the company to its 
end. Woolen manufacture calls for more and a greater variety of talent and skill than cotton. The 
wool must be wa.shed, dried and go through various manipulations, must be dyed, the cloth must have 
its nap raised and its surface sheared. It requires trained and skilled labor and tools adapted to the 
work, all of which were lacking. The company made black, blue and brown broadcloth for men's 
wear, and were unable to compete with ini])orled goods. 

In 1S30 the property passed into the hands of the Jackson company to be used as a cotton mill. 
This company represented a capital of $4.80,000. The name "Jackson" was unfortunate, political 
feeling ran so high as to prejudice the sale of goods under that name, with the result that the com- 
pany adopted the trade name of "Indian Head Mills," with a trade mark of an Indian's head, a 
mark now known and respected all over the world. 

As to this trade mark proper, composed of the rude sketch of an Indian's head in its war paint 
and feathers, it is a matter of interest to note its origin. After a skirmish between the men of Dun- 
stal)le on the south side of the river and the Indians on the north, and when the Indians had given 
up the contest and retired from the field, the rude sketch of an Indian's head was found carved on the 
tree as a defiance by the Indians. The location of the tree was near where the Jackson mills now 
stand. This gave the name to the location, and to the mills a trade mark better known in China than 
in America. It is singular that this crude defiance of a savage should become the symbol of an en- 
terprise which embodies results greater than the world had ever .seen at that day. 

In 1S35 the company had two mills one hundred and fifty-five by forty-seven feet, and five stories 
high. They ran ir.ooo spindles, three hundred and eighty-eight looms, and employed four hundred 
and seventeen females and eighty-seven males. Benjamin F. F'reuch, agent. M- "rench was not 
a manufacturer but a lawyer. By his wisdom and good management the mills wei .ght to a high 

standard for skill and for product. David Gillis was an efiicient manager under .V . rench. 

In 1832 Mr. French was followed by Judge Edmund Parker. He was a man beloved by all who 
knew him. Mr. Parker held the agent's place eleven years; Mr. Herrick, four years; H. T. Robbins, 
ten months; Walter White, one year; P. Lawton, two years: Benjamin Saunders, eleven years; and 
Oliver P. Hussey, four years. During all these years the capacity and efficiency of the plant was in- 
creasing. Mr. Saunders devoted much energy to beautifying the grounds of the mills and the various 
property belonging to the company. To his spirit of improvement, in the appearance of our sur- 
roundings, the city of Nashua is greatly indebted. 

In April, 187 1, William I). Cadwell, having served the Nashua Manufacturing company as 
superintendent for .some years, was elected agent. He filled ; place so well that in 1891 he was 
elected agent of the Na.shua Manufacturing com])any, and has held the position of agent for both 
companies to the present time. 

This company make a line of especially heavy goods adapted to the eastern market, very many 
of their goods being .sold in China. The fact that they have often to defend their trade mark from 
luigli.sh and Canadian pirates is a high compliment to the efficiency of the management and tlie 
quality of goods manufactured. 

William T. Spear, the efficient superintendent of the mills, has given much attention to the ex- 
amination of cotton fibre through the u.se of the microscope, and to utilizing the result obtained in 
this manner, bv the ai<l of photography. As the cotton rai.sed in different localities has each its pecu- 
liar growth, and as .some kinds are much better than others, it follows that this company is able to 
select its stock to the be.st advantage. 

We herewith give a copv of a photograph taken from cotton fibre by the process referred to above. 
It will be seen tha't the cotton fibre grows in the form of a flat ribbon, and that the various twisted or 
corrugated forms it afterward assumes is a result of climatic action during the process of drying. 



438 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



The best fibre is well corrugated so that the filjre becomes locked together and thus makes continuous 
connection. The open, iincorrugated fibre is of little value as it makes a feeble thread and is hard to 
work. The fibre found floating in the air of a mill is always of the latter kind. The compan}- has 
also emploj-ed a sy.stem by which every pound of cotton is traced from the picker to the finishing 
room in such a way as to insure economy and efficiency. 

Since 1885 this company has maintained a complete meteorological station, from which monthly 
reports are sent to the government. These reports include all atmospheric phenomena, including 
pressure, temperature, humidit}', motion, precipitation, electric effects and a record of bright, clear, 
cloud}- and foggy weather, also an}' surface movement of the earth. This station is under the charge 
of Charles H. Webster. 

The power of this company is water, one thousand horse power, and steam, eight hundred horse 
power. It is of interest to note that the efficiency of this plant has been augmented one hundred per 
cent, using the same power and help, because of improved methods and machiner\'. The mills have 
a floorage of four acres, with suitalile machine shops and storage outside of the mills. 




COTTON I'THIUi. 



The present capital of the company is $600,000. They run 35,720 spindles, and 1,212 looms, 
and employ eight hundred hands. This company at first employed two hundred and fifty hands. 
Output, 1832, 2,300,000 yards : 1895, 19,000,000. Pay roll in 1832, $3,000 monthly ; in 1895, $26,000. 

The Vale Mills company erected its first building in 1845 ; it was what is now known as the east 
mill, and was used for making satinet goods. Later tliis mill was used by Walter Crane for making 
twine. The mill on Main street was built as a machine shop and owned by Thomas W. Gillis. It 
was occupied by Gillis & Taylor for making sewing machines. In 1854 the Harbor Manufacturing 
company was formed, T. W. Gillis, agent, and I. H. Marshall, treasurer and clerk. This company 
purchased the east mill, and also the one on Main street, using the east mill for carding and spinning 
and the mill on Main street for weaving. Seventy-five hands were employed. 

In 1863 the entire .stock of the company was purchased by Benjamin Saunders, who renovated 
and modernized the entire plant and changed the name to "Vale Mills." Five hundred ring spindles 
and one hundred thirty-nine-inch looms are used. The goods manufactured are mainly thin goods. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



439 



The iniprovLim-nts made by .Mr. Saunders and the addition to tlie width of tlie goods doubled the 
capacity of tlie mills. The works are driven by turbine wheels, two hundred and twenty-five horse 
power, and b}- a one hundred horse power steam engine. 

The company was incorporated and the name of X'ale Mills assumed in 1868. They employ 
seventy hands. Mr. Saunders died in icS.SS. Edward Labree has charge of the works, at present. 
(1897) and Markman De.xter of Boston is treasurer. 

The Harbor Machine shop was situated on the west side of Main street, south of Salmon brook. 
We have seen this shop occupied by K. K. Ingalls for general blacksmith work and for making 
various useful articles in a small way. Later it became the centre for small enterprises in the 
machinists' line; indeed, for years it was the only mechanical centre outside the Nashua 
Manufacturing company's shop. In this shop Howe, of sewing machine fame, struggled with one 
of the great prolilems of the day; and here .\mi (ieorge built his first railway spike machine. In 
iSso Houghton i\: Whitney occupied it and enipIoNcd ten hands. In 1853 we find Kelley & Mack in 
possession; ten hands. In 1S57 Geo. II. Johnson & Co. occupied it; ten hands. It was last occupied 
by A. H. Saunders, and was demolished when the new dam was built in 188.^. 

In 1838 John H. (Jage began to make machinery in the Nashua Manufacturing company's shop 
on Water street. In this shop he built the first engine lathe made in .\merica. It was of the 
English type, using a chain feed. In 1825, when the Nashua Manufacturing company began its 
works, there were no .shops in America that made machinists' tools as a specialty, each shop built its 




WILLIAMS- I'mXllKV. 

own crude tools. This shop of Mr. Gage's is believed to have been the first establishment in the 
United vStates devoted exclusively to the manufacture of machinists' tools. Mr. Gage made heavy 
machinery and shafting and did general machine work. Early in 1843 his shop was burned and a 
large part of the tools and fixtures were a loss. 

In 1851 a partnership was formed under the name of Gage, Warner .S: Whitney, and in 1852 they 
built the large .shop on Mollis street, where their business was much enlarged. They built machines 
for railroad corporations, cotton machinery to go south, and turbine waterwheels. This company 
made the first automatic gear-cutter ever put on the market. Mr. (iage was a man of enterprise and 
business abilitv, and Messrs. Warner & Whitney were men of marked ability, each in his own 
department. Mr. Gage was killed in 1862 by the accidental discharge of his gun when hunting. 
His death was a great lo.ss to the company, in a measure paralyzing its enterprise. In 1S73 Mr. 
Warner died, and in 1895 Mr. Whitney also died. 

In 1845 the Nashua Iron foundry started business under the firm name of S. & L. Williams. 
Their works were located on Temple street on the lot now occupied by Roby & Swart. There was, 



^4o H/STORV OF NASHUA, N. H. 

before this, a small foundry on Water street owned by the Smith brothers. This foundry the 
Willianises bought and united with their own, making theirs the only foundry in Nashua for some 
jears. The business quietly increased and very heavy work was done. One of the kettles used 
would contain six tons of melted iron and was made at the forge shop by Daniel Dearborn at a cost 
of two hundred and sixty dollars, and it now stands as a monument and ornament in the yard of 
Mrs. Charles Williams on Temple street. The price of castings at the commencement of this 
business was five and six cents a pound. When this company bought and built their w-orks, a 
ravine from the river extended across Temple street into their lot. This ravine they filled, and they 
also built the wharf skirting the railroad, where their freight was loaded and unloaded. To do this, 
the space lietween their lot and the railroad was filled in to the depth of twenty feet, raising the 
grade of the street in the ravine that amount. The foundr>- was completely destroyed by fire in 1.S45. 
Before the fire was extinguished, the work of rebuilding was begun, this time of brick. 

The loss was $40,000, but the good character, aliility and pluck of the brothers enabled them to 
overcome the situation and replace their plant. They employed some one hundred and twenty-five 
hands. Their castings ranged from the lightest possible, to the heaviest sugar machinery. Later 
the Chelmsford foundry was incorporated with this under the name of Williams, Bird & Co. This 
was an unfortunate connection, resulting in the failure of the company, and the Williams brothers 
resumed business under the old name. It then passed into the hands of a stock company, but was 
finally bought by Charles Williams, who continued it until 1892, when he retired from business. His 
son Charles having died, and he having become unable to attend to affairs because of infirmities and 
age. the plant was sold to Roby &l Swart. 

The Nashua Iron and Steel works were first established Jan. 2, 1839, under the name of the 
Nashua Manufacturers and Mechanics association, the stock being divided into sixty shares of five 
hundred dollars each. The corporation was organized Sept. 20, 1845; Thomas Chase, president ; C. 
B. Fletcher, clerk : and the name changed to Nashua Iron company and the capital stocked raised to 
$100,000. In 1872 the name was changed to Nashua Iron and Steel compan}-, and the capital stock 
was raised to $500,000. 

The works began with one small shop on Hollis street, with three small hammers, and developed 
with great rapidity because of the expansion of all kinds of mechanical interests and the rapid growth 
of railways. The company soon developed the most powerful plant of its kind in New England. 
The works were under the superintendence of D. H. Dearborn for several .vears ; he was followed by 
Samuel K. Wellman. 

To fully realize the work this company has performed, and the nature of its progress, we must 
recall the fact that all railway iron, most wrought iron, and all steel was imported ; that the low 
grade steel, such as the Bessemer, which has in our day largely taken the place of wrought iron, had 
not appeared on the market. Indeed, the "Iron Age" had not materialized in America. 

The company's three small hamnrers soon became ten large hammers, and a Nasmith hanuner of 
ten tons was erected in 1863. Its small shop soon became .seven large shops, covering fifteen acres of 
land. Its works included a rolling mill for working scrap iron into bar iron, a Semmes-Martin steel 
furnace of 36,000 pounds capacit}', and a large machine shop on Hollis street for finishing work. 
The steel plant was put in working shape in 1866 under Superintendent Wellman. The furnace was 
the first of its kind built in America and marks an era in the steel manufacture of this country. 

It is a matter of interest to note that the huge masses of iron used as stoppers for the ports in the 
turret of the "Little Monitor," which did such noble service in Hampton Roads were forged in this 
.shop. The making of steel tires for the driving-wheels of locomotives has been for many years a 
specialty. Steamer shafts, stationary engines, forgings, and steel plate in the rough, and all kinds of 
heavy forgings are furnished by this company. It has an annual business of $750,000 and employs 
from one hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty men at the present time. Aretas Blood of Man- 
chester is the manager. 

The grandfather of George W. Underbill, the founder of the Underbill bklge Tool company, 
made axes in Chester, New Hampshire, and his father started the same business on Haverhill street 
in Boston about 1820, where George W. learned the trade. He began business in Nashua in 1839 on 
Water street, with one man and a common blacksmith's kit, and fini.shed his work on a common 
grindstone until 1852. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 441 

111 1852 Mr. Herrick, owner of the mill privileges now known as Edgeville, interested himself 
with Mr. Underhill and others and a company was formed, shops were bnilt and work Iiegun. The 
conipaiiy was incorporated in 1852; capital $60,000; George W. Underhill, superintendent. The 
works were located at the mouth of vSalmon brook on the line of the Nashua & Lowell railroad. The 
coinpain- showed great energy and push. They were prompt to secure and adopt all improvements in 
machinery and methods. They made edge tools, such as axes, hatchets, adzes, chisels, with an out- 
put of some #135,000 annually. John H. Gage was an active promoter of the company and the first 
president, and H. M. Goodrich the first treasurer. In 1857 C. B. Hill became treasurer, and in 1S66 
the capital stock was raised to $8o,oco by an assessment upon the stock. 

Ill 1879 the entire plant of the Amoskeag Axe company was acquired, materially enlarging the 
business. Employment was given to one hundred skilled laborers with an output of 120,000 axes 
per year, besides other goods. A large export trade was maintained with South America and 
Australia. The enterprise was not a success financially. The property was sold to a tru.st; the 
machinery was removed to Douglass, Ma.ss., and the real estate passed into the hands of Koby 6t 
vSwart. 

The Nashua Lock company originated from a thought in the fertile brain of Samuel Shepard. 
All latches and locks were of the English type and make, and were secured upon the side of the door 
with a catch projecting from the door frame. Messrs. Shepard and Baldwin were makers of doors, 
and the thought came to Mr. Shepard that the lock could be placed in a mortise and so be enclo.sed 
within the material of the door. In 1832 Charles Gay made in a small way what is known as the 
"rotary grand lock." This fact may have set Shepard to thinking upon the subject of door locks. 
Some one was employed to exploit the idea and finally the door, sash and blind business was sold and 
a company formed in 1834 by Samuel vShepard and David Baldwin to make locks 

In 1835 L. W. Noyes bought Mr. Shepard's interest and the enterprise was pushed with energy. 
In 1853 Robert G. Livingstone of Boston became a partner, and salesrooms were opened in Boston. 
Sabine Traverse was superintendent for ten years. He was followed by Gilbert Hill for fifteen years. 
During this time the company employed some twenty-five men. In 1854 Mr. Baldwin died and was 
succeeded by J. W. Otterson, who became superintendent of the shop. Owing to lack of harmony in 
the management, to the withdrawal of funds by L. W. Noyes, and to the depression caused by the 
panic of 1857, it was thought best to reorganize the company, and in 1859, F. O. Monroe bought the 
entire interest for $33,000, giving his notes for the same. 

The first experimental work was done in the shop of Shepard & Baldwin at the north end of 
the Jackson compan3''s dam. The first shop was in the machine shop of the Nashua Manufacturing 
company on Water street. Later the company occupied a brick building on Water street near the 
foot of Washington street. In i860 the plant on Spring street known as " the Lock Shop" was built 
and the works were very much enlarged, with a corresponding output. 

In 1863 the company was incorporated; capital $60,000, and one hundred and fifty hands found 
emplovment, with a payroll of $6,000 per month. Mr. Monroe remained at the head of the business 
until 1872. For some years C. B. Hill of Nashua had been treasurer of the company and had charge 
of the salesrooms in Boston. 

The big fire of Boston wiped its entire P.oston stock out of existence. In 1872. after the fire, the 
control of the company passed into the hands of capitalists represented by H. (i. Bixby. These 
parties recognized the fact that a valuable enterjirise was slipping from the hands of the Nashua com- 
pany because of faulty tools and methods, and a gallant fight was made by them to regain supremacy 
in this line, but the fight was useless, the hold obtained by competitors was too strong, and it was 
found necessary for Na.shua to surrender her own child to others, because others had nourished the 
child Nashua had neglected. 

In 1853 Rollins, Gilman & Co., Joscphus Baldwin being a i)artner, began work in the shop 
just vacated by J. H. Gage & Co. in the Nashua Manufacturing company's shop on Water .street. 
Mr. Rollins came to Nashua from Manchester, where he had learned his trade, and had had charge 
of a machine shop owned by Josephus and Edwin Baldwin. In 1854 Gilman sold his interest to the 
company and the name of Geo. A. Rollins & Co. was assumed. In 1S63 Geo. W. Davis of Milford 
bought Baldwin's interest in the business and removed to Nashua, and the firm took the name of C.eo. 
W. Davis ^: Co. 



442 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

In 1865 a large lot of land on the line of the Worcester & Nashua railroad was purchased and the 
shop now occupied by the conipau}- was Iniilt. The work up to this time was largely gun machinery 
and heavy tools. In 1867 a patent was secured for a steam-engine, and attention was turned toward 
the Iniilding of steam-engines. 

In 1879 the company dissolved and divided the property, including the lot, and the name of Geo. 
A. Rollins & Co. was again assumed. Jan. 23, 1892, the company was incorporated as the Rollins 
Engine company. 

The modern steam-engine is largely a result of improvements made by Sickles & Curtis of Provi- 
dence, R. I. Grasping the ideas suggested by these improved engines, Mr. Rollins began at once to 
improve and modify the detail of their construction until he has been able to produce an engine ap- 
proaching perfection. The first engine of the improved design is now doing good service in the state 
prison at Concord. For careful and finished workmanship no shop in town excels this. 

In 1879 Mr. Davis and Mr. Rollins divided the real estate and the machinery between them, Mr. 
Davis retaining the half located on Foundry .street, where he continued the manufacture of tools, 
shafting, mill-fittings and general job work until his decease in the winter of 1897. 

In the sunnner of 1863 R. T. Smith visited a farmer friend in Vermont. The farmer, with much 
pride, showed his mowing, and other labor-saving machines, with the remark that all he now lacked 
was a machine for shearing sheep. This chance remark was the germinal seed which resulted in the 
fine plant at the Harbor, known as the American Shearer Manufacturing companj-. 

Mr. Smith, upon his return to Na,shua, consulted J. K. Priest, an ingenious and skillful mechanic, 
and a series of experiments, with a view to produce a machine that would clip the hair or wool from 
animals, was entered upon. 

The first move was to make a tool having a stationary and a rotating cutter. This device was 
soon finished and worked finely as a fixture in a lathe. The workmen in the shop asked how the 
animal was to be brought to the cutter, and when told that the cutter, revolving at great speed and 
driven bj' power was to be held in the hand of an operator and passed freeh' over the body of the 
animal, they raised a shout of derision, for such a thing had never been done. Within one year a 
machine had been completed with a cutter revolving fifteen hundred times a minute that could be 
worked in any position or upon any plane when held in the hand, as readily as the ordinary sheep 
shears, and a sheep had been shorn with this machine in two minutes. 

The tool, as used, was a real advance in mechanical art. When shown at the Royal institute in 
London, "Engineering" said of it, "It is, for novelty and ingenuity, the gem of the exhibition." 
This device was the forerunner of the dental engine, boot and shoe burnishing machine, and others. 
The success of the machine was so marked that J. G. Blunt and William Earl became interested 
in the enterprise, and the American Shearer Manufacturing company was formed with equal owner- 
ship l)y the four partners, William Earl becoming business agent, and work was begun on fifty ma- 
chines. When these machines were finished, the unwelcome discover)- was made that the machine 
would shear sheep only in a hot day and this threw a wet blanket on the enterprise until a trial was 
had on horses, where the machine proved, not only a success, but a triumph, and the fifty machines 
were but a drop in the bucket of demand. The next two years were bus)- and profitable ones to the 
company and should have been the foundation of great wealth. But vicious business methods were 
adopted, and the company was soon involved in a maze of law suits and costs that threatened its de- 
struction. The advent of the baud-clipping machine saved the company. We venture to tell this 
story as an object lesson. The company had .sold five hundred machines, under contract to protect a 
certain territory for each machine, and were to receive a royalty for each horse clipped. Five hun- 
dred contracts, for which the company were responsible, were made with five hundred irresponsible 
men ; they soon found themselves in a bad box, and were saved by the advent of the hand machine. 

During the days of its great prosperity the company had divided all of its profits, amounting, in 
one (the best) year to four hundred per cent on all the capital invested. This short-sighted policy 
was a costly mistake. If this profit had been invested in a shop of first class tools, the proprietors 
would have become rich men and this enterprise a matter of greater pride to the city and state. In 
1875 this company became incorporated. 

The hand-clipper had come to stay, and as a barber's clipper was coming into demand, the com- 
pany began to make hand machines. F'or six years the profits on the power machines were absorbed 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



WT, 



by losses on hand machines, and the company was just able to exist. In 18.S3 J. K. Priest bought 
the entire interest of the business except a few of Mr. Smith's shares, held by him so that he could 
act as president of the company and as a director. 

The works were first on Water street and afterwards on Foundry street. In 1887 Mr. Priest built 
the fine shop at the Harbor, now occupied by the American Shearer Manufacturing company, and 
began to improve his machinery and methods, with good results. 

In 1890 Dr. Fred Priest of Brooklyn, N. V., became associated with his father and has. by his 
enterprise and devotion to business, helped bring the company to "the fore" as the largest and most 
prosperous manufactory of its class in the world. It has helped to drive foreign comjietition out of 
the market, and sells thousands of machines in Europe. 

The company make hand and power clippers, horse clipping machines, power grooming machines, 
barber and toilet clippers, and have this last year put on the market the first grooming machine and 
the first aluminum clippers. They employ sixty hands, use one hundred horse steam power. The 
clipper business originated with this company. 

The possibility of making machines for sewing, and matters pertaining to their manufacture, were 
of great interest in the comparatively early history of Nashua. While this was not the birthplace of 
the inventor of the sewing machine or of the invention, it was in this city that Klias Howe spent two 
years of .struggle and privation, and it was at the Harbor that he at last perfected his machine and 
adapted it to work. While Howe invented a vital element in the .sewing machine, the practical 
machines adapted to every day work were i)erfccted by Singer, Grover & Baker, W'heeler &. Wil.son 
and others. Howe was not a practical man. In 1851 Thomas W. Gillis and a Mr. Taylor formed a 
company for making sewing machines, and began work in a .small way on Water street, and in 1852 
built the shop, at the Harbor, on Main street, now occupied by the Vale Mills Manufacturing com- 
pany. This company had no conception of the great demand that was to arise for sewing machines. 
Their plan was to build Howe's perfected machine, a small single loop machine known as the Dorcas, 
and also one for Nickols & Bliss of Boston. Their main dependence for business was the Howe 
machine. The enterprise was a failure. Taylor removed to New York city and later he had machines 
Iniilt on Water street under contract by J. K. Prie.st. 

In 1856 J. & S. Chase came into a shop on Water street and built the Weed sewing machine and 
established a reputation for the same. Lack of capital prevented their pushing the business and it 
was removed to Hartford, Conn. The machines were made under contract for Whitney & Lyon of 
Boston. The firm passed through various changes as to partnership and was finally sold to the 
Weed Sewing Machine company in 1S66. 

In 1839 James Hartshorn removed his stove and tinware business from Milford to Nashua. In 
those days business was attended with difficulties; runners were not in the store daily, soliciting 
orders. Mr. Hartshorn purchased his stoves in Walpole, Mass., and was obliged to bring them to 
Nashua with his own team. At this time there was a small foundry at Amherst owned by the Wool- 
sons, who made a few stoves of cast iron and tin, which had at one time a limited sale. The idea of 
starting a stove foundry in Nashua appears to have originated with a brother of the Amherst Wool- 
sons, who lived in Claremont. He was a friend of Hartshorn, and strongly urged him to enter into 
the business, Hartshorn decided to try it, and took as a partner Winslow Ames of Mason, of the 
firm of vScripture & Ames. Mr. Ames brought to the firm sterling character, great business capacity 
and ability. He was one of "the giants that lived in those days." 

The firm name was Hartshorn & Ames, and they began business as founders on Water street in 
185 1. Most, if not all, of the Amherst plant and help were removed to Nashua. It was a proud day 
for the new firm when the first stove of their make was set up, sold and delivered. The stove was 
put upon a wheelborrow; Deacon Hartshorn propelled the vehicle, while Mr. Ames kept its freight 
in place and preserved an equilibrium. 

In 1851 the company opened warerooms on Union street in Boston and the business grew a]>ace. 
In 1852 two young men were received into the firm, Timothy C. Whittemore and Mr. Blanchard. 
They remained with the company for a time but finally left because the terms of partnership forbade 
any member of the company from holding an interest in any outside business. 

In 1855 they built a large foundry and storerooms on Howard street, the same being now known 
as the rolling mill, and employed .some fifty men. They brought out new and improved designs in 



444 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

stoves and prospered greatly. It is the misfortune of this business that the bulk of its sales come but 
once in a year, and that in the fall. During the summer of 1857 their orders kept their works 
crowded to the full capacity. In October of that year the panic struck this city, bringing desolation 
worse than that of a cyclone. This company had $100,000 charged on their books and could not col- 
lect a dollar. With the best character, with exceptional facilities for business, they were driven to 
the wall and were obliged to close the business. They were killed h\ success. It may be of interest 
to note that all of these bills were collected and all indebtedness of the company was paid. 

The firm of Flather & Company, composed of Joseph and William Flather, sustains a character 
for enterprise, good reliable workmanship, integrity and honorable dealing not second to any in our 
city. The product of their shop stands high in the American market, and large numbers of their 
lathes are found in England, France, Italy and Switzerland. 

The brothers are of English birth and brought from their native land a knowledge of their Inisi- 
ness and a great degree of persistency and Yorkshire pluck. Joseph learned his trade in Bradford, 
England, his native place; he also worked at Norwich. He, with his father, came to America on a 
sailing vessel in 1856 and landed at Philadelphia. Failing to find work the\- made their way to Har- 
pers Ferry, where he had an uncle. Here he found work in the United States armory, where he 
remained several months. He afterwards spent a short time in Zanesville, Ohio, when he returned to 
Harpers Ferry. In 1859 he came to work for Chase & Co. in Nashua on sewing machines, and later 
for J. K. Priest. During the war he worked on guns at Biiighampton and Yonkers, N. Y., Trenton, 
N. J., and at Bridgeport, Conn. 

In 1S65 Joseph and William invested their all in a plant for building and repairing oil machinery 
at Parkersburg, West \'irginia, and lost all they had, and in 1867 came back to Nashua, and with 
their good name bought the machine shop of J. K. Priest on Water street. For seven years they 
made no progress ; bad debts and general bad luck attended their efforts. In 1872 they removed to 
the watch factor\- and in 1873 built a shop on their present location which was burned in 1876. They 
rebuilt of brick. With this shop there came a season of prosperity. Gradually their business 
extended and additions were made to their shop and their tools, until their facilities for, and methods 
of manufacture are not surpassed. In 1890 they added a foundry to their plant. This company has 
confined itself strictly to the building of engine lathes, and to the idea of building the be.st possible 
lathe, they have devoted their skill and energ}', with a result of which our city is justly proud. 

The Flathers have given our cit}- another excellent example. They have educated their sons to 
become skilled mechanics, giving them the best technical education. It is an English saying that 
" tlie king never dies:" this firm acts upon the principle that the business enterprise they have 
founded is never to die; all that is individual will pass away, but the business, as a business, is to 
remain. Their shops are located on the Boston & Maine railroad at the Junction, and they have 
their own side track connecting their shop with the Boston & Maine railroad. The company use 
steam, forty horse power. 

The removal of the Nashua Watch company from the city, because of lack of funds to carry on 
its business, is a sore spot in our history. It was one of those great l)luuders which society will 
sometimes commit. The companj- was incorporated in June, 1859, with a capital of ^60,000, with \'. 
C. Oilman as president and L. W. Noyes as treasurer, and conunenced business in i860. The old 
Washington house, on Main street between Prospect and Bowers streets, was purchased and put in 
condition for a factory. A fine set of machines and tools were procured or built, all the exqusite 
dies and fine implements for making jewels, etc., were brought to perfection, and the best watch ever 
produced by machinery was perfected. This watch was called the "Nashua," and still bears that 
name on the list of the Waltham Watch company. 

The company had been ambitious to place the best possil)le watch on the market. To do this 
they had absorbed all their capital, their assets were their fine plant and one thousanil watches. The 
watches had not shown their good quality by actual service. At this juncture the War of the 
Rebellion broke out, and fine watches were at a discount. The one thousand watches were offered 
for $37,000, but could find no purchaser. (These same goods were afterwards sold liy the jnnchasers 
for $112,000. ) 

Such was the condition of things when the war brought an enormous demand for cheap watches 
for soldiers' use; the world was to see for the first time, an armv of soldiers carrving watches. This 



HISTORY OF NASH U. 4, N. //. ^^5 

company had the tools, the dies, all that was rerjuired for makiiij,- a good, serviceable watch at a 
lunninal sum: the tide of fortune had turned in their favor, but alas, they had no available capital 
and wvrc (ibliued to sell the plant and stock to the Waltham Watch company, and bow themselves 
from the stage. 

The Co-operative Foundry originated with the Nashua Lock company and formed part of their 
works on Water street. When that com])any was sold to F. O. Monroe, in 1859,). I). Otterson. in 
liquidation of certain claims upon the old company, received this plant and business with a contract 
to do the casting for the Lock company. He occupied the foundry on Water street. In 1866 the 
works were removed into the excellent buildings on Foundry .street, and known as the Otterson foun- 
drv, and did a business of S5o.ooo a year. 

Upon the death of Mr. Otterson in iS.So, the business was undertaken by several parties with but 
small success. This poor success com])elled some of the most enterprising of the workmen to asso- 
ciate and form a co-operative foundry company. They became incorporated in 1881 and built a 
wooden building on Harbor avenue for their works. Before the new shop was ready for use they 
were enabled to procure a lea.se of the Otterson foundry and at the expiration of the lea.se to purchase 
the property. The specialty of the company is, and always has been, small and fine castings, and the 
comi)any take ])ride in both the (|uality and workmanshij) of its productions. 

The success of this co-operative enter])ri.se is a result of two important elements, the company was 
composed of working men. who knew little of business, and who. recognizing the fact, employed a 
good business man as agent and left him to conduct his department. The workmen also realized that 
they were working for themselves, that their faithfulness was to their own personal advantage and no 
shirk was harbored in the works for one moment. The continued success of this company shows 
that co-operation maybe successful, and shows the conditions by which success is attainable. 

In 1SS4 Mark Flather, a brother of Joseph and William Klather, began business and occupied part 
of the shop of the Rollins Engine company, for the building of planers. In this .shop he laid the 
foundation for a good business, he enlarged his plant, multiplied the number and improved the 
designs of planers manufactured by himself, and, in 1893, built the fine two-story brick shop on Crown 
street. This shop has a floorage of 11,500 feet and is especially adapted to his cla.ss of work. Early 
in 1895 he put in a railway crane, which enables him to handle heavy machines, and parts of machines, 
with facilit}' and ease. At the present time he employes twenty men. This com])any is incorporated. 
It uses a twenty-five horse power electric engine. 

William Highton & Sons, manufacturers of registers, ventilators, etc., began business in 187- 
on .Sudl)ury street, Boston. The firm consisted of William Highton and his sons, James and 
Marshall. Previous to this Mr. Highton had made registers for Moses Pond cS: Co. from his (High- 
ton's) patents. The firm began business in a small way. finishing the goods in their shop and jiro- 
curing the castings from the Nashua Lock company. 

In 187S James, the oldest son. died. In 1879 the business requiring larger quarters, it was 
removed to 55 Charlestown street. In 1887 Marshall died and the business was left on the shoulders 
of the now aged father. In this emergency Mr. Highton called into his service his .son-in-law, Enoch 
Shenton, the present general manager of the business, and gave him the position in the firm formerly 
occupied by his son Marshall. The following Jul\' William Highton died, and by recpiest in his will 
Mr. vShenton became manager of the works and agent for the heirs. 

From the start the business had steadily increased in volume and extent until larger (piarlers and 
better facilities were imperatively called for. The attention of the company was called to Nashua as 
affording good, if not the best, facilities for manufacture in New England, and in 1S89 the business 
located here. The lower story of the Nashua Lock company's building on Spring street was leased 
for two years, also store houses and japan rooms. The castings were made by the Co-operative Foun- 
dry company. Meantime a part of their goods were made in Boston. 

To encourage the company to locate in Nashua, the city exempted their works from taxation for 
ten years and the Indian Head bank gave such aid as to enable them to establish their plant, and still 
keep their product, both as to quantity and quality, uj) to their former standard. Land was purchased 
on the corner of Pond and Otterson streets and a building forty by eighty feet, two stories, with addi- 
tion twenty-two by twenty-four for japanning, was erected. This building was equipped with all the 



446 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



latest improved machinery and appliances. In 1893 an addition of eighteen by twenty-four feet was 
made, also a plant for polishing and plating, and a department for a higher grade of finish. 

Jan. I, 1894, Enoch Shenton bought of the estate of William Highton the entire business with 
real estate, stock, tools, pattern and good will, and entered into partnership with A. Wilber Frost and 
continued the bu.siness under the firm name of William Highton & Sons, Mr. vShenton acting as gen- 
eral manager, and Mr. Frost as superintendent. 

During 1894 many new designs were added, and an oven was placed for baking white japan and 
the different bronzes by steam heat, giving superior results. The company make one hundred and 
fifty-five sizes of registers and ventilators besides borders and wall frames together with a variety of 
desi"-ns for each size. These goods receive all grades of finish from plain black and white to polished 
nickel and gilt. The trade is indebted to this company for many valuable improvements in this class 
of goods. A foundry forty-five by one hundred, a cupola building fifteen by twenty-four, and a safe 
storage room twenty-four by thirty are in process of erection. 

The Na.shua Steam Press and Boiler works, J. J. Crawford & Son, proprietors, was first located 
by Mr. Crawford on Foundry street in 1873. He occupied the shop now owned by G. W. Davis. In 
1883 he removed to his present shop at the Nashua Junction, where he manufactures steam boilers, 
cylinders and tanks. His specialty is the hydraulic power press with hollow steam plates. 

At the corner of Hollis street and Harbor avenue is situated the pleasant quarters of the Nashua 
Saddlery Hardware company, manufacturers of Tabor's improved saddle-tree, water hooks and gen- 
eral saddlery hardware. 

The company was incorporated in 1889 with a capital of $50,000 , and holds numerous and valua- 
ble patents. In 1894 the company purcha.sed the saddlery part of the business of the Malleable Iron 
works of Rome, N. V. J. A. Merriman, selling agent, and J. S. Perry, superintendent of the Rome 
works, came to Nashua with the plant. Both these gentlemen have had large experience in their 
several departments. Mr. Tabor resigned his place as superintendent in 1894. 

The works run two electric engines, one of twent3'-five horse power and one of fifteen horse 
power. Their patented devices which originated in Nashua are the saddle-tree and jocky plate. 
Theyu.se the word "Nashua" as a trade mark on their goods. They employ from forty to fifty 
hands, with a pa}' roll of $2,000 per month and with an output of $125,000. 

In 1889 the promoter of the Na.shua Textile Machine company, William White, Jr., was at work 
for F^lather & Co. as a machinist. At the time he rented a small space in the machine shop of George 
H. Whitney, together with the use of tools, and employed a man to work over two old wool washing 
machines according to an idea he had in his mind. These machines were so far successful as to 
justify his leaving his job at Flather's and devoting himself to building wool washing machines. 
In May, 1890, he rented room and power of George W. Davis, and in August of 1890 he fitted up a 
room in I-^aton's bobbin factory with a few tools. In this shop he built several washing machines, 
constantly making improvements. 

In February, 1891, he removed to more commodious rooms in the lock shop on Spring street, 
where he perfected his feeding and cloth drying devices. In October of the same year he removed 
into his own shop on Harbor avenue. To l)egin with, Mr. White had a little money, some $1,000, a 
great capacity for work, unbounded pluck, and a somewhat hazy idea as to how his machines should 
be built. It will readily be seen that he would be imposed upon by his competitors in business, b)- 
those who sold him stock, and by most of those with whom he came in contact. He soon passed be- 
yond his financial depth, but such was the persistence of the man, his honest endeavors, his evident 
faith in his ultimate success, that he was able to get help, and finally he placed upon the market 
better, simpler and less costly washing and feeding machines than had been in use. At the same 
time he perfected other devices adapted to textile manufacture. All this was done under conditions 
which made success almost impossible, yet when the panic of 1893 struck the country, this shop was 
the only one in this vicinity that was so driven with orders as to be obliged to work evenings, and 
even then he was not able to meet his engagements to deliver goods. At present he employs 
eighteen hands. 

The Nashua Iron and Brass Foundry company was incorporated April i, 1890, by Amos C. 
Barstow, James H. Cutler, Charles H. Burke, Arthur Baker and Edward W. Dowd. They 
purchased the entire property of the Nashua I,ock company and began the manufacture of iron. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N If 

44/ 

brass, and composition castings, specialties in cast metal, machine work, etc. For the past two 
years this company has been mannfacturing and placing on the market the Peerless adjustable school 
furniture for the inventor, G. A. Bobrick of Boston. About :,o,ooo sets have been .sold, principally 
in New England. 

The capital stock of the company is $50,000 and they employ about one hundred men. The 
present officers arc Charles H. Burke, president; A. P. Baker, treasurer; E. W. Dowd, superinten- 
dent. Besides the nmnufactory in Nashua the company has an office at 220 Franklin street, Boston. 

FURNITURh: MANUFACTURH. 

Nashua \'illage, when a part of Dunstable, began to assume some importance as a furniture 
centre. Manufacturing, however, was only done to a very limited extent by hand workmen. Up to 
1840, so far as can now be ascertained, not more than two or three men worked in any one shop, and 
up to 1850 not more than four or five. In January, 1827, Blanchard & Coggin' had a cabinet 
warehouse "on the south side of Nashua river, in Nashua Village, Dunstable." Later in the year 
B. Blanchard advertised their business "in the shop formerly occupied by Blanchard & Coggin." 
These parties were probably together in 1826, and possibly in 1825. Mr. Blanchard soon disappeared 
as a furniture man, but Mr. Coggin, who was the notable John Coggin of later years, held on to the 
business in various .situations until his death in 188S. We find him, in the same year in which he 
dissolved connection with Mr. Blanchard, in company with Levi Roby. Their wareroom was "on 
the east side of the street, opposite J. R. Wiggin's store." They announce themselves as extensive 
dealers in that, and the next year, and probably continued together about three years. 

In 1830 Isaac vSpalding, in a flaming adverti.sement, gave notice of an extensive consignment of 
furniture. 

In a modest way Joel Carter adverti.sed furniture in 1831. In 1832 Williams & Carter advertised 
warerooms "in Greeley's building, opposite the Indian Head coffee house." 

Thomas Atwood & Sju also had a furniture wareroom in 1832, and we judge were successors to 
Williams ^: Carter. Atwood & Son dissolved in 1835 and were succeeded by Peabodx- & Rider, who 
removed to "No. i. Central building, (called also Wilson's building) next door to the bridge," in 
1837. Late in 1834 John Coggin announced that he "had removed to the we.st side of Main street, a 
few rods south of the Nashua bridge." Somewhat later than this, Oliver P. Phillips appeared upon 
the scene, and April 12, 1839, advertised for "four or five first rate journeymen cabinet makers." 
We judge that Mr. Phillips continued the cabinet making business about fifteen years, sometimes at 
work for himself and sometimes for others. In 1840 "John Coggin & Co." had a manufacturing 
room in connection with their warerooms "in the first building south of the Na.shua bank." In 
November, 1841, Albert McKean and John Coggin, under the firm name of McKean & Coggin, 
advertised that they had bought the stock and taken the rooms formerly occupied by Merrill iv: 
Coggin, over McKean & Co.'s store, and offered a fine assortment of furniture for sale. 

August 3, 1843, vSanuiel Abliott ojiened furniture warerooms "in the railroad buildings, opposite 
the Central house." Late the same \ear he moved to "the old furniture stand over Gay's store." 
In 1S43 Phillips & vSenter were furniture dealers in the south store under the then Universalist 
church. The Phillips in the firm was probal)ly Oliver P. It does not appear that they were 
there long. 

In 1845 William D. Harris had a cabinet shop in Tha_\er's building, and for nmny years did 
more or less cabinet and cofhn work. McKean & Coggin were not long together. A year or two 
after the firm was formed Coggin ^: lusher succeeded them, and did business under the old First 
church. This firm dissolved in 1846, Mr. Fisher continuing the business. Soon after this Mr. Fisher 
died, and Coggin & Merrill took the business and continued it at the same stand about four years, 
when Mr. Merrill died. The firm soon became Coggin & Pierce, and continued so till about 1S60, 
when Mr. Coggin retired from it and took a store in Nutt's block and continued there aliout six 
years. He then moved into Parkinson's building, corner of Main and Pearl streets, and continued 
there about ten years, the most of the time being in company with George E. Farley, the firm being 
Coggin & Farlev, when Mr. Coggin retired and the firm became Geo. E. Farley & Bro., lasting 



4_^8 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

about two years there, when the business was given up. Mr. Coggin then moved into a building of 
his own, 203 Main street, which he remodelled for the purpose. He died in 1888, and the business 
fell into the hands of T. F. Keegan, who ran it three or four years, when it was discontinued. 

Mr. Coggin had a long and honorable career as a furniture man, extending in Nashua from 1825 
or 1826 to the time of his death. He learned his trade in Amherst. Being a practical man he had 
much to do with the development of the furniture business in Nashua. C. T. Ridgway, at present 
one of the oldest merchants in Nashua, tells how Mr. Coggin in long years ago trundled bedsteads 
up from the little mill at the Harbor in a hand cart, and at one time the Rev. Mr. Gage insisted on 
taking hold and helping and together they trundled the load uji to the village. vSuch furniture work 
as required turning was probably done at this mill. 

About 1S49 W. S. Atwood started the furniture business in Beasom block and soon after admitted 
Mr. Perley, the firm being Atwood & Perley. This was the beginning of a long line of furniture 
dealers, the succession being Fletcher & Farwell, Fletcher & Brown, Brown & Danforth, E. P. 
Brown & Co., (the company being J. W. Howard) Howard & Copp, J. W. Howard & Co., Howard 
& French, Howard, French & Heald, and now J. \V. Howard & Co. 

fn 1850 E. G. Sears started the bedstead making business on Water street. This was the first 
shop in Nashua where anything in the furniture line was made to any extent for the outside trade. 
At this time automatic turning lathes came into use and the old-fashioned cord bedsteads were 
evoluted out of existence, their place being taken by a newer style called cottage bedsteads. This 
shop represented the new era in this class of furniture work, and the plan of selling and shipping it 
to distant points. Mr. vSears continued it till 1857, when it was sold to Josephus Baldwin, and by 
him and his successor. Dr. F. B. Ayer, continued till about 1S77. Lewis Kimliall was the manager of 
the business after its sale by Sears till near its close, when Loring I-'arnsworth for awhile had 
charge of it. 

In 1853 Punkham & FHliott commenced the manufacture of looking-glass and picture frames. 
This was continued three years, during which time Mr. Elliott retired and A. H. Perkins took his 
place, _and for awhile .some furniture was manufactured in addition to their frames. In 1856 a firm 
was formed in addition to Fletcher & F'arwell's retail store, consisting of J. M. Fletcher, L. C. 
Farwell, A. H. Perkins and Christopher Whiting, under the firm name of Fletcher, Farwell & Co., 
and the business of manufacturing furniture was commenced b\' them on Water street in buildings 
owned by Josephus Baldwin. In a couple of years the business fell into the hands of Mr. Fletcher, 
who soon after formed a partnership with E. B. Parker of Thornton's Ferry, and it was moved to 
that place. Mr. Fletcher's interest there expired in 1866, and it was re-established by him in Nashua 
on East Hollis street in connection with Amos Webster, under the firm name of Fletcher iS: Webster. 
The building was a three story and basement one, thirty-five b>- one hundred feet, and the furniture 
business occupied the greater part of it. The business grew and these premises were soon too small 
for it. In 186S the firm erected a shop on the north side of Harbor pond, getting read}- for the next 
year. In i86g another .shop was erected and the firm moveil the furniture part of their business into 
these new quarters. About four years later a third building was added to the new plant, making, 
with sheds and attachments, and al)out two acres of land upon which they are situated, a roomy place 
of business, which has sometimes employed eighty hands. Soon after occupying their new quarters, 
L. C. Farwell was admitted into the firm and it became Fletcher, Webster & Co. The prosperity of 
the firm induced the formation of a stock compan>- in 1S68, which was duly incorporated under the 
laws of New Hampshire, taking the name of Fletcher & Webster Furniture Co., and has so continued 
till the present time. Mr. Fletcher was the first to start the business, and the last to hold on to it, 
all the other participants having retired, leaving him manager and proprietor. The goods manu- 
factured are centre tables, hall-stands, what-nots, folding cribs, swing and rocking cradles, umbrella 
stands, music racks, etc. 

About 1856 Hill & Magoon established the business of bedstead making, as an offshoot of the 
Sears establishment, and continued some six ^-ears. Their shop for a part, if not all of the time, 
was connected with a saw mill on West Hollis street, north of the cemetery, which was burned after 
standing a few years. They employed from five to ten hands. Some time during their existence 
Freeman E. Tupper invented a bedstead fastening, and for a while made bedsteads aLso, and in con- 



HISTORY OF NASflUA, N. II 

nection will, a retail store on Factory street called "Tapper's Museum," had something to do with 
the furniture business for a good many years, and has recentlv opened there again 

John Hale, on Water street, manufactured furniture to order, with one or two hands from .86. 
to 1864. T. H. Pinkham succeeded him and followed the same business about three years. 

Along in the fifties Alford Fisher commenced making refrigerators on Water street and continne.I 
the business ten or fifteen years. Hennon Dane .started a retail furniture store in connection with 
the auction business in 1S54 in Thayer's building. His son, H. F. Dane, succeeded him in 1X74 an.l 
continued the business in the same place till 1892, when it was removed to Water street and is at 
present located there. 

The Nashua Novelty works grew out of the bird cage business which was started in 1856 by 
Fletcher .S: Farwell, in addition to their furniture and other business. Over a year was spent in 
getting up machinery for it before a cage was made. It proved a successful venture. Mr. Farwell 
retired from it in 1858 and for three years it was carried on by Mr. Fletcher alone. During this time 
the manufacture of carpet sweepers was added to it. They were made under the Herrick patent, and 
were the first carpet sweepers made in the world. In 1861 Amos Webster was admitted to the busi- 
ness, and the firm became Fletcher & Webster. The business was gradually extended and made to 
include toys, novelties and furniture. About 1864 the business was removed from Beasoni hall, 
which had been its workroom, to the Gage, Murray & Co. card shop building on Kast Hollis street. 
In 1869 the business was divided. The furniture part was removed to the new quarters prepared for 
it on the north side of Harbor iioiid, and continued under the old name of Fletcher & Web.ster, while 
the part that was left behind, which soon became the Na.shua Novelty works, was continued there 
under the name of C. H. Hunt & Co.; Mr. Hunt coming in as a partner in that branch of the busi- 
ness, and managing it. About a year afterwards Mr. Webster sold out his interest in this concern 
to S. B. Richardson. Mr. Richardson soon retired and a new firm was formed to run the business 
consisting of J. M. Fletcher, C. H. Hunt, C. A. Knowlton and H. O. Atwood. In 1871 a commodi- 
ous new shop was erected for the works on the corner of Otterson and Pond streets. Soon after mov- 
ing into these new premises Mr. Hunt retired from the concern, and about two years afterwards Mr. 
Knowlton also retired, leaving only Messrs. Fletcher & Atwood. In 1882 Mr. Atwood also retired 
and the business has been in the hands of Mr. Fletcher since. The novelty, toy and juvenile features 
of the business have gradually been disjjlaced by heavier goods in the shape of church and theatre 
chairs, settees and folding chairs, woodenware articles, etc. An additional sho]i was built for the 
concern in 1882, on the opposite side of Otterson street, affording room for a substantial business in 
this special branch of furniture work. 

About 1878 S. I. Fo.x and a Mr. Gibson, the firm being Fox & Gibson, commenced the manu- 
facture of chamber suits in Small's block on Lowell street, but Mr. Gibson soon retired and left the 
business to Mr. Fox. In about a year he moved to the old watch factory building, corner of Main 
and Bower streets, and continued there till it was burned in November, 1S8;;, employing about fifty 
hands. He then moved into the buildings on Merrimack street known as Holt's batting works, and 
about the same time formed a partnershij) with .\. C. Ilalch. the linn being Fox & Hatch. They 
continued there about three and a half years when a fire swept through the works causing the pre- 
mises to be vacated. They then built a magnificent new shop on Broad street, about a mile up the 
Wilton track, forty-five by two hundred, with outbuildings, into which they moved in 1885. Soon 
after occupying their new premises, J. B. Law bought the interest which Mr. Fox had in the business 
and the new firm became the Nashua Furnitiire companx-. This continued till a fire consumed the 
building in Jul>-, 1889. This broke uji the firm, but Mr. Hatch, with great energy, rebuilt the entire 
plant even more substantially than before and continued the business there till August, 1892, when 
it was relinquished. The buildings were then taken for a box factory. Mr. Hatch went to Willini 
and is engaged in his old business there. 

About 1885 E. L. Shattuck, I'.. S. Knight and S. W. Mansfield commenced making centre 
tables and worked about a dozen hands. Their shop, after getting well under wav, was near Pon<l 
street. It was destroyed by fire in 1887 and the business was abandoned. 

In 1879 J. W. Howard and C. H. French purchased one hundred unfinished chamber suits of S. 
I. Fox, and branched out as finishers and jobbers of that kind of work, adding to it lounges and 
lounge frames. From this beginning an extensive business grew up and has continued ever since. 

3S 



450 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

The firm became Howard & French. They continued to purchase goods made by Mr. Fox for many 
years, and also from other factories. Their large finishing shop and warehouse on Amherst street, 
fifty by one hundred and fifty-eight, was built in 1880. A shop at the head of Front street was also 
occupied by them. Jan. i, 1888, the firm became Howard, French & Heald, by the admis.sion of 
David Heald of Milford as a partner, and the firm controlled the output of Mr. Heald's factory in 
Milford. The building on Front street was burned Jan. i, 1S91, and in 1S93 a commodious new four- 
story building, seventy by eighty, was erected in its place. By a noticeable coincidence this building 
is on or very near the spot where the little .shop .stood, scarcely larger than a woodshed, where Mr. 
Phillips and Mr. Abbott had turned out work by hand in the infancy of the business in Nashua. 
The firm of Howard, French & Heald was dissolved in 1893, Messrs. French and Heald retiring and 
concentrating their efforts in Milford, and Mr. Howard forming a new company in the manufacturing 
part of his business, under the name of the Howard Furniture company, Charles \V. Howard being 
the resident manager. They own and run a mill at Wilton in connection with their business here. 
Mr. Howard's store and retail department is an entirely separate affair from the manufacturing 
department, and is a direct successor of the business started by W. S. Atwood in 1850 in Beasom 
block, as a rival of Coggin & Merrill, under the old First church. The line of succession has before 
been stated, and the business was all carried on in Beasom block until the erection of Howard block 
in 1887, when it was removed to spacious new quarters there. 

In 1886 Jackman & Sexton moved into Beasom block and added furniture to their carpet 
business, which had long been carried on on Factor}- street. Their new quarters were commodious 
and they at once commanded a large trade. In 1891 a fire liurned through their rooms, and in the 
re-arrangement of things they took in still more room and now occupy the entire north section of the 
block. Their specialt\- is retailing, and their spacious rooms offer a fine display, but like nearly all 
such establishments, they do something through contracts and otherwise in supplying order work. 

C. H. Aver}' was for sixteen years a clerk for Mr. Howard, and for about six months was 
concerned in Jackman & Sexton's business. In September, 1887, he bought a half interest in the 
stove and house-furnishing business of C. R. Pease on Factory street, and together they branched out 
and went extensively into furniture, occupying three store fronts and extensive rear rooms. In 1891 
the partnership was dissolved, and since then Mr. Avery has continued the business there alone, but 
manufacturing only incidental to filling special orders. 

C. R. Pease, above referred to, commenced the stove and collateral branches of business in 1879. 
On separating from Mr. Avery in 1S91, he bought out Mr. Power's stove business on the corner of 
Factory and Water streets, and began to add furniture to it. In 1893 he commenced the building of 
his four-story and basement block, sixt)- by one hundred and five, on Pearl street, and in December 
of the same year moved in and occupied it. This is an unusually commodious building for the 
furniture and collateral branches of the business, but manufacturing, except tinware and parts of 
stoves, is not specially connected with it. 

The Crosby invalid bed was invented by Dr. Josiah Crosby about 1873, and were first made 
by hand in Manchester. The Ijusiness came to Nashua in 1S84 under the name of the vSargent 
Furniture company, but failed of success. In 1886 a new company was formed under the name of 
the Crosby Invalid Furniture company, and was duly incorporated under the laws of the state. 
Great improvements were made in the bed at this time. Dr. E. B. Hammond and Henry H. Reed 
were officers in the company and after their death the stock was absorbed by George W. and Fred 
Whittemore, under whose control the concern has remained since. For a long time the business was 
carried on in vSmall's l:>lock, but later it was remo\-ed to Water street, where it is now carried on. 
This bed has received many awards, including one at the World's Fair, and it is quite a feature for 
Nashua that the name of this bed has been so widely connected with it. 

The woven wire mattress Inisiness, now a Nashua institution, was started by J. M. Brown in 
Freemont in 1862. It was moved here and located in Small's block in 1892. In 1893 Thomas 
vSands became connected with it, and the firm name became The Sands & Brown Manufacturing 
company. In addition to woven wire goods, furniture has been added to its list of manufactured 
articles, and it promises to add much to Na.shua's importance as a furniture centre. 

The Maine Manufacturing company is a recent institution in Nashua. It was started in 1874 in 
Fairfield, Maine, by John E. Cotton. In 1881 I. Frank Stevens became his partner, and, the business 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H 

greatly prospering, they looked around for more favorable quarters. In 1894 they came to Nashua and 
purchased three and a half acres of land on Sanders street, including some of the Sanders property 
and erected two c.nunodious four-story buildings, one hundred and sixtv by fifty, into which they 
moved in Novendjcr, 1S94. They have conveniences for working about one hundred men. 

The bedding and mattress business, as a collateral of the furniture business, has had something 
of a showing m Xashua. .Vbout 1850 Thomas Tollman was in the business in Fisher's block, and 
later Holt and Jones were in it. The business resulted in their building quite extensive batting and 
bedding works on Merrimack .street. Mr. Jones retired after some fifteen vears' connection with it, 
and Henry Holt continued it until Iiis death about twenty years ago. E. B. Towne, Oilman 
Scripture and Ira Cross were afterwards concerned in it, but the works in a few years after Holt's 
death were abandoned for that business, and are now occupied by Porter Blanchard's Sons company 
in building their noted churns and dairy goods. 

These facts compri.se mainly the furniture history of Nashua for seventy years, though quite a 
number of other parties have appeared on the scene as retailers for a short time, and possibly as 
manufacturers to some extent. 

Ex-Mayor Sargent had a connection with the business at one time in company with Lorraine 
Giddings in the old postoffice building, and \i. B. Towne succeeded them. This business altogether 
ran three or four years. Warren F. Spalding, who afterwards became a bright and witty editor, made 
lounges and did upholstering in the rear upper rooms of the old postoffice premises. J. M. Perry was 
a quiet and unobtrusive man, and for many years did upholstering and repairing on Factory street. 
R. S. Bruce succeeded him. Patrick Conlon is also down as a dealer on Washington street, and A. 
L. Moore as a dealer in antique furniture on Canal street. Farrier &: Wilkinson were dealers in reed 
and rattan furniture at 203 Main street. Mr. Wilkinson bought out Mr. Farrier and continued the 
business alone for some time. 

Of the man\- reminiscences of the furniture business, few .seem so vi\id as the sayings of one old 
cabinetmaker, who, when bureaus with projection or serpentine fronts came into fashion, invariably 
referred to them as having injection fronts. The old cal)inetmakers made cofhns also, and it is said of 
this man that he was jealous of a new cabinetmaker who came into town. At the first funeral where 
a coffin made by the new man was used, our friend attended for a special inspection of it, and after- 
ward spoke of it as "the most illiterate coffin he ever saw." 

The practical use of the circular saw is ])Ut a little over a centur\- old, and the rotary jilaner came 
afterwards. Within the time over which we have gone, gauge, Weymouth, and back-knife lather, 
irregular moulders, band saws, dovetailing, carving, boring, grooving, sanding and other machines 
without number, have more than once revolutionized the furniture business. The irregular moulder 
itself, which was a New Hampshire invention, nearly made a new business of an old one. The writer 
was among the first to experiment with it, having built a wooden framed one about i860, upon which 
a good many got fingers cut off or badly lacerated, but, as the in\-entor said, "it didn't kill anybody." 
Even to the last accidents have continually hapjiened in using it. If you want to know how quickly 
some wood working machinery operates, you may realize it in the fact that a certain workman in a 
shop under the writer's supervision had a finger taken off by a machine and was not the first to find it 
out. A companion saw it fall and notified him of the fact before he realized it himself. 

Styles of furniture change almost as quickly, sometimes, as machinery works. The style from 
mahogany to black walnut changed in 1858, after a few premonitory symptoms, in about the twink- 
ling of an eye. It was not becau.se the latter was a handsomer wood, but because the invisible power 
of fashion issued an edict that it should be done. Since then new and old styles have been rolling 
over each other with an ever varying picture as to which was on top. As matters now stand, Nashua 
is the largest furniture centre in the state and may well be proud of such a distinction. 

It is a matter of interest to note that the first shop in the country set apart for building doors, 
sa.sh and blinds was a Nashua enterprise. The shop was located at the north end of the bridge on 
the west side of the street, and was without power. The proprietors were Samuel Shepard and 
David Baldwin. In this shop was .set up and worked the first mortising machine ever used. 

In 1834 the works were removed into a mill owned by the Jackson company, located at the north 
end of the dam, where powder was applied to their machinery. Prior to this time all builders made 



,-, HISTORY or NASHUA, N. H. 

their own doors, etc., in their own shops; and when ready-made doors, sash and blinds, made in 
Na.shua, were .shown to the trade of Bo.ston by Mr. Benjamin, the architect, all but one of the build- 
ers refused to use the goods. 

In 1837 Mr. Shepard received a .silver medal from the American institute of New York for a 
planing machine of his own invention. In 1S41 Mr. .Shepard filled an order from Russia for planing, 
tonguing, grooving, beveling or moulding, mortising and sa.sh making machines. 

In 1846 the door, sash and blind part of the Inisiuess was sold to Howard & Combs, and the bal- 
ance to John D. Kimball. After purchasing Howard's share in the business, Combs sold to John and 
Samuel Crombie, who removed the business to the mill of John D. Kimball, which was burned 

in 1856. 

The same business was carried on in the Nashua Manufacturing company's shop b>- B. K. Cad- 
well, who sold to S. N. Wilson and Josephus Baldwin. They employed twenty hands and were 
thought to be prosperous, but the company became embarrassed and finally Wilson clandestinely left. 
The machinery was sold to George White and Chester Bullard, who ran the shop for .some three years 
when, in 185.S, the door, sash and Idind part of the business was sold to George S. Wilder, a con- 
tractor and builder, who sold to Nathan H. Foster in 1S69. This was practically the end of the 
enterprise. 

BOBBIN AND SHUTTLH WORKS. 

Josephus and Edwin Baldwin began the manufacture of bobbins in a small way in connection 
with a cotton mill in New Ipswich. 

Their father lived five miles south of Nashua on a farm, since known as the Highland farm, and 
had a small shop west of his house where he made boxes and used a wind mill supplemented by horse 
power. To this shop the brothers came in 1835 and made bobbins. Later on using a small steam 
eno-ine. Such was the germ which grew into the fine plant on Water street, bearing the name of 
"The Bobbin Shop." 

In 1836 this shop was burned and the works were removed to the machine shop of the Nashua 
Manufacturing company on Water street. In 1843 they were again burned out. The shop was re- 
built and the company .secured a ten years' lease of it. In 1848 Edwin Baldwin died and Josephus 
Baldwin conducted the business alone. 

To leave Josephus Baldwin out of a history of Nashua would lie like leaving Handet out of the 
play which bears his name. His bobbin shops were extensive, his employees were luimerous, the 
teams carting stock or finished goods were prominent on our streets. Was there a fire, his voice was 
first to give directions. He was a power for good in our city. 

The panic of 1857 embarrassed him greatly, his name was on so many notes and was the backbone 
of so many enterprises. In 1862 I'laton & Ayer bought the business. In 1867 the works were 
removed into their own shops on Water street. The lumber for their works was largely prepared at 
their mills at East Haverhill. At first the goods were delivered by a hand cart. The business grew 
so as to employ one hundred and sixty hands with a payroll of from $5,000 to $6,000 monthly, and 
the works covered three acres. In 1885 Mr. Eaton retired from the company, and the firm was known 
as the Nashua Bobbin & Shuttle company. In 1891 the fine business was gobbled up by a trust. 

In 1855 the Isaac Eaton company built their factory for making bobbins and shuttles on Charles 
street on the line of the W'ilton railroad, where they continued business until i8yi when they became 
victims of a trust. 

Roger Porter built a slu)p on HoUis street west, where for some years he manufactured an im- 
proved shuttle of his own invention. 

In 1S70 the firm now known as Gregg & Son was started by David and Daniel Gregg, who were 
engaged in the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds in Goffstown prior to 1870. At this time David 
Gregg fixed upon Nashua as the best shipping point in New Hampshire, and bought land below 
Crown hill at the Junction, and with his son, David A. Gregg, and W. W. Hoyt built the present 
main building of this establishment in 1871, under the firm name of Gregg, Hoyt & Co. In 1872 
Mr. Hoyt retired and the business was carried on by David Gregg and David A. Gregg under the 
firm name of Gregg & Son. David Gregg died in i8,So, when his son-in-law, George S. Neville, 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



453 



became a partner. In 1SS2 W. A. (iregg, son of David A. Clregg, became a partner in the nrni. In 
1S83 Mr. Neville died and David A. Gregg and W. A. Gregg continued the business under the old 
firm name of Gregg & Son. For eleven years, a period of decided pro.sperily, the firm remained the 
same. In 1894 O. S. Hussey, son of the late Oliver V. Hussey, and L. (i. Neville, son of the late 
George vS. Neville, became partners in the company. 

We have seen in a previous article that Nashua was the birth i)lace of the manufacture of doors, 
.sash and blinds, and that the business, for various reasons, had failed of success. This firm, either 
because of better facilities, of improved methods, or because the time had come when the trade was 
ready to jiatronize such an establishment, has made a great success of the business. They have con- 
.stantly increased tlicir ])lant, improved their machinery, and have neglected no means for improving 
both the quality and (luanlity of their product. This company gives a fine illustration of the advan- 
tage of a concentration of forces to one definite end. 

The buildings are of l)rick, three-story and basement, one hundred and fifty feet by fifty feet, with 
engine hou.se, dry houses, etc., outside. In i8cS6 a large store house with rooms for glazing, painting 
and marbleizing was added to the plant, and in 1S91 the mill proper was extended by an addition of 
twenty-five feet on its south side. 

The company in 187 1 employed seventy-five hands, at present about one hundred and fifty. Five 
million feet of lumber are consumed annually, with a pay roll of $55,000 and an output of $250,000. 
The demand for goods has always been increasing. Prices have varied, being the best between 1880 
and 1892. The price of lumber has .slowly risen. The company makes doors, sash, blinds, window 
frames, mantels, balustrades and inner finish of all kinds. As good pine lumber becomes scarce, 
white wood and the various hard woods have, to a degree, taken its place, while large quantities of 
North Carolina pine and of cypress have been, and are increasingly used. In the manufacture of 
veneered doors, black walnut has given place to quartered oak, ash, cherry, birch, mahogany, nia]ile 
and sycamoie. 

The company has been fortunate in the matter of fires, having suffered but twice from that cause 
and once from the flooding of their basement. 

In 1825 we find the saw mill of Israel Hunt, .Sr. , at the Harbor and that of W'illard Marshall at 
the north end of the old dam across the Nashua. After the building of the Jackson company's dam, 
a saw mill at its north end became an important factor in the lumber business. This mill was run by 
various parties, Roby & McQuesten, Pierce & McQuesten, Sargent & Cross, Cross & Tolles, and 
others. Many logs were brought to the river and floated to the mills. The pile of logs on the river 
bank, west of the bridge, and the boom extending down the river, is a memory of olden days. When 
the Jackson company's dam was rebuilt and the fishway was put in, this saw mill was done away 
with. Melendy Bros, built the mill on Ouincy street and in 187S sold to Cross & Tolles, who greatly 
enlarged and improved the property. J. D. Kimball had a saw mill on Franklin street which was 
burned in 1853. 

At one time there was a saw mill on West Hollis street, and Ililand Holt ran a saw mill for some 
years on the line of the Acton railroad. It was burned in 1889. At the present time we have the 
plants of Cross & Tolles, the Proctor Brothers, and Roby & Swart. F'ormany years Frederick Cha.se 
represented the lumber trade outside of the saw mills. His business was purchased and continued 
by F. D. Cook & Co. until it was merged in the F. D. Cook Lumber company. 

The Nashua Till C()nipan\- originated with Ivdwin White, who invented the first alarm money 
drawer. His patent bears the date of 1859. White sold his interest to Lund iS: Co., and in 1S71 
Kendall & Wood became owners of the property, assuming the name of the Na.shua Till company. 
In 1880 E. O. Wood became sole proprietor and has conducted the business since that time alone. 
His factory is on Quincy street in the buildings of Cro.ss & Tolles. Mr. Wood has made many im- 
provements in money drawers and cash registers and has secured patents for the same. 

The American Fan company was started in 1866. One day during the sunmier of that year K. 
T. Smith chanced to be in the counting room of the Nashua Card and Glazed Paper comjiany, when 
Mr. Gilman asked him if he knew of any manufacturing enterprise that they could add to their 
business, saying that a new story could be built upon the ell of the factory. Mr. Smith spoke of the 
fact that all ladies' fans were imported and could be made in this country. Later the members of 
the card company induced Mr. Smith to take charge of such a shop. 



454 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

This was a great mistake. The business was new antl nuist have its growth. The company had 
no stated capital. The management did not know how far the}- coukl safely go, and Mr. Smith did 
not have the right qualities to manage such a business. The goods made the first season paid a very 
large profit, and the business took a good start. For the second year a large importing house in New 
York undertook the sale of the goods, and placed so large an order as to necessitate greatly enlarging 
the plant. Material had to be procured which was new to the market, such as wood and cloth 
suitable for use, in large quantities. The orders were not placed until it was time to begin to deliver 
the goods, and the machinery had to be adapted to the requirements of the orders, with the result 
that goods could not be delivered in season, the shop had to run nights, and the company had to 
make discounts because of delays, so that the season's business was neither a success nor a failure. 

In 1868 the company was incorporated and passed into the hands of a board of directors. The 
shop was burned in 1869. The enterprise was a failure, but it should have been a success. The 
machinery was finely adapted for the work and had been mostly perfected for a high grade of work. 
The folding machines wove fans of cheap grades better than any on the market of high grades, the 
riveting machine, the gang saws, the multiple die, the cloth pasting machine, the self-feeding presses, 
all new, were well adapted to their work. Such was the success of the first year that three companies 
started as competitors. The next year the company had planned to raise the grade of its work. A 
gang of circular saws had been perfected for making sawed sticks to displace those of veneer, and a 
machine for finishing the sticks after they were sawed was nearly completed, and a machine for 
sawing the fan sticks into form had been planned and could have been built at small cost. These 
would have raised the grade of fans from one dollar a dozen to that of six dollars and twelve dollars 
a dozen, and would have made a great success of the enterprise. As it was, if the market had not 
been flooded all at once with cheap Japanese fans, the business would have secured a good footing. 
These Japanese fans drove all other cheap goods from the market. 

No longer ago than 1850 a traveler through the farming communit>- of Hollis would have noticed 
beside the pleasant farm-houses small shops evidently built for use. These shops, in which the 
farmer and his sons worked during the winters and stormy weather, were used for the manufacture of 
kegs, kits, and firkins. The.se articles were sent to Boston, first by canal boat and later b}' rail. This 
business being to the Hollis farmer the same as the loom in the house was to the Scotch and to the 
English crofter. With the advent of the railway came the day of concentrated energy and the 
building up of large plants to take the place of numerous small ones. 

Ira and Nathaniel H. Proctor, two young men of Hollis, saw the necessit}- of expanding their 
small shop and cramped conditions, and by hiring outside help, by purchasing wood lots for their 
lumber. They pushed the business as a business. They accomplished this end, which gradually 
increased until, in 1874, they removed their works to the William Merrill farm, south of the church, 
where they built .shops, at the same time employed men in different parts of the town, and continually 
increased their business. In 1880 they established a branch in Wilton, where thej' did a good 
business for ten years, some of the time employing twenty men. Their business having outgrown 
their facilities in Hollis, in 1881 they purchased several acres of land in Nashua and built a large 
steam mill, cooper shops, and storehouses, and greatly enlarged their business. In 1892 a branch 
factory was located in Jersey City, N. J., to supply their large trade in New York city. 

From time to time additions have been made to the mill, several large storehouses have been 
built, also twenty-one tenements have been erected for their workmen. Their business has steadily 
increased and improvements have been made until their plant covers an area of ten acres located on 
three side tracks of the Bo.ston & Maine railroad. 

At the present time their business facilities, located as they are in one of the best shipping points 
in the east, are not excelled by any manufactory of the kind in New England. In the spring of 
1896 their plant on Hollis street was damaged by fire to the extent of about $12,000. 

George O. Sanders' saw mill and box factory, located on the banks of the Merrimack, north of 
the Hudson bridge, were quite extensive, and a large business was done. Work upon the plant was 
begun in 1882. In 1889 the mills were destroyed by fire, and were rebuilt at once. The principal 
business was making wooden boxes, box .shooks, sawing and dressing lumber and general lumber 
business. The works were again burned in 1890 and were not rebuilt. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 455 



The White Mountain Freezer company, which manufactures ice cream freezers, is the largest 
establishment of the kind in the world. The company began business at Laconia in 1872, Thomas 
vSands being the proprietor and manager. The enterprise was a success from the start and greatly 
expanded its business until iSSi, when its manufactory was burned. 

Following the fire Mr. vSands cast about to find the best place in which to locate, where better 
railroad facilities could be obtained than at Laconia. After thoroughly canva.ssing the situation he 
decided upon Nashua. He accordingly purchased four' acres of land between the tracks of the 
Worcester ^: Na.shua and Nashua & Acton railroads, where he located his factories. The buildings 
include the main factory, which is two hundred by forty feet, storehouse two hundred by thirty-three 
feet, foundry and shop one hundred and fifty by fifty feet, store and boiler house, one hundred and 
seventy-five by twenty-six feet, with several buildings for drying, coopering, pattern making, etc. 

Mr. Sands carried on the business until 1888 when a corporate company was formed and he 
disposed of his entire interest. The company is organized with a paid-up capital of $100,000. 

Nearly every piece of machinery used in the business— and some of it is novel and intricate— 
was invented for, and the patents are owned by the company. The works are run by a Rollins 
en-ine of about one hundred and fifty horse power. The company takes all its material, except tin, 
in Uie raw, and from it manufactures the perfected article, and besides this does some special work m 
its foundry for other concerns, and also makes up orders for tubs and pails. 

The company does its business on thorough business principles under L. F. Thurber, its efficient 
treasurer. The company employs two hundred and fifty hands with an annual business of >4cx>,ooo. 
Its moiithlv pay-roll is $7,000. „ ■ , ^ . 

The Porter Blanchard's Sons company, whose works are located on Mernnmck street, «as 
oro-ani/ed bv Porter Blanchard in the year 1818. At that lime Mr. Blanchard had a small work shop 
in'concord,'at which place he made a few dozen churns a year. As his business grew he enlarged his 
factorv and increased his force of employees, and took his sons into partnership. The business con- 
tinued to increase and other lines of dairy and creamery apparatus were manufactured. In i8yo the 
entire plant at Concord was destroyed by fire, and the living member of the firm, (,eorge A. Blanch- 
ard upon looking into the matter of rebuilding, was invited by several Nashua gentlemen to locate 
in this citv whidi he finally decided to do. A stock company was formed ni 18,0 with a capital of 
«2sooo At the present time the company has about thirty men m US employ ^,. , , ^ 

^ " The Blancha d churn is a household word among the farmers, and the sales of this churn have 
reached ,00 oco The Porter Blanchard's Sons company are daily making shipments, riot on y to 
eve^ pa;f oi this country, but their goods are sent to every civilized portion of the globe the.r bus.- 
neshavng increased over two hundred per cent in the past year. This concern has fitted up several 
^reameriirand their specialties have in every case given perfect -^^^f -'^.^ ^j^'^^J-^.^ , 
men are the company's ofiicers : President. Thomas Sands; treasurer, L. F. Thurber , secretar> 

manager, Fred A. Davis general lumber business, both 

The firm of Robv & Swart was formed Maicli i, i.'^yo. ^ ao a gcu^i 

They immediatelv change.l it into a wood-working plant, -™- ^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^ ,,^.,j,.,,,. T,ey 

power of five hundred and fift^ horse power and ever> ^^ > v one h fdred men in their shop and 
Lraduallv enlarged unti, ^^^^^^^^^^ V:^::!^!^^^^ ^ and pay out in :ages 
are constantly increasing. They "^^ ^'^^'^ ,"'^'\Y .^^^ Robv & Swart consolidated their retail yard 

r,.:;-;:,';r«,rof;. 'r^or -.t.;,,..;;' :r"f »....>• .-' - -,0,,. .,.„. „, ■,■.,. 

I.-;,,^ Cook I.„ml,er company, with capital stock P-'" ■" " ^^^.o-' , ^ ., ,„„„i„, 

I„ ,s;4 !■:, O. Fifida l.ega„ work ■" «"" «> ^ ^ T,e ai.tli.. tin* cn.ploy until .S.S,. when he 



456 



HISTORY or NASHUA, N. H. 



man. For power he used a five-inch cylinder engine. He soon associated Mr. Harris with him in 
the business, and upon the death of Mr. Harris he bought the entire interest and ran the business 
alone. In 1890 he removed his business to Nashua and built his shop on the corner of Fifield and 
Taylor streets. It is forty-two by eighty feet, and two-story, with a one-story wing, forty-two by 
forty. The engine house is outside. He uses a twenty-five horse power engine and emplo3-s fourteen 
hands. The business is making wooden boxes, having interlocking corners, or other general wood 
work such as may be called for. 

In November, 1892, Charles A. Roby and William I). vSwart organized the Nashua Building 
company, under the firm name of Roby & Swart, with Mr. Roby as president and Mr. Swart as 
treasurer, to do contracting and building, which company has been successful in a marked degree. 
This company employs from forty to fift>- men most of the >-ear, and pays out in wages $25,000 to 
$30,000 annually. 

Asher Benjamin, a jn-ominent architect, was identified for some years with the early days of 
Nashua, and thi"Ough his pupil, Samuel Shepard, his influence extended for many years. His tastes 
were classic and were not especially adapted to the wants of a manufacturing town. The more 
notable example of his art and one of real excellence was the Olive street meeting-house. This house 
as seen from Main street, presented a fine Grecian front, crowned b}' a cupola of great beauty; with 
the hill as a ba.se, it was a most effective Ijit of art. The cupola on the old First church, and also 
that on the City Hall, and the front of the Unitarian church, bear marks of his taste and skill. 

The building trade has been carried on by numei'ous individuals and firms. Of late years the 
business has developed large firms and efficient methods. In 1853 one Clark had an office on the 
street as an architect. Since 1880 the rapid growth of our city has given opportunitx- for the display 
of skill and taste, such as had never obtained before. 

The shoe manufacturing business of Nashua was established in 1874 by Crain, Leiand ^t Moody. 
This firm moved from Manchester, and occupied the building owned by V. C. Gilman and which had 
been used as a watch factory and also as a hotel. As a hotel it was known as the Washington house. 
The firm of Crain, Iceland & Moody manufactured about 1200 pairs of shoes daily, and the business 
amounted to about $300,000 annually. They employed about two hundred persons. The product 
consisted of men's, boys' women's and children's shoes of a cheap grade, and was sold to the jobbing 
trade of the south and west. 

The first change in the firm was caused by the retirement of Mr. Iceland and the admittance of 
Mr. Rising of Boston, and the firm name was changed to Crain, Moody & Rising. This occurred in 
1876. In the autumn of 1878 Mr. Moody retired and the business was continued by Mr. Crain and 
Mr. Rising under the firm name of Crain, Rising & Co. During these changes the volume and char- 
acter of the business was changed but little. In the spring of 1879, Frank E. Anderson, George E. 
Ander.son and F. W. Estabrook, all of whom had been connected, in responsible positions, with the 

firm previously mentioned, severed their connection with 
the business and formed a co-partnership under the firm 
name of Estabrook & Anderson Bros. They built a small 
factory, eighty by thirty-four, three and one-half stories 
high, on the land of the Worcester & Nashua railroad com- 
pany in the rear of the grain elevator of Seth D. Chandler, 
from whom they rented power to operate their plant. Their 
■ , 'Sj. capital was very small, but they were encouraged ami aided 

■«.'»,* > S I i s I " 1'.''' "i^uN- of the best citizens of Nashua, among whom may 

be mentioned J. W. White, Seth D. Chandler, Cross & 
Tolles, F. D. Cook & Co., Dr. E. B. Hammond and Mr. 
Parkinson. The vSecond National bank followed their usual 
polic}- of aiding home industries and was of great assistance 
for many years. The business was a success from the 
start. The first six months' business amounted to $70,000, 
the second to $80,000, and the third to $125,000, and during these eighteen months the capital of the 
firm was increased five-fold and it became independent of outside help. The business up to this time 
had been .so successful that it was thought best to try to increa.se it and W. H. Moody of the original 




OI,D noI.LIS STREE']' SHOE SHOP. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



457 



nrm of Ciain, Leland 6t Moody, was admitted as a partner, ami the size of the factory was doubled. 
The firin name was changed to Moody. ICstabrook v\: Andersons, and the business was conducted 
under that name until IcSl/i when it was chan<,red to The I^slabrook .Vndrrson inmp.nu Mr \r.ini1v 
ivlirini;". 

In the meantime, during the summer of iSjy, the business of the old lirni of Crain, Rising iV Co. 
was removed to Westboro, Mass., and the factory occupied by them was afterwards destroyed by fire. 
Alter Mr. M()()d>- was admitted as a jiartner the business continued to be successful and to increase in 
volume, and in the fall of 18S5 it was decided to abandon the old factory and build a new plant with 
all the modern improvements. The i)lant was, however, constructed on the mill princii)le and was 
the first shoe factory in the ciuinlry to be so constructed. The buihiing was erected on the north side 




, B (k »- 




0] 



i;iuuUtlU£Uj^:i: 




ESTARROOK-ANDKHSOX SHOE FACTOKV. [Palm Stufkt \-ikw.] 

of the Worcester & Nashua division of the Boston & Maine railroad, between Palm and Pine streets, 
and consisted of two wings, one one hundred and ninety-five by fifty, and the other one hundred and 
twenty-two by fifty. It was thought at the time of erection that this building would supply the room 
needed for the business for all time, but in 1.S90 it was found necessary to add another wing to the 
north end one hundred and ninety-five by sixty-five, and the whole building is now fully occupied 
and more room is needed. 

During these sixteen years the business has grown from a volume of Si 10,000 the first year to 
$2,000,000 at the present time, and as the value of goods has decreased very materially during this 

period, it is safe to say that the business of 
1894 was twenty-five times as large as in 1S79. 
The daily output is 10.000 i>airs and is the 
largest out-put of any single factory in the 
world, and it is ])robable that no shoe factory 
in the country furnishes as steady employ- 
ment to its operatives. The number of its 
operatives is from nine hundred to one thou- 
sand. Theproduct isa cheap, serviceable shoe 
for men, boys, women, misses, and children, 
and being of a cheap grade, the nundier of em- 
ployees is less for the production than is re- 
quired for higher grade goods. It is. however, 
of a great advantage to make the cheaper grades, as they are worn by eighty to ninety per centof the 
people, and therefore the demand is greater, and in hard times the demand is rather larger than in good, 
as the the people have less money to spend. This was illustrated in the panic years of 1893 and 1894. 



"■'1^, 









M ' 
EST.XHUOOK-ANDKK.SON SHOE FACIOIiV. 



458 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



when the business was the largest and most successful of any year since the business was started. 
During these years the methods of manufacturing have been revolutionized, and to-day there is prob- 
ably not a machine used that was in service at the time the business was started. It is probable 
that I, GOO operatives can to-day manufacture as many goods as double that number fifteen years ago. 




EST.MSltOOK AM)i:UM IN SIlOU FACTORY. | Pink Street \'ie\v.| 

The fine brick building of Brackett & Co., is a marked feature in the eye of most people who 
arrive in our city and of all who pass through it, and is an excellent exponent of our later day 
enterprise. The factory, which stands on East Mollis street, at the Nashua junction, was built in 
iSSS and is two hundred by fifty feet and five stories high. Its equipment is in all respects first-class. 
A model plant for turning out work of its kind as cheaply as the state of the art will admit. vSuch a 
plant looks like business, as if it had come to stay. It is in this respect so unlike many of the early 
enterprises of our city, which somehow had a temporars- look, as if a good wind would blow them 
away, as the wind of adversity did so many of them. The company makes men's, youths', and bo5's' 
shoes, and now employs two hundred and fifty hands as against one hundred and fifty hands at the 
beginning. Large additions are now being made. Their pay-roll is $12,500 with an output of 
$500,000. For power they use a one hundred horse power steam engine. 

Third, as to date, of the shoe manufactories of Nashua, stands the Nashua Boot and Shoe Manu- 
facturing company. It was incorporated in 1880 with a capital of $15,000 and was a Nashua enter- 
prise. The factory is on Allds road just east of the bridge, where its plant occupies a commanding 
position. It is under the able management of \V. S. Farnsworth. The steady enlargement of its 
plant and increased out-put of goods argues good business methods. The company manufactures 
men's, youths' and boys' shoes. They began with sixty hands, a pay roll of $2,250 monthly, and a 
business of $100,000 yearly. Their pay roll is now $7,000 monthly and an out-put of $300,000. A 
forty horse power steam engine furnishes the power and the}' employ two hundred and twenty-five 
hands. 



CARD AND PAPER MANUFACTURE. 

When w^e have in view, as an object lesson, a large, prosperous and ever increasing manufactur- 
ing business, one which has given employment to thousands at remunerative wages, it cannot be un- 
profitable to take a "look backward" to the inception of that business and to note how often men 
build better than they know. Under this head we will consider what is known as " The Nashua 
Card and Glazed Paper company." 

In 1848 Charles T. Gill, then keeping a book store and bindery at what is now 67 Main street, 
then under the old Nashua bank, said to O. D. Murray, then puldishing "The Oasis" in the room 
now occupied by W. W. Baile}- in the same building, "Murray, I wish I could make plaj-ing cards 
in some rapid way, for California is going to sweep ever}' pack from the east." Mr Murray, who 
had formulated a printing machine for laj-ing any number of colors on wall paper in rolls b}- a single 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N H 

operation-a method now in miiversal use. but then done with blocks, a single color at a lime and by 
hand-spoke quickly : ■'tiill, lean do it!" Gathering various articles he demonstrated the feasi- 
bihty of printing all the colors used by a single manipulation. Mr. (iill said. "Work out your idea, 
and I will go into it. There is a fortune, and we might as well have it as anybody else." 

In due time Mr. Murray sought a machinist with his plans for printing machines, and rotary 
cullers, which he had devised for stripping and cutting the cards from the rolls of cardboard, when 
l.riiiled. That machinist was John H. Gage, then running a business on Water street. He looked 
the matter over and said : " Vou need a machinist, and I don't want you to make all the money. I 
will go into it with you." And he did. Subseciuently he said, "We all have business, but the 
building to be erected will need looking after, and my brother, who is out of business, would like the 
chance." And thus C. T. Gill, C. P. Gage. J. II. Gage and O. 1). Murray formed a partnership 
uiuler the firm name of Gill & Co. 

The building, under the superintciuknce of Charles P. Gage, went up apace, on the north side of 
Water street, near Main, while Mr. Murray sought the only manufacturer of cardboard in rolls in the 
United States, located in Rhode Island, and at the .same place contracted with calico engravers for 
the engraving of the copper rolls, at a cost of four hundred dollars each. The cardboard manufacturer 
proved to be a clergyman, who was greatly elated with the prospect of large sales. Incidentally he 




N.XSIIL'A C.\HD AND (iL.VZKD I'.M'lii! C().\ll".\\\ . |SoMt <.h mt lltLi-.j 

inquired as to what use the board was to be put. When informed, his eyes rolled in holy horror, and 
he peremptorily refused to furnish the board. This refusal of board for printing seemed a crusher; but 
having expended so much money, it seemed absolutely necessary to go on and work out the problem 
within themselves: and from this necessitx' grew the manufacture of cardboard, and, correlatively, 
glazed papers. Mr. Murray having sold out his printing interests, on the tenth of September. 1S49, 
the engine was started up, and the business has been in active operation to the present day. 

It so chanced that within a year from commencing the business, Mr. Gill tleceased. As no other 
member of the firm had any knowledge of the playing card market or any inclination to study it, 
that business dropped out without any printing having been done, and the big iron cylinder round 
which the rolls were to be arranged was thrust out doors to rust in the rains and snows of passing 
.seasons, while the copper rolls — perhaps expensive would be the proper term — were confiscated by 
some enterprising thief. 



460 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Ill 1851 John H. Gage sold his interest in the Inisiness to \'irgil C. Gihnan, the firm being known 
as Gage, Murray & Co. The works were partially burned out soon after, and the old and needed 
new nrachinery was set up in a building, just completed by Josephus Baldwin, directly in the rear, 
now occupied by W. H. Campbell in the manufacture of paper boxes; while the company set about 
erecting a new factoiy building just west of Gage, Warner & Whitney's machine shop on Hollis 
street, taking the power from that shop. The business was very prosperous and profitable, and its 
expansion re<[uired increased room. While located on Hollis street, machinery for coloring in rolls 
was introduced, doing away with much sheet coloring by hand — a great revolution in the business. 
In 1857 Horace W. Gilman purchased a quarter interest in the business. In 1861 lack of room 
induced the company to purchase the extensive estate of the Nasliua Watch company of Wal- 
tham, Mass., reference to which may be found elsewhere in these pages. This was an enlargement 



I 







!Sqn!I!]!inlimnRP5innM'00Pl!nln«S^ 




K«»,»tf 







fF ^7 n? 




NASIIIIA CARD AND GLAZED PAPER COMl".\N'l"S F.\CTOI!V ON FU.WKI.IN STREET. 

greatly needed, and success was insured the company. In January, 1866, Gage and Murray sold their 
interest to \'. C. and H. W\ Gilman, who, with a brother, O. B. Grilman, under the firm name of Gil- 
man Brothers, continued the business. In 1869 O. B. Gilman deceased. In 1SS8 O. D. Murray ]nir- 
chased the interest of John F. Marsh in the Nasluia Cilazed Paper company, composed of Thomas P. 
Pierce, J. F. Marsh and George D. Murray, who were conducting business on Pearson's avenue, in 
the exteusive plant now vacant there, and took the firm name of Murray, Pierce & Co. In the 
meantime, a new company had materialized on Water street, known as the Eagle Card company, 
Stevens, Clement & Co., proprietors— subsequently run by Morrill & Co., H. T. Morrill and C. P. 
Gage. In 1869 Gilman Brothers and Murray, Pierce & Co. consolidated their works under the cor- 
porate name of the Nashua Card and Glazed Paper compan>-, the act having been secured by Gil- 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 46, 

iiiai! Brothers from the les^ishiture. Soon after the coiiibiiialion of works on Pearson's avenue, the 
Ivagle Card company was purchased, and after running it a few months on Water street, everything 
was concentrated in the buiklings on the avenue. vSince then no attempt has been successfully made 
to start a new card shop. 

The company organized, all the members l>eing directors, by choice of (). I). .Murray, president, 
\'. C. C.ilman, treasurer; T. 1*. Pierce, clerk. In 1S72 V. C. Oilman .sold his stock to the company 
lor iiy 2, 000 and retired. The remaining four continued the close corporation, H. \V. Oilman being 
treasurer, until iS.Si, when the death of G. D. Murray brought to the public knowledge of the large 
per cents anniiall\ tli\ ided b\- the stockholders, — having been for several years thirty-five per cent on 
the Si5o,ooo capital, .\bout this time Mr. Murray, who held eight hundred and sixty-five shares, 
commenced selling at private sale and by auction, at a large premium, until ready purcha.sers had 
absorbed all his holdings, and in January, 1883, he retired from the business, having been actively 
identified with it for more than thirty-three years, — the last fourteen as president of the corporation. 
In 1S80 Col. T. P. Pierce, who for some years had largely taken charge of the manufacturing 
ilepartment, died. In 1888 H. (5. Bi.Nl)y secured control of the business, bringing anew element and 
new ideas into the management. 

Competition was becoming fierce, new methods and machines were being adopted in other 
factories and the time hail come when changes must be made if the bu.siness was to be held. Wisely 
or unwisely, a radical change was decided upon. With characteristic energy Mr. Bixb\- pushed the 
buikling of a new plant on I'ranklin street beside the railroad, where the factory, which is the pride 
of our cit\-, was erected, and in which was placed every device that human ingenuity could devise 
for the rapid and economical manipulating of the material used. As a result of this push and 
enterprise we have the largest and most perfectly equipped plant of its kind in the world. It may be 
of interest to note the changes that ha\e come in the cost of stock and in the price of the finished 
goods. At first bristol stock cost from thirty to thirty -five cents per pound; it is now si. x cents; 
common stock sixteen, now five; middle stock ten to twelve, now three. At finst colors were all 
imported and cost twice as much as the American colors now used. The price of finished goods has 
changed even more. P'inished papers that sold for forty dollars per ream are now sold for five dollars, 
and others that sold for twenty dollars per ream are sold for three dollars. The price of labor has 
douliled. 

It mav l)e of interest to know that mo.st of the tind)ers of the largest ship ever built in America, 
the four nmsled clipper ship, the Great Republic, were ])repared in the Nashua shi]) yard of Luther 
A. Roby, as well as the timbers of more than one of those ocean fiyers, the clipper .ships of which we 
were so proud. Mr. Roby has from the first taken stock and part ownership in vessels for which he 
(urni.shed the timbers, until it is literally true that his ships sail on every sea. At one time he was 
interested with George McOuesten in running the saw mill at the north end of the Jackson company's 
dam. 

.\. H. Dunlap came to Nashua in iS;,i and found employment in the Jack.son mills until failing 
health comi)elled him to leave the mills and seek other business. In 1849 he began the business of 
preparing small packages of garden .seeds in suitable form for retail. The business is peculiar in 
that the seeds to be sold should be fresh each year, and to secure this result it became necessary that 
all un.sold packages should be removed from the retail stores and a new and fresh supply furnished 
for the following year. To secure this end Mr. Dunlap employed traveling .salesmen, who, with 
horse and wagon, distributed assortments of seeds to the retail stores on sale, and gathered up the 
unsold remnants of packages and collected pay for the goods sold. Gradually the business extended 
.so as to include all of New Ham])shire and Vermont and a part of Canada. The head(|uarters for 
the business is in Dunlap's block, where a busy gang of help is to be found preparing and filling 
small packages. The company lakes especial pains to secure the best seeds, both as to (piality and 

kind. 

In 1846 appeared in the Telegraph the advertisement of a daguerrotype gallery in Boston and in 
1849 Lane advertised to take pictures in Na.shua. We have not been able to fix the date of his ad- 
vent in Nashua as an artist. In 1849 he sold his business to vS. B. Richardson. In 1851 Haines had 
a saloon in town, and in 1852 J. M. Perry was taking pictures in Long block. He probably bought 
out Haines. The first photographs taken in Nashua were made by S. B. Richardson in 1853 or 1854. 



462 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Among the names remembered in this connection are those of Miller, Johnson, Glenton, Austin, 
Lindsey, Read and others, professional artists. Among the amateur artists who have acquired great 
skill in the art. Dr. C. B. Hammond deserves honorable mention. 

Early in the history of Nashua, P. B. Putney made confectionery in a building which stood upon 
the site of the present Lowell railroad station. Jonas Kempton peddled for Putney until 1S44 when 
he purchased the business and remained in the same location until the fire of 1S4.S. He then took 
rooms in Hunt's bakery south of the Worcester & Nashua railroad and remained in that place until 
his removal to West Pearl street. In 1874 he sold his business to Charles Holman. Mr. Holman had 
been employed by Kempton for some years, had hired rooms in his factory and made a line of goods 
not made by Kempton, and in 1861 he opened an independent factory on Eldridge street, where in 
1874 he was burned out. He then purchased Kempton's plant and remained there until 1882, when 
he leased a building on Main street of John A. Spalding. In 1883 he was again burned out. He 
then erected the brick block on Main street which bears his name, where he has since carried on the 
business. He has a practical knowledge of his trade, and, taking a broad view of the range and pos- 
sibilities of the situation, he has built up a fine business and plant which is a credit to our city, and 
furnishes another example of the result sure to follow enterprise when coupled with right business 
methods. In the early morning of Oct. 25, 1895, his entire plant was burned to the ground. 

The manufacture of bakers' goods, particularh- that of crackers, was first established in Nashua 
about 1820 at the Harbor on Main street, in a building now occupied as a dwelling by Mrs. David 
Dunn. Here vStephen Bates baked, the principal products of his labor being crackers, bread and 
"old fashioned gingerbread." With a small tile oven, heated with fagots, without machinery of any 
kind, Mr. Bates in a crude way made crackers. When his dough was mixed and ready, the women 
of the neighborhood, summoned by the blowing of the tin horn, rolled and cut the dough ready for 
the oven, and at the completion of the baking received their compensation in crackers. The late 
David Coombs, when a young man, drove Mr. Bates team to the adjoining towns. 

Ten years later Thomas Munroe, grandfather of F. O. Munroe of this city, Iniilt ovens in a 
building upon Main street, north of the residence of Charles Holman. Mr. Munroe was succeeded by 
Wyeth & .Stimpson, who a few years later, located ovens in a building upon Railroad square, where 
now stands the Whiting building. Here Joseph Upton, Abel Bowman and Seth D. Chandler 
successively carried on the baking business. In 1S49 Sylvester Winn Iniilt a bakery upon Mulberry 
street, where now stands the cracker bakery of Charles H. Burke, cracker machinery propelled by 
horse power was used. This business was purchased by S. I). Chandler, who closed his Railroad 
square bakery. Mr. Chandler continued the business at this location from 1855 to i860, when he 
disposed of his interest to James C. Smith. Mr. Smith, after remaining here for three years, put in 
ovens in the old card and glazed paper factory upon Hollis street. The business was largely increased 
and upon Mr. vSmith's decease in 1866 was purchased by the late Nahum W. Burke. This factory 
was burned in 1873. Mr. Burke formed a co-partnership with his son Charles H., under the name of 
N. W. Burke & Son, and purchased the old bakery upon Mulberry street, removing the same and 
building the commodious factory now owned by the C. H. Burke Baking compan}'. 

N. W. Burke died in 1SS3. Since this time the business has been conducted by Charles H. Burke, 
who has enlarged the plant, put in modern ovens, one of which, Rayney's patent revolving coal oven, 
is the largest in the state, having a baking capacity of thirty barrels of flour a day. Mr. Burke has 
kept abreast of the times, replacing his machinery with that of the latest designs, and with electric 
power and continuous baking ovens, has unsurpassed facilities for the manufacture of all bakers' 
goods. The advancement and improved methods of manufacturing in the baking business have 
mostly been brought out since i860, namely, rapid and continuous mechanical coal baking ovens 
over the old st^'le fagot and wood-heating ovens, as well as the time and labor saving improved 
mixing, rolling and cutting machinery over the old methods of slow hand work. 

In 1845 Thomas Chase began the business of selling flour, grain, lime and cement in the .store 
on Main street just south of the Worcester & Nashua railroad. Mr. Chase sold out to Hurlburt & 
Sackrider, and the business was conducted in their name for some years. In 1866 S. D. Chandler 
was induced to buy the store and business. Up to this time the facilities for handling the goods had 
been extremely crude; for instance, corn was taken from a car in baskets and passed into the store 
through the window and carried to the place of storage by hand. For meal the corn was put into 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



463 



l)ag.s and sent half a mile away to be ground , then brought back to the store. vSeeing that it would 
not pay to do business in that way, Mr. Chandler in 1.S77 put in elevator machinery, and three runs of 
mill stones. He now removes the grain from the car to the bin by power and grinds his own corn, 
and delivers the grain to the hopper of the sets of stones by sluice and valve at will, and the meal is 
conveyed by power to its alloled i)Iace. The elevator capacity is 40,000 bushels of grain, or 3,000 
barrels of Hour per day, grinding ca])acity 8,000 bu.shels per day. Eight men are employed. 

In iSbS Mr. Chandler bought of Thomas Chase the business of making cement sewer pipe, which 
had just been started l)y Chase & Willis in a small way, and has continued it to the present time. 
The pipe is made by a i>atented jirocess and has given good satisfaction for all pipe of, or below 
twenty-four inches in diameter. .\l first it was made only in warm weather, but since 1890, when the 
works were removed to the new building and grounds, the pipe has been made the year round. 

A diploma was given Mr. Chiuidkr in 186S by the New Hampshire state fair, and a bronze medal 
in 1875 by the New England fair. 

The Francestown Soapstone company was incorporated in 1865 with a capital of $150,000, which 
was increased to $300,000 four years later. They first located in Milford until the present shop at 
the Junction in Nashua was built. The (juarry is located at Francestown, and was worked in a small 
way by its owner as early as 1812, sending some years two hundred tons of stone to Boston. The 
property was for a time mostly owned and managed by David W. and Charles Gillis, but in May of 
1S75 the control of the business passed into the hands of Charles Williams & Co., (of Manchester), 
who .secured the entire property of the company both at the (piarries and at the shops. The company 
also own the Hawks niountaiii quarry at Perkinsville, Vl. This company furnishes all manner of 
soapstone articles called for, from a hand warmer to the front of a palace. The works are extensive, 
covering 30,000 square feet and are well fitted up. A one hundred horse power steam engine is u.sed 
and a large force of hel]) is employed both at the factory and qnarr\-. 

In 1867 S. S. Davis began making boxes in Nashua. In those days the demand was limited and 
the methods and machinery were crude. In 1886 W. H. Campbell purchased the business. With 
the introduction of impro\ed machinery and a sup]dy of better stock at reduced price, there came a 
great expansion of the box business, requiring a large factory and extensive plant. The factory is 
on Water street in the brick building liack of Goodrich block. 

The annual business is some $40,000 with a pay roll of $1,000 monthly. ICmployment is given to 
about forty hands. The works are run \i\ an eight horse ])ower electric engine. 

The enterprise of Hall's hair renewer was started in a small way by R. P. Hall in Amherst. Mr. 
Hall prepared the mixture in his house and peddled it from door to door. In 1S61 Charles Gillis as- 
sociated himself with Mr. Hall and the enterprise was removed to its present location on High street. 
Acting upon the advice of Dr. Ayer of Lowell, E. A. Bigelow was employed as managing agent and 
large sums of money were spent in advertising the business. The success of the business was marked 
from the beginning. In 1864 Mr. Hall sold his interest for $75,000 and in 187 1 Mr. Gillis sold the 
entire business to Ayer & Co. of Lowell for $600,000. The company still sends large invoices of 
goods to all parts of the world. The compound used has always been a secret. \'a]ues lay entirel>- 
in the trade mark and patented label used by the company. Henry Knowles manufactured a hair 
restorer for some years with good success. 

In building up a city like Nashua the supply of stone for foundations, for curb stone, and other 
work is an important matter. For many years the .Shattuck ledge, owned by Z. Shattuck, furnished 
stone for nio.st of the buildings on the north side. About twenty-five years ago it was found 
dangerous to blast the rock in this ledge because hou.ses had been built .so near to it, in one instance 
a rock of one hundred pounds weight went crashing through the roof of a house on Granite street. 
"The ledge," so-called, is the ])ro])erty of the Nashua Manufacturing company, and the foundations 
of their mills were taken from it. In "the ledge" maybe found an unlimited quantity of stone. 
This ledge has been worked by various people who blasted the rocks and carried the fragments to 
the village. For some years Andrew Shattuck and a Mr. Lirsis operated it, to be followed by Capt. 
Daniel M. Fiske, Samuel Wright, Reuben and Alfred Godfrey, and Alfred Godfrey alone. In 1872 
Weston & Stevens, who for two years had been working the Shattuck ledge, bought Alfred Godfrey's 
claim upon "the ledge" and the tools, and, in 1877. Charles W. Stevens became the sole proprietor 
of the rights under lease from the Nashua Manufacturing company, in whose hands it now remains. 



464 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



At the time Weston & Stevens took the property', the stone for underpinning for our best houses 
came from Concord and Milford. Quarrymen and stone-cutters said the stone from the Nashua 
compauN-'s ledge couhl not be split or cut to an edge. Mr. .Stevens thought otherwise, and soon 
convinced them that "the ledge" would produce as good stone as could be obtained at Milford or 
Concord, and at greatly reduced prices. As a result of Mr. Stevens' enterprise we find under most of 
our modern houses fine foundation stone, adding greatly to the beauty of our city, and it is a matter 
of pride to be able to say, "This is Nashua stone prepared by Nashua workmen." 

In place of buying stone from other places, large quantities of finished stone are sent from 
Nashua to Pepperell, Clinton, Worcester, Framingham, and other places. Employment has been 
given to from twenty-five to forty men and from six to twenty horses. The amount of stone moved 
has been from 2,000 to 4,000 perch a year. In 1894 a side track was run from the Worcester & 
Nashua railway to the ledge, greatly increasing the value of the plant. The supply of .stone is 
practicall}' unlimited. 

The business of making mittens, gloves, etc., was begun in 1872 Ijy Mrs. J. P. Barber and was 
the beginning of the manufacture of such goods by machinery. From 1872 to 1882 the work was 
given out to families, and employment was given to about one hundred hands. In 1880 the knitting 
of silk mittens was commenced and goods placed upon the market. In 1882 a mill was erected. The 
business is mostly confined to knitting silk mittens and infants' underclothing. Thirty-five hands 
ai'e now employed. The work is always upon contract, the contractor furnishing the stock. Power 
cannot be used in this work. 

The climax heater, together with a hot and cold water supply sy.stem, is the invention of I. C. 
Richardson and is manufactured and placed in houses by C. B. Jackman. This hot water device has 
given great satisfaction and is the safest and most reliable method of hot and cold water supph' in 
use. The first heater was placed in 1SS5. 

In 1 88 1 O. W. Reed hii'ed his present shop on Mason street and began business for himself as a 
brass founder, where he has been prospered. 

The first electric engine used in Nashua was upon a trolley car used for cou\'e\ing finished goods 
from the cloth room to the press house by the Nashua Manufacturing company. This line was 
established in 1889 and has done efficient work ever since. The first electric engine was placed by 
the Nashua L,ight, Heat and Power company in the Gazette ofhce in 1889. The}- have now thirt>- 
four engines at work furnishing two hundred and seventy-five horse power. The time is not far dis- 
tant when all of our smaller shops will use the electric engine. »Still further, the electric engine will 
enable many small enterprises to flourisli that could not if dependent upon steam for power. The 
engine and the place it occupies is small. It is clean, is always ready for work or rest, as preferred, 
it can be placed in any room in any Iniilding, and is adapted to run a piano or a factory. 

A prominent industry, and one which has pro\-ed to be of great value in the large manufacturing 
cities of New Fngland, was introduced into this city in 1853, and known as the "Bee Hive Brand" 
roofing. The first structure of importance to be covered with this material was the large and fine block 
of stores and dwellings erected by the late Col. E. W. Noyes on Main street. Colonel Noyes, with 
his usual discernment, was the first in Nashua to adopt this improvement in the method of covering 
buildings, and showed his sagacity and foresight, as well as his confidence in the new material, by 
adopting it. His block had a roof surface of 13,419 square feet. His example was soon followeil by 
others, until manufacturing corporations, mechanical works, and many persons interested in real 
estate adopted it. The earlier progress in the work was made by the New England Felt Roofing 
works, but tlie\' soon found it necessary in the increased demand, to delegate the lousiness to others, 
and for many years C. T. vSpalding of this city conducted the business here, until declining health 
compelled him to withdraw. His successor, A. K. Woodbury, who has since associated with himself 
H. A. Albee, has for some years been engaged in the practical work of applying this material. His 
reputation for thoroughness and probity has won for him recognition, not onh in this city but 
elsewhere in the New England states. 

Small enterprises have from time to time sprung up in Nashua, some of which have remained to 
this day, but many of them have passed away. Notable among such was the twine mill of Alonzo 
Crane, in the east mill at the Harjjor, and the making of satinet in the same place. The pottery of 
Martin Crafts was located on the eastern side of Main street, north of the Acton railroad, and Crafts 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. ^65 

lived in the cottage now standiii- on that location. Crafts began his works in i8.vS and continued the 
same some six years. He bronght his clay from Boston by boat. Many of our citizens tell of the 
time wlRii as boys they visited this shop and saw the workmen form the various articles on the wheel 
and then place them in the ovens for baking. 

The pencil factory of Aaron Heywood was located on Water street, where lead pencils were 
made, and from which were sold pencils of .so poor a grade that they could not be given away to-day. 
The method of making the,se goods was exceedingly primitive, and to one familiar with the present 
state of the art, it is a good illustration of the jjrogress of these years. The business was removed to 
Massachusetts. 

A clock factory was for a time a somewhat nourishing enteri)rise. L. W. Noyes was the 
]iroprietor. The names of Wyman, Rogers & Cox, clockmakers, are familiar to the old inhabitants 
The shci]) was located in the rear of long block, Main street. The clocks were fine timepieces and are 
second to none to-day. Many of them are to be found in this neighborhood, and their owners have 
valuable reminders of the past as well as superior timepieces. The works were made of brass. The 
wheels were cast and finished on lathes, the teeth were cut by a gear cutter. The shop had no power 
and the lathes were run by foot. Of course they could not compete with those who made their clocks 
with proper tools and power. This was one of Nashua's lo.st opportunities. The work began in 
1832 and was discontinued in 1.S3S. 

James Ridgway and his son Charles T. Ridgway were jewelers and makers of silver bowed 
.spectacles in .\ndierst. In his travels to and from Boston, for the sale of goods, the son saw the 
advantage of the rising village of Nashua, as an objective point for their business, and in 1.S34 they 
removed their shop to this place and occupied a store where Xutt's block now stands, known as 
Eayrs' block, — seventy-five dollars annual rent. Like the hand made clock, the hand made spectacles 
had to give place to machine made goods. 

Ivarly in the history of Nashua Thomas G. Banks made paper hangings in a small way in the 
basement of a liuilding occupying a part of the ground covered by the present tioodrich block. 
Here he mixed his colors and prepared and stamped his paper. This enterprise was short lived 
becau.se of cheap machine made and stamped papers. The shop was then used as a bowling alley, 
and Captain Banks put into the upper story a stock of paper hangings, making his store the 
headquarters for the police department, he being city mar.shal and police force all in one. 

In 1S46, before calling cards were in vogue, it was (juite the thing for friends to exchange cards 
with the address and motto upon them. A pupil of Professor Crosby conceived the bright idea of 
ornamenting these cards, and Charles T. (iill, an enterprising book .seller of that day, at once entered 
into the business, taking and disposing of all that could be jjroduced by the young artists engaged in 
the enterprise. This business was carried on for se\eral \ears and extended to the making of reward 
cards for school teachers' use. 

No one would e\er ha\e thought that matter-of-fact Nashua, with its practical money making 
inhabitants would have a .sentimental vein in its makeup, but such must have been the case for at one 
time there was a flourishing valentine manufactory in the city owned and managed by J. M. I-'letcher. 
The business was started in 1S50 and continued for ten years. It was located in Beasom hall. Mr. 
Fletcher gave it up to engage in the furniture business. 

James \V. Watts, a well known engraver, who was for many years associated with George W. 
Smith of Boston, at one time lived on Amherst street and there made the well known engravings of 
Lind.seer's "Challenge" and "The Sanctuary." His pictures were copies of the larger English 
engravings. 

In 1S43 J, I). Nutter had a shop for making church organs in Nashua. He made the original 
organ in the Pearl street church and possibly others in our churches. The works were removed to 
Brookfield, Vermont. A factory for making melodeons was located on Water street in what was later 
known as Mullen's building and in 1.S53 was opened by B. F. Tobin and employed twelve men. In 
1857 it was the property of T. and Iv Sawyer, and gave employment to ten hands. The company made 
good instruments, but their capital and possibly their enterprise was too limited to meet the competition 
of large and rich concerns like Mason cS: Hamlin. The enterprise was given up just at the turning point 
in the melodeon business, when the form of the instrument known as the cabinet organ began to be 



466 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

po]iular. The time of this change was the beginning of great prosperity in the business and we may 
safely conclude that if the company had met this crisis in their affairs with courage, they would have 
established a successful business in Nashua. 

When Col. Frank G. Noyes was a student at Williams he one day stepped into the little book- 
store just started in his father's new block to purchase a wallet. He wanted one very thin and light, 
such as was not to be found. Mr. Smith, the proprietor of the store, remarked that he should have 
to make him one, and, being in Boston a few days later, bought some extra fine turkey morocco, and 
made inquiries as to material used, etc., in making wallets. After his return he labored long and 
faithfully to build the desired wallet. The design, was good, the material was of the best, the book 
was soft and light, but the workmanship was not such as would encourage the art. The book was 
not placed on exhibition. This experiment was so much of a success that when a friend, John Hunt- 
ington became disabled for hard work, Mr. Smith helped him to enter into the making of wallets, and 
for some ten years he and his wife made the best wallets ever sold in the market. At this same time 
Mr. Smith had several hands at work making portfolios, and when the Civil War began, he made and 
sold great quantities of the.se goods for the soldiers' use. When what was known as "fractional 
currency " began to come into use, Mr. >Smith made what was known as a magic holder to carry it in. 
The demand for these goods was such that within a week fourteen hands were at work making them, 
and in three weeks the rush was over. Large box shops were setting their help to making them and 
they flooded the market. The profits to Mr. Smith for his ideas and three weeks' work was $500. As 
the premium on gold kept foreign made wallets away from the market, and as his help was organized 
for work, Mr. vSmith began to make wallets for the trade and for some years he made this a branch of 
his business. After the war the Copp brothers were engaged in the business of making wallets in 
cotniection with their bookstore. 

The brothers, Moses A. and Kendall F. Worcester were for some ^-ears extensively engaged in the 
compressed yeast business in what is known as the Greeley building. The business was removed to 
Worcester, Mass., in the seventies. 

A. M. Smith and I. C. Richard.son established a hoop-skirt manufacturing company in 1865. 
During the years when hoop skirts were in fashion this enterprise was quite successful. The factory 
was in the card shop on Pearson's avenue. 

C. P. Danforth was for a time engaged quite extensivel>- in the suspender manufacturing busi- 
ness. He began in 1865 and employed some thirty hands. L. H. Burbank also had a factory in Per- 
ham's block for making the same class of goods. 

Rufus Fitzgerald has conducted the business of leather belting in Nashua since i860. He first 
occupied the east end of the Jackson company's shoji. In 1S71 he located in his ]iresent quarters at 
the corner of Main and Park streets. 

In 1S52 John Mullen began weaving carpets in Merrimack where he did a good business. Owing 
to a quarrel with his landlord he removed to Nashua in 1859. He was fir.st located in an attic in the 
bobbin factor}^ but finally purchased and moved into the vacated melodeon factory on the river bank 
back of the present Goodrich block and carried on the business until the building was destroj^ed 
by fire in 1S74. In connection with his carpet works, John Mullen had a dye house on Water street. 
Edward Murgatroyd also had one on Front street which was for many years an institution for econo- 
mical Nashua, and it is continued to the present time by his successors. 

The Nashua Butt and Hardware company was organized to build butt hinges under the patent of 
George Moore and two patents of R. T. Smith. In i8y,^ the business was sold to the Reading, Pa., 
Hardware company. 

For many years John Ridge made files in a small way on Amherst street and in other shops. In 
1892 John Ridge and John B. Grover began bu.siness under the name of the Nashua Rasp company 
at Edgeville. Mr. Grover soon bought the entire interest in the Inisiness, and in 1894 the works were 
closed. 

L. E. Burljank has been engaged in the manufacture of overalls for many years. His shop is 
located on Merrimack street. 

The first cigar factory in Nashua was started by O. P. Greenleaf, better known to the old citizen 
as "Dr. Olipod," in 1843, in a building known as Fuller's block, located where Merchants Exchange 
now stands. Mr. Greenleaf continued business in the same building until 1S4S. He afterwards 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 46- 

went into the hotel business at Hillsborough Bridge. Jonas Kempton started the cigar business in 
Nashua at 112 Pearl street (old numbers) where Campbell's paint shop now is, in 185S, in connection 
with his confectionery business. Mr. Kempton ran it about two years and sold out to Chapman & 
Cram. They moved from 112 Pearl street to under the old TTniversalist church, where Wheeler's 
clothing store now is. They then removed to Tutlle building, with store o)i street and factory in 
basement. They continued the business about three years, and dissolved partnership, H. J. 
Chapman succeeding A. B. Cram, and continuing the business a .short time. 

Moses L. Truell started in 1864 on Palm street where he continued one year, and then moved to 
the corner of Elm and Pearl streets, over what is now A. J. Blood & Co.'s store. He moved from 
there to the old post ofhce building on Pearson's avenue, where a partnership was formed with J. F. 
Dennahan. The business continued two years here, and was then moved to the ten-footers which 
stood where Ayer block now stands, and remained there until the ten-footers were torn down in 
1891. In 1886 Mr. Dennahan died, Mr. Truell continuing the business alone. He moved to Greeley 
building April i, 1891, where he remained about seven months, removing to 10 Factory street, where 
he is still located. Charles Holman started in the cigar business about 1869 in a bjock which he 
Iniilt where his dwelling house now stands, at the corner of Main and Eldridge streets. This block 
was burned in 1871 and Mr. Holman removed to 112 Pearl street, at the old place where Mr. Kempton 
started in 1858, where he continued the business until 1873. T. J. Dowd moved his business here 
from Manchester in 1888, and started in the store now occupied by Marden & Mygatt on Pearl street. 
He removed his factory to the old brick school house on Pearl street in 1891, and .still continues at 
this location. C. M. Fairbanks started in 1890 at the junction of Merrimack and Manchester streets, 
and still continues at that location. \V. E. Keeley started in business in 1893 in the Chase building 
on VAm street, and in a short time removed to Tessier block on Pearl street, where he remained a 
short time, removing to Tremont block, 75 Pearl street, where he is now located. During all this 
time there were several others who started in the business and continued for a short period, namely: 
C. A. .Smith, Wm. Greenman, Andrew Conant, F. N. McKean, Charles Bowers, Preston 6t McKean, 
L,overiu & Shurtleif, Nathan Marcus, Geo. Foquitt, F. P. F'ellows, and J. N. Neman. 

For man}- years after the settlement of Dunstable there were no carriages, and con.sequently no 
harnesses, but there must have been those who made harnesses and the ruder and coarser kinds of 
wheel \ehicles before 1800. In 1825 there was a shop south of vSalmon brook for making and 
repairing carts and heavy wagons. A'arious individuals have maintained similar shops during all 
the years of the history of Nashua, but no concern has ri.sen to the dignity of a carriage manufactory. 
The making of harnesses has been a business of some importance, and different individuals have 
been identified with it. Notably Isaac Stiles, Marshall Farnsworth, Norman Fuller, Amasa 
Sanderson, and Woodward & Cory. 

For a manufacturing city the question of water power was, at the time of the beginning of this 
place, a matter of vital importance. Coal was but little used and its transportation was a serious 
matter. The water power from Mine falls first stimulated interest in manufacturing only of the small- 
est and rudest kind. The dam at Mine falls is partly a natural obstruction of the water course and 
partly artificial. The first dam was engineered by Col. William Boardman. It has been improved 
and modified several times since his day. The distance of the mills from the dam necessitates many 
ingenious devices for communicating the state of the water at the dam. The original dam of the 
Jackson company was built by Colonel Boardman. The second by a man known as " Boston Jack." 
The third and last by Pollard Wilson in 1878. Prior to this time there was one between Front and 
Water streets west of the Main street bridge. From the early days of Dunstable there have been 
dams on vSalmon Ijrook. The first of these was built in 1679 and probably stood some twenty or thirty 
rods above the bridge. It was used for running a saw mill. The upper and lower Vale Mills dams 
were rebuilt in 1883 by Pollard Wilson. He also built the upper Pennichuck dam the same year. 

At first the shops of Nashua were mainly to be found in the Nashua Manufacturing company's 
buildings on Water street. A few minor enterprises centered in the Jackson company's saw mill at 
the norUi end of its dam and others in the shop south of the brook at the Harbor. The big forge 
shops on Hollis street were looked upon as out of town. In 1852-3 a movement was made for better 
manufacturing facilities. Gage, Warner & Whitney built a fine plant on Hollis street, and Hartshorn 
& Ames on Howard street, to be followed later by other firms, until shops may be found occupying 



468 



HISTORY OF NASHUA. N. H. 



favorable localities all around the outskirts of the city upon our railroad lines. These shops are 
mainly, fine buildings, well adapted for permanency. The shoe manufacturers have shown commend- 
able enterprise in building and furnishing their several plants. Good substantial buildings with suit- 
able appointments indicate permanency, and have a real influence upon the prosperity of any enter- 
prise. 

It is an interesting fact that the first stock of goods offered to the public of old r)unstal:)le was 
drawn on a hand sled from vSalem. The stock consisted of axes, knives, needles, fish hooks, a keg of 
nails, another of rum, a quantity of salt fish, and twenty pounds of powder. In 182 1 there were five 
stores in Dunstable, all of them "country stores," carrying a small stock of the grosser sorts of all 
kinds of goods. The village was well located for trade. The central avenue from this state — the 
natural outlet for all "down east," towards the west, and of all the northwest towards the sea coa.st 
— passed through Dunstalile, making it then, as now, the strategic point for southern New Hampshire. 
One of the five stores was kept by Mr. Boynton at the centre, on the site of the Godfrey barn, one b}' 
Samuel Foster on the west side of Abbot square, at the top of the hill, one b}- Moses Foster just 
north of the First church, one by J. E. «& A. Greeley, south of the church, and one by the Hunts at 
the Harlior. At this time Dunstable in New Hampshire was at the head of good navigation on the 
river and the growing importance and prosperity of the New Hampshire and A'ermont towns made 




PENNICIUrCK WATER WORKS' I'l'Ml'I.VG STATION. 



this a convenient center for a growing trade. Most of tlie trade came from distant towns, some of the 
customers coming a hundred miles or more with loaded teams of produce and returning with a barrel 
of molasses, a quantity of codfish, a few bushels of salt, a bolt of cotton cloth, a few general gro- 
ceries, and, quite possibly, a keg of the ardent. These were the more distant customers, but the 
farmers from all the neighboring towns for twentx' miles around were sure to find their way to the 
stores on days when "it rained so hard that they could not work out of doors," bringing their wives 
and daughters to revel in the mysteries of dry goods and millinery and exchange lots of eggs, a 
crock of butter, etc., for the same. With the Iniilding of the mills came a host of small stores to- 
gether with a few pretentious dry goods stores. On the north side of Factor>- street " ten-footers " 
sprang up in a night and jostled each other in their crowding for room. 

The advent of the Concord railroad in 1S42 removed the Vermont and northern New Hampshire 
trade to Concord, giving the death blow to many of the general merchandise .stores, and hastening 
the day when .stores devoted to a single line of merchandise would prevail. The coming of Henry 
Norwell in 1857 marked the beginning of a new phase in trade: the modern "pay as you go" method, 
in which the capital is turned rapidly so that small profits now pay better than a large profit used to. 



HIS-JORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 469 

We have seen that the Ridgways paid seventy-five dollars a year rent for a small store on the Nutt's 
Mock corner. In 1853 stores rented, on Factory street and on the west side of Main street, for from 
one hundred and fifty dollars to four hundred dollars per year. The rents in the new Union block 
on I'actory street were four hundred dollars per year. In 1853 Noyes block was built and a rent of 
fnc hundred dollars per store was recjuired. 

No one can realize the change wrought in the habits ol the people, in their ideas of expenditure, 
and consequently upon the condition and state of trade. The beginning of the Civil War found us 
jjrovincial, it left us cosnio]KjIitau ; it broadened our outlook and developed our energy. Men who 
remember Sumter, Bull Run, (Gettysburg, the surrender of Lee and the death of Lincoln, could not 
but expand, and this cx]>ansion of idea extended to manufacturing and trade. The war marked the 
beginning ol a new era in Nashua. vSuch blocks as Beasom, Howard, Masonic, Odd Fellows, 
.\yer and Whiting show what progress has been made in these lines. These buildings are an 
indication of the advanced ideas of trade. 

Perhaps we may safely say that no place in old Dunstable had such a charm for a certain class of 
its inhabitants as the hay market. Here horse jockeys congregated and gossip of the coarser kind 
was indulged in. This venerable institution consisted of a framed building covered by a peaked 
roof and boarded at its two ends, with open sides. FCxtending from beam to beam across the centre 
of this structure was a huge wooden shaft with bearings at its ends that engaged the beams. On this 
slialt, at one end, was secured a large wooden wheel. Over the rim of this wheel passed a rope, 
which engaged a roller turned by a crank placed below, within working distance of the ground. To 
the centre of this shaft was secured a chain and from the chain hung the huge iron beam of the 
steelyards. Beside this shaft was a platform on which the weights were kept and on which the 
operator stood. A load of hay or other commodity was driven so that its centre stood below the 
steelyards from which chains extended to the hubs of the wagon wheels and the load was lifted from 
the ground, b\- the revolution of the roller, by the crank, after which it was weighed. 

As the help that came to work in our mills was largely female, who came from homes on the 
New Hampshire hillsides and bought not only for their own use, but for their friends at home, we 
should naturalh- expect the dry goods business to be prominent. The names of Isaac Spalding, W. 
D. Beasom, Iv. S. (ioodnow. Reed & Slader. J. A. Wheat, M. W. Merrill, .\. .S: I". F. Kindiall, J. H. 
lUake and others stand prominent in the dry goods trade of the old times. 

Merchants, before the crisis of 1857, bought goods on six months' and sold goods to " respectable 
people" on time, with the result that the capital of the jobber was in the hands of the retailers, and 
that of the retailer in the hands of the people, and when credit was discredited all business was at a 
standstill. Such was the state of affairs in 1857, when the credit system was entirely ruined by the 
panic. The war in 1861 upset all prices and all jirevious business methods, and trade became 
organized on new principles. This change in business methods demoralized all lines of trade. But 
few of the old traders could, or did, come into line, and so made way for new men. In 1837 Henry 
Norwell opened his store in Noyes block and soon convinced the i)nblic that he came to sell, not to 
.store goods. In 1864 Norwell sold his business to William Taylor and Harry Norwell and became a 
member of the firm of Shepard, Norwell & Co. of Boston. Mr. Taylor proved himself a worthy 
successor of Mr. Norwell, and raised the standard of the business still higher. In 1869 Mr. Taylor 
.sold to Crawford & Anderson and established the firm of Taylor & Kilpatrick in Cleveland, Ohio. 
Crawford & Anderson sold to W. B. Wakelin. Crawford established a large business in New York 
city, and Anderson in Toledo, Ohio. Norwell, Taylor, Crawford, and Anderson were Scotchmen 
trained to business, and left Nashua to form four great dry goods houses in four of our great cities, 
l-ine, large and costly stores now give suitable rooms for large stocks of goods, such as those of 
Harry S. Norwell, Chamberlain, Patten & Co., and others. 

Vs we niioht expect, the first stores were largely groceries, carrying dry goods and sundries. Of 
such Nashua "has alwavs had a few notable houses, such as W. A. & N. McKean Reed .S: Slader, 
Isaac Spaldin- Kendrick .S: Tuttle, G. W. Perham, J. O. Blunt and other names too numerous to 
nuntion ThTs line of trade has not been so fluctuating as that of dry goods. It was not .so entirely 
demoralized bv the war. The tendency to large stores with fine assortments of goods has also invaded 
this line of trade and has given us seveiM especially good stores, such as those of C. R. Cotton, B. 



470 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

S. Woods, George B. McQuesten, N. J. Alltoii and others. To give a full history of the grocery 
trade would require a volume. 

For some years after the advent of manufacturing the meat supplies came from the neighboring 
farms. Soon the killing of animals and sale of meat became a branch of business by itself, the meat 
being sold from covered wagons from door to door. Thomas Pearson, Sen., Morgan & Mooney, 
Whitford & Bowman, and the Latons, together with Crosby from Milford, bought and slaughtered 
and catered to the wants of our citizens in the direction of meat supplies. At an early date shops for 
the sale of meats and vegetables began to appear upon our streets, the dealers receiving their stock 
from the local butcher. In 1888 meats killed and packed in Chicago and brought east in refrigerator 
cars captured the market and drove the local butcher from the field. These western firms established 
agencies in the city from which dealers obtained their supplies. 

As to volume and value, the book business, that is, the selling of books, has never been a source 
of profit to any one in Nashua, but as an indicator of the intellectual growth of the community 
it rises to the highest place among the trading interests in our midst. Indeed, the book seller .stands, 
as an educator, shoulder to shoulder with the preacher or teacher. In 1826 W. A. Brown opened a 
printing office and published the first new.spaper, called the Nashua Constellation, and in connection 
with the office Brown opened a bookstore. As his paper was not burdened with matter of any kind, 
room is found in it for a full column advertisement of his book store. The list included bibles and 
hymn books, the balance were antiquated school books, books that five }-ears later could not have 
been given away, except the dictionary and Webster's speller. There was not one purely literary 
book in the list. Within a year Brown had two competitors in the book trade, William Wiggin and 
C. Page, besides at least two of the general merchandise stores advertised stocks of books. In 1830 
Ignatius Bagley opened a book store and circulating library. 

At this time Na,shua was at the head of navigation and was the center of trade for all of central 
and western New Hampshire and a part of Vermont, and these stores represented the book trade of that 
large territory. The district schools were improving, the call for school books was large, the help in 
the mills acted as agent for their home friends and purchased books for their use. Besides publishing 
a paper and selling books. Brown dealt largely in lotteries, advertising them with other goods. 

In 1829 Andrew E. Thayer bought the Constellation and the book business of Brown and associated 
William Wiggin with him in the business. Evidently Thayer was the only man who had capital or 
ability sufficient to conduct the busine.ss ; he brought life and enterprise into the store. Three school 
books that revolutionized the district schools were published at this time, Olney's geography, Peter 
Parley's history and Adams' arithmetic. These live books displaced the old books entirely. Thayer 
also filled his .store with readable literature, with good stationerj' and stationer's fancj- goods, and 
made his store first-class. In 1830 he had a circulating library of six hundred volumes, with a sub- 
scription price of three dollars per year for new books, and one dollar and a half for old. In 1830 
Wiggin retired from the business. In 1831 Thayer offered for sale 2,000 volumes of miscellaneous 
books, besides bibles and school books. It may be of intere.st to note that up to February, 1828, the 
Constellation (Gazette) was printed on hand-made pajjer and after that date it was printed on engine- 
made paper. C. Page appears to have held his own and makes a good showing in his advertisements. 
During the ten years between 1S30 and 1840 J. Buffom and C. T. Gill figure largely in the book busi- 
ness of Nashua. Buffom eventually removed to Cornhill, Boston, and Mr. Gill remained an active 
and enterprising element in the business until his death in 1849. Gradually the book stores were re- 
moved to the south side of the bridge. In 1853 there were two live book stores in Nashua. That of 
N. P. Greene, successor to C. T. Gill, who also did book binding, and Fletcher & Wilcox. Mr. 
Fletcher of this firm had held .some relation to a publishing house in New York. He attended the 
book auctions in New York and bought many books, such as the standard poets and histories, and 
sold them at auction in Nashua. For some years after the war Copp Brothers occupied a large 
place in the Nashua book trade. For a time, about 1850, when Phillips & Samson and others were 
issuing reprints of standard British writers and were selling the same at low prices, a great many 
books were sold in Nashua. From that time until the advent of the cheap paper covered books few 
books were .sold. For some years past great numbers of cheap reprints have been sold at a nominal 
price. There is a growing demand for new issues and for good literature. 



/I /STORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



471 



In the early daj-s of New Kiiglaiul when the cloth for clothing was made in the home, a tailoress, 
or, if great style was wanted, a tailor was invited to the house and the cloth was cut and made up at 
home-. In those days tailors and shoe makers were men who found employment, not in shops, but in 
the homes of their customers. Of course this was not true in the larger towns. In 1826 we find 
.\ndrew Barr and John Hay in the clothing business. In 1S40 we find J. B. & H. J. Chapman, also 
C. H. Nutt and J. \V. Windus. In 1853 there were eleven firms in the clothing business in this city. 
Many of these were of the cla.ss then known as the "slop shops." As the ready-made shops began 
to produce better goods and styles, they drew hard upon the tailors, making it a somewhat uncertain 
business. 

Tlic first intimation to Ije found of ready-made clothing in Nashua is in 1828, when W. & C. 
W'atkin advertise ready-made pants, vests and spencers, evidently in limited assortment and quantity. 
'I'he advent of the sewing machine made the ready-made clothing business a great success. The first 
attenqil nf the kind, on an extended scale, was l)egun in New York in 1835. The goods were placed 
in families to have the sewing done, and packages of goods were sent far and near into the country 
lo be made up by families. In 1853 the .sewing machine had begun to be a factor in the business, 
and 520,000,000 worth of readx-made clothing was produced that year in New York. The business 
has been well represented in Nashua by such firms as Martin & Co., Nelson Tuttle, A. K. Dodge, 




AN 01. I> Sllol' WINDOW. 

Runnells & Cha.se, and manv others. In 1S52 Mr. Warren had a shop for making ready-made 
clothing. In it he u.sed the t^rst working sewing machine sold in Nashua, lie removed the business 
to Lowell, Mass. 

Like the clothing trade, the boot and shoe tnule has been entirely changed in its methods. 
Readv-made shoes have almost displaced custom work, and the name boot does not convey the idea 
that it did fortv vears ago. Large factories now displace the shoemaker, giving us more comely shoes 
at a smaller price. The shoe trade has had on its list such names as Mark Adams, Q. A. Tirrell, N. 
P. Washburn, and a host of other honorable men. 

The first to use coal in Nashua for domestic purposes was J. M. Fletcher. He made his purchases 
in P.oston and it was brought to town in a baggage car. In the early fifties parlor stoves for burning 
coal came somewhat into use, but there were no regular coal dealers. The manufacturing companies 
furnished the coal bv wav of accommodation. White & Washburn were the pioneer dealers^and they 
practically controlled the business, bringing their coal from Salem, Mass. Naturally the Nashua cS: 
Worcester railroad wished to have a share in the profits of such a growing freight. They accordingly 



47- 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



in i.Syo arranged with a j-oung and enterprising coal dealer of Worcester, George Phelps, who re- 
moved his office to Nashua, and brought his coal on their road. Coal has almost superseded the use 
of wood for fuel, and various men, and large and heavy firms have been engaged in the business. 

We have followed the course of mechanical events in Nashua for seventy years; we began with 
Dunstable, a sandy plain, we show to-day the beautiful city of Nashua. We began wtli untrained 
workmen, unsuitable tools, crude materials, the worst of methods. We had the vicious methods of 
European mechanics without their skill or training. For instance, each individual watch maker had 
his own peculiarities of make ; he fitted each part of the watch into its place in the watch then in 
hand and the parts so fitted were not expected to fit a similar place in another watch. The same was 
true of the parts of a lathe, steam engine, and of all other machines. Now with that method the 
modern factory system was impossible. Not only was this true, but the high price of labor and the 
cheap goods of America could not have obtained under such conditions. We are proud of Howe, 
Morse, Goodyear, Edison, and a host of other inventors who have made American mechanics famous. 
But the man to whom we are indebted for the great mechanical revolution which has ,so far blessed 
the world, by introducing true mechanical methods remains unknown and unhonored. In Windsor, 




N,\SnU.\ IM.XNUF.-VCTUUIXG COMP.VNY- 



Vermont, there is a small gun factory. In this factory originated the idea of making the individual 
parts of all guns of the same kind exactly alike, so that, from a great number of parts, guns could be 
assembled without refitting, each part fitting all other parts with which it was adapted to connect. 
The United States government was quick to see the advantage of this method and to adopt it, and 
we have seen that in 1S56 the British took measures to introduce the method into their arsenals. Other 
lines of mechanics were not slow to follow and adopt this method, the great sewing machine factories 
being notable instances. As a consequence, better machinists' tools were required. Automatic 
machinery was demanded, helps for exact measurements were called for, careful and exact workmen 
were wanted, and the intelligent draughtsman became a necessity. The advent of the watch factory 
in our city marked the beginning of a higher mechanical education with ns. Many of our older 
mechanics speak with pride of their experience in its shop. This, with training obtained in the gun 
shops during the war, raised the .standard of workmanship and laid the foundation of future success. 
The Nashua Manufacturing company has always set a good example in adopting improved machinery 
and methods, and it has always been a worthy example to our business firms. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



473 



The example of our shoe shops has given us new conceptions of the power and advantage of 
systematic methods. Indeed, the shops make the stronger impression because their work is more 
easily understood. In the winter of 1887-8 the first serious attempt was made to introduce mechanical 
drawing in Nashua as a part of mechanical education. This was the most profitable ijivestment in the 
educational line ever made in our city. It marks an era in our mechanical life. Of late years many 
of our young men have given allention to a mechanical education of a high order, including a course 
at the school of Technology in Bo.ston, thus fitting themselves for places of higher trust. This is as 
it .should be, for there is always a call for such men. It is as true in mechanics as in any profession 
"that there is always room at the top." Skill and education combined with character never lacks 
eniplo\ nicnt. 




MINE FAI.I.S, N.\Slir,\ I!I\K1{. 

When we see the ])osition Nashua assumed as the mother of new enterprises, we wonder at 
results. Nashua shook the bush and other towns gathered the fruit. Why was this? It was because 
our business men were provincial and not cosmopolitan: it was because Nashua was simply an 
expansion of I)unstal)le; its views did not extend to the far west ; its centre was Hoston instead of 
New York. So much for the past and present, now for the future. The inventor and the exploiter 
are slowly becoming creatures of the past, their da\ is passing away. Most of what is called 
inventi( n lo-day is simply a new arrangement of old parts and ideas and is not, in the highest sense, 
invention. The manufacturer to be successful to-day must look upon the business as a permanency, 
one into which he is willing to put his money freely. He must secure the best machines and must 



474 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



adopt the best methods. He must look upon his business as an inheritance to descend to his family, 
he must be both radical and conservative in that respect. 

Any history of Nashua that left the workers (men who work with their hands) out of considera- 
tion would not be complete. The first industrial workers of Nashua came from the farms of New 
Hampshire or from the small village shops where the farmer had his wagon repaired or his horse 
shod. The girls in the mills were educated Yankee girls, full of ambition and ready for work. It 
was the superior intelligence of the help, rather than their acquired skill, to which we are indeljted 
for results. 

A machinist of that day must l)e a "jack of all trades," he must do a little forging, a great deal 
of filing, must turn a lathe or planer. The conditions of his life had prepared him to do this with 
fair success. 

NASHUA INVENTIONS. 

We have attempted, in this article, to give a list of working machines that originated in Nashua, 
the better to give a true idea of Nashua's share in the mechanical development and progress of this 
mechanical age. We feel that the list is imperfect but we have done our best to secure and give such 
information ; some of the machines referred to may have been known and used before their invention 
in Nashua, and never patented, but were unknown to the Nashua inventors. 



Railwaj' spike machine. Ami George. 

Alarm money drawer, Edwin B. White. 

Spring spindle for shuttles, James Baldwin. 

Mortise lock, Samuel .Shepard. 

Mortising machine, Samuel Shepard. 

Automatic gear cutter, George Whitney. 

Dust ring for watches, B. D. Bingham. 

Horse nail machine, B. D. Bingham. 

Power shearing machine, R. T. Smith and J. K. Priest. 

Calender rolls, O. D. Murray. 

Non-heating friction rolls, O. D. Murray. 

Nailing machine, Samuel Shepard. 

Cloth cutting machine for bags, R. T. Smith. 

Music perforator, R. T. Smith. 

White mountain freezer, Thomas Sands. 

Hydraulic crane, Samuel K. and Samuel T. Welhnan 

Rollin's engine, George A. Rollins. 

Barber's clippers, J. K. Priest. 

.Automatic piano, R. T. Smith. 

Bag folder and cutter. R. T. Smith. 

Card board cutter, R. T. Smith. 

A power cable, J. K. Priest. 

Power embroidery machine, R. T. Smith. 

.Automatic for embroidery, R. T. Smith. 

Machine for cutting boxes, C. E. Clement. 

Bearers for printing press, C. E. Clement. 



Machine for folding fans,R. T. Smith. 

Gang circular saws, R. T. Smith. 

Multiple die, R. T. Smith. 

Machine for pasting two webs of cloth into one, R. T. 

Smith. 
Railway signals, John S. Lynam and George F. .Adams. 
Combined register and money drawer, E. O. Wood. 
Machine for cutting elastics for shoes, J. Norman Kendall. 
Machine for cutting stiffeuing for shoes, J. Norman 

Kendall. 
Cloth trimming machine, R. T. vSmith. 
Wool washer, William White. 
Wool feeding device, William White. 
Wool dryer, William White. 
Butt hinge riveting device, R. T. Smith. 
Saddle tree, O. S. Tabor. 
Butt Hinge, George Moore. 

Machine for making bird cages, J. il. Fletcher. 
Climax heater, I. C. Richardson. 
Fire escape, Cyrus Mitchell. 
Saunders' sprinkler. H. Saunders. 
Improvement in lathes, J. Flather. 
Improvement in keg planer, J. F^lather. 
Hot press plates, J. J. Crawford. 
Lock mortising machine, H. A. Holt.. 
Paper coloring machine, C. P. Gage. 






HISTORY OF XAS/ftrA, N. H. 



475 



r 



AARON KING. 

Aaron King was born in Palmer, Mass., June 22, 1818, 
died in Nashua, Oct. 3, 1888. He was a son of Isaac and 
Abby (Cutler) King, and a descendant of sturdy New- 
England stock whose worth and influence were reflected 
and ever apparent in his life and character. 

Mr. King was educated in the schools of his native 
town and at Monson academy at Monson, Mass., and at 
the academy at Westfield, Mass. He conuuenced life as a 
book-keeper for a 
finn in Connecti- 
cut. Later he be- 
came interested in 
railroads and ran 
the first passenger 
train over the 
Northern & New 
London road. lie 
remained ou that 
road as passenger 
conductor seven 
years, when he ac- 
cepted a similar 
position, 1852, oTi 
the Worcester S; 
Nashua road and 
removed to Nash- 
ua. His term of 
service on the last 
named road cover- 
ed a period of nine- 
teen years, and it is 
a fact beyond cavil 
that his courtesy 
and kindness were 
such that no pub- 
lic man was more 
highly regarded 
by the traveling 
public. About 
1870 he became in- 
terested in the en- 
terprise then on 
foot to build the 
Nashua & Roches- 
ter road and was 
appointed con- 
struction agent, a ! 
position which he 
filledwith marked 
ability and to the 
entire satisfaction 
of the stockholders. The road 
was completed in 1875, and after 
that Mr. King was not specially 
active in business affairs, al- 
though he held the position of president of the London- 
derry Lithia .Spring Water company. 

lint Aaron King was a good deal more than a popular 
railroad man among his fellow-citizens. He was inter- 
ested in whatever interested the people and gave freely 
of his money and influence to make Nashua prosperous 




(^/^<^2^^?^zr?^ ^y^^^ 



and assure Nashuans whatever tended to make their lot 
in life happier had his sympathy and support. In 1875 
he joined the Pearl Street Congregational church, and 
when that was united with the Olive .Street church, trans- 
ferred his membership to the new organization, the Pil- 
grim church, anil lived and <Iied in that communion. 
Mr. King was made a York Rite mason in Rising .Sun 
lodge, A. V. and A. M., 1856, and Meridian Sun Royal 
Arch chapter, 1857, in Nashua. He received the cryptic 
degrees in Hiram council in Worcester, Mass., 1858, and 

was knighted in 
Worcester County 
com mandery in 
the same city 
1S59. The .Scottish 
Rite degrees from 
the fourth to the 
thirty-second were 
conferred upon 
him in the consis- 
tory in Nashua, 
and he received 
the 33d and last 
degree at a meet- 
ing of the supreme 
council in 1864. 
He was an active 
member of the or- 
der till his death, 
being an officer in 
the consistory and 
deeply interested 
in everything that 
pertained to its 
welfare and the 
happiness of his 
brethren. It is 
truly recorded on 
the printed page 
of the official re- 
port of the grand 
council of the .An- 
cient -Accepted 
Scottish Rite, 1889, 
that: "To him 
life was earnest 
and he earnestly 
met its duties and 
responsibilities. 
Ilis convictions 
were strong and 
his opinions fixed. 
He loved his home 
and family. He was too modest 
to be ambitious and too retiring 
to seek public office." .\nd it 
may be added that Nashua never 
had a more honorable and upright citizen or one who in 
his daily walk and conversation exerted a wider influ- 
ence for good. 

Mr. King was united in marriage Sept. 1, 1852. with 
Klizabeth H. Ramsdell, daughter of Joseph and Eliza- 
beth ( I-;ells) Ramsdell of Warren, Mass. Two children 



^?^^ 



476 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



were l)orn of their marriage: Joseph R., born Jviue 24, 
1855, died Nov. 5, 1856; Anna L., born Oct. 5, 1858, mar- 
ried Charles S. Collins, M. D., of Nashua, died April 15. 
1897. 

JAMES BRADFORD EATON. 

James B. Eaton was born at Windol, uowSunapee, -Aug. 
15, 1815, died Oct. 10, 1867. He was a son of David and 
Susannah Eaton, both of w-hom were natives of Deering. 




JAMES BHADFOKD E.\T()\. 

His ancestors were of that branch of the Eaton family 
that traces its genealogy- through several centuries and 
meets annually in reunion in Boston. Mr. Eaton olj- 
tained a common school education in his native place, to 
which he added a large increase of knowledge by private 
study, observation and experience. He resided at Hills- 
Ijoro Bridge until a few years after his marriage, then re- 
moved to Nashua where he had his home until his death. 
His life was mostly spent in railroading, and at the time 
of his death he had been road master of the Nashua & 
Ivowell and Boston & I^owell road for seventeen years 
He lost his life by accident. In stepping from the slip- 
pery platform of a car at Woburn watering place he fell 
under the wheels of the train and was run over and 
killed. Mr. Eaton was one of the prominent citizens of 
his day in Nashua. He was active in many directions. 
In York Rite masonry he was a member of Rising Sun 
lodge and Meridian Sun Royal Arch chapter. In Scottish 
Rite masonry he was a member of all the bodies in the 
Valley of Nashua, including Edward A. Raymond consis- 
tory, 32d degree. In fact he was one of the few earnest 
and enthusiastic Scottish Rite masons who were advanced 
to the 32d grade at the Valley of Nashua in Boston, and 
who established the consistory of the Valley of Nashua 
and gave liberally to supply it with paraphernalia.. Mr. 
Eaton was an earnest member of Lowell street M. E. 
church. His funeral was held in Franklin hall. Rev. 
E. A. Smith officiated in the religious exercises and the 
body was buried with full masonic honors. 

Mr. Eaton married Sarah R. Hobson of Deering. Four 
children were born of their marriage; George F., born 



at Hillsboro Bridge in 1858, (Rev. and D. D., presiding 
elder of the Boston North District New England Confer- 
ence , married Arabella M. Harding of Nashua; Alvin S., 
born at Hillsboro Bridge, Dec. 4, 1840, (city marshal of 
Nashua), married Rebecca 11. Sawyer of Buxton, Me.; 
Charles F. G., boru at Nashua in 1854, locomotive en- 
gineer; Etta, born at Nashua, Oct. 30, 1856, married John 
F. Burnham. 

EDWARD H. SPALDING. 

Edward H. Spalding was born in Wilton in 1S25, died 
iu Wilton June 20, 1893. (For ancestors see sketch of his 
brother, John A. Spalding.) M . Spalding was educated 
in the public schools of W'ilton and by private study and 
observations. He came to Nashua early in life, and, fol- 
lowing a short clerkship in the store of Isaac Spalding, 
was active in business affairs on his own account. He 
organized the First National bank and Cit}' Savings bank, 
and was a director in one and a trustee in the other. He 
was the pioneer of the Nashua, Acton & Boston railroad, 
a director in its management and chiefly instrumental in 
its construction. Outside of busiuess Mr. Spalding was 
deeply interested in antiquarian study. He was a mem- 
ber of the New Hampshire and New- England Historical 
societies and had one of the largest private collections of 
rare books, papers and reports of any man in the state. 
He represented Ward Eight in the legislature and was 
active and influential in all enterprises that promised to 
advance the interest of the city. Mr. .Spalding spent the 




KDWAKD 11. .SI'AI.DING. 
last few years of his life on the ancestral farm in Wilton. 
His family is scattered. Henry M., his son, is a resident 
of North Enid, O. T., and two daughters live in Dallas, 
Texas, 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



GEORGK STARK. 

General George Stark was born at Manchester, April 9, 
1S23; died at Nashua, A])ril 13, 1892. Ilis father, Fred- 
erick G. Stark, was the son of John, the third of the 
children of Major-General Stark, the hero of Bennington. 
His death occurred in 1861. The earlv davs of young 
Stark were favored with the oversight and influence of an 
excellent mother. .She died in 1856. 

General Stark attended the public .schools of the .-^mos- 
keag district of his 
native place until 
he was nine years 
of age, and the 
succeeding four 
years was a stu- 
dent at the acade- 
mies in Pembroke 
and Milford. His 
studies were chief- 
ly in the line of 
mathematics, yet 
natural aptitude 
and diligence sup- 
plied him in after 
years many of the 
deficiencies of edu- 
cation. .\ t the 
close of school 
days he returned 
to Manchester and 
entered upon his 
career as assistant 
with the chief en- 
gineer and survev- 
or of the prelimi- 
nary surveys for 
the canals, facto- 
ries and streets of 
the embryo city. 
He was thus em- 
ployed one year, 
and when not at 
work, he attended 
the academies at 
Bedford and San- 
bornton and the 
high school at 
Lowell, Mass., the 
last school being 
under the charge 
of Moody Currier, 
afterwaids a noted 
Manchester bank- 
er and governor of New Hampshire. In 1.S36 he was em- 
ployed with the staff of engineers engaged in locating the 
Nashua & Lowell railroad. The next year, and till i8.)6, 
he spent in alternate seasons of field work with engineers 
and study at the academies. l''olIowing the completion 
of the Nashua & Lowell railroad he was engaged in locat- 
ing the road between Nashua and Concord, and later was 
employed in the same capacity on the Northern road. 

In 1843 i^e surveyed and built one of the canals in Man- 
chester. In 1S44 he surveyed the Vermont Central rail- 
road, and in 1845 the Old Colony. The next three years 




(.l.ni;(.i; M \i;k 



he spent in drawings for mill work and in making a sur- 
vey to supply Manchester with water from Massahesic 
lake. After this he was employed on the Nashua & Wil- 
ton road, on the Stony Brook and Boston, Concord & 
Montreal, on the latter being the chief engineer. In 
1849, after a season of rest because of ill-hcallh, he as- 
sumed the duties of treasurer and assistant superintend- 
ent of the Nashua & Lowell road. This position was 
held until 1852, when he was appointed suiierintendent of 
the Hudson River road. He had been in the last position 

but little more 
than a year when 
an nrgenl offer 
was made to him 
to take the super- 
intendency of the 
Nashua & Lowell 
r o a d a n <1 its 
branches, which 
position he ac- 
cepted and entered 
at once upon its 
duties. In 1857 he 
became the man- 
ager of the Boston 
S: Lowell road and 
its branches. The 
task was of great 
magnitude and re- 
sponsibility. In 
the perioil of his 
service, which in- 
cludeii about eigh- 
teen years, the 
great depot ou 
Causeway street, 
Boston, was l)uilt, 
and many other 
great improve- 
ments instituted, 
incluiiing extend- 
ing its spur tracks 
and opening new 
lines of travel. 
General Stark, 
after his resigna- 
tion as manager of 
the Boston & Low- 
ell system, was en- 
gaged in several 
other railroad 
schemes, notably 
the Northern Pa- 
cific, in which cor- 
poration he was a director ami vice-president. During 
his last years he was in the banking business in New 
York and Nashua with his .son, John V. Stark. 

.Mthough General Stark's life was a busy one, yet he 
found time in which to interest himself in public affairs. 
In 1857 (iovernor Haile commissioned him as brigadier- 
general of the Third brigade. New Hampshire militia. In 
i860 he was commissioned colonel of the Governor's 
Horse guards, and in 1861, in the capacity of brigadier- 
general, he proceeded to Portsmouth and took charge of 
the troops that were rendezvousing there for service in 



47S 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



the Civil War. In political life General Stark was iden- 
tified with the Democratic party. He was never consid- 
ered an active partisan. In the four years succeeding 
1856 he represented Ward One in the legislature, in i860 
and 1861 he was his party's candidate for governor, and in 
1863 and 1864 he was a candidate for the Nashua mayoralty. 
General Stark's biographer, W. H. Herrick of Manches- 
ter see "Sketches of Successful New Hampshire Men" — 

says of him; "In personnel General Stark was charac- 
terized by a quiet, deliberate yet courteous manner that 
was not disturbed by the varied conditions and incidents of 
business life. This trait of an habitual mental equipoise 
was a peculiarity that impressed itself permanently on an 
observer. He had a natural, unrestrained manner in con- 
versation and social qualities that were freely manifested 



in compan)' with tested and worthy friends. As a writer 
of business documents and reports he manifested power, 
method, perspicuity, and his manuscript showed a care- 
ful arrangement, neatness and precision of chirography 
quite remarkable in one of his extensive business experi- 
ence. His family residence at Nashua, though showing 
no taste for ostentation or display, is an elegant structure 
in the villa style, furnished with everv- comfort and con- 
venience and adorned with works of art. 

General Stark was married in 1845 with Elizabeth A. 
Parker, daughter of Daniel Parker of Bedford. She died 
in 1846. In 1848 he was united in marriage with Mary G. 
Bowers, daughter of Col. Joseph Bowers of Chelmsford, 
Mass. His two children are John F. and Kninia G., the 
latter the wife of Edward B. Towne of Newton, Mass. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



479 



RAILROADS. 



HV \V. \V. HAII.lvV. 



THE commencement of manufactnriiio; industries al)out 1S24 in Lowell and Xaslnia, par- 
ticularly by the utilization of water power, an<l their rapid increase and development, 
rendered greatly inadc(iuate the means of transportation then existing, and showed the 
urgent need of such facilities of transportation as railroads give. Stages, canal boats and 
horse teams had well served a farming population, but manufacturing and mechanical interests 
demanded something better. .Such interests mainly induced the construction of a railroad from 
Boston to Lowell, Nashua and beyond. Fanners opposed the introduction of railroads, because as 
they claimed railroads would largely supersede the use of horses, and thus injure their market for 
hay and grain. In England the first surveyors of the railroad from Liverpool to Manchester were 
mobbed by the land owners, their instruments were broken and they were driven off by violence. 
The bill to incorporate the road was violently opposed in parliament, on the ground that the 

construction of a railroad would be an injury to the 
public and an invasion of private rights. The New 
Hampshire legi.slature in 1842 pas.sed a law providing 
that "no railroad corporation shall take any land, for 
the use of such corporation, without the con.sent of 
the owner thereof," which practically prevented the 
further extension of railroads in the state. The 
unexpected success and beneficial effects of the line 
from Concord to Boston were so manifest, that ])ublic 
opinion became so changed that the legislature in 
1S44 so modified this law, that railroad corporations 
were declared to be public corporations in certain cases 
and enabled to take land under the right of eminent 
domain. 

About 1630 tramways were introduced in England 
as an improvement U])on highways. They consisted 
of a trackway laid with wooden rails upon an ordinary road, to facilitate the transportation of 
heavily laden teams or wagons, and were princi])ally used in the transportation of coal from the 
mines to the places of shipment. Wooden rails had been in use one hundred and fift}- years, when it 
occurred to some one to lessen their friction by plating them with iron. Iron jilates upon wooden 
rails with a flange either upon the outside or inside were in use till about 17S1, when the edge rail 
was substituted and the flange transferred to the wheel. The idea of using the railroad for general 
purposes of trafhc and the possibility of constructing steam carriages was first suggested about this 
time. A steam wagon was patented in 17S2, a steam carriage in 1784 and a high pressure engine in 
1802, but they were all found to be impracticable and abandoned. In 1822 the construction of the 
locomotive engine was so perfected that it was substituted for horse ])ower on the tram roads. 

The first legislative act authorizing the con.struction of a public railroad was pa.ssed by ])arlia- 
ment in iSoi, granting the right to Ijuild a tram road nine miles long. The first railroad coach was 
used for the transportation of pas.sengers in 1825, and was propelled by horse ])ower. At the time of 
the completion of the Liverpool & Manchester railroad in England in 1829, it was the prevalent idea 
that trains would have to be moved by stationary engines ])laced at intervals along the line of the 
road by means of ropes, but a trial of George .Stephenson's first locomotive i)roved the superiority of 
that kind of motive power, and it was adopted as the motive power of the road. The first railway 
legislative act in the L'nited States was passed by the Pennsylvania legislature in 1823, which was 
soon after repealed. A second act was pas.sed in 1S26, incorporating the Philadelphia & Columbus 
railroad, which was completed at the expense of the state in 1834. The first railroad built in the 
l'nited Utf.tes was in Quincv, Mass., in 1826, three miles long, to carry granite from the (juarry to 
tide water. Between 1826 and 1830 the Charleston & Hamburg, S. C, railroad was constructed, the 




AT THE NORTH END. 



_^8o HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

first road in the world "built expressly for locomotive power for general freight and passenger 
business." The first locomotive constructed in the United vStates was built for this road at t-he West 
Point foundry in 1S30. 

The Boston & Lowell railroad extending from Boston to Lowell, twenty-six miles, was the first 
road constructed affecting the development of Nashua. It was incorporated June 30, 1830. Before 
the charter was granted, the legislature of Massachusetts appointed an engineer to make surveys and 
locate the road, and the corporation built the road substantially as thus located. Its construction 
was "a doubtful experiment without the guide of experience or the assurance of great success." It 
was a matter of grave consideration, whether the I'oad should be adapted for horse or locomotive 
power, and also whether the rails should be of wood with plates of iron on top, or all of iron. The 
rails were laid upon stone ties or blocks of stone, which in a few years were found to be unsuitable, 
and were removed and wooden ties substituted. The shares of stock of the corporation at first were 
of the par value of five hundred dollars — the only instance in the country where the par value of 
railroad shares has been fixed at more than one hundred dollars, to which sum they have been since 
reduced. The road was opened for business June 26, 1S35. Its first cost with one track was 
about $1,000,000. The success of the road ensured the construction of the Nashua & Lowell 
railroad. It was operated independently till 1857. From 1857 to 1878 it was operated jointly with 
the Nashua & Lowell railroad. It was then operated independently and for a short time jointly 
with the Concord railroad to April i, 1887, when it was leased to the Boston & Maine railroad 
corporation for ninety-nine years. Its present capital stock is $6,529,400, and its funded indebtedness 
is $7,922,400. 

The Nashua & Lowell railroad was chartered by the New Hampshire legislature June 23, 1835, 
authorizing the construction of a railroad from some point in Dunstable, now Nashua, to the state 
line of Massachusetts, and by the Massachusetts legislature April 16, 1836, authorizing the con- 
struction of a railroad from some point in Lowell to the state line, there to connect with the Nashua 
& Lowell railroad of New Hampshire. The grantees of the Massachusetts corporation were a 
portion of the grantees of the New Hampshire corporation. At a joint meeting of the two corpora- 
tions held on April 28, 1S36, it was voted "That the said corporations shall be forever hereafter 
united into one corporation: that the meetings of said corporations shall be holden at the same time 
and place, one notice only lieing required; that the officers shall be the same, and that there shall be 
no distinction as to the stock in the two states, except that the accounts of expenditures shall be kept 
separate." 

In 1838 the legislature of Massachusetts and New Hampshire passed acts to unite the Nashua & 
Lowell railroad corporations of Massachusetts and Ne«- Hampshire, which were accepted by the 
corporations. The corporation was organized and the first board of directors elected by the stock- 
holders May 30, 1836, consisting of Daniel Abbot, Ira Gay, Jesse Bowers, Charles G. Atherton, 
Peter Clark, Joseph Greelej- and Robert Reed. The road was located and its construction com- 
menced in the fall of 1S37. Financial difficulties, caused by stringency in the money market and 
general depi^ession of business, made it necessar\f for the corporation to obtain a loan of $50,000 from 
the state of Massachusetts, secured by a mortgage of its road, in April, 1838. The road was so far 
completed that passenger trains commenced running on the eighth of October, and freight trains on 
the twenty-third of November, 1838, from Lowell to a temporary station in Nashua, near the inter- 
section of Temple and Aniory streets. The bridge over the Nashua river was completed and the 
trains came to the Main street station Decendaer 23, of the same year. The stockholders by a vote of 
eight hundred and thirty-one to one hundred and .seventy-six, located the Main street .station on its 
present site. The cost of the road up to this time, including equipment, was about $380,000, and the 
capital stock was $300,000, which was increased to $350,000 in 1839, and to $380,000 in 1840. The 
first dividend of three per cent was declared in May, 1839. Increase of business and the opening 
of the Concord railroad in 1842, insured the success of the road and placed the corporation on a firm 
financial basis. A second track was constructed in 1845, and $120,000 of stock was created to pay 
the cost of its construction. It leased and operated the Stony Brook and Wilton railroads from the 
time of their opening in 1848. Increase of business required improvements and additional equipment, 
and an issue of $100,000 of new stock was made in 1848. The present Maiu.street passeng(jr station 
in Nashua was built in the same vear. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 



48 1 



In 1S68 1.200 shares of new stock were issued to stockholders at par, in proportion to their 
number of shares of stock and, at the same time, a dividend of twenty per cent was made out of the 
accumulated earnings of the road, invested in permanent improvements. In 1871 eight hundred 
shares of new stock were issued to the stockholders in i)roportion to their number of shares of stock, 
to be paid for at par, and increasing the capital stock to $800,000, its present amount. It operated 
its road and branches independently until 1857, when it made a joint traffic contract with the Boston 
& Lowell railroad corporation, under which the two corporations operated their roads and branches 
jointly until 187S. It then operated its road independently until 1880, when it leased its road to the 
Boston & Lowell railroad corporation for ninety-nine years, at an annual rental of S6o,ooo. In 1872 
it leased the Peterborough railroad tor twenty years at an annual rental of six per cent interest on 
the cost of the road, without eiiui])nient, amounting to over $600,000. 

In 1887 the Boston ^: Lowell railroad having been leased to the Boston &: Maine railroad 
corporation, it consented to an assignment of its lease by the Boston & Lowell railroad corporation 
to the Boston lV Maine railroad corporation, upon the increase of the annual rental to $72,000. Until 
1S57 the corporation paid dividends averaging yearly eight and thirty-two one hundredths percent. 
For eighteen years thereafter it paid dividends under the joint contract witli the Boston 6k Lowell 
railroad corporation, a\'eraging yearly ten per cent. 

The first board of directors elected in May, i8-^6, were Daniel Abbot, Ira (".ay, Charles G. 
Atherton, Peter Clark, Joseph Greeley and Roliert Reed. Daniel .\t)bot was the first president, and 
continued in office until 1852, when he declined a re-election on account of infirmitv of age. Jesse 
Bowers continued as a director until 1854, when he declined a re-election on account of age. Onslow 
Stearns was the first superintendent and afterwards a director. Charles F. Gove was a director and 
afterwards for several years superintendent. George Stark was treasurer and su])erintendent for 
several years, and manager of the roads while tliey were operated under the joint contract between 
the Nashua & Lowell railroad and the Boston & Lowell railroad corporations until 1875, when he 
resigned. In his management of these roads General Stark displayed an ability and skill which 
placed him among the foremost of railroad managers of his time in New Kngland, and although his 
plans may have apparently given some grounds for the charge that they were too far in advance of 
present wants, yet subsequent events have vindicated his wisdom and foresight. 

The Concord railroad, extending from Nashua to Concord, thirty-five miles, was chartered June 
27, 1835, but the grantees did not take decided action until December, 1840, and on account of the 
delay thev were obliged to obtain from the legislature an extension of the charter. In its inception 
it was a Concord enterprise. None of the grantees of the first board of officers were Nashua men. 
Se\-eral Nashua land owners persistently opposed the taking of their laud for tlie jiurpose of its 
con.struction. Litigation continued for some years. Grave questions of constitutional law were 
raised, and our supreme court decided in the case of Concord railroad against Greeley, that a railroad 
is in general such a public use as affords just grounds for the taking of private property for public 
uses, and that the United States constitution does not interfere with this right. 

In 1S50 it leased the Manchester 6t Lawrence railroad, and thereafter it controlled that road by 
lea.se or joint operation until 1887, when it was leased to the Boston & Maine railroad corporation. 
In 1857 it lea.sed the Concord & Portsnunith railroad for five years, and in 1862 lea.sed it again for 
ninety-nine years. In 1861 it built the branch from Hook.sett to Suucook. In 1S66 it bought the 
Manchester & North Weare road, and in 1870 it leased the Suucook Valley road, extending from 
Suucook to Pittsfield, which was afterwards extended to Barn.stead. In 1877 it purcha.sed the 
Nashua, Acton & Boston railroad, and in 1884 it purchased a one-half interest in the Manchester & 
Keene railroad. In i88y it was consolidated with the Boston, Concord cS: Montreal railroad corpora- 
tion, under the name of the Concord & Montreal railroad corporation, and in 1895 the road of this 
corporation, including leased lines, was leased to the Boston & Maine railroad corporation for ninety- 
one years. 

The road was constructed with a single track and opened for business to Manchester, July 4, 
1842, and to Concord the following September, at a co.st of about $750,000, at which sum the capital 
stock of the corporation was then fixed; a second track was constructed in 1848. In 1845 the capital 
.stock was increased to $1,200,000, in 1848 to $1,485,000 and shortly afterwards to $1,500,000, and so 
remained until it was consolidated with the Boston, Concord & Montreal railroad iu 1889. The par 



482 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

value of the shares was fifty dollars until 1S.S9, when the legislature, b3' an act in that >'ear, increased 
the par value to one hundred dollars, without payment of money by the stockholders, as stated in the 
act, in part compensation for the property rights and franchises of that corporation, acquired by its 
original capital and by the new capital contributed Ijy stockholders from time to time in earnings 
not heretofore divided. 

The Wilton railroad, extending from Nashua to Wilton, fifteen and forty-two one hundredths miles 
was chartered Dec. 28, 1844. It was constructed and opened for business to Amherst .Station in Novem- 
ber, 1848, to Milford in January, 1851, and to Wilton in December, 1852, at a cost of about $232,000, 
not including rolling stock. The delay in its construction was caused by those preferring other 
routes to the one selected, particularly h\ those who desired the road to go through Amherst village. 
The road was located after protracted litigation. It was never operated independently. It was op- 
erated by the Nashua & Lowell railroad corporation by contract to 1857, when it was leased to the 
Nashua & Lowell railroad corporation for twenty years. In 1872 a new lease of the road was made 
to the Nashua & Lowell railroad corporation for twent}- years, and in 1883 it was re-leased to the 
Boston & Lowell railroad corporation for ninety-nine years at a rental of seven per cent on its capital 
stock, then fixed at $242,000. In 1890 this lease was assigned to the Boston & Maine railroad corpor- 
ation and the rental increased to eight and one-half per cent on its capital stock. 

The Worcester, Nashua & Rochester railroad extends from Worcester, Mass., to Rochester, N. 
H., a distance of ninety-four and forty-eight one hundredths miles. The Worcester & Nashua railroad, 
extending from Worcester to Nashua, forty-five and sixty-nine one hundredths miles, was chartered in 
Massachusetts in 1842, and in New Hampshire in 1845, and it was constructed and opened for business 
to Nashua Dec. 18, 1848. The original cost of the road, including equipment, was $1,425,235 which 
was increased from time to time up to the time of its consolidation with the Nashua & Rochester to 
$2,543,920. The Nashua & Rochester railroad was chartered in 1S68, being a combination of two 
previous charters, the Portsmouth & Rochester and the Nashua & Epping, which had never been or- 
ganized. The road was con.structed and opened for business in 1874 from Na.shua to Rochester. Its 
cost was about $2,000,000, not including rolling stock. The city of Nashua took $200,000 of its capi- 
tal stock to aid its construction. On its completion it was leased to the Worcester & Nashua railroad 
corporation for fifty years at an annual rental of six per cent on the cost of its construction as repre- 
sented by its capital .stock and bonds. In 1883 the Worcester & Nashua and Nashua & Rochester 
railroad corporations were consolidated under the title of the Worcester, Nashua & Rochester rail- 
road corporation, having a capital stock of $3,099,800, and a bonded indebtedness of $1,662,000. In 
i886 the railroad was leased to the Boston & Maine railroad corporation at an annual rental of 
$250,000. 

The Nashua, Acton & Boston railroad, extending from Nashua to Acton, Mass., twenty and 
twenty-one one hundredths miles, was chartered by the Massachu.setts legislature in 1871 and by the 
New Hampshire legislature in 1872. It was constructed and opened for business in 1873. Its cost 
exceeded $1,000,000. The company issued $500,000 in stock and $500,000 in bonds, secured by a 
mortgage of the road. The projectors of the road intended it principally as a part of a rival line 
from Nashua to Boston by waj' of the Fitchburg road and expected to make it a success by the diver- 
sion of business from the line to Boston from Nashua by way of Lowell. The expectations were 
never realized. While the road was operated independently it did not pay operating expenses. The 
road was leased to the Concord railroad corporation for ten years from Jan. i, 1876, at an annual 
rental of $i 1,000 a year. Before the expiration of this lease the Concord railroad corporation pur- 
chased substantially all of the mortgage bonds at twenty-five cents on a dollar, foreclosed the mort- 
gage and obtained possession of and title to the road. As a railroad enterprise it never had any merit ; 
from the first it was a financial failure and it has been of little benefit to Nashua, particularly as com- 
pared with the large amount of Na.shua capital sunk in the enterprise. 

The Peterborough railroad, extending from Wilton to Greenfield, eleven miles, was chartered in 
1872 and was constructed and opened for business Jan. i, 1S74. It was leased to the Nashua & Low- 
ell railroad corporation for twenty years from Oct. i, 1S73, at an annual rental of six per cent on the 
cost of its construction which was $588,950, not including gratuities. During the continuance of 
the lease the co.st of the construction above the capital stock, fixed at $385,000, was paid from the 
rental. Nashua gave a gratuity of $15,000 to aid in its construction, and April i, 1893, it was again 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 



483 



r 



leased to the Boston & Lowell railroad corporation for ninety-three years at an animal rental of fon 
per cent on its capital stock fixed at $385,000. The Boston & Maine railroad corporation operates the 
road under an assignment of this lease. 

The Nashua Street Railway company was incorporated Aug. 14, 1885, John A Spalding, Henry 
Stearns, Isaac Eaton, Rufus A. Maxfield, William D. Cadwell, Webster P. Hussey, Q. A. Wood- 
ward, Royal D. Barnes and Charles Williams being the original members of the corporation and its first 
board of directors, with a capital stock of $50,000. 

The original laying out of the street railway was over Kinsley, Main and Canal streets to the 
Concord railroad station, of a narrow gauge railway, horse power being the motive power, the stables 
and car houses of the company being located at the head of Kinsley street. Q. A. Woodward was 
the first superintendent of the railway. 

In 1 886 the company leased and improved a large tract of land at the Harbor, then known as 
Barker's park, later called Lawndale garden, and a line was extended thereto from Kinsley street 
through the southerly portion of Main street. Later lines were laid out through Hanover, West 
Hollis, Palm and Pearl streets, through East Pearl .street to Crown hill, also over Concord and 
Amherst streets. 

In 1889 George H. Knowles was made president and general manager of the road, continuing in 
that office until 1894, when the controlling interest was purchased by Massachusetts capitalists, and 
power having been granted by the legislature, the road was re-organized and re-constructed as a 
standard gauge electric street railway, under the supervision of P. P*. Sullivan, manager of the Low- 
ell and Suburban street railway company, and lines were extended through Hudson to Lowell, Mass. 

By act of the legislature of 1896 the companj- was authorized to lease its road to the Lowell and 
Suburban street railway, which company now controls and manages the service in Nashua through 
P. F. Sullivan, general manager, and a local assistant manager. 



7): 7r 0^ 




484 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



ORREN CHENEY MOORE. 

Hon. Orren Cheney Moore was born at New Hampton, 
N. H., Aug. lo, 1S39. He was one of eleven children of 
Jonathan Holmes Moore and his wife, Hannah Van Sleep- 
er, a native of Bristol. His mother was of English and 
Knickerbocker descent and his father was a lineal de- 
scendant of John and Janet Moor, Scotch-Irish emigrants, 
who settled in Londonderry, about 1721. It is interesting 
to trace the ancestry of so well-known a public man. 
The emigrant ancestor was undoubted!}' the John Muarwho 
was one of the 
signers of the ad- 
dress to Governor 
Shute, in 17 18, ex- 
pressing a desire 
to remove from 
the north of Ire- 
land to New Eng- 
land if sufficient 
encouragement be 
given, and he was 
also the John 
Moor whose name 
stands first on the 
schedule of the 
proprietors of 
Londonderry, an- 
nexed to the char- 
ter granted by 
Governor Shute in 
June, 1722. They 
came from the 
county of Antrim. 
At least two of 
their children 
were born in Ire- 
land, Deacon Wil- 
liam Moor, born 
in 1718, who with 
his Inotlier, Cul. 
Daniel Moor, born 
in 1730, afterwards 
settled in Bedford, 
and Elizabeth 
who married Na- 
thaniel Holmes. 
She was the great- 
grandmother o f 
Francis P. Whit- 
temore, the late 
Bernard B. Whit- 

temore and of Judge Nathaniel Holmes of Cambridge, 
from whose correspondence many facts concerning his 
ancestry were obtained. 

The emigrant's wife, Janet Moor, was called "Jenny 
Flavel " because, as it was said, she was a great reader of 
the works of Flavel, a learned Puritan divine ; it is quite 
possible, however, that her maiden name was Flavel. 

Their son, Robert Moore, born in 1726, was one of Capt. 
John Mitchell's scouts or " Londonderry troopers " at the 
age of eighteen, in 1744, and on Sept. i, 1775, was ap- 
pointed lieutenant-colonel of Col. Samuel Hobart's regi- 
ment of the New Hampshire continental line. It is 




orrp;n' ciiexev mooke. 



mentioned in the records of the committee of safety of the 
date of Aug. 3, 1778, that leave was given to Doctor Gove 
of New Boston (probably an armj- surgeon) to visit as a 
ph)-sician Col. Robert Moore of Londonderry, whose 
death occurred in the October following. His home- 
stead, deeded to him by his father, lately called the Jen- 
ness place, now owned by Cummings W. Price, is on the 
road from Derrj- Lower Village to Chester in the English 
Range in Londonderry, and about half a mile northwest 
of Beaver pond. The emigrant John Moor died Jan. 24, 
1774, and Colonel Robert and his sister Elizabeth (Moor) 

Holmes were co- 
administrators of 
his estate. Two 
of Mrs. Holmes' 
sons, John and 
Jonathan, married 
daughters of Col. 
Robert. His 
mother, Janet, 
died March S, 
1776, and Colonel 
Robert, who died 
in October, 1778, 
lies buried by the 
side of his father 
and mother in 
L o n d o n d e rry. 
His youngest son, 
Robert, born in 
Londonderry, 
Sept. 20, 1769, died 
Aug. 16, 1803, aged 
44. He married 
Jenny Rolfe, who 
was born in New- 
buryport, Mass., 
Sept. 22, 1771, and 
died Feb. 6, 1852, 
aged 81. She was 
a descendant of 
Rev. Benjamin 
Rolfe, who was 
killed by the In- 
dians at Haver- 
hill, ."Vug. 29, 1708. 
Their son, the 
father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, 
was born at the 
family homestead 
on Shirley Hill in 
Goffstown in June, 1802, and was named Jonathan Holmes 
Moore after his uncle. Both parents of Orren died in 
Manchester, the mother, Aug. 3, 1858, and the father, 
Nov. 12, 1869. In 1846, when he was only seven years 
old, his father and mother removed to Manchester from 
Hebron. The father having met with financial reverses, 
the son entered the Manchester mills as a mule boy 
when only eleven years old. Later he became a student 
in the North Grammar school on Spring street. Here he 
spent four years, three of which he was under the guid- 
ance of Prof. Moses T. Brown, later of Tufts college. 
Leaving Manchester the lad went to Ilolderness to work 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



485 



in a paper mill owned by George Mitchell, who married 
his oldest sister, Lucia Van Moore, working half the 
night and half the day and devoting his afternoons to 
study in the High school under Rev. D. C. Frost. 
Among his schoolmates here he met Nancy Webster 
Thompson, who six years later, Nov. 29, i860, became 
his wife. 

She was the daughter of John Hayes Thompson and his 
wife, Charlotte Baker, and sister of the late Maj. .\i Baker 
Thompson, for many years secretary of state of New 
Hampshire. The father and four of his sous were in the 
war for the suppression of the Rebellion. He was of the 
familyof Ebenezer Thompson, New Hampshire's first sec- 
retary of state. Mrs. Moore's father died at Hilton Head 
of malarial fever in 1862, while acting as commissary of 
the Third New Hampshire regiment. Mrs. Thompson's 
grandfather, Samuel Baker, and his father, Joseph Baker, 
both served in the French and Indian Wars. 

Mr. Moore's brother. I'rederick \. Moore, was publish- 
ing the La Crosse Democrat, so Orren, leaving Holder- 
ness when he was sixteen, went to Wisconsin to learn the 
printer's trade with his brother. He remained with him 
about three years and subsequently was employed at 
Madison and in Jefferson City, Mo. The path of a jour- 
neyman printer is not always strewn with roses and the 
writer well recollects the amusing account which Mr. 
Moore once gave him of his experience about this time 
when out of work. Finding nothing to do at the case, 
without a particle of false pride, he bought an ax and 
went to chopping. But his early training had not fitted 
him for that exercise and he soou relinquished it for 
something better. 

Returning to his native state, on account of the illness 
of his mother, he was employed as foreman on the Daily 
American in Manchester until that paper was united with 
the Mirror. While residing there he was chosen clerk of 
the common council and represented Ward F'our in the 
legislature in 1863 and 1864. He assisted in raising a 
company for the Union arnij- in which he would have 
been commissioned but for unfortunate nearsighted- 
ness. In April, 1864, he was employed as editor of the 
New Hampshire Telegraph, then a weeklj' paper pub- 
lished by the heirs of Albin Beard and he conducted that 
newspaper until it was sold b)' the proprietors. 

For a short period thereafter he served as register of 
probate for Hillsborough county taking up his residence 
in .\mherst for that purpose, and when the records were 
removed to Nashua he agaiu resumed his residence in this 
city. 

In 1867 he purchased the interest of C. V. Dearborn in 
the partnership of Dearborn & Berry, then owning the 
Telegraph, and Feb. i, 1869, Mr. Berry withdrew and a 
partnership was formed with C. M. Langlcy of Lowell. 
.\ month later, March I, 1869, through the persistent and 
untiring efforts of Mr. Moore, the publication of the Daily 
Telegraph, the first daily newspaper ever published in 
Nashua, was begun. 

In 1878 he bought Mr. Langley's interest in the paper 
and remained sole proprietor until the organization of the 
Telegraph Pulilishing company in 1887. In 1870 and 
again in 1872 he was elected state printer. In 1S71 Jlr. 
Moore erected the Telegraph building on the corner of 
Main and Temple streets which has ever .since been the 
home of the Telegraph. 



For nearly a quarter of a century Mr. Moore spoke 
every day to the people of this city through the editorial 
columns of his paper. A journalist writing for the daily 
press must form and express his views and opinions on 
current events without any extended deliberation. If he 
is active and aggressive under such circumstances he 
would be more than human not to make mistakes. No 
doubt Mr". Moore sometimes made such mistakes. His 
first impressions might not always be identical with his 
ripe conclusions. But in the discussion of many matters 
he made no mistakes. His advocacy of the ten hour law, 
for example, was convincing and effectual. He thought 
ten hours a day was long enough for women and little 
children to be yoked up to a machine and compelled to 
keep time with it in our great manufactories. He knew 
from experience the iniquity of longer hours ; his sym- 
pathies were with the honest toilers and to his quick per- 
ception fat dividends to mill owners could never offset the 
dwarfed minds and enfeebled bodies that might be occa- 
sioned by loo long hours of continuous hard labor. His 
editorials on the subject were clear, pointed and courage- 
ous. If he lost the support of wealthy corporations by 
his course, he retained his own self-respect and secured 
the gratitude of the people whom he faithfully served. 

His support of temperance and his opposition to lotter- 
ies were alike fearless and convincing. He would rather 
remain a poor man than grow rich from the proceeds of 
advertising liquors or lotteries. In a great measure 
through his efforts Nashua voted for constitutional pro- 
hibition. If a wealthy corporation sought by the issue of 
watered stock to put a new and perpetual blanket mort- 
gage upon the homes and industries of a community and 
thus reduce the members of that community to a condi- 
tion of servitude his facile pen was quick to unmask the 
fraiid. .All the people may not have been able to rec- 
ognize or appreciate his efforts on their behalf, but the 
wrong-doers had no difficulty in seeing the error of their 
ways when illumined by his pen, whether they mended 
them or not. 

He championed the cause of the people to a successful 
issue against the arbitrary course of the foreign insurance 
companies upon the valued policy question, and argued 
that if those companies chose to withdraw from the state, 
as they threatened to do, New Hampshire could provide 
her own insurance. This prediction was abundantly veri- 
fied by the event. 

Mr. Moore's opposition to the consolidation of all the 
great railroads of the state under one management was 
persistent and for a while at least effectual. Through the 
columns of his paper and in the halls of legislation he did 
all in his power to prevent such an aggregation of corpo- 
rate capital. He realized the danger to the liberties of a 
small state which such a soulless and remorseless com- 
bination might cause. He feared it would prove a politi- 
cal engine before which both of the great political parties 
of the state would have to bow. He foresaw that such a 
power, enthroned under the guise of law to carry out its 
own mercenary ends, would dictate who shouhl be the 
candidates of the party which for the time being should 
be in the ascendancy, not only in the state but in the 
towns and cities as well, and when those candidates were 
elected he foresaw that their master would dictate all 
their legislative action, and their appointments to every 
office. The unblushing bribery of 1887, which he un- 



486 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



masked in the legislature, he knew was but the surface 
indication of worse to come, when jury boxes would be 
tampered with, legislators and city councils bribed and 
corrupted and the very fountains of justice poisoned at 
their source. He foresaw and deprecated it all and for a 
while was able to stay the torrent of watered stock, brib- 
ery and corruption, which threatened to deluge the 
state. Since his decease nobody, unless it be Senator 
Chandler in the Concord Monitor, has cared to wage the 
unequal warfare. 

Mr. Moore made his paper wholesome and clean. It 
could be taken into the household without first examining 
its contents. He was no follower of the so-called new 
journalism. He had no salacious morsels to purvey to a 
prurient or morbid public, either iu his advertisements, 
news items or editorials, and his pages never contained a 
directory to either the saloons or disorderly houses of 
the city. He complimented his readers by assuming that 
they did not want such information. 

Every really good work, every deserving charity, every 
honest reform found in Mr. Moore and his paper a hearty 
and earnest advocate. Everything which he believed 
would be for the interest of the people of Nashua, he 
favored with no uncertain voice. Not every advertiser 
could buy a place in his columus, and his editorial opin- 
ions were never for sale. His readers knew he was not 
mercenary and therefore had confideuce in him and his 
paper. He was a great editor and on a wider field would 
have achieved a national reputation. 

Mr. Moore always took an interest in public affairs and 
was ready to perform his duty as a citizen. He served on 
the board of education, was four times elected to the 
legislature from Nashua, and in 1878 was chosen senator 
for two years. In 1877 he served upon the tax commission 
and many of his suggestions were enacted into law. In 
1884 he was appointed chairman of the railroad commis- 
sion by Governor Hale, and for three years he served the 
state in that capacity. 

His services were in great demand as a political speaker, 
and he took a part in every campaign Ijeginning in 1872, 
often speaking in Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont, 
and in 1880 he assisted in the campaign in West Virginia. 
On one occasion having spoken from the same platform 
with James G. Blaine, that great statesman evidently 
surprised at his masterly presentation of the issue, sud- 
denly turned to him and inquired : 

" From what college were you graduated, Mr. Moore? " 
"I am a graduate of the printing office, sir," was his 
quick and characteristic reply. 

Although Mr. Moore was denied the advantages of a 
college training, his recognized ability was of so high an 
order that in 1887 he received the honorary degree of A. 
M. from Dartmouth college. 

Mr. Moore was a Republican in politics and the Tele- 
graph, with which his name will always be associated, 
was Republican from the date of the organization of that 
party. He was elected chairman of the Republican state 
committee Aug. 7, 1872. In 1888 he was elected by the 
Republicans to represent the Second New Hampshire 
district in the fifty-first congress. He served on the Pa- 
cific railroad committee, the District of Columbia com- 
mittee and the committee on the enrollment of bills. 
Among his public speeches were "The Revision of the 
Rules," "Tariff Revision," "The Anti-Lotterv Bill," 



"The Competitive Principle in the Civil Service," and 
the "Record of the Fifty-First Congress." 

Mr. Moore as a child attended the Methodist church 
with his parents, later the Unitarian, and on coming to 
Nashua attended the Olive Street (Congregationalist ) 
church, now the Pilgrim church, and subsequently the 
Episcopal church. He was an Odd Fellow, and in his 
address, which was delivered at the laying of the corner 
stone of the Odd Fellows building in Nashua, he made 
this public declaration of his faith. He said, "I have 
the profoundest faith in the brotherhood of man, in the 
principles of religious toleration and in the perpetuity 
of republican institutions on this continent. Religious 
toleration is the corner-stone of the American consti- 
tution. In the evolution of human society, no other 
discovery was ever made like that. It has been the trans- 
fusion of the blood of the cross into the creeds of man. 
Before it superstition has fled; wars have ceased; cruel- 
ties, calamities and crimes unspeakable no longer rack 
societj- or disturb the state. Under the sway of religious 
toleration religion is no longer a hate but a blessing, and 
among the civilizing agencies at work in the world it is 
now one of the sweetest and best. Planted on the rock 
of the brotherhood of man, and in obedience to law, both 
human and divine, we need no superabundance of faith 
to believe that out of a diversity of nationalities shall 
come one nationality, and among many creeds the future 
will still maintain the highest creed, which leaves to all 
men and women the rational and undisturbed worship of 
God according to the dictates of their own conscience." 

Mr. Moore died of cerebro-spinal sclerosis at his home 
in Nashua, May 12, 1893. On his visit home over the 
holidays in December, 1889, he had an attack of the grip 
and in Januar}-, 1890, he returned to his post in Washing- 
ton before he had fully recovered. In fact, he was so 
weak that he fainted at the station when about to set out 
on the journey. The first indications which he noticed of 
the disease that was to prove fatal was a numbness of the 
hands in the fall of 1890. In the spring of 1S91 he seemed 
to be improving in health and at that time he delivered 
three public addresses at short intervals, one at the lay- 
ing of the corner-stone of the Odd Fellows' building, a 
political speech at Lynn and an address before the New 
Hampshire club in Boston. These speeches on widely 
different topics delivered in quick succession without the 
use of notes proved too severe a tax upon his physical 
resources, and he soon began to fail in strength. During 
his illness up to within five days of his death he retained 
full charge of his business, receiving detailed reports and 
giving explicit directions every da\', and he retained his 
faculties to the last. Sept. 5, 1892, he had a severe attack 
of lumbago and was never afterwards able to walk. Every- 
thing possible was done for his comfort and recovery. In 
Nashua he was treated by Dr. E. F. McQuesten and in 
Philadelphia, where he was in the hospital accompanied 
b}- Mrs. Moore from November, 1892, to Feb. 22, 1893, he 
was under the professional care of Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, 
but medical skill, the most eminent, proved of no avail to 
stay the progress of the fatal disease. 

He left, surviving, his widow and one child, Gertrude 
Cornelia, born in Manchester, Sept. 24, 1861. 



M^. fitly UjL><Jlt>-vc> . 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. II. 



CHARl.HS PINCKNHV UANhORTH. 

Charles V. Daiifortli, son of Tiniolhy ami Hridget 
( Blaiichard) DanforUi, was born in Milford, Sept. i6, 
1S12, died in Nashua, Oct. 19, 1893. Mr. Danforlh was a 




CllARI.E.S PJxNCKNEY DANFOKTII 



descendant, both paternally and maternally, of the first 
settlers of southern New Hampshire. He was educated 
in the public schools of his native place and later acquired 
a wide range of practical knowledge by diligent study 
and intuitive observation. Early in life he settled in 
Nashua, and in 1838 purchased the Nashua Gazette, which 
he managed and edited several years. During his active 
career he was postmaster of Nashua four years and sheriff 
of Hillsborough county four years. In 1871 he repre- 
sented Ward One in the board of aldermen and afterwards 
two terms in the legislature. His business later in life 
was that of a manufacturer, being proprietor of the Eagle 
Suspender company. At the time of his death he was 
engaged in writing a series of papers (which were being 
printed in the Gazette and reprinted in pamphlet form), 
reviewing the political history of the country from the 
administration of President Jackson to the present time. 
Mr. Danforth was a line specimen of the old time cour- 
teous gentleman in whose presence every one felt at ease. 
He was well informed on a large number of themes of 
which he had made special study, and was an easy and 
graceful writer who eschewed verbiage and stated his 
points with clearness and force. To Nashua and her best 
interests he was ever loyal, and in the things that per- 
tained to good living his influence was heartily given. 
He was a t'niversalist. Mr. Uanforth was united in mar- 
riage Sept. 15, 1840, with Nancy Hutchins Pierce, daugh- 
ter of Joshua, 3d, and Dolly (Hutchins) Pierce of Nashua. 
Mrs. Danforth was a grand-daughter of Col. Gordon 
Hutchins of Concord, who was wounded in the battle of 
Runker Hill, subsequently received his commission from 
Cieorge Washington and was in the army until the close 
of the Revolutionary War. Three children were born to 
them: Charles lilanchard Danforth. May 29, 1841, for 
many years city editor of the Boston Herald, married 
Frances E. .^dams. died in Boston Jan. 15, 1890; Frank 
Pierce Danforth, born March 5, 1846, died Dec. 21, 1861 ; 



Abby llulrhins Danforth, liorn Dec. 2, 1853, died Utl. ;, 
1872. Mrs. Danforth died in 1893. 

CHAKLHS SARGHNT BUSSELL. 

Charles S. Russell was born at Holliston, Mass., Nov. 
19. 18.10. lie is a son of John S. lUissclI, who was a son 
of Edniond Bussell, one of four brothers who were among 
the earliest settlers of Wilniot and other towns in New 
Hami)shire. The Bnssells were men of sturdy habits and 
blameless lives, frugal, in<lustrious and wealthy fanners 
of their day. They tilled the soil, gave the children all 
the educational advantages their means afforded and 
sought in every way to build up and advance the interests 
of their town. On the maternal si<le Mr. Bussell is a 
descendant of Stephen !•:. and Elizabeth (Gould) Bartlelt, 
pioneers of Plymouth and Rumney. Of their four chil- 
dren Ezra W. was one of the well known early merchants 
and real estate owners of Manchester ; Stephen was at 
tlie head of a large manufactory in Bristol, Vt., and 
prominent in state affairs; Elizabeth G. was a resident of 
Manchester for many years and a woman noted for good 
works; Sarah G., who for many years was a prominent 
school teacher in different localities in the state, married 
John S. Bussell of Lowell. The whole family were among 
the early adherents of Methodism when it required cour- 
age and money to estaljlish churches of that denomina- 
tion. 

Mr. Bussell's youth was spent at Kingston and it was 
there he attended the j)ublic schools. When he was four- 




cii.Mti.K.s s.\ki;knt ItUSSEI.I.. 

teen years of age his father died in California and the 
family removed to Wilinol. He continued his efforts, 
however, to obtain an education and was graduated at the 



488 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



New Eagland Christian institute at Andover Center, after 
which he sought an occupation at Manchester. He 
obtained employment at the Amoskeag mills, where he 
learned the machinists' trade, serving his time in the 
Amoskeag locomotive works. He remained there the 
greater part of his time till 1859, when he came to Nashua 
and became identified with the Jackson company, where 
he remained steadily employed for twenty-eight years, 
resigning his position of superintendent of the weaving 
department in mill No. 3, in 1887. Mr. Bussell was a 
member of the Ijoard of education four years and per- 
formed no end of hard work on the committee that had 
charge of the erection of the Mt. Pleasant school build- 
ing. He took a conspicuous part in changing the schools 
from the old district methods to the graded system. Mr. 
Bussell held ward ofKces from time to time and repre- 
sented Ward Three in the board of aldermen three 
years, doing efficient work in several departments and 
giving his time freely on the committee that built the 
Canal street iron bridge. He was city clerk in 1888 
and 1889 He is a trustee of the Emergency Hospital 
association, of which he was one of the most earnest 
advocates and promoters, and also a charter member and 
official in the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to 
Animals. 

But Mr. Bussell has been an active man in other fields 
of endeavor. For more than twenty-five years he spent 
his odd hours in literary pursuits and since the expiration 
of his second term as city clerk he has made journalism 
his profession. He was one of the purchasers of the 
Nashua Daily and Weekly Gazette plant at the time it 
was first published by a stock company and for some time 
its editor and manager. He resigned these positions and 
was afterwards city editor of the same paper for a year or 
more. Meantime he served the Manchester Union fifteen 
years as Nashua correspondent and was for more than a 
score of years the representative of the Associated Press 
for southern New Hampshire. At the present time. May, 
1897, he is the city editor of the Nashua Daily Press, a 
position he has held ever since the paper was founded. 
As a newspaper man Mr. Bussell is an indefatigable 
worker. He is a man who thoroughlj' understands his 
business and who always does good work. He has a 
pleasing way of stating facts, and his comments are 
original to the degree that they give him a popularity 
that few men in the profession enjoy. 

Mr. Bussell is a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and 
A. M., Meridian Sun Royal Arch chapter, Israel Hunt 
council and St. George comniandery, K. T. He is also a 
Scottish Rite mason of the 32d degree, a former member 
of Granite lodge, I. O. O. F., and one of its past grands, 
a Knight of Pythias and past chancellor of Nashua lodge 
of that order, and in one way or another, officially and 
otherwise, connected with one or two local clubs, besides 
being a member of the Main street Methodist church — 
which he assisted in many ways in erecting its present 
edifice — and associated on its official board. 

Mr. Bussell was united in marriage March 20, i860, with 
vSusan S. Moulton, daughter of Simeon S. Moulton, son 
of Henry Moulton, a prominent resident of Concord and 
Hooksett and later for many years a noted hotel keeper at 
Andover Center, where he died Dec. 13, 1846. Simeon S. 
was a brother of Mace Moulton, prominent in the history 
of Manchester and Hillsborough countv. Mr. and Mrs. 



Bussell have not Ijeen blessed with children of their own. 
During the war, however, they adopted a motherless 
babe whose father was in the arm}-, gave her all the 
opportunities of an education and when she died, being 
at the time in her eighteenth year and a bright scholar in 
the high school, they mourned her as their own. They 
have resided in Nashua thirty-four vears. 

ALBERT EDWARD DE WOLFE. 

Albert E. De Wolfe was born in Nashua, October i, 
1861, his parents being George Gordon Byron De Wolfe 
and Eliza (Hargrove) De Wolfe. His paternal grand- 
father was Dr. Edward De Wolfe, a leading physician of 
St. vStephens, N. B. His maternal grandfather was 
Joseph Hargrove, fifty years ago a prominent building 
contractor at Bradford, Yorkshire, England. Mr. Har- 
grove built the first railroads which ran into Bradford ; 
another monument to his skill being the magnificent 
marble town hall at Bradford, the contracts for the rail- 
roads and hall calling for the outlay of millions of 
pounds. The family came to America in the fifties and 




AI.HERT EDWAUn DE WOLPE. 

located in Nashua. Of the nine children and their 
descendants, but two of the three of Eliza remain in this 
city. 

Eliza Hargrove was married to Cieorge Gordon Byron 
De Wolfe, widely known in this section as "The Wan- 
dering Poet," in i860, and of their three children Albert 
E. was the only sou, the other two being Anna E., wife of 
Dr. Andrew Watt of Providence, R. I., and Martha M. 
De Wolfe, a teacher in the public schools of her native 
city. The father died Jan. 13, 1873. and IMrs. De Wolfe, 
Oct. 24, 1890. 

Following employment in several of the manufacturing 
establishments of Nashua and Lowell, Albert E. saved 
money enough to go through the Bryant & Stratton 
commercial college in Boston, and then for five years was 
a clerk in the Nashua post office, under postmasters H. 
A. Marsh, M. R. Buxton and A. N. Flinn. After a four 
months' trip to Europe he entered the employ of the 
Daily Telegraph, never having been inside of a news- 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



489 



paper office until the day the late O. C. Moore sent for 
him to become a reporter. From that day, March 12, 
iSSS, Mr. De Wolfe has been a news-gatherer for the 
Tolegraph, and for nearly six years past its city editor. 
During that time the first morning daily pai)er in the 
city was issued — The Morning Telegraph — and Mr. 
I)e Wolfe did all the local work for the morning and 
evening editions for the entire time the morning paper 
was published. The morning edition lasted but eight 
days, suspending because of the refusal of the press 
association to furnish dispatches. 

Mr. De Wolfe has seen the regular edition of The 
Telegraph more than quadruple during the less than ten 
years he has been connected with the paper. For more 
than ten years he was the Nashua representative of the 
Boston Globe, and received during that lime the largest 
remuneration, as a newspaper writer, of any person 
employed in Nashua newspaper work for ten consecutive 
years' work for one paper. He represents at present The 
Associated Press in southern New Hampshire and the 
New York World, beside attending his duties on the 
Telegraph. Ijke all active newspaper writers he has had 
a large fund of experience. 

From reaching his majority Mr. De Wolfe has been a 
member of Granite lodge, I. O. O. F., is a member of 
Nashua lodge. Knights of Pythias, Watananock tribe, 
Improved Order of Red Men and is a member of several 
semi-social organizations. As president of the old Nashua 
Cycle club he is the onlj- Nashuan to have held a leading 
office in a bicycle club who is not a rider of the wheel. 
In athletic sports and in managing entertainments of a 
much varied character, Mr. De Wolfe has always been 
prominent in Nashua. Duriug the ten years preceding 
1897, Mr. De Wolfe managed over two hundred entertain- 
ments, few of which were unsuccessful financially. This 
included the two Cycle club minstrel shows, one of which 
netted the largest sum ever cleared in the city from paid 
admissions for a local performance. 

For two years Mr. De Wolfe was principal of the free 
evening school at the Harbor school house, and many of 
the pupils there are now occupying positions of honor 
and trust. 

May 27, iSgi.he married Vedora C. Shaw, daughter of 
the late Joseph A. Shaw of Augusta, Me. They have one 
daughter, Dorothy, born Jan. 11, 1894. 

JAMES MEADE ADAMS. 

James Meade Adams was born in Nashua June 26, 1862, 
and was the third and youngest child of James P. Adams 
and Anna (Page) Adams. His father was a volunteer 
soldier in the Seventh New Hampshire regiment, dying 
at Heaufort, S. C, in August, 1862, and his grandfather, 
James .Vdams, was a well known schoolmaster in the early 
part of the present century, teaching in Henniker, Weare, 
Goffstown, New Boston aud other towns. Both the pater- 
nal and maternal ancestors of Mr. Adams were among the 
early settlers of Henniker. 

.\t the age of four years the subject of this sketch 
removed to North Weare with his widowed mother, who, 
dying a few months later, left him in the care of an aunt, 
Mrs. Kli/.a k. Grcenleaf, with whom he resided until after 
he attained his majority. For a year or two, Mr. .Vdams 
worked at the printer's trade in Manchester and Concord, 



leaving it to devote himself to miscellaneous literary 
work at his home in Weare. He became a contributor in 
both prose and verse to numerous papers and magazines, 
including Ballou's Monthly, Youth's Companion, Golden 
Days, The F;])och, Puck, Judge, Christian Register, and 
the Granite Monthly. Three of his poems appear in the 
volume entitled "The New Hampshire Poets." During 
1884 Mr. .Vdanis was associate editor of the .Xmerican 
Young Folks, published at Manchester. 

Mr. .\danis was elected messenger of the New Hamp- 
shire senate in June, 1887, and served through the session, 
which proved to be the longest on record. He was re- 
elected in 1889, also serving through the extra session of 
1890. In .\ugust, 1890, he was appointed bj- Secretary 
Jeremiah Rusk, state statistical agent for New Hamp- 
shire in the Department of .\griculture, which office he 
held over three years, being removed by Secretary J. 
Sterling Morton for " offensive partisanship." In Janu- 
ary, 1895, Mr. Adams was elected and served as sergeant- 
at-arms of the New Hampshire senate. 

Mr. .Adams began to contribute regularly to the edito- 




|,\MI;S MKADK .\D.\MS. 

rial columns of the Nashua Telegraph in May, 1889, and 
in the following September came to Nashua to take edito- 
rial charge of the paper during O. C. Moore's absence in 
Washington as congressman. He has remained ever 
since and is the present editor of the Daily and Weekly 
Telegraph. His service embraces eight years of daily ed- 
itorial writing. Mr. .\dams is an ardent Republican, 
positive in his convictions, but independent within party 
lines, and most uncompromising in his Americanism. 
He aims to be fair in the discussion of editorial topics, 
and is scrupulously particular not to twist or obscure the 
meaning of the utterances of those who disagree with 
him. 

Mr. .-Vdains was married Sept. 22, 1890, to Maria 
Dame of Lynn, Mass., daughter of the late Owen Dame, 
and a niece of Prof. Maria Mitchell, the distinguished 
astronomer. They have two children, James G., liorn 
March 24, 1892, and Constance May, born March 10, 1894. 



490 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



GEORGE WINTHROP FOWLER. 

George W. Fowler, son of Winthrop and Annie I<ydia 
(Locke) Fowler, was born at Pembroke Nov. i, 1864. His 
immigrant ancestor on the paternal side, Philip Fowler, 




(iK(lK(,]-: W INI ilKOl' F(_)\VI,Iil!. 
came to America from England in 1625 and settled at 
Newburyport, Mass., and, in direct line of descent, his 
grandfather, Winthrop Fowler, was one of the first set- 
tlers of Epsom. His great-grandfather on the maternal 
side, Ephraim Locke, was also one of the original settlers 
of Epsom. The descendants of both families have been 
prominent in the professions, in industrial and agricul- 
tural pursuits and the affairs of state. 

Mr. Fowler obtained his primary education in the com- 
mon schools and was graduated in 1S82 at the academy in 
his native town. He then entered Dartmouth college 
where he was graduated in 1886. While pursuing his 
academic studies he founded and was the first editor of 
The Academian, a school journal of Pembroke academy, 
which paper is still published; at Dartmouth he was class 
editor of the college paper for the first three years of his 
course, and managing editor the last year. Following 
his graduation he went to Dakota, where, at Bismarck, he 
taught school eight terms and was the first business man- 
ager of the Bismarck Morning Tribune. His ability was 
soon recognized and he was promoted to the position of 
associate editor of the Tribune, in which capacity— and 
when assigned in important matters as special staff corres- 
pondent — he obtained a wide and varied experience that 
equipped him as an all-around iournalist. Mr. Fowler 
finally tired of the far west and returned to Pembroke 
and out-door life— taking up agricultural pursuits for a 
time — where he remained until 1890, when he purchased 
stock in the Nashua Gazette Publishing companj- and 



became business manager and managing editor of its 
daily and weekly publications. Mr. Fowler sold his 
stock in the Gazette in 1895 to Mr. Clough and since then 
has been eniploj-ed on the Manchester Union. 

Mr. F'owler was a member of the board of education of 
Pembroke in 1886, and resigned on going west. On his 
return in 1888 he was re-elected and made superintendent 
of schools, which position he held until he came to 
Nashua in 1890. 

Mr. Prowler was united in marriage Jan. 17, 1888, with 
F;tta Bartlette, daughter of John F~. and Mary A. (Gor- 
don) Bartlett of Suncook. One son has been born to them: 
(Tcorge, born Nov. 28, i8go. 

CHARLES ANDREW POFF. 

Charles .\. Poff was born in Londonderry, N. H., April 
6, 1870. He is the son of Francis H. and Mary J. (Sargent) 
Poff, who came to .\merica from Ireland about 1850. Mr. 
Poff's father is of German and Scotch descent. 

Mr. Poff obtained his early education in the district 
schools of Londonderry. At the age of eleven he moved 
with his parents to Nashua, where he attended the public 
schools. In .\pril, 1888, while in the High school, he 
was offered and accepted the position of clerk for the 
Telegraph Publishing company. In 1892, during the 
illness of the late O. C. Moore, he was promoted to 
assistant business manager of the Telegraph, and is still 
in this position, and is also clerk of the Telegraph Pub- 
lishing company corporation. Mr. Poff's connection 
with the paper is largely in the advertising department, 
and its columns best speak of the large line of business 
conducted. 

Mr. Poff is a charter member of C company, N. H. N. 
G., organized April 23, 1887, and was commissioned 
second lieutenant in February, 1891, and re-commissioned 
in February, 1896, to be promoted in November, 1896, to 
first lieutenant. In social life he is a charter member of 




CII.MlLJi.S ANDllEW POFF. 
the Knights of IMalta, and a member of the New Hamp- 
shire Press association. 

Mr. Poff was married Nov. 23, 1892, to Annie S. Wynn, 
of Truro, Nova Scotia. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



49" 



WILLIAM OLIVER CLOUGH. 

William O. Clou>;li was Ijoni at Gray, JIc, July 14, 
1840. He is a son of John Keniiey and Ellen I.unt ( I.ib- 
bey) Clouffh, who became residents of Meredith, his 
father's native place, in 1842. His immigrant ancestor on 
the paternal side, Daniel Clou^h, came to America from 
Scotland about the middle of the eighteenth century and 
settled at Whitefield. Of his large family, Oliver Clongh, 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, became a resi- 
dent of Henuiker, 
at which place he 
enlisted i n the 
Third New Hamp- 
shire regiment, 
commanded by 
Col. Alexander 
Scammell, and en- 
dured the dangers, 
hardships and pri- 
vations of the Rev- 
olutionarj' War. 
He was a pension- 
er of the govern- 
ment, and died at 
Meredith, Nov. 27, 
1847. On the ma- 
ternal side he is a 
direct descendant 
in the eighth gen- 
eration from John 
Libbey, who was 
born in England 
in 1602, came to 
America iu 1630, 
settled at Scarbo- 
ro. Me., died in 
1682, and was (see 
history of the Lib- 
bey family) the 
progenitor of the 
L i b b e y s of New- 
England. 

Mr. Clongh was 
educated in the 
public schools of 
Meredith and in 
Rev. Hosea yuim- 
b y ' s academic 
school at that 
place. .\t the age 
of sixteen years he 
sought his fortune 
in Boston, and 

from 1856 to i860 was errand boy and clerk in a jewelry 
store. From i860 to 1869 he was the salesman of the Cape 
Cod tilass company on Milk street, Hoston. During his 
residence in Boston he was an active member of the Mer- 
cantile Library association, in which he served seven 
years as a director and chairman of its committee on 
dramatic, declamation and musical entertainments, being 
a good share of the time a student in the association's 
evening school, editor of its pajier, The Tete-a-Tete, and 
a contributor to other publications. He was also the 
first secretary of the Park Street Church Literary associa- 




wii.i.i.vM ()i.i\ i;i; I i.oi (.11. 



tion and its third i)rcsident. The glass company with 
which he was connected having failed, and closed its 
business, he came to Nashua, and from that lime to May, 
1892, was city editor of the Nashua Daily Telegraph. 
Eollowiug his withdrawal from the Telegraph he became 
staff-correspondent of the New Hampshire (Daily) Re- 
pul)lican, and, in September of the same year, its politi- 
cal editor, which position he held until the jiaper sus- 
pended publication in l-'cbruary, 1893. In f)ctol.er, 1895. 
Mr. Clough purchased the conlrnlling stock of the Nash- 
ua Daily Gazette, 
and in November, 

1895, changed its 
name to Nashua 
Daily I>ress. He 
also changed its 
politicsanrl policy. 
In January, 1S96, 
the company be- 
came insolvent 
and its publica- 
tions were sus- 
pended. Publica- 
tion of the Nashua 
Daily Press was 
resumed May 20, 

1896. Mr. Clough 
and his family are 
now. May, 1897, 
sole proprietors of 
the plant, and he 
is managing editor 
of the paper as he 
has been of every 
issue to this date. 

Mr. Clough has 
been a busy man 
in other fields of 
endeavor besides 
those nientioneil. 
lie wrote steadily 
for the Boston 
Journal, as corres- 
pondent under the 
non -de- plume of 
Nashoonon. twen- 
ty-two 5ears, antl 
contributed to va- 
rious newspapers 
an<l magazines 
more t ha n one 
h u nd red serial and 
short stories, es- 
.says and skc.tches. 
In 1S76 he was appointed by Mayor Williams city mar- 
shal of Nashua. He was reappointed by the same mayor 
in 1S77, and by Mayor Holnian iu 1878, and again in 
1879, serving till January, 1881. In 1878 Governor 
Cheney commissioned him associate justice of the Nashua 
police court, an<l he still holds that commission. In 
1893 the city council, in joint convention, elected him 
assessor, and the same year he was elected to represent 
Wanl One on the same board for 1894, when he was re- 
elected for the term ending January i, 1897. During 
Mr. dough's residence in Nashua he has served the 



492 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



cit\' thirteen years as principal of an evening school and 
taken an active part in many enterprises in which the 
people were interested. He was one of the organizers of 
the Indian Head Mutual Fire Insurance company at the 
time when the desertion of old lime companies left the 
state without protection, and was a director in the com- 
pany and its last vice-president. He has also interested 
himself in building and loan associations and as a director 
in the Nashua company. Mr. Clough w'as the writer of 
the biographical department of this history. 

Mr. Clough has, from his youth, been identified with 
secret orders. He was a made a master mason in Colum- 
bian lodge. A. F. and A. M., Boston, and a Royal Arch 
mason in St. Andrews chapter in the same city. He was 
one of the original members of Israel Hunt coiincil and 
its first illustrious master, and he is a member of St. 
George commandery, K. T. He is also a Scottish Rite 
mason of the 32d decree, having been advanced to that 
grade at the Nassau valley in Boston in 1867. 

Mr. Clough was united in marriage, Jan. i6, 1S6S, at 
Manchester, with Julia Moore, daughter of Jonathan H. 
and Hannah Van (Sleeper) Moore. (For ancestors see 
sketch of her brother, Orren C. Moore.) Two daughters 
were born of their marriage : Charlotte Moore, born at 
Manchester, graduated New Hampshire State Normal 
school, class of 1890, married Chester T. Cornish of New 
Bedford, Mass., May 10, 1893; Christine Rolfe, born at 
Nashua. 

ALFRED BEARD. 

Alfred Beard was born iu Nelson, Feb. 28, 1808, twin 
brother of Albiu Beard, died in Keene, April 18, 1839, 
buried in Nashua cemetery. He w'as a son of Asa and 
Lucy (Goodnow) Beard and grandson of David Beard. 
Mr. Beard obtained a common school education in his 
native place and learned the printer's trade in the offices 
of George Hough in Concord and the vSentinel at Keene. 
About 1830 he went to Lowell, Mass., and in company 
with a Mr. Meacham started a paper under the name of 
the Middlesex Telegraph. Tw'O years later he sold out 
and came to Nashua, and in September, 1832, founded 
the New Hampshire Telegraph. His health failed, and, 
following a trip to Cuba, 1837, and while visiting in 
Keene, he died of consumption. Mr. Beard was a promi- 
nent member of the Unitarian society, which he served 
several years as clerk. He had quite a reputation as a 
vocalist and for a time conducted the music of the church. 
That Mr. Beard was a man who appreciated the humor- 
ous side of human affairs, a man whose " rare good na- 
ture " would not permit him to enter into the acrimoni- 
ous debates in which newspapers indulged, in his time, is 
abundantly shown bj' the files of the first volumes of the 
Telegraph, which he edited. He was a pioneer in Nashua 
jourualisni and because of his many noble traits of char- 
acter his name, like that of his brilliant successors on 
that newspaper, should be inscribed on the pages of her 
history. His early death was a cause of public as well 
as private sorrow. (See history of the Telegraph. ) 



SAMUEL HOMER NOYES. 

S. Homer Noyes was born in Portland, Me., Sept. 23, 
1803, died in Nashua, Feb, 1, 1889. He was the eldest son 



of Newman and Hannah (Homer) Noyes, whose ancestors 
were pioneers in the settlement of Scarboro, as the terri- 
tory comprising Portland was originally known. 

Mr. Noyes, like many another well-informed man of 
his generation, obtained his education at the public 
schools and at the printer's case. He came to Nashua in 
1840, and during the next ten years was associated with 
Albin Beard in the publishing office of the New Hamp- 
shire Telegraph. In 1850 he purchased the Nashua Oasis, 
tlie only genuine literary paper ever printed in Nashua, 
which he edited and published until 1857. He then re- 
moved to Bridgeton, Me., where he edited and published 
the Bridgeton Reporter. A little later, owing to failing 
health, he sold out and returned to Nashua. He could 
not, however, resist the attraction of a new^spaper office 
and so, from time to time, as his health would permit, he 
kept in touch with the craft by associating himself with 
the publishers of the Gazette. It was his pride for many 
years that next to Editor Prentice of Keene he was the 
senior of the fraternity in New Hampshire. The Oasis 
was a non-partisan paper and therefore Mr. Noyes did not 
feel like taking an active part in politics or holding pub- 
lic office. He took great interest in the the advancement 
and growth of Nashua and in everything pertaining to its 
interest. He was a good citizen and a true man. 

Mr. Noyes was united in marriage Sept. 22, 1850, with 
Annie V.. Wadleigh, daughter of Benjamin and Cynthia 
(Richards^ Wadleigh. Two children were born of their 
marrriage : — Lizzie Kent, born at Nashua, married Albert 
N. Flinn ; George Homer, born at Nashua, married Jen- 
nie Taylor. 



ORLANDO DANA MURRAY. 

Orlando Dana Murray, son of David and Margaret 
(Forsyth) Murray, was born in Hartland, Vt., March 12, 
1818, died at Nashua F'eb. 23, 1896. The first American 
ancestor of this branch of the famih- was Isaac Murray, 
who came from Scotland and located at Londonderry. 
He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Durham, and 
shortly afterwards removed to Belfast, Me., where they 
spent their lives. Their son David removed, when a 
young man, to Chester where he engaged in business 
as carpenter and builder. He served in the War of 1812 
iu a cavalry troop, and for his service received a grant of 
land and his widow a pension. David married Margaret 
Forsyth of Chester in December, 1807. She was a daugh- 
ter of Lieut. Robert Forsyth, and grand-daughter of Dea- 
con Matthew Fors3th, who was born in Edinburgh, Scot- 
land, was graduated from the University of Edinburgh, 
and emigrated to America in 1730, settling at Chester. 
The familv of David Murray removed to Nashua in 1825. 

The subject of this sketch was their youngest child. 
He was educated at the Nashua academj- and at Pinkerton 
academy at Derry, and subsequently fitted for college 
under the tutorship of Col. Isaac Kinsman, (his cousin), 
who had been principal of the military academy and 
gymnasium at Pembroke. Instead of going to college, 
however, at the age of sixteen years he entered the office 
of the Nashua Gazette as an apprentice in the art of 
printing, where he remained seven years, serving during 
that time also as assistant postmaster. In 1841 he pur- 
chased a half interest in the Manchester Memorial and 
became its editor, editing and pu1)lishing at the same 



HISTORY OF NASFfUA N. H. 



493 



time an octavo montlily called tlie "Iris." In the latter 
part of 1842 he sold out, and, in partnership with A. I. 
Sawtell, founded the Nashua Oasis, January, 1843, and be- 
came its editor. It was a clean, independent familj- 
newspaper of literary merit, and one of the ablest and 
brightest of its day. Mr. Murray set the type and printed 
the first edition of Fox's History of Dunstable. In Sep- 
tember, 1849, Mr. Murray sold his interest in the paper, 
retired from the editorial chair and cml)arked, with oth- 
ers, in the manufacture of cardboard, j^lazed and enam- 
elled paper, uuder 
the firm name of 
Gill & Co., and 
afterward s of 
Gage, Murray & 
Co. The enter- 
prise proved a suc- 
cess. In 1866 the 
business was sold 
to Gilman Hroth- 
ers, and in 186S 
Mr. Murray be- 
came interested 
in the Nashua 
Glazed Paper com- 
pany, then in its 
infancy, which, in 
1869, was consoli- 
dated with the 
original plant and 
incorporated un- 
der the name of 
the Nashua Card 
and Glazed Paper 
company. Mr. 
Murray was made 
president of the 
new company and 
continued in that 
office, being at the 
same time general 
manager of the 
business, until 
1883, when he sold 
out and retired to 
private life. 

Mr.Murray(and 
it is a noticeable 
characteristic of 
all live editors of 
newspapers; al- 
ways fostered and 
encouraged indus- 
trial pursuits. He 

believed that the growth and prosperity of a place de- 
pended upon them, and being determined to do all that a 
good citizen ought to do to encourage progressive young 
men in this line of endeavor he rendered pecuniary aid 
and gave freely of his knowledge and experience in this 
direction. He was one of the stockholders of the Nashua 
Watch company, a member of its board of directors, one 
of the men who made sacrifices to firmly establish it, and 
a mourner when, for lack of capital, its business was re- 
moved to Waltham, Mass. Mr. Murray was one of the 
prime movers in the Pennichuck Water Works, an incor- 




()l!I.A\I)(l I).\X,\ .Ml'nn.w. 



poralor of the American F.-in company, one fourth owner 
and a director in the Conloocook \alley Paper company 
at Ilenniker, and gave financial aid to railroads and many 
other un<lerlakings that promised to be beneficial to 
Nashua. In a word, no citizen did more in his genera- 
tion to help the town and city than Mr. Murray, and no 
citizen deserved a more ])rominent place in this history. 
Mr. Murray was a conspicuous figure in the political and 
social life of Nashua. Ife was town clerk in 1849.50-1, ald- 
erman from Ward Seven in 1858-9, from Ward Six in 1865 ; a 

member of the leg- 

islature in 1855, 

re-elected in 1856, 
and also a mem- 
ber in 1885 and 
1 886, anil in 1888 
was the Repub- 
lican candidate 
of the district for 
senator. He was 
also for many 
years a member 
of the boanl of 
education. In all 
these positions, be- 
ing a man of com- 
prehensive ideas 
and a vigorous 
debater, he ren- 
dered the city and 
slate invaluable 
service. Mr. Mur- 
ray was a charier 
memberofCranile 
lodge. I. (). O. 1".. 
the first lodge of 
the oriler organ- 
ized in the stale, 
a nd was m an y 
times honored 
with the highest 
otTices in its gift. 
He was a mem- 
ber of Rising Sun 
lodge. .\. !•'. and 
.\. M., Meridian 
Sun Royal .\rch 
chapter and St. 
George command- 
ery, K. T. ; also 
a Scottish Rite 
mason of the 32d 
degree. He was 
a I'niversalist. 
Mr. Murray was united in marriage July 7. 1842, with 
-Mary Jane Wetherbee, daughter of Solomon and Sarah 
(Wetherbee) Wetherbee of Concord, Mass. Their chil- 
dren were: George Dana, who was in the commissary de- 
partment of the ;.\rniy of the Potomac, deceased ; Sarah 
]•:., married William \. Crombie of Burlington, Vt., of 
which city he has been mayor: Levi K.. married Jane 
(Russell) Hopkins, died Pebuary. 1880; .Mbert C, died 
in infancv; Clarence .\., married Mary Klizabeth Brown 
of Ogdensburg,'N. Y.'; Charles O., married I.ulu Bemis 
of Nashua. 



494 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

History of Nkwspaphrs Published in Dunstablh and Nashua, N. H., From 
1826 TO 1897, Chronologically Arranged. 

BY O. IJ. MURRAY. 

IN 1638 the first printing press in the Ignited States was set up in Cambridge, Mass. In 1674 
the general court of Massachusetts authorized a press in Boston, and in 168 1 permitted a third 
with this order: " That none may presume to set up any other press without the like liberty 
first granted." 

April 24, 1704, John Campbell, a Scotchman, began and established "The Boston News Letter," 
at Boston, prior to which time there was not a newspaper published in the English colonies, 
throughout the extensive continent of North America. 

In 17S4 only four newspapers were printed in New England, and all those were sent out from 
Boston, all were published weekly, while the average number of copies from each press did not 
exceed six hundred. 

In 1756 a press was moved from Boston to Portsmouth. The governing powers were fearful of 
the press, as in the royal instructions sent to Governor Allen of New Hampshire, March 7, 1692, may 
be found this injunction: "And forasmuch as great inconvenience may arise by the liberty of printing 
within our Province of New Hampshire, you are to provide by all necessary orders, that no person 
use any press for printing, upon any occasion whatever, without your special license first obtained." 

In August, 1756, Daniel Eowie began the publication of the "New Hampshire Gazette," at 
Portsmouth — the first in the state. 

January 21, 1765, "The Portsmouth Mercurj' and Weekly Advertiser" made its appearance, 
and was the second newspaper to be established in New Hampshire, and both from the same town. 

In the beginning of 1775 there were fourteen newspapers in all New England, and but one in 
New Hampshire. 

Near the close of the year 1775 a third newspaper, called "A New Hampshire Gazette," was 
issued at Exeter. 

In i8go one hundred and fifty newspapers were being printed in the United States, of which 
number some twenty were daily issues ; while previous to the Revolution all the publications were 
weeklies. 

In 1810 there were twelve new.spapers being published in New Hampshire, viz: at PortsmmUh, 
three. New Hampshire Gazette, Portsmouth Oracle, and Intelligencer; at Dover, the Sun; at 
Walpole, two, Farmers' Museum, and Farmers' Cabinet; at Hanover, Dartmouth Gazette; at 
Concord, two. Concord Gazette, and New Hampshire Patriot; at Keene, New Hampshire Sentinel; 
at Haverhill, Coos Courier; at Exeter, the Constitutionalist. 

Newspapers and periodicals multiplied rapidl\- at a later date; and the number which had a 
beginning, and most of them an end, in Hillsborough county alone, is about two hundred and thirty, 
and, incredible as it may seem, some two hundred were located at Manchester, as stated by the late 
V,. I). Boylston of Amherst. Nashua, too, has contributed its full quota to the number of defunct 
ventures, as will be evinced by the relation of local efforts in that direction. 

December 16, 1826, "The Constellation and Nashua Advertiser" was launolied upon the troubled 
sea of newspaperdom, and although sailing under many masters, and with frequent change of figure- 
head, it is still staunch and buo\ant. The Constellation was issued by Brown & Crosman, editors 
and proprietors, Nashua \'illage, Dun.stable, N. H. One dollar and fifty cents per aiuuim, payable in 
six months, or one dollar and twenty-five cents in advance. Its motto was: " Uninfluencetl b_\' Party, 
we aim to be Just." 

In the second issue, December 23, under the head line " the Latest from Europe,'' appears a let- 
ter from Eondon, dated Nov. 2, 1826. Surely the "ocean greyhound" was not then in commission. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. 11. ^95 

Tliis uuiubLr contaiiK'd no (..litoi iai , except a " slickful " calling attention to a long communication 
favoring protection to niannfacturers against foreign competition, and heartily commending the same, 
as heartily as it could be done in an article of one and three-quarter inches. 

Nuniher three announced the retirement of Mr. Crosman, ill-health being assigned as the cause. 
A. few years since Mr. Crosman died in Boston, .Mass. A short time before his death he wrote a 
letter, which was published in the Gazette, in which he disavowed ill health as the cause of his with- 
drawal, but rather the habits of his partner, of which he was ignorant when their business arrange- 
ments were made, as will be seen by the following letter, published in the Gazette June 29, 1889: 

"Mr. Kki.SEv, Dear vSir:— Referring to the letter which you showed me this noon, from Mr. 
Whittemore, in relation to the proposed sale of the Nashua Gazette and requesting me to write any- 
thing which I might think would be of interest in regard to the city, its general appearance in 1826, 
or of thepaper itself, or of Mr. Brown, my then partner. I regret to say that I remember nothing 
that can be of interest for your friend or anyone else to know. Si.xty-three years having elapsed since 
the publication of the paper was commenced, it ought not to be considered strange, or as exhibiting 
any remarkable degree of forgetfnlness, that I am now unable to find on the tablets of my memorv, 
any record of importance or worthy of repeating. 

"All that 1 recollect is that we bought our type, office fixtures and press — a 'Well's' press, I 
believe — of Messrs. Greele>- &^ Willis of Congress street, Boston. I am not clear whether they did 
business under the name of 'The New England Type foundry,' but, if not, their establishment — I 
feel quite certain — assumed the above name not long after or perhaps before we purchased the outfit 
for the Nashua office. 

"All I know of Nashua may be found in her written histor}-. I was attracted there while look- 
ing around for a place to commence a printing office in connection with a newspaper. I thought 
that that locality appeared to me to possess exceptionally flattering prospects. I believed that the 
abundant water power at her command could not fail to bring capital and business there — that the 
town would rapidly increase in population and wealth. My anticipations of the grand career that 
awaited her have been exceeded more than a thousand fold. 

" I have but a very dim recollection of the place, as it ap])eared in 1S26. I remember the tavern 
where I boarded and lodged, near our office, but I cannot recall the name of the landlord. I made 
only two or three acquaintances, for I was constantly occupied every hour, day and evening, <loing 
nearly all the work in our office — writing, type-setting, etc., with precious little assistance from my 
partner, whose habits, then first made known to me, were so objectionable, that I soon determined if 
I could not purchase his interest, which I hoped and endeavored to do, that I must relin(|uisli mine. 
I ought to explain that I knew little, really nothing, of Brown until after he joined me at Nashua. 

" I never knew or heard, until I read in your letter, that I was in ' ill health ' while in Nashua. 
If such a stor\- was ever current there, it must have been one of Brown's coinage. I was troubled 
for a day or two with intlammatiou in my eyes, from working, often into the small hours of the night, 
by insufficient light or new bright t\pe. 

"I well remember making the accpiaintance of John Rand, the artist, and my intimac\- with him 
continued until the day of his death. Also that of Mr. Greeley, one of wlio.se sons, whom I have 
known for many years jia.st, founded the town of Nashua in Iowa. I also became acquainted with a 
very pleasant young (or perhaps middle-aged) law\er whose name I have (orgotten. 

"I was utterly astounded to learn from your letter that I resided in Nashua only 'three weeks.' 
Had I been asked, I should have replied about three or four months. One thing, however, I know 
and that is that I endured as much mortification, vexation and substantial suffering while in that town 
as any mortal ought to be subjected to in three times that number of the longest years. 

" Have never heard a word of or from Brown since I left him. 

Vours trulv. 
"Thursday p. m., June, 27, 1889. Joi'v C\ Ckosm.\n." 

Number four, issued by W. A. Brown contained no editorial except one of like length as number 

two, while the name was changed to " The Constellation and Nashua Gazette." Brown dropped the 

motto. 



496 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Number ten contained a display advertisement of "Rhode Island Lottery — $12,000 — Tickets and 
shares sold at this ol^ce." This number contained the nominations for members of congress — seven 
in number. New Hampshire was of some account in those early days, with nine electoral votes. 
The paper was overrun with communications. 

May 26, 1827, the Constellation said: " For ourselves, we are decidedly in favor of Mr. Adams, 
and shall use all fair and honorable means to secure his re-election," but deprecated the abuse 
heaped upon Jackson. 

June 9, 1S27, \V. Wiggin assumed the publication of the paper, continuing the support of Adams' 
administration. 

July 21, 1S27, the names of Thayer & Wiggin appeared as publishers. In this issue appeared 
the " latest from England" under date of June 8. 

August 18, 1827, the title of the paper was changed to "Nashua Gazette and Hillsborough 
County Advertiser." 

Volume two commenced with a change in the imprint to "by A. E. Thayer & Wiggin," and 
Feb. 2, 1828, the paper was enlarged by the addition of some two inches to width of page. 

Volume three, Dec. 12, 1828, "Sciences" and "Morality" were dropped from the motto. 

Decemlier 18, 1828, the issue contained Jackson's message to congress, with the boast that it was 
expre.ssed to Boston in thirty-one hours and twentj'-three minutes. 

Julv 29, 1831, Andrew E. Thayer (see biography) assumed the sole control of the paper, and 
made a somewhat aggressive journal, as he was a man of ability, and occasionally preached to 
Unitarian congregations. He kept a book store, with a circulating library, and accumulated 
considerable property, becoming owner of much real estate. Mr. Thayer took great interest in all 
public affairs, and, being a good speaker, his voice was heard in all public gatherings for the 
furtherance of township advancement and public morality. 

February 24, 1832, Andrew E. Thayer transferred the Gazette to Israel Hunt, Jr. In his 
valedictory Mr. Thayer recounts the diiSculties under which he labored from being a liberal in 
religion. He says: " A large proportion of the orthodox part}- withdrew from us their patronage. 
A meeting was held in the vestry of the orthodox church in this village, when a committee was 
appointed to hire an editor and a printer, and to provide funds for the establishment of another 
paper. The prospectus has been published. If we may judge from this, the paper is not to be a 
religious or a political paper. The leaders of the party have, however, very explicitly stated the 
object of .starting this paper. It was intended to ruin this establishment, to prevent all free inquiry 
upon religious subjects, and not to allow any communications in favor of liberal principles to be 
circulated in the comnuinitj-." 

The outcome seemed to be the e.stablishment of the "Nashua Herald," April 14, of the same 
year', whose lease of life extended through three short months, when obit was written on its issue of 
July 1 1, 1S32. 

March 2, 1832, Israel Hunt, Jr., (see biography) took possession of the Nashua Gazette, as 
editor and proprietor. Thenceforward the Gazette was pronounced in its adhesion to the principles 
of Jackson. In his salutatory we find the following : "A Democratic Republican Newspaper has long 
been called for in this County, and no place combines so many advantages for the early reception and 
circulation of news as the Town of Dunstable. We ask of the Yeomanry of the State to give us 
such support as may enable us to present them a Journal worthy of the cause, and of the old County 
of Hillsborough. And we request the patronage of the friends of Freedom, both civil and Religious, 
in general." 

General Israel Hunt, Jr., was one of the most widely known men in Dunstable, and throughout 
the .state as well. As a party leader he stood in the front ranks, as a military man he ranked with 
the foremost, as a writer he was fearless in invective, and never failed to strike hard. In political life 
he was a Democrat of Democrats, and never hesitated to speak his mind with infinite freedom. A 
man with such characteristics could not fail to make an aggressive paper, and the Gazette stood only 
second to the New Hampshire Patriot in its influence in the state. Its change in party fealty did not 
appear to alienate its patrons, while the paper increased in power, with the aid of such able writers 
as John M. Hunt, (see biography), Charles J. Fox, (see biography). Judge Charles F. Gove, 
Rev. Dura D. Pratt, and others, all strong men, and true to the party, under all exigencies. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, JV. H. 



497 




ff|l|M-Ot5» 




General Hunt was a large landholder, and in these later years which have brought prosperity to 
Nashua, appreciation in real estate values has greatly enriched the estate. General Hunt was of 
a quick, nervous temperament, and perhaps contentious at times, hut no man could quicker recover 
from a display of earnestness, and overlook the heat of his opponent. In this respect he was a most 
generous disputant, but always a free lance. 

February 23, 1838, Morrill cSi Dinsmore purchased the Gazette property of General Hunt and 
became editors and proprietors, and so continued till April 12, 1839, when Paul Morrill purchased the 
interest of William H. Dinsmore and l)ccame sole proprietor. Six months later he sold his interest. 

August 23, 1S39, Charles P. Danforth 
(see biography) took charge of the edito- 
rial columns as proprietor of the Gazette 
plant. Mr. Danforth had been a frequent 
conlril)utor to the Gazette, and felt that 
he had a call to the chair editorial, and 
entered upon the duties with the greatest 
ardor. He was exceedingly zealous in 
his new calling, and followed close in the 
steps of his predecessor, with whose 
assistance he was often favored, thus 
making a scathing paper for his oppo- 
nents. Being young, vigorous, and full 
of the spirit of democracy, he forced the 
fight at every salient point, and by dint 
of activity and perseverance succeeded in 
materially increasing his list of subscriV)- 
ers. Mr. Danforth was deeply imbued 
with the spirit of those resolutions of his 
party councils, which declared for "free 
soil over every foot of God's heritage : " 
and when the annexation of Texas was 
broached as a measure to extend slavery. 
in a fiery article the Gazette characterized 
the object as "black as ink. and bitter as 
hell." Party discijiline caused him to 
recant; but after disposing of his interest 
in the Gazette, and on the advent of the 
Kansas and Nebraska imbroglio, he broke 
from his jmrty, became a Rei>nblican. and 
was recipient of the shrievalty of Hills- 
borough county for a term of five years. 
Mr. Danforth was very courtly in manner, 
and was ever a popular citizen of Nashua. Aug. 28, 1845, Mr. Danforth disposed of the Gazette 
plant to William H. Hewes, a New Hampshire man, and the i.ssue of that date contained the farewell 
of the departing, and the introductorv article of the coming editor. 

April 23, 1846, Mr. Hewes, on account of failing health, sold out to William H. Hutterfield of 
Gilmanton N. H., formerlv of the Lowell Advertiser and Patriot: and the imprint contained the 
name of William H. Gilmore as printer. In a few months Mr. Kutterfield left the narrow field for a 
wider one as editor of the New Hamp.shire Patriot. 

December 3, 1846, Mr. Butterfield retired, having sold to B. B. & F. P. Whittemore, proprietors; 
B B Whittemore, editor. With the advent of the Whittemores the multitudinous changes, which 
had seemed inherent in the plant, ceased, and for the period of lorty-three years the Nashua Gazette 

continued its even course. 

Bernard B. Whittemore (see chapter on Bench and Bar> was a Harvard graduate of .839; 
admitted to Hillsborough county bar in 1S42; practiced in Amherst, Nashua, and Palmer, Mass. He 

4' 



liir HOlf^E BFILDIIVC;. 



I THE SiibstTilx-rs noiilil iiiloi'in X\\v l*iibli«' a) lai 

Inli.'il llui. liaMii:: .ill Ihi' tnnlih.^ .l.inMl lr.,i„ \\ .,1. i I' , ;,i.<l \. i>I, ln<.'ril...l \\m\ 

> arr [>rf|iiir.-.l. iiiul <lo l,.T.!n pr.i[...-i . 1.. .1.. 

: ALL. KI:KDN OF ^VOOD >rORlk, :| 

\ arriinlmi: In .il) (lie wiriniis nrclrrs of .\nliilrrtiirr. .iil;iplt-il to liiiildini;.! of (.'vt-ry rfcscriplion. Sc 
I and .-ilso siiilfd lo all tlir varicly of (asle^ and ciislimi* of roiinlry villages. « 

> Thcv "ill also do the following: Piecr Work, viz:— 5g 

3J All ki.»K„Vl)„..r~.\; n Kramer; W, , Fratn.-> ;in,l S„>l,. of , ,. , , .1, m , „, ; «„ 

Re dow Bluid- and KoMii.:; SI,ol(.rs: 1>;,i,imI " orl, "f .dl l.oid,; Clrir > l"i...s,.l itir li.a 

islordrr; r,«, and 1'iiI|hI^ miIl.I 1.. xanons Cliai. li... 

They will also Teiiiioii aii«\ Hortice Doors and Sash, ;]| 

for any ulio may favor (la in vMlh llirir (aslnia. iTin- li \»\wy aial . In a|.. i* tlian .an i.. don.' l.y 
linod. 

They will also Plane, Joint, 'I'oiiarne and Groove % 

BOARDS, in lli.- ninsl maiinrr. and iMlli -r. al .livpal. 1.. All ill.' al,..v.' lli.y villi .1 Ii. 

v..nal.l.- tf nils so as to mak.' it an ol.j. . t lor in-opl.- I., .i.'tn.' In.in a ilistanr. 



neatest 
SM vvilb a niliiul 




They will also exeeute Plans and DratviiiKs in the » 

itest manner for all kinds of Bnddiniis, ..r |ian- ..f n..il.lini;s. ..f « o.„l. Ilri, k. ..r St ^ 

'rv pan of tlie finislinie. in.i 

SIIEPHERI 

Nashua Village, May 20, 1S.14. 



" "' * SA2-S-S^S-S-S'5'W?'?*?^f'5"?*5^ 



AN oi-D advkimisp:mkxt. 



498 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



was an amiable man, quiet, reticent and studious. His advice in legal matters was highly prized. 
His editorials were scholarly in diction, and from his standpoint bore the impress of sincerity. In 
politics his democracy was rather ultra than otherwise; while in all things else he was very conserva- 
tive. During the nearly half century incumbency of the Whittemores, the Gazette was always 
issued in a neat and tasty dress, the work of the junior member. 

September 5, 1872, the Daih^ Gazette first saw the light. This was a venture which had long 
been considered, as a measure to meet the assaults of an opposing daily from the Telegraph office, 
which had occupied the field some three years. It was something of a struggle, but it lived and 
prospered and became a /rt/V accompli. 

As time aged the editor, and his step became less elastic, his party friends thought the paper less 
robust than the times demanded. Seeking to effect a change, a corporation of the leading members 
of the party was formed, and a purchase made by sale of stock. 

June 22, 1889, articles of incorporation as "Gazette Press company" were filed by the following 
named gentlemen; J. H. Tolles (see biography), F. A. Dearborn, D. A. Gregg, E. P. Brown 
(see biography), J. H. Vickery, W. W. Bailey (see biography), F. A. McKean, C. H. Burke, 
(see biography) F. G. Noyes (see biography), C. S. Bussell (see biography), B. B. Whittemore, 
E. H. Everett. The corporators organized by choosing W. W. Bailey, president; F. A. Dearborn, 
clerk; C. S. Bu.ssell, trea.surer; W. W. Bailey, D. A. Gregg, C. H. Burke, J. H. Tolles, E. P. 
Brown, J. H. Vickery, C. S. Bussell, board of directors. The capital stock was $10,000. C. S. 
Bussell was elected managing editor; and having later resigned the treasurership, E. P. Brown was 
elected as his successor. Subsequently owing to other lousiness relations, Mr. Bussell withdrew from 
the editorship, and G. W. Fowler (see biography) was elected to succeed him. 

July I, 1889, the Gazette Press company took possession of the Gazette property, and on that 
day the issue was under its auspices, and contained the farewell words of one who had communed 
with his readers forty-three years consecutively. Mr. Whittemore retired with a competence. 

Under its corporate management, with the infusion of new and young blood, the Gazette carried 
on the political warfare with renewed vigor, and its assaults were felt all along the line of its 
opponents. It was frank and outspoken in its utterances, bold in its charges, sought the offensive 
more than the defensive, and most certainly had the courage of its convictions. 

The "Gazette Press company," as then organized, consisted of George \V. F"owler, managing 
editor; A. W. Greeley, associate editor ; A. A. Flinn, reporter; board of directors: \V. W.Bailey, 
president; George W. Fowler, treasurer; D. A. Gregg, James H. Tolles, A. W. Greele}-. Mr. Fowler 
was local correspondent of the Boston Herald. 

It must not be suppo.sed that all the honor accruing from the publication of a daih' paper inheres 
in the editor, but it must be divided with the news gatherers, reporters, and city editor. Charles S. 
Bussell, (see biography) who impersonally filled a column in the Manchester Dail}' Union, did more 
to hold the large number of readers in Nashua than all the other editors and writers in the staff, 
assisting in the Gazette reportorial work as well. 

October 14, 1895, the conti'olling stock of the Gazette Press company was purchased by W. O. 
Clough and C. T. Cornish. These gentlemen assumed the plant and its newspapers, conducting the 
latter as independent in politics. 

November 9, 1895, apjjeared this announcement : " The last Dail\' Gazette. Good bye. This is 
the last issue. From this day forth the Nashua Daily Gazette is a back numlier. * * * * * 
Having faithfully served a constituency, in victory and defeat, for nearly a quarter of a century, it has 
earned a right to hope, in parting company with its readers, that whatever has been good and com- 
mendable in its career will be kindl}' remembered, while whatever has .seemed unjust — for newspapers 
but reflect the doings of the day, with its passions as well as its commonplaces — will be speedilj' 
forgotten." 

Change presses hard upon the heel of change in this, the oldest printing office in Nashua, for 
Nov. II, 1895, the following appeared under the editorial head of "Nashua Daily Press, jnililislied 
by 'The Gazette Press company,' William O. Clough, managing editor; Chester T. Cornish, business 
manager: — 

"The Nashua Daily Press makes its debut without boasting. Those employed upon it are 'old 
hands at the bellows,' and such know that conceit and unkept promises count for nothing in the 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. ^99 

newspaper world. They know, too, that what this connnunitv wants of » local newspaper is the 
news. If the Press gives that fairly, without prejndice, it may hope to succeed, other^vise it must 
fail. The news, therefore, will be our first care. Having made good this promise, it will devote so 
much of Its space as remains-after taking care of its advertising patrons-to the discussion of 
matters of public moment. 

•The editor realizes from long experience that he cannot hope to please everybodv, and, knowing 
this, will be compelled to deal with all matters in deference to his own judgment. In doing so he will 
endeavor to be fair and just, more of a promise it is not necessarv to make. The local news will be 
collected under the supervision of C. S. Russell, long and favorably known as a local writer, a.ssisted 
by Harvey E. Taylor, a young Nashuaii who Jias had considerable experience in the work in other 
places, and the management bespeak for them the usual favors and accommodation of the public. 
Besides this it will have a woman's department, edited by Charlotte M. Cornish. The management 
solicits items of news and comment from its lady readers, and while they cannot promise to publish 
without amendment or alteration, they can assure them that their news and suggestions will be 
appreciated and utilized as far as their importance and space will permit. Address Woman's 
Department, Press Office. 

"With this brief announcement the Press is launched. What its career is to be is problematical. 
It had high hopes and generous words of encouragement. If it fails, it will be through no lack of 
enterprise or effort. If it succeeds, it will be its constant endeavor to merit the confidence of the 
people and honor the city of Nashua." 

In January, i8g6, the pecuniary affairs of the company were shown to be involved; the company 
was voted into insolvency, and publication suspended on the twenty-fourth of that month. A few 
months later the plant was purchased by J. Alonzo Greene and re-established as an out and out 
Republican plant. May 20, 1896, with Mr. Clough as managing editor, and Mr. Corni-sh as business 
manager. It has met with good success. At the time of this writing it is under the ownership and 
management of the two gentlemen last mentioned. 

April 14, 1832. Bard & Trow commenced the publication of the " Nashua Herald ; " S. J. Bard, 
editor; J. F. Troy, printer. The prospectus concludes as follows: "Our purpose is now before 
the public. It is briefly this, to make our paper a fountain of useful information and an organ of the 
truth. We offer our proposals to our fellow-citizens of every party, sect, profession and employment, 
promising not always to say what thej- may think true or expedient, but not intentionally to mislead 
them, or Lcoiuid llicir fccluigs, or ii?i/>air their iiitcres/s." 

In the salutatory Dr. Bard says: "It follows as a matter of course, that, in the .selection of 
national rulers, we prefer those whose views upon these important subjects, correspond with our own. 
But it does not follow that we as individuals, or as journalists, must necessarily engage in indiscrimi- 
nate hostility to the present or any future administration; or an et|ually blind and absurd support of 
its rivals and opposers." 

From the al)Ove it is fair to conclude that Mr. Bard of the Herald did not mean to run his bark 
upon the shoals that had wrecked Mr. Thayer's inde])endeiice in the Gazette, and that the "fountain 
of useful information" had failed in three short months. 

July II, 1832, Mr. Bard steps off the journalistic stage in the following, which is the only 
editorial: "The proprietor of this paper has determined from a variety of considerations to discon- 
tinue it. Those in this vicinity who are interested would oblige us by calling immediately. 
Arrangements will be made for the accommodation of those at a distance." 

October 20, 1832, Alfred Beard commenced the publication of a new venture in the form of a 
newspaper, and named it "New Hampshire Telegrajih." Terms, one dollar and fifty cents in 
advance— two dollars at the end of the year. It claimed to support the National Keiniblican party, 
and would "aim at Consi.stency, Decision, Independence;" promising to "support, by all just and 
honorable means, the cau.se of Henry Clay, the American System, the Constitution, and the Union 
of the states." In those early days, relying upon a sparse population for sujjport, with the field 
already occupied, it required no little courage to set up a printing press in opposition to one already 
established. Mr. Beard was of fine personal appearance, and soon became at rapport with the citizens 
of the villa"-e. He advocated the principles of his party with much vigor and ability. A few years 



500 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



of arduous labor as printer, publisher, and editor, made inroads upon his health, and he fell by the 
wayside, a victim of consumption, dying April i8, 1839. 

In 1836 Albin Beard, (see biography) a twin brother, but quite unlike in physical appearance, a 
reporter on a Boston daily, came to Nashua as associate editor, and, after the death of his brother 




A ^ A 



SK 




TELEGRAPH BUILDING. 



became sole editor and proprietor, and so continued for more than thirtv-one years dyincr Sept 16 
1862, at the age of fifty-four years. ' - o i- . 

Albin Beard, while somewhat exacting with his employes, in his social intercourse was most 
gemal, and always full of pleasantries. The Telegraph became the vehicle of a great deal of quaint- 
ness, which was oft quoted by contemporaries, and thus became a widely known journal Mr Beard 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 50, 

while very tenacious of his opinions, did not become a very aggressive politician, aiming rather to 
make his paper a pleasant visitor in all families, at the same time asserting his staKvartism as a Whig 
and a Republican, but not offensively so. After the death of Albin Heard, liis famih carricl ..n tin- 
publication of the Telegraph, employing several persons to supply the editorials. 

November i, 1862, Henry B. Atherton (see biography) a.ssumed the duties <W edil.,r, and al,lv 
fulfilled the trust for about a year and a half, with the vim of a soldier wounded in the defence of the 
rnion : for he had just returned from the field of battle with a memento of the conflict at Lee's Mills, 
which compelled him to resign his commission of captain. Mr. Atherton was a graduate of Dart- 
mouth college, class of '59, and after ceasing to be editor, resumed his profession in Nashua. As a 
lawj-er and citizen Mr. Atherton enjoys an enviable reputation. 

April 9, 1864, Orren C. Moore (.see biography) became editor of the Telegraph, and so continue<l 
for a year or more. 

April 24. 1865, Bernard Corr wielded the editorial pen for some three months. 

April 29, 1865, Mrs. Albin Beard advertised the Telegraph plant for sale. 

July 15, 1865, Mrs. Beard transferred her interests in the Telegraph to White & Berry. Shortly 
after the purchase Mr. White sold his interest to C. V. Dearborn (see biography), a practicing lawyer 
of Nashua, who became its editor: and it may be .said that the Telegraph lost none of its vigor as an 
exponent of Republicanism during the incumbency of Mr. Dearborn, who has since deceased. 

November 23, 1867, O. C. Moore i)urchased Mr. Dearborn's interest, and again became its editor: 
Moore & Berry, publishers. 

February i, 1869, Mr. Berry .sold out to Clark .M. Langley of Lowell, Mass. 

March i, 1869, Moore & Langley took a decidedly advanced step in the issue of "The Daily 
Telegraph." It was the first local daily in the field and was very gratifying to the citizens of Nashua, 
who knew little of the trials and perplexities of the undertaking, but fully realized the manifold bene- 
fits resulting from a more frequent communion and announcement, as well as giving renewed life and 
character to a young city, struggling for a higher plane, and a reputation for enterprise, to say 
nothing of the coveted opportunity for the progressive merchant to daily extol his wares. It has 
been five times enlarged. 

January i, 1887, "The Telegraph Publishing company" was incorporated, organizing with 
Charles Holman, president; O. C. Moore, manager and treasurer : William O. Clough. clerk. 

In 1889 pressing outside duties demanded so much of Mr. Moore's time and attention that 
editorial assistance became imperative, and he called James M. Adams of Weare, (see biography) as 
assistant editor, and he so continued until Mr. Moore's death, May 12, 1893. After that date, he 
became editor-in-chief, and has proved himself a ready and versatile writer, with a tendency to 
literature and art, while his Republicanism is not left in doubt. 

January 4, 1892, Mr. Moore appointed Charles A. Poff (see biography) assistant business man- 
ager of the company, which position he has since held. 

May 14, 1S92, Albert E. De Wolfe, (see biography) for many years local correspondent of the 
Boston Globe, became city editor, having been reporter for several years prior to his promotion: and 
as reporters are sure to get behind the scenes, he has been able to act a double part acceptably. 
Edwin S. Secord is reporter. 

For twenty years William O. Clough toiled uiircmitliiigly in gathering items for the Telegraph, 
and as city editor presented them to its readers. He .severed his connection with the Telegraph in 
Maj-, 1892. 

Since the decease of Mr. Moore, The Telegraph Publishing company, as re-organized, consists 
of Mrs. O. C. Moore, president and manager: Charles A. Poff, assistant business manager: Gertrude 
C. Moore, treasurer: James M. Adams, editor; A. E. De Wolfe, city editor. It is quite apparent 
that success in monetary directions has been secured, although the expenditures must have greatly 
increased, as changes and improvements plainly indicate. Under the present management the 
Telegraph has taken no backward step. 

The public career of Orren C. Moore, as journalist, orator, congressman, and politician, when 
written, will fill a large space in history, for he was unceasing in his labors, untiring in his pursuits, 
and unbending in his purposes. Through the columns of his journal he advocated the higher life— a 
life of purity, of temperance, of morality. He advocated cleanness in politics, specially condemning 



502 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

the use of money in purchase of votes, and corruption of the ballot. Possessing a clear, penetrating 
voice; having a wonderful connnand of words; blessed with an exceedingly retentive memory of 
statistics ; with a mind stored with past and passing events ; with a lively remembrance of history 
and the story it tells; with an ability to memorize annotations and written opinion, it is not a matter 
of wonder that, with a terse, direct form of speech; with an intense earnestness, albeit without an 
attempt at wit or humor, Mr. Moore was widely sought as an advocate of the principles he professed. 

In 1840 a campaign paper was published six months prior to the presidential election in Novem- 
ber of that year, by an association of young men, under the name of "The Nashua Tippecanoe 
Club," the foremost spirit in the club being the late Judge Thomas Peanson, (see biography) then a 
minor, but active in political work. It may be unnecessary to say that the Harrison liagle was a 
screamer, and dealt largely in invective and personalities, making the hard-cider campaign one 
of spirit. 

January 4, 1843, Murray & Sawtell, (see Mr. Murray's biography), both practical printers, 
brought out a new paper which they named " The Oasis," having for its motto, " The Home Circle ; 
the Brightest Oasis in Life's Pathway." It was not much favored by the two papers then occupying 
the field, deeply impressed with the idea that they were full}' sufficient for all requirements of the 
good people of both Nashua and Nashville — for the goodly town of Nashua had been rent assunder in 
1842, through dissensions on account of the Nashua river, which had then as now, a north side and a 
south side — and each side claimed to be the more eligible site for a contemplated town hall. The 
soutlisiders, being in the majority, won, hence two corporate bodies, the north side taking the name 
of Nashville, which were to coalesce in 1853 under a city charter. 

The new paper appeared to strike a popular current, and it soon grew in size and so much in fa- 
vor that its circulation exceeded that of the older ones ; and, on proving that fact to the post ofhce 
department in Washington, the publication of the list of letters remaining in the Nashua office on the 
first of every month, was awarded " The Oasis," although the postmaster was editor of the Nashua 
Gazette and fought valiantly for this perquisite. 

August 16, 1843, ^- I- Sawtell sold his interest to Horatio Kimball, and the firm of Murray & 
Kimball continued until September, 1849, when Mr. Murray sold out to J. R. Dodge, who subse- 
quently gained a national reputation as statistician in the agricultural department under the secretary 
of agriculture, which important position he held for many years, under changing administrations, re- 
siding at Washington, D. C. In 1854 he published a township and railroad map of New Hampshire, 
which perhaps paved the way to higher work. The firm of Kimball & Dodge was dissolved in 185 1. 

January 22, 1851, Mr. Kimball sold out to S. Homer No3-es, and Dodge & Noyes continued the 
business successfully. 

In 1855 ^Ir. Noyes purchased the interest of Mr. Dodge, and became .sole proprietor. He em- 
ployed for a time Rev. M. W. Willis, pastor of the Unitarian church, as editor. Later, he called 
Charles Lamson to that position. 

October 6, 1858, Mr. No)'es moved the plant to Bridgeton, Me., where it was published under the 
name of ' Bridgeton Reporter ;" and " The Oasis " thus ceased to be identified with Nashua. 

In 1853 a campaign paper was published by J. M. Fletcher (see biography) with above title, 
which strutted its brief allotted time upon the political stage, and then sank beneath the placid 
waters of oblivion, as all such campaign publications are wont to do. 

May 8, 1857, E. Turner Barrett and Henry C. Gray, two practical printers, under the firm name 
of Barrett & Gray, issued a large and handsome seven-column folio from an office in Noyes block with 
the above title. Republican in politics, it came in direct competition with the Telegraph ; and al- 
though much ability was displayed in its .stalwartism, the proprietors had not sufficient capital to 
keep up the fight for public recognition, nor friends willing to become sponsors. 

May 10, 1858, Mr. Gray sold out, and Mr. Barrett continued the publication alone. 

March 4, 1859, the name of E. T. Barrett was dropped from the imprint, as publisher and proprie- 
tor, and after April 8, 1859, the Granite State Register ceased to appear. 

March 17, 1888, the first one cent daily in Na.shua was issued from the Telegraph office. In the 
Telegraph, March 12, it was announced that " to meet what is a want of the plain people of Nashua, 
we shall on vSaturday, March 17, begin the publication in this city of ' The News ' a one-cent daily, to 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 50^ 

1.C <k.v(,ted exclusively to the general and local news. * • • It was was known as the Tele- 
graph's " little brother." Publication ceased about Aug. i, 1888. 

During the latter part of i.Sgi a determined and most pretentious effort was made bv a large num- 
ber of active Republicans to establish a morning daily in Nashua. \V. S. Towner sought subscrip- 
tions for stock to the amount of $40,000. When secured, the following named gentlemen united in 
forming a corporation, under the name of "New Hampshire Press Association": Warren S. 
Towner, Jo.seph Shattuck. (see biography), I.. I-. Thurber, W. U. Wakelin, Charles S. Rounsevel, 
(.see biography), Andrew J. Tuck, George A. Rollins, James H. Hunt, (see biography), W. P. Hus- 
.sey, Charles E. Faxon, F. E. Anderson, and E. H. Wason, (see biography. ) 

December :,o, 1891, the first meeting of the incorporators was held, when Joseph Shattuck was 
chosen chairman, and E. H. Wason, clerk, pro tem. At this meeting articles of agreement were 
adopted, and the name of the corporation fixed. The stock was divided into eight hundred shares, of 
par value of fifty dollars each. A code of by-laws was adopted and the following named gentlemen 
were elected as a board of ofiicers : Joseph Shattuck, Lester F. Thurber, George A. Rollins, Frank 
E. Anderson, William B. Wakelin, Jo.seph W. Howard, (see biography), Nashua; John McLane, 
Milford; George T. Cruft, Bethelehem ; Henry B. Quimby, Lakeport. Clerk of corporation, Web- 
ster P. Hussey. The board elected Milton A. Taylor, treasurer; William B. Wakelin, clerk : Josei)h 
Shattuck, president. 

An office was fitted uj) in Telegraph block with all the latest improvements: with a perfecting 
press, to print from paper in rolls ; with a full staff of editors ; a large corps of rei)orters ; with a 
stenographic writer : supplied with the New England press reports ; and a telegraph operator. 
Surely a fine outlook but the enterprise could not be steered clear of the rocks of disaster. 

The following named gentlemen comjirised the Daily Republican staff : Business manager, 
Warren S. Towner; managing editor, Howard P. Merrill ; staff correspondent, William (). Clough, 
(" Nashoonon " ); city editor, Harry E. Back; telegraphic and night editor, II. W. Morey ; sten- 
ographer and state editor, G. R. Gammel ; reporters. Charles 11. Holt, Fred G. Walker: telegraph 
operator, Jesse Taylor : bookkeeper, George H. Hatch. The Republican made use of the New Eng- 
land press reports until about October i, then New York ,Snii reports. 

As our railroad managers persistently refuse to run an early train from Boston, Nashua is with- 
out morning news, if we except the Manchester Union, until a late hour, and hence a local morning 
daily seemed much needed ; therefore the New Hampshire Republican was gladly greeted by the 
people generally, and highly complimented for its enterprise and laudable ambition. It had been 
projected on a truly metropolitan scale, with a large outla>' on its managerial staff, necessitating an 
expenditure of funds far exceeding its receipts with the inevitable result easily foreseen. 

The New Hampshire Republican was an eight-page morning daily, a model of neatness, and its 
editorial management was universally approbated by the friends of the venture, while it gave to its 
patrons a much earlier service of telegraphic news, as well as the happenings of a local character, all 
served with the early breakfast. 

May 31, 1892, the first number was issued and its " leader " declared : "The New Hamp.shire 
Republican is in response to a demand of the Republicans of the state for a morning daily newspaper. 
It is the result of the enterpri.se and push of Nashua citizens and of the liberality of Republicans of all 
.sections of the state. It occupies a field that brings it into rivalry with no other Republican newspa])er 
of New Hampshire, and it asks the encouragement and snpi)ort of all. It is the pioneer of its party 
in work already well done by the Manchester Union for the Democracy. Its stockholders are active 
and leading Republicans scattered all through New Hampshire, who have no other interest in its 
establishment than the advancement of Republican principles. They are tried and true Republicans 
who have helped maintain the ascendancy of their party in the state and nation, and they are 
unflinching in their fealty to that organization which is represented on our statute books by all that 
is progressive in legislation. They are energetic men who in their respective communities have 
fought the battles of the party, giving of their time and means to secure its victories, and this is their 
latest contribution. * » * » 

The Repul)lican is to be impersonal in its management, having no selfish purpo.se to promote, 
and the personal ends of no man to subserve. In its comment on the actions of individuals it will 
endeavor to be fair and unbiased, considerate of all and abusive of none. Its columns will be open 



504 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

to the temperate discussion of all public questions, and closed to no courteous reply to its opinions." 

The promises were indeed praiseworthy, and the early collapse was only in line with the oft 
quoted aphorism, "The good die young." In spite of all adages, the world is not liable to be 
depopulated, nor the newspaper field to become fallow. 

This attempt to establish a morning daily, with the adjuncts furnished, was a notable incident; 
and the loss of capital and prestige will doubtless curb the ambition of like minded persons in Na.shua 
for many years to come ; yet a similar publication is greatly needed in this growing city. 

In September, 1892, the staff was reconstructed by making Edward O. Lord, business manager, 
and William O. Clough, associate and political editor; and Oct. i Chester T. Cornish became city 
editor, and Harry E. Back was made telegraph and night editor. vSept. i state correspondence was 
added to the duties of the managing and associate editors. 

February 18, 1893, at an annual meeting adjoitrned from the third Thursday of January, the 
following named gentlemen were elected directors for the ensuing year: Joseph Shattuck, P'rank E. 
Anderson, Charles J. Hamblett, (see biography) Frank W. Maynard, William B. Wakelin, Milton 
A. Taylor, E. H. Wason. Clerk, Webster P. Hns.sey. The directors chose William B. Wakelin, 
clerk; Milton A. Taylor, treasurer; Joseph Shattuck, president. Those directors who had residences 
outside of Nashua were replaced by those who could readily attend meetings of the board, thus 
facilitating business. The publication was regularly continued until Feb. 11. 1S93, when a notice, 
under the editorial head, signed by the clerk, W. P. Hussey, appeared, the first and oidy declaration 
to the public of its demise. It was as follows: "The adjourned annual meeting of the New 
Hampshire Press association will be held at the office of C. J. Hamblett, Beasom block, Nashua, on 
Thursday, Feb. 16, at eight o'clock, p. 11., to ratif}' the action of the directors, acting as a committee 
of the stockholders to dispose of the plant, and for the transaction of any other business that may 
legally come before the meeting." 

The onlv editorial announcement, which meant much to the stockholders, was "Good bye." 
This was followed by a plea for a good word for the deceased — " />(■ tiioiinis nil nisi bonum." Thus 
quietly passed this newspaper meteor. 

It became known that negotiations had long been carried on with the Telegraph Publishing 
company for the purchase of the Republican plant, which finally resulted in its absorption. Thus 
the Telegraph became possessor of a fine and complete outfit. 

Of the collocation of editors, proprietors, publishers, and printers connected with the various 
newspapers which have been projected in Dunstable and Nashua during the seventy years under 
consideration, the writer is able to sa^' that he had personal knowledge of each and all, and since 
1834, when he joined the ranks, personal acquaintance. The work, therefore, has been largely 
reminiscent, and limited space alone compels a curtailment of much that might be written. The 
endeavor has been to be truthful and just in all characterizations. 

They were, but are onh' memories now: — W. A. Brown, of the Constellation; S. J. Bard, of 
Nashua Herald; Alfred Beard, of Telegraph; William H. Butterfield, of Gazette; Albin Beard, of 
Telegraph; R. W. Berry, of Telegraph; J. C. Crosman, of Constellation; William H. Dinsmore, of 
Gazette; C. V. Dearborn, of Telegraph; Charles P. Danforth, of Gazette; William H. Gilmore, of 
Gazette; Henry C. Gra}-, of Granite State Register; William H. Hewes, of Gazette; Israel Hunt, 
Jr., of Gazette; Horatio Kimball, of Oasis; Charles Lamson, of Oasis; Paul Morrill, of Gazette; 
Orren C. Moore, of Telegraph; S. Homer Noyes, of Oasis. Thomas Pearson, of Harrison Eagle; 
Augustus I. vSawtell, of Oasis; Andrew E. Thayer, of Gazette; J. F. Trow, of Nashua Herald; W. 
Wiggin, of Constellation; G. A. White, of Telegraph; M. W. Willis, of Oasis; B. B. Whittemore, 
of Gazette. O. D. Murray, of the Oasis.* 






•^ 



* Mr. Murray died February 23, i8g6. The foregoing chapter is the last work of his pen. His biography appears 
on another page. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



505 



JEREMIAH WILSON WHITE. 

Jeremiah W. \Vliite was burn at PittsfieUl, Sept. 16, 
1821, died at Nasliua, July 22, 1892. He was a son of 
Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Jones) White. His ancestors 
were of Scotch origin, and sturdy, energetic and enterpris- 
ing farmers among the first settlers of the Suncook 
valley. 

Mr. Wliite was educated in the public schools of his 
native town and at ritlsfield academy, where he was a 
student two and a 
half years. At the 
age of seventeen 
he left home and 
entered upon a 
mercantile career 
in a drug store in 
Boston. At the 
same time he stud- 
ied medicine until 
qualified for pro- 
fessional practice. 
This knowledge 
was of great ser- 
vice to him in his 
later life in busi- 
ness as a druggist, 
and because of it 
he was generally 
known as Doctor 
White. Mr. 
White came to 
X a s h u a in i S45 
and es tablished 
himself in the 
drug and coal 
business in a store 
at the corner of 
Main and Factory 
streets where he 
remained twenty- 
four years, until 
the Merchants' ex- 
change building 
was erected, when 
he moved to the 
store at the corner 
of Main and High 
streets, where he 
continued as pro- 
prietor till shortly 
before his death. 
During the Civil 
War Mr. White 



was appointed by Jay Cooke government agent for Nashua 
and vicinity and the loans he negotiated greatly aided the 
National administration. 

Mr. White was a busy and energetic man outside of the 
business which he established and controlled. In 1876 he 
founded the Second National bank of which he was presi- 
dent until compelled by ill health to relinquish its cares. 
The same year he became prominently identifie<l with the 
Nashua & Lowell railroad as a stockholder and director 
and later as treasurer, .^n aggressive policy against the 
Boston & Lowell road, which had operated the Nashua & 



Lowell for a number of years, was inaugurated under the 
lead of Mr. White, and after a long controversy the road 
was again leased to the same company on much more 
advantageous terms. 

Mr. White was also interested directly and indirectlv in 
many of Nashua's industrial enterprises and it is due to 
his business sagacity and the encouragement he gave 
them at times when they needed a helping hand that they 
are in a prosperous condition to-day. Notalile among 
these may l}e mentioned the Nashua Card and (>la/.ed 

Paper company 
and the White 
Mountain I-'reezcr 
i'oni|)any. He was 
also interested in 
the Nashua Light, 
Heat and Power 
company. I n a 
word Mr. While 
was essentially a 
business man, "a 
hard, [indefatiga- 
ble worker who 
inspired all about 
h i m w i t h conli- 
ilence, and whose 
judgment was con- 
sul ted by men in all 
circumstances and 
conditions of life. 
By economy, hard 
and constant work 
and sagacious 
l)usiness moves, 
he amassed a large 
fortune. 

Mr. White gave 
the Pittsfield acad- 
emy, where he was 
a student, ^5,000. 
He also gave f 10,- 
000 towards the 
construction of the 
chapel of the First 
Cong rega t ional 
church, and re- 
membered those 
w ho ha d b e e n 
faithful to his in- 
terests in like 
manner. K friend 
has said of him : 

"Mr. White liter- 
ikui;mi.\ii wii.sDN w 111 f 1: , . 

•' ally made his own 

way in the world. His tastes were simple, but refined. 

Mr. White was united in marriage July 5, 1846, with 
Caroline G., eldest daughter of Caleb Merrill, a leailing 
lawyer of Pittsfield. Of their children, the eldest, Caro- 
line Wilson, died in infancy; the son, James Wilson 
White, born June 10, 1849, died in Florida. Jan. 27, 1876. 
Mrs. White died suddenly of apoplexy in 1880. In April, 
1881, JSIr. White was married the second time, to Mrs. 
Ann M. Prichard of Bradford, Vt., an educated and ac- 
complished lady, and the sister of his first wife, who sur- 
vives him. 




5o6 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



SOLOMON SPALDING. 

Hon. Solomou Spalding was born at Merrimack July 
20, 1811. He is a son of Solomon and Martha (McCluer) 
Spalding, and a descendant of Edward Spalden who 
came to this country from Spalding, a town in Lincoln- 
shire, England, in 1630 or 1633. and located at Braintree, 
Mass., where his first wife and his daughter died a few 
years later. In 1645, with thirty-two others, he petitioned 
the colonial authorities for a tract of land upon which to 
settle, and, the petition being granted, became one of 
the pioneers of Chelmsford, Mass. By his second wife, 
Rachael, family 
name not given 
(see .Spalding me- 
morial published 
in 1872), he had 
four sons and one 
daughter. Of his 
grandsons, Samuel 
and Henry, born 
at Chelmsford , set- 
tled in Merrimack. 
Samuel was the 
grandfather of the 
subject of this 
sketch, the Spald- 
ings of England 
from whom the 
Spaldens, Spald- 
ings and Spauld- 
ings of America 
trace their lineage 
to the middle ages. 
The significance 
of the name is 
" shoulder-strik- 
er." They were 
noted for their 
prowess in battle, 
when men fought 
hand to hand; they 
had a coat-of-arms 
and were promi- 
nent in the coun- 
cils of feudal 
kings. Their de- 
scendants have 
held high stations 
the world over, 
and in this country 
havebecomeprom- 
inent in peace and 
war, in church and 
state, in the pro- 
fessions and call- 
ings in which men engage for a livelihood. 

Captain Spalding was educated in the public schools of 
his native place. He came to Nashua in 1828 and entered 
the grocery store of Hugh Jameson on the north side of 
the river, which was then the business section of the 
town. He worked as a clerk for Mr. Jameson three or 
four years and then bought him out and embarked in 
business for himself. He dealt in general merchandise, 
and after being in business about five years, John Reed 




SOI^O.MO.N .sPAI.DINi; 



was in partnership with him from 1836 to 1846, when he 
began to enlarge in the department of flour and grain, 
which finally became his exclusive business. He sold 
out to Henry Stearns in 1873, and in 1880 took up bank- 
ing, in which he still continues active, being president of 
the New Hampshire Banking company and Guaranty 
Savings bank from 1S85 till the present time, an institu- 
tion that owes its high standard largely to his financial 
and executive a1)ility. In fact Captain Spalding has been 
a leader, as well as pioneer in Nashua, and meets, as he 
has earned, the good will of the public and the friend- 
ship of those with whom he has been associated. 

In 1835 Captain 
Spalding built a 
residence in what 
wasthen, literally, 
the woods, but 
which has since 
become Orange 
street and one of 
the most attractive 
thoroughfares in 
the city. It was 
tlie first brick 
house built by any 
i n d i V i d u a 1 i n 
Nashua, and he 
has lived in it fifty- 
nine years. Cap- 
tain Spalding has 
had much to do in 
public affairs and 
has been faithful 
to every trust. He 
was one of the 
leading spirits in 
forming the Nash- 
ua Artillery com- 
pany, in which he 
served in subordi- 
nate positions and 
as commander. On 
the night of June 
16, 1841, he en- 
camped with the 
company on Bun- 
ker Hill, and as- 
sisted the men in 
taking their field- 
piece to the lop of 
the monument, 
where, the cap- 
stone not having 
been put in place, 
a salute was fired. 
In the years that 
Nashville existed as a town, Captain Spalding was one of 
the most active participants in its affairs. He served on 
its Iioard of selectmen, and was one of a few whose 
advice was sought in all public matters. Captain Spald- 
ing has also been a public spirited man in the affairs of 
the city of Nashua. He has served several years as a 
member of the board of assessors and was justice of the 
police court from 1873 to 1876. He is president of the 
Wilton railroad companj' at the present time and trustee 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



507 



of an educational inslilution located at Andover, which 
is supported by contril)utions from people of this aii<l 
other states and for which Nashua citizens do their share. 
Captain Spaldinjr was united in marriage Feb. 26, 1834, 
with Sarah I). ICdsou, daughter of Asa C. and Theodosia 
Ivdson of vSpringfield, Vt., who died June 25, 1883. 
.Seven iliildren were born of their marriage: Solomon 
Warren, born Maj' 13, 1856, died Sept. 16, 1838; John 
.■\ndrew, born Jan. 24, 1S41, married Lizzie Weaver Oct. 5, 
1S71, lumber merchant in Philadelphia; Charles Warren, 
born June 11, 1843, graduated at Dartmouth college, 
married Lizzie Mitchell Sept. i, 1864, banker at Chicago; 
Sarah (Vreelej^ born .Sept. 19, 1845, married John J. Whit- 
Icuiore, Oct. 3, 1872; Mary Elizabeth, born May 3, 1847, 
married Eugene V. McQuesteu, M. D.; Edward Clarence, 
bcirn .\ug. 30, 1851, died Jan. 30, 1890; Everett Sargent, 
born .\ug. 30, 1S51. died .\ug. 23, 1853. 

HLBRIUGE PUTNAM BROWN. 
Elbridge 1'. Krown, son of of Israel and Ivlith (Ilerrick) 
Brown, was born in Cavendish, Vt., Oct. 4, 1820. He was 
educated in the schools of Warren, to which place his 




l:i.l!lill)(,li I'l'T.N.VM liUOUN. 

parents removed when he was a child, at Rumney, where 
they became residents when he was sixteen, and at the 
seminary at Newbury, Vt. He remained at Rumney till 
1856, when he located in business at Madison, Wis. .\ 
year later, in the autumn of 1857, he came to Nasluia and 
his home has been here ever since. While residing in 
Warren and Rumney he followed agricultural pursuits, 
taught school eight or ten years, and held the office of 
deputy sheriff. In Madison, Wis., he managed a saw and 
grist mill, and in Nashua he was in the furniture an<l 



crockery business until 1872, and after that was in the 
hardware business about a year with R. O. Messer. In 
1876 he was chosen treasurer of the City Savings bank, 
which position he held until i89r ; he was treasurer of the 
Indian Head and Capitol I'ire Insurance companicsduring 
their entire existence. The success of all his business 
ventures, the sound condition of the savings bank— 
which enabled it to weather every financial crisis— an<l 
the satisfactory showing of the insurance companies when 
their affairs were li<iuidated are evidence of his financial 
ability and that he has conscientiously performed every 
trust that has fallen to his lot. Mr. Brown has assisted 
and encouraged many enterprises besides those mentioned, 
and has been a valuable citizen in many ways in helping 
Nashua and Nashuans to better circumstances than those 
in which he found them in 1857. No man counts more 
friends in the city and state anil no man more richly 
merits them. 

Although he has been a busy and burdened man in 
mercantile, banking and financial interest, he has yet 
found time to participate in other affairs and to contribute 
of his e.xperience to the advantage of the city. He served 
the city as overseer of the poor in 1866 and 1867, was city 
marshal in 1871 and again in 1874 and deputy sheriff from 
1872 to 1875. He has rendered valuable service as a mem- 
ber of the board of assessors, represented his ward in the 
legislature of 1869 and 1878, and in constitutional conven- 
tion of 1S76, serving in each body on the most important 
committees. In i88r he was the Democratic candidate 
for senator from the Nashua district, and his popularity 
was such that he overcame the large Republican majority 
of two years before and lacked only twenty votes of an 
election. Mr. Brown is a member of Rising Sun lodge, 
\. V. and A. M., and a Scottish Rite mason of the 32d 
degree, being a member of Edward A. Raymond consis- 
tory. He is also a charter member of I'ennichuck lodge, 
I. O. O. !•"., and the Nashua grange. His summer home, 
a beautiful spot of earth on the banks of Winnipisi- 
ogee lake, is at The Weirs, and there, and at a Nashua 
summer resort on the shore of a lake in Rumney, he 
spends many happy weeks during the summer vacation 
seasons and royally entertains all friends and acquaint- 
ances who happen that way. Mr. Brown was united in 
marriage .-Vpril 18, 1848, with .\bby K. Eastman, daughter 
of Joseph and .\bigail (Taylor) Eastman. No children. 

WILLI.AM EDWARD SPALDING. 

Col. William E. Spalding wa= born in Nashua Dec. 13. 
i860. He is a son of John .\. and Josephine E. (Eastman) 
Spalding. ( I'or ancestors see sketch of his father.) 
Colonel Spahling was educateil in the public schools and 
at the Nashua Literary institution of which David Crosby 
was principal, following which he pursued a course of 
study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 
Boston. During his school days and vacations he was 
employed in the First National bank as messenger and in 
other capacities, and after completing his business educa- 
tion he became permanently identilieil with it. He has 
held every position in the bank inchuling book-keeper 
and teller, up to and including that of cashier, being 
elected to the last responsible place in January, 1895. to 
succeed his father. That he performs his <lutics in a 
manner satisfactory to the olTicers and stockholders of 
the institution is shown by his promotion. 



5o8 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Colonel Spalding has also been prominent in public 
affairs. In 1885 he represented his ward in the common 
council, and in 1890 he was chosen citj' treasurer, a 




\\ II.I.IAM I.IIW AKll M'Al.DINCi. 

position to which he has been elected every year since 
then. He is treasurer of the Edgewood Cemetery asso- 
ciation, and of the Wilton railroad since 1880. He was 
adjutant of the Second regiment, New Hampshire national 
guards until 1885, when he resigned and accepted an 
appointment as aide-de-camp on the staff of Gov. Charles 
H. Sawyer, in which position he served in 1887 and i888 
with the rank of colonel. Colonel Spalding is the admin- 
istrator of the estate of Edward H. Spalding, and has 
served as administrator and in other fiduciary capacities 
in settlement of estates in the probate court of this and 
other counties with singular fidelity and ability. He is 
vice-president of the City Guards club and a member of 
the Nashua Boat club and First Congregational society. 

Besides the public and private trusts mentioned Colonel 
Spalding has served the community by giving freel)- of 
his time and talent to make success of entertainments to 
raise funds for worthy charitable objects, while in manv 
other ways, in society and in his citizenship, he has con- 
tributed his full share to make Nashua a live and jiro- 
gressive place. 

Colonel Spalding was united in marriage May 29, i88g, 
with Florence Dexter, daughter of Edwin D. and Julia B. 
Dexter of Windsor Locks, Conn. The children of their 
marriage are: Dexter Edwin, born Oct. T9, 1890; ,Sylvia, 
born June 9, 1894. 



FAYETTE STEPHEN SARGENT. 

Fayette S. Sargent was l)orn in I'iermont, July 30, i860. 
On the paternal side his great-grandparents were Jacob 
and Peggy (Patten) Sargent: grandparents, John and 
Eliza (Eaton) Sargent; father, Andrew Sargent, all of 
Candia. On the maternal side his great-grandparents 
were Moses and Mary (Hook) Bean; grandparents, 
Stephen M. and Mary (Brickett) Bean: mother, Mary 
Julina Beau, all of Candia. Mr. Sargent was educated in 
the public schools of Bradford, Vt., to which place his 
parents removed when he was five years of age. He 
remained at home, being employed as a book-keeper, 
until 1882, when he came to Nashua and accepted the 
tellership of the Second National bank. In 1889 he 
resigned this position to become the treasurer of the 
Security Trust company, a position which he still holds. 
In all positions w'hich he has been called upon to fill Mr. 
Sargent has enjoyed the respect and esteem of his fellow- 
citizens, as is in evidence from the marks of favor which 
he has received at their hands. 

Mr. Sargent is a director of the Second National bank, 
and also a director in the bank of which he is treasurer. 
He represented Ward Six in the common council in 1894; 
attends the services of the First Congregational church. 
Mr. vSargent was united in marriage Oct. 4, 1887, with 
Hannah F. Hall, the second daughter of William and 
Betsey (Eaton) Hall of Revere, Mass. Her grandparents 
were Zachariah and Hannah (Tucker) Hall of Revere, 




FAYETTE STEPHEN SARGE.VT- 

and Moses W. and Louisa ( Laweuce) Flaton of Frances- 
town. Two children have been born to them: Hall, born 
July 10, 1888, and Margaret, born June 19, 1890. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N: H. 



509 



CHARl.KS WAKREN SPALDING. 

Charles \V. Spaldinj? was born in Nashville, now 
Nashua, June 14, 1843. He is a son of Solomon and Theo- 
dosia (Edson) Spalding. (For genealogy see sketch of 
his father.) 

Mr. Spalding was educateil in the pulilic schools of 
Nashua and at Dartmout'i college, where he was gradu- 
ated in the class of 1863. I'ollowing his graduation he 
took up civil engineering and located at Danhury, Conn., 
where he remained two years. From 1863 to 1872 he was 
a resident of Glenwood, Iowa. While in (llenwood he 
was county surveyor 
of Mills county two 
terms (four years), 
tax agent and after- 
wards secretary of 
the land department 
of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Ouincy 
railroad. From 1872 
to 1882 he resided in 
Burlington, Iowa, 
and since the last 
date given his home 
has been in Chicago. 
111. In 1876 iM r . 
Spalding resigned his 
office in the laud de- 
partment of the rail- 
road and engaged in 
the wholesale coal 
business. He organ- 
ized the firm of 
Spalding, Mitchell 
& Co. Mr. Spalding 
is manager of Red 
Oak Investment com- 
pany of Red Oak, 
Iowa, and president 
of the Globe Savings 
bank of Chicago. 

He is a Unitarian, a 
freemason, a member 
of the University of 
Illinois and its treas- 
urer, mendjer of the 
Iroquois club an d 
trustee of Dartmouth 
college, to w h i c h 
place of honor he 
was chosen in 1S92 

to represent the western alunuii. Mr. Spalding, whose 
life is a busy one, has underl.iken the task of revising 
and republishing the Spalding Memorial, a gencalogj- of 
the .Spalding familj- that was originally published in 
1872 by Rev. Samuel J. .Spalding of Newburyport, Mass. 

Mr. Spalding was united in marrriage Sept. 1, 1864, 
with Lizzie K. Mitchell, third daughter of .\braham and 
Catherine (Adams) Mitchell of Nashua. Mrs. Spalding 
is a granddaughter of Capt. I.aban .\danis of Boston who 
kept the old Land] tavern in Washington street, upon the 
site of the present Adams house. One son was born of 
of their marriage : Charles Rawson Spalding, born at 
Nashua, Aug. 7, 1867. 




ALBERT Mckean. 

Hon. Albert McKean was born in Deering in 1810, died 
in Nashua in [887. He was of .Scotch-Irish descent, his 
immigrant ancestor being among the first of the settlers 
at Londonderry. He was a man of influence in the com- 
munity in which he lived. fSee History of London- 
derry. ) 

Mr. McKean was educated in the public schools of his 
native town, and beyond that acquired, unaided, a thor- 
ough knowledge of book-keeping and practical informa- 
tion concerning the things that concern businessand pub- 
lic affairs. He came 
to .N'ashua in iS^y, 
and for many years 
was engaged in the 
West India goods 
trade, his brothers 
being his partners. 
During the existence 
of the town of Nash- 
ville he was conspicu- 
ous in the manage- 
ment of its interests. 
He served the town 
several terms as 
chairman of the board 
of selectmen and as 
a member of the com- 
mittee that built the 
first bridge of any im- 
portance over the 
Nashua river on Ca- 
nal street. He was 
also town agent for 
the purchaseand lav- 
ing out of the .\m- 
herst street cemetery. 
In 1843 and 1844 he 
represented the town 
in the legislature and 
in 1851 the district in 
the senate. In 1874 
he represented the 
the first ilistrict in 
Gov. James .\. Wes- 
ton's council. 

F'roni 1852 to 1SS5 
Jlr. McKean was one 
of the most pronii- 
' ^ ^' \'"'^'' nent bank managers 

in souther n N e w 
IIam])shire. In the first year nienlioneil heorgani/.ed the 
Indian Head State bank, for which he obtained a charter 
when he was a member of Ihe legislature, and became its 
cashier. He held the position, making a national bank 
of the institution in 1865, till 1867, when the management 
changed and he established the private banking house of 
.\. McKean & Co., in rooms in Merchants' Kxchange. In 
1S72 he became teller in the Indian Head National bank, 
with his son as cashier. 

Mr. McKean was united in marriage May .v. iS.^.S, with 
Vienna I'aine. Three children were born to them : I'rank 
k., married Clara .\. Bowers; Susie .\., married George I'. 
Andrews; Mary Iv, married Isaac N. .\ndrcws. 



5IO HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

FINANCE AND BANKING. 

BY GEOROE A. RAMSDELL. 

FROM the earliest settlement of Old Dunstable there has been no time in its history when there 
were not residents otherwise emploj-ed than in agricultural jnirsuits and mechanical 
operations absolutely necessary to the town. While we have a reasonable amount of 
productive land within the present limits of the city, the products of the farm have never 
lieen a large factor in the business of the town or citj'. 

Old Dunstable was, and Nashua lias been, the gatewa}' to a large portion of the business of New 
Hampshire. Within the memory of men now living a tonnage of vast proportions passed through 
this locality by canal, baggage wagons, and sleds fj-oni the northern and western part of the state; 
from the entire state of \'erniont, and a considerable portion of Canada. Until the extension of the 
railroad system through the section referred to, many of the lines of passenger and freight traffic 
centered here. A large proportion of the merchandise from Boston was received in large invoices 
and distribution made to points north and west. Mercantile and financial business which began to 
develop in the early settlement of the neighborhood, in the gathering and sale of peltry of every 
kind, afterwards appeared fully developed in the handling at this point of a \'ast tonnage of the 
products of the sea and land. For these reasons men of the requisite business ability and financial 
resources were from time to time attracted to this place, and have at all times in its history been 
found in unusual numliers. 

Not many towns and cities in the state can show as large an amount of property per capita as the 
territory which is now the second city of the .state, and during the last century many large fortunes 
have been here accumulated. The capital, which at an earlier day was used in large amounts in 
business, which without much exaggeration could be called interstate traffic, as it graduall)' ceased 
to be needed for such purposes, found its way into manufacturing, bank and railroad stocks. 

A substantial amount of the cotton factory capital was contributed by Nashua people. A large 
proportion of the cost of building the railroads terminating here was furnished by citizens who were 
and are the holders of local bank stocks. The remaining industries which from time to time have 
been organized in Nashua are, and have been to a large extent, owned by our townspeople. I think 
it may be said with truth that the leading spirits in every financial enterprise touching our town and 
city have been its citizens, and that, with few exceptions, the business enterprises here originated 
have been profitable to the promoters and creditable to the town and city. The only striking 
exception was the building of the Nashua, Acton & Boston railroad, a line connecting the cit}' with 
the Fitchburg railroad at a point near Concord, Mass., and this, it is said, would not have happened 
if certain negotiations for a lease to another railroad had not unexpectedl)' failed, witli<iut the fault 
of the projectors of the Acton road. 

No country has made any considerable progress in commercial affairs and internal development 
without the aid of a class of men called bankers, and institutions now called banks. Wherever the 
exchange of products is carried on entirely by barter everything moves at a sluggish pace. Until 
the opening of the present century the business of our own state was carried on largely by a direct 
exchange of the goods of the merchant and the crops of the farmer. For a circulating medium, gold 
and silver, and paper currency of a variable value, issued by the province and continental autliorit}% 
were used ; the silver very largely in the form of Spanish milled dollars. 

The first and only bank chartered in the state prior to 1800 was the New Hampshire bank at 
Portsmouth, commencing business in the year 1797. The first bank chartered in Hillsborough 
county was called the Hillsborough bank, and located at Amhenst. It had an authorized capital of 
$200,000, and was allowed by the state to issue bills to double the amount of its capital actually paid 
in. Gov. Samuel Bell was its president, and Charles G. Atherton a prominent director. Business 
commenced at the new bank Oct. 17, 1806, and the citizens of Dunstable availed themselves of the 
banking privileges afforded at the shire town of the county, Exeter having for several years prior to 
this time been their banking town. The life of this institution was short. Availing themselves of 
their legal right to issue a large amount of bills, the managers found themselves, in the first panic 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



5' I 



they encountered, uiial^Ie to redeem their promises to pay as fast as payment was demanded by the 
holders, as the supply of gold in batik was totally inadequate for that purpose, and it could not 
readily be replenished from collections of the notes and securities of the bank. At the end o( three 
years the bank gave up business, but not without loss to very many outside of the stockholders. 
Hillsborough county and, of course, Dunstable was without banking facilities from 1809 to 1S25, 
when another bank was i)Ut in operation at Amherst, called the Farmer's bank and continued to do 
business for twent\' years. 

Amherst was at this lime (1S25) not only the .sole shire town of the county and an important 
social and liusiuess centre, but as populous as Dunstable. For these reasons, from the year 1.S2S to 
1.S35, the date of the organization of the first bank at Dunstable, all banking business was done at 
Amher.st, with the exception of a small amount at New Ipswich, which had the .second bank 
chartered in the count\- ( 182S) called the Manufacturers' bank. 

The fiimncial depression of 1S37, which to a large extent paralyzed the business of the whole 
county, was a serious blow to business everywhere, but the old Nashua bank— the only monied 
institution in town at that time— received and endured the shock without serious inconvenience. 

The great financial crisis of 1.S57 came upon the country at a time when the general business of 
the city was being largely extended by men of such tireless energy as Jo.sephus Haldwin, Thomas W. 
Gillis, Leonard \V. Noyes, John H. Gage, James Hartshorn, Winslow Ames, George W. I'nderhill 
and many others. vSeveral of the minor industries suffered severely and there was much individual 
loss, but the banks then existing outrode the storm, and in a few years the financial disaster to the 
town was overcome. The depression of 1873, although it seriously affected business, left no lasting 
traces of disaster. The panic of 1S93, which was one of the most serious monetary convulsions the 
country has ever seen, and which threatened the existence of every bank in the country not fortified 
by a heavy surplus, came upon the city and heUl the banking institutions in its threatening gra.sp, 
but, thanks to the good sense of our townspeople, the banks of discount were sustained, instead of be- 
ing imperilled by the action of our local dei)ositors. 

As this panic was occasioned, in juirt at least, Ijy an almost uni\ersal refusal of eastern banks and 
individuals to continue a large line of loans unwisely made in states west of the .Mississip])i, the his- 
torian is inclined to dwell at some length upon what might with propriety be called the catastrophe 
resulting from western loans. Prior to 1870 but little New I lampshire money had been invested in 
real estate mortgages in the west. The building of the great western railroad systems opened u]> for 
settlement a vast area of land some of which was very fertile, some moderately so, and some which 
could only be cultivated by irrigation. The business of making loans beyond the Mis.sissippi river for 
a time was carried on by individuals resident in that section and large numbers of profitable and se- 
cure investments made. Eastern people were pleased to be able to get good real estate security and 
from seven to ten per cent, interest, and a deniaiul for such loans increased until inveslnient companies 
were organized east and west to do a business upon a large scale by its agents and servants, which be- 
fore had been carried on by individuals who were able to make a personal inspection of the property 
offered for a loan. 

These companies commenced by making loans in the older and l>etter sections of the west where 
good loans were obtainable and easily disposed of to eastern investors and t)aiiking institutions. 
These loans proved to be what had been anticipated of them, and the iiive.stmeiit companies, taking 
from ten to twelve per cent, from the borrowers, could easily guarantee and pay .seven or eight per 
cent, to the purchaser of the loans. The business proved so profitable that competition became very 
brisk and in cour.se of time loans were made in all parts of the west apparently without much regard 
to the security taken. Parties were induced by the investment companies to buy land in western 
Kansas and Nebraska and those sections of the country where crops cannot be raised without the aid 
of irrigation. The loan coniiianies would furnish the money to make the purchase and in many ca.ses 
take a mortgage for the full purchase price. Mo.st of the companies issued what are known as debent- 
ure bonds, that is, the direct bonds or obligations of the company, secured by an amount of real 
estate equal or in excess of the face of the bonds or debentures. The companies also made large 
loans in aid of enterprises established for gas works, water works, electric light works, and other 
enterprises altogether beyond the demands of the country in which they were located. The com- 
panies also made loans to a large amount upon the personal notes and obligations of individuals and 



512 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

corporations in the same sections of the country and placed these notes and obligations in the hands 
of eastern banks and individuals to a very large amount. Of course everything in the west depended 
upon good annual crops. A large crop with no failures, for the ten years preceding 1893, might have 
averted what has proved to be a great calamity, but averaging the crops in these states where most of 
the loans were made, from 18S7 to 1892 inclusive, not more than one-half a good crop was raised : 
that is, the farmers in the west, living upon land mortgaged to the parties in the east had, during 
those six years, what amounted to one crop in two years. The failure of crops of course affected the 
abilitv of town and city borrowers indirectly, as Imdly as the farmers, and, upon the opening of the 
year 189^, the interest upon western loans of all kinds was in default to an alarming extent. The 
same was true of many private and not a few public corporations. 

When it became evident in the summer of 1893 that a stringency in the money market was immi- 
nent, eastern capitalists, large and small, including a large number of banking institutions, refused to 
renew the short time paper and other loans guaranteed by western investment companies, and millions 
of paper went to protest. The lack of confidence in many investment companies had become fixed at 
an earlier date, but a much larger numb2r were in good standing until the summer of 1893 ; but the 
panic showed unmistakably the inability of these western investment companies to carry the burdens 
they had assumed ; failure after failure followed, until this particular class of corporations has become 
a thing of the past. 

Not only have the stockholders in the various companies suffered a total loss, but the 
direct and indirect obligations of these companies have not been met. New Hampshire was a large 
investor in western securities through these companies, and, in common with other towns and cities 
in the state, Nashua suffered its share of losses. The writer of this article has taken some pains to 
make an estimate of the losses to Nashua people and institutions by reasons of this western loan 
craze, and places the same at two millions and a half. The city has, however, with this exception 
and the disaster attendant upon the building of the Acton railroad, been free from financial misfor- 
tunes, and on the whole has had a most prosperous career during the many years of its corporate 
existence, and to-day the credit of the city, its corporations, and of its business men is of the highest 
character. 

The history of the baidcing institutions of a town or city is in no small degree the histor}- of the 
financial interests of the place. In the following brief review of the banks which have for sixty years 
served the people of Nashua, the names of a large number of citizens prominent in business matters 
during the same time appear. If to any it may seem a waste of valuable space to devote several pages 
to lists of bank officials, let it be remembered that in no other way can the memory of these servants 
of the public, these workers in the building of our prosperous city, be so well preserved^. 

The year 1835 marks an important era in the history of Old Dunstable, or modern Nashua. The 
old Nashua bank, the first in town, was chartered by the state and organized at that time. The first 
president was Daniel Abbot. John M. Hunt served the 1)ank as cashier during the thirty years of its 
existence. 

The capital of the bank was $100,000. Its business came from all parts of Hillsborough county. 
Its second president was Isaac Spalding. It is a matter of common report that the bank never lost a 
dollar upon any loan. The bank was located in E.xchange building on Main street near the bridge. 
The directors at the beginning of the enterprise were : — Daniel Abbot, president ; Jesse Bowers, Jesse 
Esty, Zebediah Shattuck, James Pierce and Isaac Spalding. 

In 1865, after an honorable record, the managers of the bank, many of whom were well advanced 
in j-ears, and not caring to reorganize as a national bank, decided to wind up the bu.sinessof the insti- 
tution. The officers of the bank at the close of business were : — Isaac Spalding, president ; John M. 
Hunt, cashier; directors, Isaac Spalding, Zebediah Shattuck, James Pierce, Ebenezer Dearborn, 
Clark C. Boutwell, Perley Dodge and Edward Spalding. 

The Indian Head National bank was incorporated as a state bank in 1851 and converted into a 
national bank in 1865. Its place of business until the early part of the year 1894 was in the depot 
building of the Nashua & Lowell railroad. Its banking house is now located in Whiting building, 
where it has ample accommodation for its business, including safety deposit vaults for the accommo- 
dation of its customers. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. .,3 

Its first board of 'Hrectors was made up as follows :-Joseph Greeley. William I). Beaso.n, Josiah 
G. Graves, Thomas W. Gilhs, John H. Gage, John Reed and Francis Winch 

Its capital at the time of organization was $100,000. At the present time it is ?, 20,000. During 
an existence of nearly half a century the following residents of Nashua have .ser^•ed the bank as presi- 
dents :-Joseph Greeley, for two years : William D. Beasom, seventeen years; Calvin H Hill eleven 
years; Kdward Spalding, seven years; George Stark, one year; Charles H. Campbell, three" years- 
David A. Gregg, (in ofi^ce), three years. Cashiers ;-Albert McKean, sixteen vears ; John g' Kim- 
ball, eight years ; Frank A. McKean, twenty years; Ira F. Harris, now in office ; John B. TiUotson 
assistant cashier. The following is the present board of directors :— David A.Gregg, William h' 
Beasom, Virgil C. Gilman, James II. Tolles, William W.Bailey, Horace C. Phaneuf, William 1 
I'lather. ^ ' 

The Peniiichuck bank was chartered by the the state and commenced business in the second .story 
of Noyes block in 1855. Its capital was #100,000. The directors of the bank at the time of itsorgan- 
ization were —Aaron W. Sawyer, president ; Alfred Greeley, Charles F.Gove, Aaron P. Hughes, 
I.srael Hunt, Henry J. Chapman and Charles H. Campbell. Harrison Hobson, cashier. 

At the end of ten years profitable business the stockholders, having received annual dividends 
averaging nine per cent., decided not to organize under the national banking act, but to go out of 
business. At the time the affairs of the bank were closed the following citizens made up its board of 
directors :— Aaron W.Sawyer, president; Henry J. Chapman, Bernard 1!. Wliittemore, Hiram M. 
Goodrich, Alfred Greeley, Luther H. Clement, Charles P. Gage. Harrison Hobson, cashier. 

Mr. Hobson did all the work in the bank for the first .seven years of its existence. After that he 
received some assistance from his daughter. According to Mr. Mobson's recollection he was not 
absent from town during the first seven years of his service. 

The First National bank was organized June 4, 1863, with a capital of Sioo,oco. It was located 
in the second story of Nutt's block and there remained for a period of four years. In 1S67 the 
substantial banking house which it now occupies was erected on land purchased of Col. L. W. Noyes. 
It has a Corliss burglar proof safe of the latest pattern and other modern business appointments. 

Its first board of directors consisted of the following citizens: Thomas Chase, Edward H. 
Spalding, Charles H. Nutt, Edward P. Fanerson and Luther A. Roby. Thomas Chase served as 
president eight years; Edward H. Spalding, three years; lildward P. lunerson, eight years; and 
George A. Ramsdell, thirteen years. John A. Spalding was cashier from the organization of the 
bank to Januar}', 1S95, when he was succeeded by his son, William Ii. Spalding. John A. Spald- 
ing's term of office exceeded that of any cashier at any time connected with the Nashua banks. As 
vice-president he still gives his entire time to the interests of the bank. 

The present directors are George A. Ramsdell, president: John A. Spalding, vice-president; 
Luther a Roby, Charles Holman, Solon S. Whithed, Charles H. Burns and Jo.seph W. Howard. 

The Second National bank commenced business March i, 1875, with a capital of $100,000, which 
was afterwards increased to $150,000. Its location has been from the beginning in Merchants' 
l^xchange, where it is the owner of quarters ample enough for its extensive business, and furnished 
with all modern improvements in the matter of safes and vaults. 

Jeremiah W. White, Charles Williams, George H. Whitney, Samuel K. Wellman. William D. 
Cadwell, Seth D. Chandler, and FZvan B. Hammond composed its first board of directors. 

Jeremiah W. White was president of the bank from the date of its organization until Feb. 23, 
1892, when he was succeeded by F'rederick W. l{stabrook, now in office. Cornelius \'. Dearborn 
was cashier until January 14, 1876, when he was succeeded by F'rederick A. F-aton, the present 
cashier. 

The present board of officers is made up as follows: Directors, Frederick W. li.stabrook, presi- 
dent: Seth D. Chandler, Charles H. Burke, Lester F. Thurber, Walter A. Lovering, Fayette S. 
Sargent and Albert Shedd. Frederick A. Eaton, cashier. Joseph L. Clough, assistant-cashier. 

At an early day in the history of our cotton manufacturing companies a savings bank depart- 
ment was established in each of the corporations as an incentive to the operatives to save their 
earnings. There was but little formality about the business; the regular counting-room force doing 
the necessary work, and the corporation guaranteeing the safety of the deposit. Five per cent 
interest was allowed; no depositor was allowed to have more than five hundred dollars in the hands 



.,, ///STORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

of the corporation. The savings bank department was continued until about the time of the 
organization of the first savings bank in town. The savings deposits in the hands of the Nashua 
company at one time amounted to $44,000 and in the Jackson company to $18,000. 

The finst regular savings bank in Nashua was chartered and ommenced business in 1.S54, 
relieving the corporations of the self-imposed burden of caring for the savings of their employes. 
Its corporate name was the Nashua Savings bank, and it has had a continuous existence until the 
present time. Its first board of trustees was made up as follows: Edmund Parker, president: 
Josephus Baldwin, George Y. Sawyer, Thomas Chase, Henry Parkinson, Caleb J. Emery, Augustus 
G. Reed, Harrison Hobson, Franklin Munroe, Israel Hunt, Frank Fletcher, Edward Spalding and 
Aaron P. Hughes. 

Its first treasurer was Aaron P. Hughes, who filled the office ten years. He was succeeded by 
Dr. Edward Spalding, who served thirteen years, and he, in turn, by Virgil C. Gilman, who filled the 
position eighteen years and was succeeded by George F. Andrews in May, 1895. 

The following well known citizens have acted as president of the bank : Edmund Parker, two 
years; Edward vSpalding, eight years: Isaac Spalding, nine years: Clark C. Boutwell, five years; 
William W. Bailey, seven years: Joseph W. Howard, now in office. 

The amount of deposits as shown by the last bank commissioners' report was $2,666,713.93. 

The bank was located at the time of its organization in Exchange building, afterwards in 
Telegraph block. It now has ample accommodations in Odd Fellows building. 

The trustees of the bank at the present time are Joseph W. Howard, Charles H. Campbell, 
Charles J. Hamblett, George W. Currier, George H. Alley, James H. Tolles, George B. McQuesten, 
Charles H. Burke and Charles W. Stevens. 

The City Guaranty Savings liank was chartered as a mutual savings bank in 1S63, re-chartered 
as a guaranty savings bank in 1891, with a guaranty fund of $65,000. Its location from the beginning 
has been in the second story of the First National bank building. 

The following well known citizens composed its first board of trustees: Thomas Chase, Benjamin 
F". F^merson, Benjamin vSaunders, Albert McKean, John G. Blunt, Matthew Barr, Euther A. Roby, 
Thomas J. Eaton, Daniel Hussey, Edward H. Spalding, John Reed, Hiram T. Morrill and Charles 
H. Nutt. 

Its presidents have been Thomas Chase, Edward P. Emerson, Luther A. Roby, Stephen D. 
Greeley, Charles H. Burns. 

The treasurers have been Edward H. vSpalding, lilbridge P. Brown and George A. Ramsdell. 
The deposits as shown by the last report of the bank commissioners were $432,750.75. Its present 
board of directors is compo.sed of the following gentlemen: Charles H. Burns, president; George A. 
Ramsdell, treasurer; trustees, Charles H. Burns, George F. Wilber, George B. McQuesten, W. B. 
Rotch, Luther A. Roby, Edward O. Blunt, D. A. Fletcher, Daniel T. Buttrick, George A. Ramsdell, 
Mark R. Buxton, James M. Swallow, Andrew N. Shepard, Franklin M. Winn, John A. Spalding 
and James H. Reed. 

The Mechanics Savings bank was incorporated in 1S69, with the following board of trustees: 
Henry Parkinson, Dana Sargent, Charles P. Gage, Allen Wilson, Benjamin P. Moore, Israel Hunt, 
Daniel F. Runnells, George H. Whitney, John D. Chandler, Seth D. Chandler, J. Abbott Marsh and 
Samuel Greelej'. Cornelius V. Dearborn, treasurer. 

It was located for a few years in the County Record building. Upon the organization of the 
Second National bank this savings bank was removed to the banking rooms of that institution. On 
account of heavy losses from Western investments the bank is now ( 1897) in the hands of a receiver, 
who has already paid to depositors thirty per cent of their claims. 

The New Hampshire Banking company commenced business May i, 1880, and was one of the 
first guaranty savings banks established in the state. It has a guarant}' fund of $125,000. 

Business was commenced in very modest quarters in the one story building north of the Main 
street bridge. It remained in this location over thirteen years, until Novendser, 1893, when it 
removed to its present commodious quarters in Whiting building. 

The first board of trustees was composed of Hiram T. Morrill, Solomon Spalding, Archibald H. 
Dunlap, David O. Smith, Edward Hardy, George W. Davis, Albert A. Rotch, Charles H. Nutt, 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 3,- 

Webster P. Hussey, lu.gene F. Wl.iincy. Hiram T. Morrill was elected president and John C, 
Kimball, treasurer. Mr. Kimball remaine.l treasurer until the later part of .886. when he was 
succeeded by William A. Parley. 

The present officers of the institution are : Trustees, Solomon Spalding, Edward Hardy David 
O. Smith, George Phelps, Solon S. Whithed, Charles Holman, Jam^s H. Dunlap. E. F. Mcgueslen 
Charles F. Tessier, and Clarence L. Trow. Solomon Spalding, president. William A. Farley! 
treasurer. 

The amount of deposits, as shown by the last report of the bank commissioners, was 
$1. 077, 439- H- 

The Security Trust company was organized in 1889 with a capital of §200,000. Its spacious 
l)anking rooms are located in Masonic temple and are provided with the most modern conveniences, 
including safety depo.sit vaults for the accommodation of customers and others. In addition to its 
general banking business, it has a savings bank department, in which the deposits, as shown by the 
last bank commissioners' report, amounted to $386,496.67. 

The following gentlemen compo.sed its first board of directors: David A. Gregg, Frank E. 
Anderson, George A. Rollins, Edward (). P.liinl, Francis Coggin, Allen Wilson, Lester F. Thurber, 
George B. Clifford, Fayette S. Sargent, (ieorge E. Anderson, E. A. Hayley, lUbert Wheeler, Henry 

A. Cutter and J. E. Clifford. 

Since its organization David A. Gregg has ser\-ed as president, and Fayette S. Sargent as 
treasurer. Its present board of directors, 1897, is made up as follows: Lester F. Thurber, George A. 
Rollins, Horace C. Phaneuf, Frank E. Anderson, George B. Clifford, Fayette S. Sargent, David A. 
Gregg, D. E. Proctor, Frank \V. Mayuard, E. H. Wasou and V.. (). Wood. 

The Nashua Trust company was incorporated in 1889, and commenced business in Februarv, 
1890, with a capital of $150,000. Its banking rooms, centrally located in McQue.sten block, have all 
conveniences for doing a large banking business. In addition to its general banking business it has 
a savings bank department. The amount of savings bank deposits as shown by the last report of the 
bank commissioners was $138,479.32. 

Its first board of directors was made up as follows: Frank Jones, Henry O. Kent, Oscar C. 
Hatch, George E. Gage, George \'an Dyke, Eugene V. McQuesten, George H. Knowles, A. \V. 
Newell, E. A. Smith, F'reeman Higgins, James H. Tilton, E. M. Shaw, R. H. Cheney, Charles F. 
Eastman, Milton A. Taylor, Frank P. Maynard and Sherburne R. Merrill. 

F^'rank Jones, the first president of the company, served in that capacity until January, 1892. 
when he was succeeded by George B. F'rench, who still holds the office. John P. Goggin has filled 
the position of treasurer since the company's organization. 

The present board of directors, 1897, is composed of the following gentlemen: President. George 

B. French, John H. Clark, John A. F^isher, Arthur P. Baker, Eugene F'. McQuesten, William S. 
Norwell, R. H. Chenej-, George E. Gage, Webster P. Hussey, William D. Swart, Moses W. Webber, 
Augu.stus W. vShea, Elijah M. Shaw, I". R. Prie.st, and John P. Goggin, treasurer. 




>Z^£l. 



^A.^^_y 



5i6 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



STILMAN SAMUEL DAVIS. 

Stilinau S. Davis was born in Dunstable, Mass., Oct. 
14, 1S26, died in Nashua May 26, 1886. He was a son of 
Dea. Mial and Lucy (Hutchins) Davis. 

His immigrant ancestor on the paternal side, Barnabas 
Davis, came to this country from Tewksbury, Eng., in 




STILMAN SAMUEL DAVIS. 

1635, and settled at Charlestown, Mass., and eventually 
owned a good share of the laud now composing Charles- 
town, Mass., receiving the deed from the original Mr. 
Bunker. On the maternal side he was a descendant of 
Scotch-Irish ancestors. 

Mr. Davis was educated in the public schools of his 
native place and at the Nashua Literary institution of 
which David Crosby was principal. He came to Nashua 
to reside when he was seventeen years of age, and for a 
number of years followed the occupation of a wood- 
turner and cabinet-maker. His first venture for himself 
was in the soap manufacturing business, for which he 
erected a commodious building on Front street on the 
site of the Howard Furniture company's warehouse. The 
enterprise was a success, but for all that he gave it up 
and bought the M. D. Knowlton paper-box manufactory'. 
By introducing moderu machinery and systematic meth- 
ods he built up a large and profitable business and con- 
tinued in it, although suffering one or two heavy losses 
from fire, until his death, after which it was sold to 
William H. Campbell, who conducts it at the present 
time. 

Mr Davis was a Nashuan who responded with alacrity 
to every public demand made upon his time, and who 
was always to be found in the foremost ranks of those 
who were endeavoring to aid their fellow-men and make 
Nashua an ideal city. He represented Ward One in the 



common council in 1855, but, his time being so occupied 
with other affairs, declined further political honors, 
including a nomination as representative. He served 
the country four years during the war as paymaster in 
the navy, being in the Mississippi river squadron and 
under fire in several of its severest engagements. Fol- 
lowing the war he settled the affairs of the Cutting 
Machine company and resumed his business. Mr. Davis 
was a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., 
Meridian Sun Royal .Arch chapter. Granite lodge, I. O. 
O. F., of which he was noble grand three years, and, 
1853, of the grand lodge of the same order of the state, 
of which, 1857, he was grand master and grand repre- 
sentative to the Sovereign grand lodge of the United 
States. He was also a member of John G. Foster post, 
G. ^. R., the Knights of Honor and Sovereigns of 
Industry. In 1870 Mr. Davis became a member of Nashua 
lodge, K. of P., and February, 1871, he was elected 
grand chancellor of the grand lodge of New Hampshire, 
which office he held two years, meanwhile representing 
it in 1871 in the supreme lodge. His energy and execu- 
tive ability attracted attention and commandeil the 
respect of the members of the order, and when, in 1874, 
owing largely to disaffection in Southern and Western 
jurisdictions, it was a serious question whether it was to 
live or die, he was elected supreme chancellor of the 
order throughout the world. Mr. Davis was a persuasive 
speaker, conservative in his views, a peace-maker and a 
thorough organizer, and therefore the field before him 
gave him the opportunity' of his life. He held the office 
four 3'ears (being re-elected in 1876), during which time 
he visited the lodges in every state and territory and in 
Canada, made appeals for harmony, settled all differ- 
ences, organized new bodies, made masterlj' reports, and 
put the order on its feet and gave it the prosperity and 
high standing it enjoys to-dav'. That he accomplished all 
this and laid the order under obligations to him was 
abundantly shown by more than 2500 of its members who 
came from near and remote places to attend his obsequies. 
Mr. Davis was a member of the First Baptist church. He 
served it many years on the prudential committee as its 
clerk, and, being a good singer, as chorister. His demise 
was sudden. Mrs. Davis had been dangerously ill for 
some time and he had been confined to the house with 
palpitation of the heart — she died at early candlelight, 
and, fifteen minutes later, while contemplating his loss 
and overcome with sorrow, he sank into a chair and 
expired. Their funeral took place at the Baptist church, 
and they were buried in one grave in the presence of the 
largest gathering of the people and secret order men 
ever assembled in the city. 

Mrs. Davis' maiden name was Alvina C. Swallow; born 
Dec. 30, 1828; married Nov. 15, 1848. She was a daughter 
of Bera Swallow of Tyngsboro, Mass. Two sons were 
born to them : Stilman Eugene, born Feb. 13, 1850, who 
married Martha L. Hutchins of Carlisle, Mass.; Frank 
E., born Aug. 13, 1862, married Jan. 24, 1883, .Amy E. 
Green of Nashua; Mary Bradley, adopted, graduated 
Smith's college, married October, 1895, Arthur L. Franks 
of Manchester. 

PATRICK BARRY. 

Patrick Barr}', son of Welsh and Mary (O'Brien) Bar- 
ry, was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, Feb. 2, 1837. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 



He was educated in the public schools of his native place 
and came to America, Aug. 8, 1853. He went to work as 
a farm hand on the old Daniel Webster place at Marsh- 
field, Mass., and remained there until 1858. He then 
went west and remained almut a year. In October, 1S59, 




I'-MKiLK r,Ai;i;\. 

he came to Nashua and durini; the next year was employed 
by John M. Flanders as a carpeuter. The succeeding 
year was spent on a farm in Hollis ; then two years in the 
employ of the Nashua Iron and Steel company and two 
years in Otterson's foundry, where he learned the 
moulder's trade. In October, 1863, he was drafted into 
the army, but, for reasons which were satisfactorily ex- 
plained at that time, he furnished a substitute, for which 
he willingh' gave up every dollar he possessed. He 
worked in Hudson at chopping wood, and at Wilton for 
the Boston & IvOwell railroad, where he had a paying 
contract to fit wood for locomotives and used horse power 
machines. In 1868 he returned to Nashua, and during 
the next four years was employed at the works of the 
Fraucestow-n Soapstone company. His next shift, for, as 
will be noted, Mr. Barry is a versatile man, was to the 
Nashua Fire department as a driver ; then to the police 
department, where he served four years and won the 
reputation of being one of the shrewdest and most suc- 
cessful detectives of criminals in New England. In iSfig 
he formed a co-partnership with John H. Vickery, under 
the name of Barry & Vickery, and embarked in the coal 
business. The Nashua Coal company, in which he is 
interested, is, with the former business of J. W. White, 
the successor of the firm. Mr. Barry, who has secured a 
competency for old age, is now engaged in taking care of 
his real estate and attending to his business as an under- 
taker, he being the oldest in that line in New Hampshire. 
He is a man who appreciates the humorous side of life 
and contributes to the goodfellowship of Nasliuans, 
is ever ready to lend a helping hand in celebrations and 
donates from his means to the causes that appeal for 
help. Mr. Barry has served Ward Five one term in the 
common council and two terms in the legislature. He is 
a director in the Nashua Building and Loan association. 



5'7 

the Nasliua board of trade, the Nashua Coal company 
an<I organized the Nashua Co-operative Iron Foundry 
company, of which company he was president for nine 
years after its formation, a member of the Church of the 
Immaculate Conception, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, 
the Nasliua Foresters and Literary society, also a member 
of the Knights of Columbus. 

Mr. Barry was united in marriage, Aug. 8, 1861, with 
Annie Moran, daughter of John and Mary (McGIynn; 
Moran. Six chil.lren have been born of their marriage: 
John W., born Fel). 14, 1S63, died Dec. 25. 1880; James, 
born July 13, 1866, married Mary Gleason of Nashua ; 
Timothy, born in June, 1868; Matthew, born May 30. 
1871 ; Patrick, born Sept. 8, 1873: William, born March 
.?. 1878. 

BENJAMIN BAII.KV OTIS. 

Benjamin B. Otis was born at Canaan, April 1, 1850. He 
is a son of Paul and Laura M. (Knight j Otis. ( Forances- 
tors see sketch of his father.) 

Mr. Otis, who came to Nashua in 1852 with his parents, 
was educated in the public schools of Nashua and gradu- 
ated at Bryant & Stratton's business college in Boston. 
His l)usiness, being the successor of his father, is that of 
a dealer in sash, doors and blinds. Mr. Otis has always 
been an active and progressive citizen who believes in 
Nashua and has done and is doing his part to further all 
the ends it aims at. He represented Wanl One in the 
common council in 1891 and 1892 and in the board of 
aldermen in 1893 and 1894, and was elected to the legisla- 
ture to represent the same ward in the session of 1895 and 
1896. He was a member of the City Guards when it wasa 
crack military company, is a director in the Nashua Trust 
company, and the administrator of the estate of his father. 
He attends the First Congregational church. Mr. Otis 




ni-;\| A ' 



married his present wife, Lizzie D. Sullivan, daughter of 
William D. Sullivan, July 16, 1890. Two daughters were 
born by a former marriage, Leona H., born Aug. 27. 1.S.S2 ; 
Ernia C, born June 29, 1885. 



5 IS 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



JOSEPH SHATTUCK. 

Joseph Sliattuck was born in Blackburn, England, 
Sept. 29, 1850. He is a son of Ralph and Sarah Shattnck, 
and came to America with his parents in 1851. After a 




JOSEl'II SIIATTIJCK. 

residence of five years at Brockville, Canada, the family 
moved to Ogdensbiirg, N. Y., at which place the subject 
of this sketch was educated in the public schools. When 
in his fourteenth year he enlisted at Plattsburg, N. Y., as 
a drummer boy in a regiment that was about to march to 
the front, but owing to his youth, his father objected and 
he withdrew. Shortly after he returned to England 
where he spent four years in learing the confectioner's 
trade. Upon returning to this country- he located in 
Nashua, where he has been engaged at his trade and made 
his home ever since. While attending closely to his busi- 
ness he has yet found time to participate in other affairs 
and encourage the things that promote sociability and 
add to the advancement of the interests of the com- 
munity. He was president of the company that pub- 
lished the New Hampshire Republican, a daily paper 
printed in Nashua ; president of the Masonic board of 
relief, trustee of various Masonic bodies and a director in 
the Masonic Building association. Mr. Shattuck has 
received all the degrees in York Rite Masonry and is past 
master of Ancient York lodge and past eminent com- 
mander of St. George commandery, K. T. He has also 
received all the degrees in Scottish Rite Masonry, 
including the 33d and last, and has held all the important 
offices in the consistory, including illustrious command- 
er-in-chief. No man in the state of New Hampshire has 
worked with greater diligence, or has accomplished more 
than Mr. Shattuck in perfecting the ritual work of the 
consistory and in making the New Hamshire bodies in all 
things the equal of the most intelligent in the world. 
More than four hundred of his brethren freely accord him 
their praise. Mr. Shattuck is also an Odd Fellow, 
Knight of Pythias, and a member of the City Guards 
club. He attends the First Congregational church ; has a 
fine residence on Concord street, which he built expressly 
for a home, and is highly esteemed as a liberal-minded, 



liberal-handed citizen, whose purpose it is to deal consci- 
entiously and justly with all men. 

Mr. Shattuck was united in marriage, May 9, 1871. with 
Emma Shedd, daughter of Augustus N. and Orra E. 
(Moore) Shedd. Mrs. Shattuck died Oct. 28, 1888. Two 
son.= were born of their marriage: Frederick N., born 
.\pril 17, 1873, died Dec. 23, 1892: Edgar L., born June i, 
1875. 

CHARLES ALDEN WILLIAMS. 

Charles A. Williams was born at Nashua, Aug. 18, 1851, 
died at Nashua, March 1 1, 18S7. He was a sou of Charles 
and Eliza A. (Weston) Williams. (For genealogy see 
sketch of his father.) 

Mr. Williams was a student of the Nashua High school 
and was graduated at Phillips' academy at Andover, 
Mass., in 1869, and at the Massachusetts school of tech- 
nology in Boston, Mass., in 1873. Following his study in 
Boston he entered his father's business as superintendent 
of the foundry, a position he was eminently fitted to fill, 
both by his natural gifts and by his special course of 
study. He was self-reliant, independent and possessed of 
excellent practical business ability. In all his social 
relations he was exceptionally genial and generous. The 
poor and unfortunate found in him a sympathizing friend 
and helper. Mr. Williams represented Ward Four in the 
common council in 1S80. 

Mr. Williams was united in marriage Oct. 26, i8Si, with 
Kate Newcomb Piper, liorn in (Veneseo, 111., Nov. 30, 
1S56, died at Nashua, Jan. 4, 1885. She was graduated 
from the Andover female seminary, under the direction 
of the Misses McKeen. At the close of her studies there 
she spent a year abroad in study and travel. Mrs. Wil- 
liams was gifted with amiable qualitiesof mind and heart, 
was an ornament in society and greatly beloved. She was 




CIlAHI.liS .M.DliX WU.I.IAMS. 

a member of the Pilgrim church, and with her husband 
attended the First Congregational church. One son was 
Ijorn of their marriage: Charles Williams, born Dec. 13, 
1SS4. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



GEORGE OLIVER OSBORN. 

George O. Osborn was born at Nashua, Oct. 31, 1854. 
He is a son of John and Susan (Reed) Osborn. On the 
paternal side he is a descendant of early English settlers 
of Quincy, Mass., and on the maternal side of William 
Reed, who came from Kent, Kng., in 1636, and settled at 
Weymouth, Mass. Mr. Osborn was educated in the pub- 
lic schools of Nashua. He is a confectioner, but has been 
a member of the fire department for the past twenty-two 
years, and since 1891 has been its chief. He is one of the 
most efficient fire-fighters the city has ever had, and is a 
quiet and modest man who has the good will of the 
department and the public. Chief Osborn is a member of 
Crranite lodge, I. O. O. I"., Watananock tribe of Red 
Men and the Foresters. He was united in marriage July 
2, 1877, with Ella M. Burns, daughter of Alexander D. 




c;f;orge oi,i\er osborx. 

and Elizabeth (Tuite) Burns of Sherbrooke, 1'. y. Four 
children have been born of their marriage : Gertrude 
Ellen, George F'., John A., and Harold C. 

LOTIE IRENUS MINARD. 

Lotie I. Minard, son of Charles I", and Sarah M. (Gay) 
Minard, was born in Nashua, April 8, 1857. He is a 
descendant of Charles D. Minard, who came to America 
from Scotland in 1823 and settled in Nashua, where his 
children were born and where he resided until his death. 
His mother was a daughter of Timothy Gaj' of Deerfield, 
Mass., and a descendant of the early settlers of that 
locality. 

Mr. Minard was educaleil in the pulilic schools of 
Nashua and at Crosby's literary institution, graduating in 
1874. After four years of varied experience in railroad- 
ing he established himself in the shoe manufacturing 
business, which occupation he followed six years. He 
then entered the employ of Moody, Estabrook & Ander- 
sons, in the same line of business, where he remained 
seven years. F'rom his youth Mr. Minard has taken a 



5'y 

deep interest in public affairs and in all the positions of 
honor and trust which he has held he has acquitted him- 
self in a manner that has refiected credit upon the city 




I.DI'IK linCMS MIN.MU). 

and his constituency. In 1885 he represented Ward Six 
in the common council, and in 1886 and 1887 in the board 
of aldermen. In 1891 he represented the same ward in 
the legislature and the same year was appointed deputy 
sheriff for the county of Hillsborough, a position which 
he still holds and the duties of which he performs to the 
entire satisfaction of the court and those who have busi- 
ness of a legal character. He is also manager and treas- 
urer of the Nashua Concrete company, which was formed 
in 1894. Mr. Minard is a member of Rising Sun lodge, 
A. F. and A. M., Granite lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is 
past grand, Nashua lodge, K. of P., Watananock tribe of 
Red Men, and the Manchester lodge of Elks. He was 
united in marriage in 1884 with Josie E. Herbert of New 
York. No children. 

HENRY SCLATER NORWELL. 

Henry S. Norwell was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Feb. 
23, 1832. He is a son of William and Jessie Hunter i Scla- 
ter) Norwell, and a grandson on the paternal siile of 
Henry and Christiana (Hood) Norwell of I^rrol I'erth- 
shirc, Scotland. On the maternal side he is a descendant 
of William Sclater of Saltcoats. Ayrshire, Scotland, ami 
Jessie (Hunter) Sclater of Hrodick, Island of .\rran. 
Buteshire, Scotland. 

Mr. Norwell was edncateil in the public schools of his 
native city, graduating at its high school. He came to 
America in 1861. and from that year till 1867 was a resi- 
dent of Nashua. He then went to Chicago, where he was 
burneil out, and sustaincil heavy losses, in the great fire 
of 1S71, and where he continued in business till 1878, 
when he returned to Nashua, where he has since remaineil. 
Mr. Norwell is a dry goods merchant of the most enter- 
prising and progressive character, and a citizen who is 
held in the highest esteem by the public. He has never 
mingled in political strife or .sought or held public ofiice, 
but has always done his part in furthering Uie ends of the 



520 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



board of trade, in which he was a director, and has given 
his influence and of his means to the tilings that benefit 




IIENIIV SCLATEI! NOltWlCI-L. 

the city. Mr. Norwell is a trustee of Edgewood cemetery 
and a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, 
(Episcopal), which he served many years as treasurer, 
and in the goverument of which he is the senior warden. 
Mr. Norwell was united in marriage June 22, 1865, with 
Matilda C. Flinn, daughter of Samuel and Clarissa (Lang- 
ley) Flinn of Nashua. Four children have been born of 
their marriage : Harry, born in August, 1866, died in 
August, 1867; Jessie May, born in Chicago in May, 1869; 
William S., born in Chicago in November, 1S70; Helen 
Hunter, born in Nashua in November, 1883. 

IRA HILAND PROCTOR. 

Ira H. Proctor, son of Ira and Mar}- (Hutchinson) 
Proctor, was born in Hollis, .\ug. 27, 1843. He was edu- 




academy in New Ipswich. Since attaining his majorit}' 
he has been engaged as a manufacturer of cooperage lum- 
ber and liuilding material, being in business with his 
brother uuder the firm name of Proctor Brothers. The 
brothers did business in Hollis until 1881, in which year 
they removed to Nashua and established the largest mill 
of the kind in southern New Hampshire. Their enter- 
prise and industry has proven of great value to Nashua in 
man)- ways, in that they have given lucrative employ- 
ment to a large number of men and added materially to 
the general prosperity of the people. Mr. Proctor takes 
a decided interest in public affairs. He is conservative as 
well as progressive ; a man of excellent judgment in busi- 
ness affairs, and a citizen whose uprightness no man 
questions. He represented Ward Seven in the board of 
aldermen in i88g, and in the legislature of 1891, and in 
both organizations was loyal to the best interests of the 
people of Nashua. Mr. Proctor is a member of Ancient 
York lodge, .A. I'', and A. M., Meridian Sun Royal Arch 
chapter, Israel Hunt council, St. George coinmanderv-. K. 
T., and Edward A. Ra)'niond consistory, 32d degree of the 
Scottish Rite. He is also a member of Aurora lodge, I. 
O. O. F., of Hollis. N. H., Evening Star lodge, K. of P., 
and Watananock tribe of Red Men. He is unmarried. 

NATHANIEL HUTCHINSON PROCTOR. 

Nathaniel H. Proctor was born in Hollis, Dec. ig, 1S45. 
(See sketch of his brother, Ira H. Proctor.) He attended 




]i: \ II I I. WD PROCTOR, 
cated in the public schools of his native place and at the 



NATIIANIEI. I1UTCHIN-Sl).\ I'liOClOU. 

the district schools of his native town and later was a 
student at the New Ipswich academy. Following school- 
days he learned the cooper's trade and when he was twen- 
ty-four years of age he became a partner w-ith his brother 
under the firm name of Proctor Brothers. The business 
of the firm, which manufactures a variety of cooperage 
lumber and building material and has existed more than 
twenty-five years, outgrew its facilities in Hollis, and in 
iSSi removed to this city where it established shops and 
mills on Hollis street and greatly increased its output and 
has continued to prosper. Mr. Proctor is a man of 
decided ability, and a citizen who commands the respect 
of all with whom he is associated. He represented Ward 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



S2I 



Seven in the board of aldermen in iSgi, and is a man wlio 
can be relied upon to help Nashua forward to .greater 
prosperity. He is a member of Aurora lodge, I. O. (). I"., 
of IloUis, and Ancient York lodge, A. F. and A. M., 
Meridian Sun Royal Arch chapter. He is also a Scottish 
Rite mason of the 32d degree, and a member of lulward 
A. Raymond consistory ; attends the Pilgrim Congrega- 
tional church. Mr. Proctor was united in marriage, Jan. 
23, 187S, with Lizzie Billings, daughter of James H. and 
Tanison (Miller) Billings of .\cton, Mass. His children 
are, Clayton B., born in Hollis, I'eb. 20, 1879; Roscoe 1'., 
born in Hollis, April 23, 1881 ; Margey 1'., liorn in 
Nashua, Jan. 11, 1887. 

JOHN EATON DHARBORN. 

John K. Dearborn was born in Peterboro, Nov. 18, 1862. 
He is a son of Cornelius V. and Louise K. (Eaton) Dear- 
born. (For ancestors see sketch of his father.) Mr. 
Dearborn was educated in the public schools of Nashua 
and at a business college in Boston. He is a dealer in real 
estate and gives attention to the investment of securities. 



which he now holds to the entire satisfaction of the stock- 
holders of that company. He is a member of several socic- 




joiix E.VTON de.m:i;()kn. 

Mr. Dearborn attends the First Congregational church 
and is a member of the City Guards club. He was united 
in marriage in 1885 with Mary A. Dean of Nashua. 

tUWARD LABRHE. 
Edward Labree, son of Joseph and Seraphine (Saintange) 
Labree, was born at St. Dominiiiue, Canada, Nov. 18, 1861. 
He came to Nashua when he was six years old and was 
educated in the public schools of the city. At an early 
age he went to work in a cotton mill and, being ambi- 
tious and desirous of obtaining more of an education, 
attended the public evening schools where he made good 
progress and thus fitted himself for promotion. By close 
application to the tasks assigned him and perseverance in 
whatever he undertook he won the respect and confidence 
of his employers, and was advanced step by step until he 
reached the position of agent of the Vale mills, a position 




\.\1\\ \l:|) I.AIUUiE. 

ties and a man who has the confidence of his fellow-citi- 
zens. Mr. Labree was married June 15, 1896, to Mary V. 
Bouley of Middlebury, Vt. 

THOMAS G. BANKS. 

Col. Thomas C. Banks was born at .\lstead June 16, 
1800; died at Nashua March 4, 1886. He was a son of 
John and Susanna (Prentice) Banks, both of whom were 
descendants of the Puritans and children of the early set- 
tlers of Cheshire county. 

The subject of this sketch obtained a common school 
education in his native town. Pearly in life he and his 
brother, Nathaniel Prentice Banks, father of Gen. N. P. 
Banks of national renown, started out in search of fortune. 
They settled at Waltham, Mass. In 1826 Thotnas G. came 
to Nashua and was employeil as an overseer at the Nashua 
mills, where he remained fifteen years. He then went 
into the livery business in a stable on the site of the 
Noyes block, and ran a line of daily coaches between 
Nashua and Lowell. Later he was engaged in manufac- 
turing and hanging wall paper. He finally gave up this 
business, ])urchased a farm on the Amherst road and gave 
his tiine and attention to market gardening. 

During all these years he was constable and firewanl in 
Nashua; he was the first commander of the Dunstable 
grenadiers, and afterwards organized the Granite State 
lanciers. Later he was commissioned colonel of the Fifth 
regiment. New Hampshire militia. In 1857 Mayor Gillis 
appointed him city marshal. This position he continued 
to hold, with the exception of the year 1861. till 1S68. 
He was re-appointed in 1875 by Mayor Whitney. He was 
a member of the legislature for Ward One in 1877 and 
1878. He was a member of the Olive Street church and 
and of Rising Sun loilge, \. V. ami .\. M. 

Colonel Banks was united in marriage at Waltham, 
Mass., Nov. 4, 1824, with Rebecca Mann, who died at 
Nashua Aug, 6, 1883. Their children were Thomas G., 
born March 4, 1826, now residing at Watertown. Mass.. 
and Ezra Prentice, born at Nashua Nov. 10, 1836. 



522 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

THE MILITIA OF NASHUA. 

BY E. J. COPP. 

1"¥ LSTORY to be of worth and of interest must be a record of events in detail. The more in 
I detail, the more interesting to most readers. Unfortunately the earlier records of the 
I militia organizations of Nashua and their achievements are very meagre. A search among 
-^ the files and reports of the adjutant-general's office shows the military establishments by 
companies, regiments, brigades and divisions with incomplete rosters of commissioned officers of the 
several organizations, but fails to give the information necessary to compile a complete history of the 
militia of Nashua. It is upon tradition chiefly we must depend for the story of the militia, of the 
gallant deeds of the regulars, and the renown of the Falstafian organizations known as the "slam- 
bangs." Few there are left among us to-day whose memory covers the period of the early militia 
organizations, when every able boilied man between the ages of sixteen and sixtj- under the laws of 
the conunonwealth, must appear "armed and equipped as the law directs," for the May and 
September "trainings " or for muster. 

It is unfortunate in this regard that the history of Nashua was not written some years earlier. 
When we had with us such men as Thomas Pearson, (see biography) whose memory of events and 
fund of anecdotes "of the good old days" seemed inexhaustible, and Col. Thomas G. Banks, the 
veteran of so many hard fought sham-battles, whose military attainments kept him at the head of 
Nashua's show military for so many years, and others of the older generation who have but recently 
gone from us. It is, however, fortunate that some of the active participants in the glory of "ye 
ancient military" are still with us to place upon record something of the story of Nashua's militia. 

The writer is indebted to Solomon Spalding (see biography), who in the early days was in 
command of the best equipped and best drilled artillery company of the time. To William O. 
Clough (see biography), at the present time associate police justice and editor of the Nashua Press, 
Oilman C. Shattuck (see biography), Virgil C. Oilman (see biography), we are indebted for some of 
the facts of this history. 

From the earliest times the military organization has been an important part of the body politic. 
Nations are born in the throes of military struggle and victories: the power of kings and the 
inalienable rights of citizenship have been held and protected in all times by military power. Our 
own country is no exception. Our independence was won, and our institutions were established 
and maintained by the strong right arm of military force. Military organizations in various phases 
have existed in all times and all ages. Provision for the military establishment is found in statute 
laws from the first inception of government. 

The first militia laws of New Hampshire were enacted by the general assembly of the province 
of New Hampshire in the 3'ear 1696. We think it worth the space to publish the following extract: — 

"A Act for the Regulation of the Militia. 

"Whereas for the Honour and vService of his Majesty and for the security of His Province 
again.st any \'iolence or Invasion whatsoever, it is necessary that due care be taken that the 
Inhabitants thereof be Armed, Trained and in .Suitable Posture and Readiness for the Ends aforesaid, 
and that every person may know his duty and be obliged to perform the same. 
Be It therefore enacted by His Excellency, the Oovernour, Council and Representatives Convened in 

General Assembly and by Authority of the same. 

"That all Persons from sixteen to sixty shall Bear Arms and Duly Attend all Musters and 
Military Exercises of their Respective Troops and Companies where they are Li.sted or Belong, 
allowing Three Months time to every Son after becoming sixteen years of age to provide Himself 
with Arms, Ammunition, &C. 

"And the Clerk of each Troop and Company, once a Quarter, Yearly, shall take an exact List 
of all persons living within the Precincts of such Troop or Company, and present the same to the 
Captain or Chief Officer on pain of forfeiting Forty Shillings for each Default, to be paid to the 
Captain or Chief Officer to the use of the Company and iu case of non-payment to be levied by 



HISTORY ()!■ AAS//UA, A'. If. 



523 



Distress and sale of the Offenders Goods, by virtue of a Warrant from the Captain or Chief Officer, 
who is hereby empowered to Grant the same. 

"That every Listed vSoldier and HousehoUler, (except Troopers) shall always be provided with a 
wull fixed Gunlock, Musket, or Bastard-Musket Hore, The barrel not less than three foot and a half 
long: or other good Fire Arms, to the satisfaction of the Commission OITicers of the Company; A 
Snapsack, Cartouch Box, one pound of good Powder, twenty Bullets fit for his Gun and Twelve 
Flints; A good Sword or Cutlass; A Worm and Priming Wire fit for his Gun, on penalty of Six 
Shillings for want of such Arms as is hereby required, and Two Shillings for each other defect, and a 
like sum for every Four Weeks he shall remain un])rovided ; the fines to be paid by Parents for tlieir 
Sons under age, and under their Command, and by Masters and Heads of Families for their Servants, 
other than Ser\'ants upon Wagers. 

"That every Trooper shall be always ])ro\ided witli a good, serviceable Horse of Ten Pounds 
value, and not less than Fourteen Hands high, the same to be determined by Two Chief Com- 
missioned Officers, co\-ered with a good Saddle, Bit, Bridle, Holsters, Pectoral and Crooper, and 
furnished with a Carbine, the Barrels not less than Two Foot and a half long, with a Belt and 
Swivel, with a Case of Good Pistols, with a Sword or Cutlass, a Flask or Cartouch Box, One Pound 
of good Powder, Three Pounds of vSizeable Bullets, twenty P'lints and a good pair of Boots and Spurs 
on Penalty of Twelve Shillings for want of such Horse as is hereby ordered and Three Shillings a 
piece for every other defect, and a like sum for everj^ Six Weeks he shall remain unprovided, and 
that each Trooper list his Horse and shall not dispose thereof without the consent of his Chief Officer, 
on penalty of Five Pounds; and for the non-appearance at the Time and Place appointed for exercise 
every Listed Trooper for each day's neglect shall pay Ten Shillitigs Fine. 

" That Commissioned Officers of any Troop or Company or the Major part of them may order the 
correcting of Disorders or Contempt on a Training Day or on a Watch ; the Punishment not being 
greater than laying Neck and Heels, riding the Wooden Horse, or Ten Shillings Fine." 

There appears to have been no practical change in the militia law for nearly one hundred years ; 
the presumption is, that the military of the province of New Hampshire did patriotic service " for the 
Honour of His Majesty." 

For the protection of the settlers upon the frontier, the military was often called out and sent upon 
long and oftentimes hazardous and disastrous campaigns against the Indians. 

The early liistory of our country is the history of a struggle for existence. The early settlers 
became the natural enemies of the dusky savages of the forest who were the rightful proprietors of the 
soil, every advance upon their domains being resisted with all the power of their savage methods. 
Every settler made his cabin his fortress and in its defense and in the hunt for the game of the forest 
he became the expert marksman. His children were the apt pupils of their father in the use of the 
gun and the endurance of hardship. Thus the entire population of the country became rare material 
for fighting soldiers. It was to this hereditary quality that the American patriots owed their superi- 
ority to the trained British soldiers upon the battlefields of the Revolution. The hi.story of the ser- 
vices of the militia of Old Dunstable in the W^ar of the Revolution, of 1S12, and the Mexican War will 
be found in another chapter. 

The militia laws of December, 1792, organized the militia into twenty-eight regiments. The 
Fifth regiment with its two battalions was assigned or compri.scd the towns of Amherst, Merrimack. 
Litchfield, Duxbury (now a part of Milford), Dnn.slahle, llollis, Nottingham West (now Hudson), 
and Raby (now Brookline. ) 

The old Fifth regiment, the " Bloody iMlth," the i.ridc of old Dunstable, Nashua and Nashville, 
easily carried off the honors of all the military of the state for many, many years. 

The annual parades, musters and inspection of the militia of the whole state were the principal 
events of the time. The order for parades and musters was issued by the brigadier-general conimand- 
ing for the inspection or muster of his command. The colonels of regiments, through their adjutants, 
promulgating the order bv the issuing of regimental orders to the captains of companies and the cap- 
tains issuing warrants to the individual members of the several companies to appear at the stated time 
and place " armed and equipped as the law directs." 

The muster of the Fifth regiment was holden in various places from year to year, Amherst. Mn 
ford, Merrimack and Nashua in turn. In the fall of .84.S the muster was hol.len .1. Nashua, on the 



52-J 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



c 



/izz^ 




grounds east of Main street and north of Harbor pond, the territory now included between Hollis 
street and the harbor, it being a large level place admirably adapted for the purpose. 

The muster of the old time did not mean, as now, an encampment of several days. The entire 
work of the muster was between sunrise and sunset of one day. No tents were used, consequently 
there was no camp. It was a great day not only for the militia but for the public generally, practi- 
cally every man, woman and child in all the country around was enthused with the excitement of the 
day. For weeks before it was the talk of the town and the glorious coming event for the boys. Before 
the days of the county fair, the circus, the wild west show, base ball or the theatre it became the one 
great source of amusement for the population okl and young. 

The military display of the muster da\' was not all of its attractions; side shows, freak exhibi- 
tions and amusements of every kind 
"TTT^'^^ZT ^^L^ established themselves upon the 

grounds and were crowded through- 
out the day with a mass of people. 
Tents and shanties of every conceiv- 
able size and description made the 
miniature "white city" of those days 
and the "Midway Plaisauce " prob- 
ably here had its inception. Ped- 
dlers with their wares — Yankee no- 
tions and fancy goods of all kinds — 
with a babel of voices mingled with 
the music of brass bands, fifes and 
drums. It was here that Jack Adams 
commenced his career and laid the 
foundation of his fortune, first as a 
vender of small wares from his ped- 
dler's cart, later as the skillful chiro- 
podist. The razor-strop man, the 
scissors grinder, the quoit pitchers 
and ring-toss man were there. The 
ginger-bread stand and candy coun- 
ter and fakes innumerable. The 
sharper with the roulette table, props, 
and dice made hay while the sun 
shone, roping in the countryman and 
relieving him of his surplus cash. 
New Ivngland rum upon tap was the 
favorite beverage and everybody, 
with rare exceptions, considered it 
a necessity to the complete happiness 
of the day. 

The forenoon of the day the duty 
of the military was given to inspec- 

















V^- 






/f'^^<^; 



7 ^ 



tr? 



tion and drill. In the afternoon was the great event of the muster, a grand sham fight. A muster 
without a sham fight would have been like the play of Hamlet with Handet left out. The roar of 
the cannon, the rattle of the flint-lock muskets, the grand charge of the infantry upon the artillery 
and, of course, capturing the guns was the supreme and culminating event, the smoke and smell of 
powder filling the air until night closed the scene. 

Among the colonels commanding the old Fifth regiment who were residents of Nashua, were 
Col. Joseph Greeley, and later. Col. Joseph Greeley, Jr., Col. John h:ayrs. Col. Israel Hunt, Jr. (see 
biography), who was in command from 1.S36 to 1839, and became major-general in command of the 
Third division. General Hunt held all ranks in the military service from sergeant to that of major- 
general. He was a familiar form upon the streets of Nashua for many years after he closed his 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



525 



military services. He always bought largely of real estate and became quite wealthy. He was a man of 
strong convictions, and ready to express his .sentiments. He was a Democrat of the radical school, 
active in public affairs up to the time of his death in 1875. 

Col. Thomas G. Banks was appointed colonel of the Fifth regiment, January i, 1H56. Colonel 
Hanks was an able officer, with the true military instinct; and had he not been at an advanced age at 
the opening of the War of the Rebellion, would, without doubt, have won distinction upon the battle 
field. He was at the head of military affairs of Nashua for many years; a good executive officer, a 
genial nmn, a worthy and loyal citizen. He held the position of city marshal during the war. 

An incident showing his characteristics is worthy of record. Copperheadism in those days was 
rampant in Na.shua as in other places. Freciuent altercations took place upon the streets between 
1()\ al citizens and those allies of the rebels of the vSoulh. It was upon the receipt of news, reporting 

the defeat of the Union army the first 

■'^^^^^Z^^^-,-.^ ui Ui^;r-^i^^T^ day of the battle of Gettysburg. A 

-^^^ !^»^f'>^'-i^'fi2lt^yk^ ^^'^'^ known Nashua Copperhead was 

■ -^ ^"^^^i^ 



<:4hiz: ^f.Jy^^^A^ 



l^'-r->y,i^^■^.^c 







exulting over the defeat; when 
Oliver M. Sawyer, familiarly known 
as " Salty Sawyer," made issue tell- 



T^i. 



.^^y>^^ *^ 



^*. // *xSvr A 



tV. ^ ff e^iy ft r- A' 



/.. 



'i^: 



ry 









e^ 



e^ 



f-l^at'i^, ^^n'^r-r-icT'^^t /-A-,^. r-i^ZZi-r^^^O', 






t.-** O-^y ^ *^ -e-^ifr^f .~^^-^^ ^ 



Q-. 



-^"^^t^ ^fxy ^'t'^i 



ing him he should by rights have his 
head knocked from his shoulders, 
and his loyal blood rising to the 
boiling point he added, " I believe I 
will do it," and suiting the action to 
the word, with his strong right fist 
laid Copperhead in the dust with a 
broken nose and bleeding face. City 
Marshal Banks was appealed to to 
arrest Sawyer for assault. Colonel 
Banks listened to the complainant's 
story and patting him upon the 
shoulder he said, "My friend, your 
complaint is entered at the wrong 
place. You should go South with 
your trouble where you evidently 
belong." 

In the list of lieutenant-colonels 



^ 



c;^^ '^/'^■"•^^ of the regiment Nashua was well 

,/ 6 i^-A {^^}f,^,j/eUciL. represented by Moses Hunt, brother 

^ of Gen. Israel Hunt, having been 

"^^n^ttT/^A/^^ /a^/A c-^Zl promoted from captain of the Ivighth 

^mmmm^^^ (. company. George Tuttle was lieu- 

, ^^ 1^ tenant-colonel in 1839. Colonel Tul- 

^./& ^ifyi'y ^^^ yZ. t^/Z^r ^ ;^,^^^^ \^ jjg ^^.j^j, brother of Nelson Tuttle. 

Franklin hletcher succeeded Colonel Tuttle. It appears from the records that Isaac J. Fox .served as 
lieutenant-colonel from December, 1848 to 1856. Daniel M. Fi.ske was appointed beutenant-colonel, 
Januarv 4 1856 Colonel Fiske, more familiarly known as Captain Fiske, was a well-known military 
character in Nashua for many years. His life and money were spent in cultivating his tastes in th.s 
direction. He was a fine horseman and always owned a fine horse for military parades. Captain 
Fiske served in the Eighth N. H. regiment during the war. 

TohnH Gage was major of the Fifth regiment in .856, and 1858 was commissioned as colonel. 
He was for man; vears one of Nashua's leading business men, being senior member of the firm of 
Gage Warner & Whitnev, manufacturers of machinery on Hollis street near the Worcester railroad 
passenger station. Colonel Gage was killed by the accidental discharge of a sporting rifle, about 
1863. 



526 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Charles H. Nutt (see biography) was quarter-master of the regiment from 1841 to 1S45. The 
records also show that he was adjutant of the regiment in 1841. 

Samuel Tuck was adjutant of the regiment in 1856. Adjutant Tuck was for many years in 
the millinery business in Noyes block. 

Among the surgeons of the regiment we find Dr. Ebenezer Dearborn (see biography), who was 
appointed April 15, 1824. Doctor Dearborn lived at the head of Park street, corner of Olive, where 
his old homestead now stands. 

Dr. Josiah G. Graves (see biography) was appointed surgeon in 1S38. Doctor Graves became 
one of Nashua's eminent physicians. 

Dr. Edward Spalding (see biography) was surgeon of the regiment from 1841 to 1845. Doctor 
.Spalding in later years became the recognized leading citizen of Nashua, accumulating a large 
property, dispensing it with a liberal hand in any worthy charit}'. He died in 1895. 

Dr. L. F. lyocke (see biography) was appointed surgeon September 9, 1830. Doctor Locke 
subsequently turned his attention to dentistrj^ and became one of the leading dentists of Nashua, 
having an office in Fishers' building. Main street. 

Dr. E. B. Hammond (see biography), Dr. E. A. Colburn (see biograph}) are of record as 
surgeons' mates, and became prominent physicians of Nashua in after years. 

The onerous position of paymaster was held by Alfred Greeley in 1816. Alfreil Greeley was 
the original owner of the Greelej' farm on Concord street, bequeathed by his son J. Thornton Greeley 
to the city of Nashua. 

Alfred Greeley was succeeded as paymaster by Samuel Greeley in 1823, and Jackson Greeley in 
1840. Evidently the Greeley family were in high favor at court. 

The old artillery company organized in 18 18 maintained its organization in varying condition 
until about the year 1835, when it had become run down and almost extinct. It was at this period 
that Perley Foster, father of Maj.-Gen. John G. Foster (see biography), and vSoIomon Spalding (see 
biography) gave it new life by a complete re-organization. It was their purpose to make the 
organization the best artillery company in New England, and that the}- succeeded is well attested 
by the flattering reports upon their every appearance for many years. The principal event of their 
service seems to have been their march to Boston, and the part taken in the anni\-ersary celebration 
of the battle of Bunker Hill, 1842. 

Earh' on the morning of June 15 the company left the village of Nashua for Boston: the com- 
pau)- consisting of seventy men uniformed in blue, with gilt trimmings, each man armed with a 
sword of the old Roman pattern ; two si.x-pound brass field pieces, known as the Napoleon gun, 
which had been made expressly for their company at the Alger Foundry company in South Boston, 
together with two caissons, each piece and each caisson drawn hx two horses gailj- decorated, all 
making a brilliant and imposing display. 

The march to Boston via Old Concord was a series of ovations through the villages en route. 
Captain Spalding in narrating this event incidentally remarks, that the march was more of a ride, 
eighty horses being required to transport the batter)-, men, guns, caissons, and necessary commissary 
stores. The commissar}', wet and dry, being no small part of the outfit. As the column approached 
a village, by a well drilled manceuvre, the entire company were, in an incredible short time, dis- 
mounted from the comfortable seats in their carriages and were in line of march, which was well 
maintained until the compau}- was well out of the village. This manceuvre, it is said, was executed 
even upon the approach to country schoolhouses, that Young America should get no false 
impressions of real soldiers upon line of march. 

Arriving at Old Concord the company went into camp on the old battle ground of 1776. Here 
they were entertained right royally Ijy the good people of Concord. From Concord the company 
marched into Boston, dispensing with their private carriages. In Boston the company attracted 
marked attention, by the complete equipment of the battery, the remarkably brilliant uniforms and 
general soldierly bearing of the men. 

Upon Bunker Hill this seventeenth day of June, New Hampshire carried off the honors of the 
day, as did New Hampshire at the battle which the children of their worthy sires were this day 
celebrating. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N H 

527 

If New Hampshire can justly claim the honors of lU.nker Hill, i„ having more than one-half 
of the men enKased on the American side, Nashua can take to herself the distinction of succeeding 
Old Dunstahic ,n the honor of having more men in the battle than any other town in the state After 
long years of delay an.l many vicissitudes, the monument was now con.plete, except the crowninu 
cap stone. 1„ the celebration of the day New Hampshire was given an important part, and the old 
Nashua artillery were the worthy representatives of their state. One of the guns of their battery 
being dismounted, was taken to the top of the monument, and there belched forth a national salute 
proclaiming to the world m no uncertain sound, the great truth that the monument here reared and 
completed would (or all time mark the spot where liberty for the world had its birth. The exercises 
being ended, the company again took up its march for New Hampshire. This was the crowning 
glory of the old artillery company. It maintained a successful organization for ten years after this 
date, attending many musters and man\- parades. 

Among the officers of the artillery company were Phineas Adams, commissioned lieutenant 
August 15, 1837, promoted to captain Jan. 31, 1839. Captain Adams became a prominent and 
wealthy citizen; for many years he was landlord of the old Central house on Railroad scpiare, upon 
the present site of the I.aton house. He died about the year 1855. He was the father of Mrs. IC. B. 
Hammond and ol Phineas Adams, Jr., a prominent citizen of Manche.ster well known to Nashua 
citizens. 

Ignatius Bagley was first lieutenant of the company in 1839, and again commissioned to the 
same rank in 1841. He was with his company in their trip to Boston. Lieutenant Bagley was in the 
meat business on Railroad square. The gun house of this company was near the Shattuck ledge on 
Summer street. 

The finst record of the second company dated from 1815. Alexander Eayrs was commissioned 
captain Dec. 19, 1815; Joseph Swallow, Dec. 16, 1S16: Samuel Foster, April 20, 1819: vStephen 
Bates, Dec. 13, 1822; Israel Hunt, Jr., June 14, 1824. 

This company appears to have been the military cradle of (piite a luimber of Nashua's militia 
heroes. Israel Hunt, Jr., was first commissioned as ensign in this company in 1822 from the rank of 
sergeant. His military ambition won for him rapid promotion. This company also was the primary 
military .school of Col. George Bowers (see biography ). the hereof two wars, who.se record will be 
found upon other pages of this history, and of Col. Thomas (',. Banks, Capt. Daniel M. l'"iske, Jacob 
Hall, Capt. C. P. Danforth {.see biography), Jesse Bowers (see biography), Steidien Kendrick, 
Jeremiah P. Davis, all becoming prominent citizens of Nashua. This company was disbanded in 
1831 and reorganized in 1834 under Thomas G. Banks, captain, and Daniel M. Fiske, ensign. The 
last record we find of the second company is in 1840, when it may be presumed the com])any ceased 
to exist. 

The eighth company. Fifth regiment, also had a conspicuous place in the military establishment 
from the year 181S and to the year 1841. It was in this organization that Moses Hunt commenced 
his military life, holding the position of captain from 1820 to 1832, lieing promoted to major of the 
regiment June i, 1832, and to lieutenant-colonel Jan. 16, 1836. Moses Hunt was a brother of Gen. 
Israel Hunt. Franklin Foster was commissioned captain of the comiiaiiy June 1, 1832. He lived on 
Fletcher street for man}- years and carried on the business of wheelwright in the building on the 
corner of Main and Fletcher streets on the present site of Dunlap block. Solomon Spalding, Jr., 
was in command of the eighth company from April 3, 1833, to April 27, 1S35, when Isaac P. Morgan 
became captain. Morgan was the brother of Sumner Morgan, living on North I-'lm street. Daniel 
M. Fiske was al.so a captain from A))ril 21, 1836, to Sept. 15, 1837, when Samuel Merrill was com- 
missioned captain. Saimiel I. Mackiiis succeeded Merrill and James Roby became captain March 4, 
1841. Roby was the brother of David Roby who, until his recent death, occupied the old family 
homestead on Amherst road. The lieutenants were Benjamin F'arley, 181S; Noah Jewett, 1824; 
Benjamin Pool, Jr., 1S24; Noah P.Goodhue, 1S26; Richard Dole. Jr., 1S33; Kbenezer Converse, 
1837; Samuel Matthews, 1841. 

The first company of the Fifth regiment was organized about the year 1823 and commanded 
successively by John Ivpis, Jr., Noah Lund, Pascal Fletcher, brother of the venerable Mrs. Bowers, 
who at the present writing, at the age of over ninety years, is often seen upon our streets riding with 
her daughter, Mrs. F'. A. McKean. Captain Fletcher was one of Nashua's early lumber merchants. 



528 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



He was succeeded in tlie conimaiul of the first company bj- Josephus Baldwin, March iS, 1830. 
Josephus Baldwin became the first niaj-or of the city of Nashua. He was one of the foremost of the 
energetic men of Nashua for more than thirty years, and did very much for his town in many ways. 
He established and built up to large proportions a bobbin and shuttle business on Water street. His 
homestead stood upon the present site of Ayers block on Main street until the year 1891. A more 
extended sketch of his life will be found in this volume. Edward Baldwin succeeded his brother 
Josephus to the command of this company in 1832, and he in the same year by William Adams- 
Captain Adams was a well-known landlord of the Pearl street hotel, the name of the house being 
subsequently changed to Tremont house. The lieutenants of this company were Samuel Roby, 
brother of Luther Roby; Sherabiah Hunt, brother of Gen. Israel Hunt. Joseph Knowlton was 
commissioned to the command of this company in 1833 and after two years' service retired from the 
pomp and glory of the military to his cobbler shop on South Central street. Hiram Wilkins suc- 
ceeded Knowlton. Mr. Wilkins was a stable keeper on Railroad square. Amos Wheeler, Jr., was 
the last lieutenant of the company of record, being commissioned March 9, 1S41. Of the achieve- 
ments of the first company, history and tradition tell us not, and the oldest of its members have long 
since gone to their reward. 

The Grenadiers, organized in 1824, became one of the crack organizations of the regiment. 
That it was one of the pets of the town is evident from the following extract from the Nashua Weekly 
Telegraph of June 28, 1828: 

"The ladies of Nashua Village will, on the 4th of Jul\', 1828, a-t 11 o'clock .\. jr., present to the 
Nashua Grenadiers a military standard. Those ladies who have subscribed for that object are 
respectfully invited to assemble at the house of Capt. Asa Buntin at 10 o'clock. Citizens are invited 
to participate in the exercises of the day. A dinner will be provided for the occasion. Tickets may 
be had at the Bar of Mr. Joel Fisher's Inn and at the stores of Messrs. D. & E). S. Goodnow and I,. 
W. Noyes. 

R(.)bp;rt Andeksox, \ Committee 

B. L. M.\CK, of 

L. W. NoYKS, ' Arrangements. 

"July 4, 1828, the following will be the order of the day at this village : 

"The Dunstable Cadets and Nashua Grenadiers will parade at 1 1 o'clock on the common in 

front of Messrs. D. & E. S. Goodnow's store. The ladies will meet at Capt. Asa Buntin's house at 

10 o'clock. At II they will be conducted to the common when a standard will be presented. 

"Immediately after the ceremony the procession will form in the following order to hear the 

performances at the meeting-house of the Rev. Mr. Nott. 

Military Escort. 

Music. 

Marshal of the Day. 

HT 1 1 I Rev. Clergy, &c. I ,, , , 

Marshal. ^-' Marshal. 

( Com. of Arrangements. ' 

Marshal. Eadies. Marshal. 

Marshal. Citizens and Strangers. Marshal. 

Captain Mack, Grand Marshal. 

Independent companies of Dunstable Cadets, commanded by Captain. 

Nashua Grenadiers, commanded by Captain Banks." 

The captains of the Grenadiers were succes.sively Alpha Richardson, Jonathan R. Wiggin, 
Thomas G. Banks, Charles Cunnuings, William Adams, Jonathan R. Wiggin, Frederick Dyke and 
Peleg S. Tompkins. 

The uniform of the company was blue coat, duck pants, dark plume in soft hat. The company 
was disbanded in 1832. 

The military organizations of Nashua under command of Colonel Banks had the honor of acting 
as escort to President Jackson upon his visit to the old town of Dunstable in 1833. 

The short time allowed, after ascertaining that the distinguished visitor would stop for an hour 
or two, did not give time for elaborate plans for show, but all were glad to be favored by a visit from 



HISTORY OF NASiniA, N. H. 529 

the chief magistrate, and all, without distinction of party, were readv to do him honor. The leading 
citizens of the town at that time were Jesse Howers, Daniel Abbot, Charles i\. Atherton, Moody D. 
Lovevvell, William Hoardmaii, Jesse Esty, Benjamin F. French, Israel and John M. Hunt, Mo.ses 
Tyler, .Stephen Kendrick, Silas Butterfield, Christopher Paige, Franklin Foster, John Flagg, Frank- 
lin Munroe, William I,und, Isaac Spalding, Leonard W. Noyes, Hugh Jameson, I'erley Foster, 
Joseph, Ivzekiel and Alfred Greeley and many others not named. 

The plan for the reception which was carried out was for the military, with ajtavalcade of some 
forty citizens, to meet the president and party at the state line about five miles below Nashua Village. 
The presidential party consisted of President Jackson, Martin Van Buren, then secretay of slate, and 
the members of the cabinet. 

The escort left the village about eight o'clock in the morning and returned about ten with their 
guests, stopping at the Washington house, on the present site of Noyes block, which was then the 
best adapted to the purpo.se, and from its convenient portico our visitors were .seen. 

The female operatives in the mills of both our corporations were invited to take part in the 
festivities, and all the young ladies of our village were included, and a special recjuest made that all 
who could conveniently do so should dress in white with blue sashes. The number in white and blue 
was between two and three hundred, they being given the foremost rank after the military, and were 
followed by a large iiumher of ladies and gentlemen, together with representatives of the different 
trades and industries of the thriving village. 

The ojieralives in the mills were then the Yankee girls of New Hampshire, N'ermont and Maine. 
There were no foreigners in the town. The place of gathering of the military and other participants 
for their organization and march was Abbot square. The influx of people from adjoining towns 
made a large crowd, which was organized ready for its march when the expected visitors reached 
the Washington house, ami was in readiness for the procession to pass in review. 

Upon the approach of the column, the party was welcomed with the booming of cannon from 
the time they appeared at the top of the hill north of the harbor till they reached the Washington 
house and long after. 

After due arrangements were made for the visitors on the portico of the Washington house, the 
Abbot square procession started, passing in review of the chief magistrate, and countermarching back 
in front of the Washington house, and there foiniing in line. 

The time fixed for the departure was twelve o'clock. The people, seeking the best ])ositions to 
see the president as he left the town, made for the north side of the bridge as that seemed to be the 
favorable spot to arrange themsehes for the best \iew as the\- went \\\> the hill on the wa\' tothecajii- 
tal of the state. The hill was then steep and sandy, the l)ridge at that time being some twenty-five 
feet lower than now, which made the hill much steeper on both sides of the river, and the military 
company and men representing our \arious industries, with handsaws, shovels, banners, etc., were in 
the line, and a large crowd extended far up the hill, eager to see the guests as they de]>arted. 

A barouche, with six white horses dri\en by one of our best " ribbon holders." Joel Concay. was 
.soon in sight with the distinguished party on board. No man ever waved a salute more gracefully 
than General Jack.son but the speed of the horses which took them out of town gave him but little 
opportunity to wave his graceful good-bye. The runaway .speed was caused by the hurrahing, the 
waving of flags, swinging of handsaws and other demoii.strations, as the horses reached the north end 
of the bridge. The driver lost control of his horses any further than to try and keej) them headed up 
the hill in the direction of Concord, the place they wanted to reach. The hill and rising ground be- 
yond served to take the wind of his horses, so he got them under control, but not till after they were 
through and beyond the crowd, which reached from the bridge to Abbot square. 

The fir-st rifle company, organized Jan. 14, 1S25, comijiised .some of the first men of the town. 
Charles Richardson was the first commander, holding the captaincy until 1828, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Charles G. Atherton, a prominent lawyer of the village and who became United States 
senator. A sketch of his life will be found among the biographies in this volume. Among the cap- 
tains commanding the company were Alexander H. Converse, George W. Fletcher, Sewal G. Mack, 
Luther Towns, Levi Curtis and Elbridge G.Hardy. Charles P. Danforth, one of the best known 
citizens of Nashua for more than sixty years, was lieutenant of the company from 1832 to 1834. The 
company was disbanded about the year 1840. 

^3 



530 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

The Nashua Guards, a company famous in its da}' throughout the state for its excellence, was 
organized Sept. lo, 1834. Capt. Thomas G. Banks was its first commander. Captain Banks was 
succeeded by George Bowers in 1840, Mark Putnam in 1843, Charles T. Gill in 1846 ; Capt. Thomas 
G. Banks, Jr., now of Waltham, Mass., commanded the company in 1S47, Noah J. Harris in 1S49, 
and Joel Colburn in 1851. Mr. Colburn followed the business of a painter, living on the banks of the 
Nashua river on Pearson's avenue on the present site of the old card shop. Among the lieutenants 
in this company were Oliver Phillips and Caleb I. Emery. Oliver Phillips was for many years a well- 
known citizen of Nashua, at one time owner of an oyster saloon in one of the small ten-foot buildings 
on the corner of Main and Park streets, where about i860 he built a three-story frame building, occu- 
pying the larger part for his saloon and a billiard room in the second story. This building was 
burned in 1868 in the extensive fire which swept down the east side of Main street to the bridge 
and then as far as Goodrich block on the west side. On the site of his old building he built the pres- 
ent post office building which is still owned b}- his widow and son, who at the present writing reside 
at the old homestead on Park street. Caleb I. Emery was the son of Caleb J. Emery, who was a suc- 
cessful dealer in wet groceries on the corner of Pearl and Elm streets. Lieutenant Emery subse- 
quently became pa}'ma.ster in the United States nav)', holding his position through the War of the 
Rebellion and for fifteen or twenty years after. He was a man of strong character, vigorous in the 
use of the English language, but kind of heart and companionable. He died about the year 1885. 
The other lieutenants of the company succeeding were Noah J. Harris, Charles Crowley, Henry J. 
Shattuck, James R. Campbell and E. C. Farwell. E. C. Farwell became a prominent merchant and 
manufacturer of Nashua. James H. Blake, the well-known dry goods man, Mark Putnam, of the 
Nashua Manufacturing company, James Cochran and Euke Putnam held the office of ensign at dif- 
ferent periods from 1840 to 1851. The uniform of the Guards was a blue coat with buff trimmings, 
brass buttons, and red cap with white feather plumes. The company ceased to exist in 1852. 

Another of the military companies of which Nashua was proud was the Lafayette Light Infantry. 
It had a short but brilliant career, it was organized in 1S39 with George Tuttle as captain, Fordice M. 
Stimp.son, first lieutenant, Hiram D. Leavitt, ensign. In the following year it was Captain Stimpson, 
Lieut. A. H. Dunlap and Ensign Nelson Tuttle. A. H. Dunlap became the successful seedsman. 
Nelson Tuttle acquired a large property and died in the year 1895. John H. Gage was commissioned 
captain in 1841. Albin Beard (see biography) was lieutenant and Samuel Wright, ensign. The 
uniform of this company was .somewhat amazing. It was purchased of the Boston Lancers and of 
course was just right and up to date. The hat was of a brilliant red, shaped like a druggist's mortar, 
with red and white plumes; coat of sky blue with white trimmings and buttons of brass, and white 
pants. The guns of this company, as well as of all military companies at this time, and for some 
years later, were the flintlock, smooth bore musket. This company was the first to occupy the 
armory, so called, in the town house, now the City Hall building. The company was disbanded 
in 1842. 

The third company, light infantry, was organized April 19, 1841, with John H. Gage as captain, 
Albin Beard, lieutenant, and Sanuiel Wright, ensign. In 1842 Lieutenant Beard resigned. Samuel 
F. Wright was promoted to lieutenant and Oliver Blodgett was appointed ensign. The last year of 
its existence vSamuel Wright was commissioned captain, John H. Gage resigning, Oliver Blodgett, 
lieutenant, and Franklin Munroe became ensign. Of the distinguished exploits of this company, if 
an}', history and tradition are silent. 

A companj' known as the fourth company, light infantry, Columbian Grays, was organized May 
7, 1846. Isaac Fox, captain, Albin Beard, lieutenant. January 31, 1849, Albin Beard was promoted 
to captain and J. Thornton Greeley appointed lieutenant. J. Thornton Greeley was the son of Col. 
Jo.seph Greeley and the donor to the city for public use of the farm on Concord street known as the 
Greeley farm. Benjamin T. Peaslee was clerk of the company. Mr. Pea.slee then occupied the west 
half of the house which, at the time of writing, is the property of the Armory association, next 
west of the Armory, on Canal street. The armory of the Columbian Grays was in Thayers hall, a 
building known at the present time as the Watananock house. 

In the spring of 1842, in the minds of the ambitious military men of Nashua, the public good 
demanded re-enforcements to the militia of the village, and authority was asked for and granted for 
the organization of another company and under the leadership of the irrepressible Daniel M. Fiske ; 



HISTORY OF KASm/A, N. H. 53, 

the company was formed and known as the eleventh company, Washington Light (luards, seventy- 
five men, rank and fde. The armory in the attic of the town house now became a busy place. 
Nearly every evening \\\ the week it was occupied by one or more of the five military com])anies, 
for drill business and fun. The officers of the conii)any were Capt. Daniel M. Fiske, Lieut. John 
M. I' landers and l^nsign Henry \\ Adams. Lieutenant Flanders was one of Nashua's successful 
contractors and l)uilders Ii\ ing till the year 1875. There were frequent changes among the officers of 
the company during the eight years of its exi.stence. Of the officers not before named were George 
W. Holt, David P. Barber, Kdward M. Smith, Samuel T. Sawyer, Elijah T. Page, John Kaldwin, 
R. (i. I'sher, and Anthony Walker. 

The " Union Artillery," a company of forty or fifty lads whose ages would average about fifteen, 
was organized in the spring or early summer of 1847 or 1848. Their first public parade was made in 
June, when their soldierly deportment and perfection in drill attracted the attention of the older 
military gentlemen of Nashua and Nashville, who immediately adopted the juvenile corps by taking 
it into and treating it as a part of the military family of the two towns. The first officers were 
Capt. H. F. George, First Lieutenant Hiram Smart, Ensign Charles R. McClary. Lieutenant Smart 
was shortly afterwards succeeded by Henr> M. Davis, who is now living and engaged in the freight 
department of the Boston & Maine railroad. 

On the fourth of July following this fir.st parade, the corps was presented with a beautiful silk 
banner by the girls employed on the Nashua corporation. This banner was received at the steps of 
the town hall, being presented by Miss Mary Moore of Hillsborough, N. H., and accepted by the 
commander of the corps, after which the young ladies were escorted in a body to the Central house, 
in Nashville, where a collation and festivities were indulged in till the close of the daj'. Many of 
the military men of that day were guests, among whom were .\tljutant-General Peasly of the state, 
who was so well pleased with the little corps that he privately told Captain George that he had 
twentjf-four cadet rifles and a brass four pounder field-piece in the state arsenal, then at Portsmouth, 
which he could have, and gave in.structions how to proceed to get them. These arms were afterwards 
obtained, which were a decided improvement o\er the small iron cannon and a few small swords with 
which the_\' had been armed. 

C. C. Danforth succeeded Captain (ieorge to the conunand of the company, E. P. Co]>i) 
succeeding Davis as first lieutenant. Captain Danforth subseciuently became one of the leading 
citizens of Concord, where he resides at the present time. Lieutenant Co])]i was brother of Col. E. 
J. Copp. He removed early in the fifties to Madison, Wis., where he is now one of its oldest and 
most respected citizens. 

The company- in its early experience was indebted to Cai)t. Thomas Banks, Jr., for his ser\-ices a 
drill master and instructor. This company- existed about three years. 

A cavalry company known as the Granite State Lancers was organized in the fall of 1850, led by 
the intrepid Thomas G. Banks and the enthusiastic Daniel M. Fiske. All that is known of its history 
is soon told. We know that it lived, and in a few short weeks it died. Why its career was so short 
we know not. Probably, from the dying out of the military spirit of the public, the necessary 
support was not forthcoming. From 1850 to 1856 the military ardor of Nashua seems to have been 
at a low ebb. The following is from the Nashua Telegraph of Jan. 5, 1856: 

"Capt. Thomas G. Banks has been appointed colonel of the bloody Fifth regiment. New 
Hampshire militia. The martial spirit has died out almost entirely among our young men. There 
is not, to our knowledge, a company in the state pos.sessing real efficiency and discipline. All that 
remains of the military .spirit is to be found in the bo.som of the veterans like Captain Banks. We 
almost have some hope of the militia of the state; if there is a spark of life in it he would kindle it 
to a flame, and we don't know but he will galvanize the defunct institution into life." 

The field and staff officers and non-commissioned staff of the Fifth regiment under the organiza- 
tion made in April, 1856, were all Na.shua men. Colonel, Thomas G. Banks; lieutenant-colonel. 
Daniel M. Fi.ske ; major, John H. Gage; adjutant, Samuel Tuck; quartermaster, A. H. Dunlap ; 
paymaster, George H. Whitney: ([uartermaster-sergeant, Samuel F. Crombie; sergeant-major. Jo.seph 
Andrews; drum major, Franklin Munroe; fife major, Silas Brackett ; .surgeon, Dr. W. A. Tracy; 
surgeon's mate, Dr. E. Colburn ; chaplain, N. W. Willis. 



532 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Mention lias already been made of many of the above-mentioned officers. Paymaster George H. 
Whitney (see biography) has but recently died. Joseph F. Andrews, the sergeant-major of the 
reo-iment, was a contractor and builder. He built and lived until his decease in 1885, in the brick 
house on Main street next south of Holman's block. The house was recently purchased and torn 
down by S. D. Chandler. Major Andrews' reputation as a skillful builder was well-known throughout 
the state. He was for some years successful, but in building the state house at Concord the contract 
price was his ruin, lender a high sense of honor, which was ever characteristic of him, he deter- 
mined to fulfill his contract, and it was done, but under great financial pressure, borrowing many 
thousands of dollars to complete the work. This laid upon him a load under which he struggled for 
the remainder of his life. Entering the war in 1S62, he was commissioned major of the New Hamp- 
shire cavalry and proved himself as brave in war as he was in peace. Through three years of war, 
fighting the battles of his country, he showed the heroism born of true patriotism in the .struggle for 
the right. Although he died without wealth, who shall say that his life was not a success in the 
highest sense? 

A company that became famous for the number of its members who went into the War of the 
Rebellion was the Granite State Cadets, organized in i860. The uniform was cadet gray with black 
trimmings and white epaulets, Russian dogskin hat trimmed with liraided white cord and white 
pompon with red top. 

The first officers were George Bowers, captain; George H. Whitney and Jonathan Parkhurst, 
first lieutenants; B. Frank Kendrick and Otis Munroe, second lieutenants; Luther M. Wright, 
orderly sergeant. 

On the departure of Captain Bowers for the seat of war. Captain Wright was commissioned to 
the command of the company. Among the members of the company were C. D. Copp, D. W. King, 
R. O. Greenleaf, J. Q. A. Warren, Tyler M. Shattuck, Q. A. Woodward, George S. Bayers, George 
H. Whitney, J. H. Dunlap, Edward Parker, M. A. Taylor, W. F. York, T. H. Wood, Charles 
Burnham, J. B. White, D. J. Flanders, E. P. Brown, C. A. Hall, J. M. Sanborn, L. W. Hall, J. M. 
Adams, John Spalding, Alfred Beard, H. M. Blake, A. B. Buswell, Julius F. Gage, W. M. Bowman, 
L. W. Goodrich, B. C. Buttrick, Wilder M. Gates, Thomas Nottage, E. B. Plummer, George D. 
Verder, J. G. Fifield, C. A. Hutchinson, A. W. vShepard, W. S. Richardson, Jack Willard, George 
Stearns, George Edgecomb, George H. Taggart, A. T. Young, C. W. Spalding, E. P. Mclntire, M. 
H. Farnsworth, L. B. Ball, Silas Brackett, J. B. Eaton, C. C. Gove, Charles Lund, J. J. Shattuck. 

A large proportion of the company enlisted for the war and did gallant service in the defense of 
their country, many of them holding conunissions of various rank. Capt. George Bowers became the 
popular Colonel Bowers of the Thirteenth New Hampshire regiment. 1). W. King, commissioned as 
first lieutenant in the Eighth New Hampshire volunteers, was promoted for gallantry to lieutenant- 
colonel of his regiment. C. D. Copp did gallant service in the Ninth New Hampshire regiment, first 
as lieutenant and the last two years as captain in command of the color company of his regiment. 
For deeds of special bravery few if any during the entire war excelled those for which he received 
from congress a medal of honor. J. O. A. Warren was a captain in the Eighth regiment and fell 
upon one of the battlefields of Louisiana. Capt. T. M. vShattuck was also a brave soldier of the 
same regiment. Charles Burnham and D. J. Flanders both served in the Third regiment as com- 
missioned officers. L. M. Wright, George Eayrs and Edward Parker all served with credit. 

The Nashua Telegraph of Oct. 13, i860, has the following notice of the company's first 
appearance ; 

"No company ever made a more successful first appearance than the Granite State Cadets on 
Saturday last (Oct. 6, i860). When it is considered that there has been no military here for these 
many years, and the spirit that used to keep alive four or five military companies in this cit\- had 
entirely died out, their success is remarkable. They appeared with full ranks and acquitted them- 
selves like old soldiers; their marching would have done credit to an old company. Captain Bowers 
has attended most assiduously to their drill, and his zeal has been seconded not only by his associate 
officers but every member of the company has exhibited a determination to make a company which 
should be an honor to the city. The company is composed of men that will do honor to any station, 
and becoming soldiers, they are in no danger of forgetting that a true soldier is a true gentleman. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 533 

They were accompanied by the Gerniaiiia band of Hoston, whose charming music excited the 
admiration of all listeners. 

"The company dined at the Pearl Street house with a few invited guests among our citizens 
from whom they received the heartiest encomiums for their success in organizing so fine a corps, as 
well as for their fine appearance and excellent drill. In point of lieauty and com])leteness of uniform 
and equipment, they rival the best companies in the large cities, and will e(iual them in discipline at 
an early day." The company continued its organization until 1S65, taking part in the President Lin- 
coln funeral ceremonies at Concord. vSoon after this tlie company was di.shanded. 

On Thursday, Oct. 1 1, 1.S60, the militia of the state went into camp at Nashua on the grounds of 
the Greeley farm on the Concord road about f)ne mile from the city. The field was on the level 
green near the Concord railroad. The Telegraj)!! of Oct. 13, 1S60, has the following report of the 
muster : 

" Thursday, the first day of the state encampment, 'Camp C.oodwin.' dawned bright and beauti- 
ful, and after the .stir of the day before, the streets ap]>eared unusually quiet, until the trains begun to 
bring in the militia and their attendant hosts, and the noise of sonorous bands breathing martial 
sounds awaked the stillness oi tlii.- hour. The scene reminded us of a muster morning in the palmy 
days of the ' Bloody F'ifth.' The troops were ordered to api)ear on Railroad square but the line was 
formed at the camp by Adjt. C. V.. Paige with ])romptness and put in working trim. The command 
was assumed by Col. John H. Gage and tlie business of the day proceeded with at once. The line 
consisted of the following corps : 

" The liattalian of Amoskeag W-lerans, Col. T. T. Abl)()tt, with Dignam's cornet band, with une 
hundred guns, occupied the right of the line and made a splendid display. 

"The McCutcheon Guards of New London, Capt. A.J. Sargent, with field music, thirty-three 
rifles, was a well disciplined corps. Captain vSargent was an officer in the Mexican War. 

" The Minute Guard of Manchester, Capt. J. M. Bruce, with Barwick's drum corps, thirty-six 
guns. 

"The Granite State Cadets of Nashua, Capt. (jeorge Bowers, with Baldwin's cornet band of 
Manchester, forty-two guns. Of the elegance and excellence of this company we have spoken else- 
where. 

" The Lafayette Artillery of Lyndeborough, Capt. J. H. Tarbell, with field music, forty swords. 
This company is the only company in the state which has maintained its organization ever since the 
disbandment of the militia and it conseciuenth' has advantages over all others. 

"The City Phalanx of Portsmouth, Capt. W. O. Sides, with the Portsmouth cornet band, forty 
guns. This company with their handsome uniform and bearskins, under an efficient officer, made a 
very fine appearance. 

" The Sullivan Guards of Exeter, Capt. Charles H. Bell, with the Exeter cornet band, forty mus- 
kets. Captain Bell was an excellent officer and the company was well drilled. Their uniform was 
of cadet grey, very like the cadets. 

"The Abbott Guards of Manchester, Capt. William Knowltou, field music, thirty-four guns. 

"Hollis Phalanx, Capt. George P. Greeley, Brookline brass band, forty-two guns, grey coats, 
black pants. Considering its brief organization it appeared remarkably well. 

" The Canaan Grenadiers of Canaan, Capt. Jacob Peters, field music, thirty-two guns. This com- 
pany has also been organized several years and was well drilled. 

" The Union Volunteers of Danville, Capt. D. D. Currier, with field music, thirty-two guns. 

" The Peterborough Light Infantry, Capt. C. A. Wheeler. 

"The regiment of Governor's Horse Guards, Col. George Stark, commander, with Mall's band of 
Boston, on their fine stud of white horses, closed the line on the left. They mustered one hundred 
sabres and made a splendid appearance. Company A, Col. John H. George: company B, Lieut. J. 
F. Andrews, commanding. The regimental officers were as follows: Colonel, John H.Gage of 
Nashua: lieutenant-colonel, A. F. Stevens of Nashua; major, Gilbert Wadleigh of Milford : adju- 
tant, Charles E. Paige of Na.shua : quartermaster, William P. Ainsworth of Nashua : paymaster, W. 
R. Wallace of Milfonl : sergeant-major, William Barrett of Nashua: quartermaster-sergeant, D, B. 
Fiske of Nashua. 



534 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

" In the afternoon the troops were inspected by Adjutant-General J. C. Abbott. General Abbott 
was accompanied by a staff appointed for the occasion consisting of Col. Otis Wright of Nashua, Col. 
Gilbert Hills of Amherst and Col. I. W. Farmer of Manchester. 

"The first day's exercises closed to the entire satisfaction of all concerned and it may be set down 
as a perfect success. The most perfect order prevailed in the encampment during the day and night. 
The crowd in attendance was very large but generally very orderly. 

" It may seem strange but it is true that the companies exhibited a far better degree of drill than 
was seen on the New Hampshire line in its palmiest military days. Then, when ever3^body trained, 
the drill was a kind of traditionary concern, some smart fellow, with a showy, dashing stjle, at the 
head of a companj', was copied by all other companies in his neighborhood, and so we had a drill that 
had not the first principle of military science about it. This all died out with the militia itself and 
when it was revived the officers had to go to the books and none of the ridiculous nonsense of the old 
times has come up with it. 

" The performances of the muster closed last (Friday) evening and all that we could sa\- of the 
first day is to be more than said of the second. The muster has been a perfect success throughout. 
The general orders of the day were fully and most successfully carried out. The governor, attended 
by his suite, Brigadier-General Butler of the Massachusetts volunteer militia and his staff, Adjutant- 
General Schouler of Massachusetts, and Adjutant-General Abbott of this citj-, with his staff reviewed 
the troops. We repeat what we said in our first edition that we never saw so fine a military display 
in the state in the palmiest days of the militia. The drill was generally excellent and the marching 
in review was as steady as that of veterans. The Boston Ancient and Honorable Artillery and the 
L,owell Mechanics' Phalanx were a pleasant feature of the day and including them there were probably 
more than a thousand men under arms. They were received on Railroad square by a detachment 
consisting of the Amoskeag \'eterans and Granite State Cadets and escorted to the encampment. It 
would be impossible to select one company for special commendation when all did so well. We can- 
not, however, help saying that the Amoskeag Veterans attracted great attention for their large num- 
bers, their discipline and the peculiaritj- and richness of their uniform. The Cadets of this city 
excited the admiration of all militar)' men for the perfection of their drill. The Horse Guards, per- 
haps it is not too much to say, was the most prominent point of attraction and elicited the praise 
of all. 

"During the encampment Governor Goodwin has made his quarters at the residence of General 
Stark, who on Thursday- evening threw open his doors and a very large number of our citizens paid 
their respects to our excellent governor and his family; Major Rej-nolds of the navy yard, with his 
lady. Captain Winder of the United States army, with his lady, and Captain Tracy, who has recently 
returned from long service in Utah, with his lady, Mr. Dwight and his family, were also among the 
distinguished persons who honored the occasion with their presence besides very large numbers of 
distinguished gentlemen in political and social life. 

"Most sincerely do we congratulate the military men who have spent their time and money so 
freely to get up this display, upon their perfect success not only as a military display but for the 
perfection of the arrangements for its successful carrying out, in all respects. We know that many 
people, who remember the disgraceful scenes of by-gone days, had misgivings in relation to it. But 
the men who controlled it determined that no such scenes should be present here, and aided by Colonel 
Banks, our chief of police, they were eminently successful. In the first place, all ardent spirits were 
excluded from the quarters and nobody was allowed to sell the stuff near tlie field. The result was 
that, although the crowd in attendance exceeded all previous occasions in Na.shua, it is the testimony 
of all that a more orderly crowd was never .seen. The police department had taken the pains to have 
present detachments of the detective force from Boston and other cities, but we are gratified to know 
that there was so little occasion for their services. 

" We believe gambling was well suppressed in the neighborhood, though we understand that in 
the city there were some arrangements made for it. 

"We were gratified to notice the interest taken in the encampment by all clas.ses of our citizens 
without exception, and are tenfold more gratified that there was so little to offend the taste or .senti- 
ments of anyone. The exercises closed by a grand ball of the Ancient and Honorable Artillerv 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, IV. //. 5^55 

at Franklin hall. The hall had been very elegantly decorated (or the occasion by some of our 
citizens." 

The military chapter of this history would be incomplete without a reference to the Governor's 
Horse Guards, for no military organization in this or any other stale embraced so large a portion of 
the most prominent men in the professional as well as the Inisiness life and activities throughout the 
entire state, and none ever came into notoriety with such a bound and attained such a reputation 
during the brief term of its existence. 

The Governor's Hor.se Guards were incorporated in 1H59. The first meeting of the grantees was 
held in the council chamber in Concord Nov. 10, iS5y. There were present the following grantees: 
John H. George, A. Herbert Hellows, Benjamin Grover, William Walker, Josiah B. Sanborn and 
Edward H. Rollins of Concord, Adjt.-Gen. Joseph C. Abbott of Manchester and George Stark of 
Nashua. Thirty associates were elected at this meeting, among whom were John H. Gage, William 
1'. Ainsworlh, William F. Greeley and Dr. James H. Greeley of Nashua. Subsequently the following 
from Nashua were elected: H. T. Morrill, \'. C. Gilman, J. F. Andrews, Cieorge W. Underbill, Rev. 
Martin W. Willis, Charles P. Gage, .Samuel Tuck, Thomas P. Pierce, Norman Fuller, Cieorge H. 
Gillis, Samuel C. Cronibie, Jolm N. Hall, .Samuel Chase, Samuel F. Wright, Gilman .Scripture, 
George Bowers, Charles Williams, Charles Iv. Paige, Luther H. Clement, William Barrett, Thomas 
G. Banks, Isaac H. Marshall, Isaac Ivaton, Frank A. McKean, Alford Fisher, Henry Parkinson, S. 
.S. Davis and O. A. Woodbury. At the next meeting, the battalion was increased by seventy-seven 
accessions, among whom were David Gillis and Dr. J. G. Ciraves of Nashua. Jan. 11, i860, George 
Stark was elected colonel. The battalion was divided into four companies. A, B, C and D. Company 
B, composed mostly of Nashua men, as it was first organized, was officered as follows: captain, John 
H. Gage; first lieutenant, Bainbridge Wadleigh, Milford ; second lieutenant, Joseph F. Andrews. 

The first escort duty was performed June 7, i860, at the inauguration of Gov. Ichabod Goodwin; 
and the well known character of the men composing the guards as well as their elegant uniforms and 
equipments, contributed to make it an occasion of more than ordinary interest. Hall's band of 
Boston furnished the music. A fine picture of the event appeared in Frank Leslie's paper. 

The next event of special interest occurred at Nashua, and is explained by the following order: 

L. S. St.vtk oi- Nkw H.vjipshire, \ 

Adjut.xnt Generai.'.s Office, Concord, Sept. i, i860. I 

General Order No. 4. 

To Colonel George Stark, Commander of the Governor's Horse Guards. 

The commander-in-chief, with a view to promote improvement in the military of the state, has 
ordered an encampment at Nashua on the eleventh and twelfth of October next. He hereby orders 
that your corps parade on Railroad square in Nashua at ten o'clock a. m., on the eleventh day of 
October, and there await further orders. 

The corps will appear fully armed and equipped, as required by law. 
By command of His Ivxcellency, 

IciiAiion Goodwin, Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 

JosEi'ii C. AiiiiOTT, Adjutant General. 

The Guards met in accordance with this order and performed escort duty for the governor and 
staff during the encampment of the state militia on the grounds of the Greeley farm on Concord 
street, as has been elsewhere described in this work. Among its Nashua officers on this occasion 
were Dr. James B. Greeley, surgeon, and Franklin Munroe, drum major. 

The Guards performed escort duty at the inauguration of Gov. Nathaniel S. Berry, June 6, 186,. 
and again at his second inauguration June 5, ..S62, and at each of the inaugurations of Gov. Joseph 
A Gilmore June 4, i86^ and June 2, 1864. at which latter occasion (Governor Andrews and staff of 
Massachusetts were present. October .4, .864, they were ordered into camp at Manchester. Among 
the officers elected at their annual encampment June .3. 1S64. was V. C. Oilman, captain of com- 
panv B. Captain Gilman was afterwards elected major of the battalion. 

The next and last parade was June 8, 1865, being the inauguration of Gov.-elect Frederick 
Snu th. The corps proceeded to the residence of Governor Gilmore, where he and Ins staff were 



536 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

received into column, from thence the march was continued down Main to West street, where Gov.- 
elect Frederick Smyth was received, who was accompanied from Manchester by the Amoskeag 
Veterans, under command of Col. Chandler E. Potter. 

At the conclusion of the inauguration ceremonies the corps, dismounted, formed and proceeded 
with the govornor, the state officials and distinguished guests to the Eagle hotel, where the annual 
dinner was served. The corps sustained its well earned reputation for efficiency and hospitality, so 
that its sun did not go down in obscnrit}'. Company B, compo.sed chiefly of Nashua gentlemen, took 
especial pride in perfecting its drill, its sabre exercise and graceful appearance in the saddle, many of 
its members having attended an evening riding school in Boston Wednesday evenings, returning on 
the theatre train, reaching home at one-thirty A. Ji. They also procured a French instructor in 
sabre exercise, who gave a lesson at the close of the riding lesson, and very soon enabled his class to 
go through the sabre exercise very creditablx". 

Dec. 20, icS65, an adjourned meeting of the Guards was held at Phenix hall, Conc(nd, to hear the 
report of a committee appointed at a pre\-ious meeting "to consider the matter of enlisting the corps 
under the law of 1862." The records fail to show any report of this committee, but they do show a 
resolution pa.ssed, suspending all parades and levees in the future, unless ordered by the governor, 
until certain contingencies in the wa\' of financial matters, etc., had been met and provided for by 
the state. 

April 24, 1879, the last meeting of the Guards was held at Concord, upon the call of Col. Henry 
O. Kent. 

George Stark (see biography) was connnissioned brigadier-general of the New Hampshire militia 
in 185S and assigned to the command of the third brigade, second division. He held this command 
until June, 1861. He was in command of the volunteer troops organized for the war stationed at 
Portsmouth, from May 2 to June 21, 1861. General Stark was a natural soldier, Ijorn to command, 
well equijiped in ability and experience to do service for his country and state upon the battlefield. 
The circumstances that prevented him from going to the front was the regret of the loyal citizens of 
Nashua and throughout the state. After the war he became one of the best known railroad managers 
of the country. He died in Nashua in 1S92. 

Albin Beard was appointed brigade major under General Stark. Major Beard had been identi- 
fied with the militia for many years, holding various grades of rank. He was the well-known, able 
editor of the Nashua Telegraph for more than forty years. He used a pointed pen as well as the 
sword in the interest of his town and state. He did valuable service in strengthening the military 
spirit and patriotism of Nashua. He was active in all public affairs, a great worker ; in these days he 
would have been called a hustler of the most hustling type. (A full biographical sketch appears in 
this volume. ) 

The Nashua Light Guards was organized in 1S66 by D. J. Flanders as captain, Lemuel j\L Jack- 
man as first lieutenant, James A. Cobb, second lieutenant. Lieutenant Cobb succeeded Captain 
Flanders in 1868. Lieutenant Jackman resigning his position, Charles T. Southwick succeeded 
him. L. S. Woodliury was commissioned second lieutenant, Aug. 31, 1868. The company was 
disbanded in 1869. The Nashua Light Guards was the onl^- company in existence for more than ten 
years after the war. The military spirit of the public seemed to be seeking a rest from the intense 
excitement of the days of war's alarms. The men who went to the front and experienced the ser- 
vice of real soldiers in the grim work of death on the battlefields from Bull Run to Ajipomattox 
had little enthusiasm for holiday parade of play soldiers. This was a natural condition of the public 
mind. Four years of bloodshed and of sorrow over the loss of beloved ones whose lives had paid the 
price of liberty and the glory of our country had made peace the boon most desired. For nearly ten 
years the pomp and glory of the military of Nashua was a thing of the past. By the legislature of 
1878 a change in the military laws of the state was enacted changing the name of the militia to " the 
national guard of New Hampshire." The necessity for a more complete formation of the military of 
the state had begun to be recognized and a revival of the military spirit to find expression. 

In the fall of 1877 a military company was organized under the name of the Nashua City Guards 
and fifty-eight of the brightest and best young men of Nashua were enrolled as members. The com- 
pany was first assigned to the First regiment. New Hampshire militia, Col. John J. Dillon. In the 
re-organization of the military under the name of the New Hampshire National Guard, April i, 1878, 



HISTORY OF NASHUA. N. J/. 537 

the company was transferred to the Second regiment, Col. D. M. White commanding. The credit of 
the inception and work of organizing this company is due almost wholly to George W . Hadger. a 
veteran soldier and one of Nashua's best known and most public spirited citizens. He secured the 
names to the enrollment and the organization having been completed Mr. Hadger solicited funds for 
the purchase of arms for the company, raising nearly $1,000 for this puqw.se. The first meeting of 
this company, and the meetings for nearly a year subsequently, were in the old armory in the attic of 
the City Hall building. In 1869 the Grand Army hall in Laton building. Railroad square, was used 
for a drill room, and room on the second floor of the same building occupied for property room. The 
officers elected at the first meeting, and commissioned on the twenty-third day of October, 1S77, were 
Elbridge J. Copp (see biography), captain; Augustus D. Ayling, first lieutenant ; William I.. Hall, 
second lieutenant. Captain Copp and Lieutenant Ayling were veterans of the war, both having 
served more than three years and both in the capacity of adjutant for the last year or more of their 
service. The finst served in the Third New Hampshire volunteers, and the last named in the Twenty- 
fourth Massachusetts volunteers. If any military company more than another deserved the suj)i)orl 
of the ])ublic the Nashua City Guards were surely entitled to this distinction. The days and nights 
of its members were given to drill for weeks and months. Climbing laboriously the long winding 
stairs into the old armory in the City Hall attic night after night for drill was not thought too great a 
task. The most rigid discipline was from the first insisted upon; there was but one standard set by 
the officers of the company and that was perfection of drill and discipline. The men in the coini)any 
generalh- recognized the necessity of thorough discipline and cheerfully rendered implicit obedience. 
The real nulitary espti/ du corps was, from the first, characteristic of this company. I'pon entering 
the armory the members taking on, voluntarily, the character of a soldier, left behind them their 
identity as citizens. This extreme punctiliousness, however, was at first objected to by some few 
of the company but the result achieved and progress made soon brought all into line and they gave 
their hearty support and co-operation in this method of making a real military conqiany. The writer, 
who was in a position to know, does not hesitate to say, unreservedly, that never was there a more 
representative compan_\- of young citizens in Nashua or in the .state ; nor one which gave more enthusi- 
asm to the work or succeeded in a higher degree in perfecting and maintaining a model military organ- 
ization. The Nashua City Guards probably attained as near to the high standard of regular troops 
in drill and discipline as an>- military company ever organized in the country. For years under 
the systematic inspection and markings of the inspector-general of the state this company stood at 
the head of all other organizations. July i, 1S79, Captain Copp was promoted to major of the .Second 
regiment, subsequently to lieutenant-colonel, and later to the colonelcy of the regiment. Lieutenant 
Ayling succeeded Captain Copp in command of the company, holding the position till July 25, 1879, 
when he became adjutant-general of the state. This position he has held to the present time. 
General Ayling was well equipped for the position to which he was appointed in natural ability 
and experience. He has gracefully and efficiently filled the office of adjutant-general and chief of 
the governor's staff for nearly twenty years. To him the state is greatly indebted for the efliciency of 
the national guard today. His method of conducting the business of his department has been strictly 
military and punctilious. He believes not only in the spirit of the military law, but in the letter of 
the law as well. He has a full conception of the meaning of military discipline, but he demands of 
others only that which he exacts of himself, .\lfred Iv. Hunt was appointed second lieutenant 
Feb. 5, 1879, and promoted to first lieutenant July i, 1879. He was commissioned cajitain July 25 
of the same year. Captain Hunt was a very efficient and jwpular commander. The company fully 
sustained its high .standard under his comnuuul. He brought with him into the company a valuable 
experience from his military training as an officer in the military battalion in the .school of technology 
in Bo.ston. At the time of his connection with the City Guards his business was that of chemist at 
the works of the Nashua Iron and Sleel company. Removing from Nashua to Pittsburg, I'a., he 
l)ecame eminently successful in his business. 

William H. Cheever was commissioned second lieutenant of the company, July i, 1S79, and pro- 
moted to first lieutenant, July 25. of the .same year. Lieutenant Cheever had proved himself a valu- 
able member of the company, rising from the ranks through the various grades of corporal, sergeant, 
orderly .^ergeant, to that of lieutenant, always the model soldier, grasping with ease the principles of 
military drill and discipline. He did an important part in placing the Na.shua City Guards at the 



^,.S HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

head of the military organizations of the state. In 1SS4 Lieutenant Cheever was appointed major 
and assistant inspector-general on the staff of Gen. D. M. White. In December, 1885, he was com- 
missioned by Governor Currier inspector of rifle practice. This branch of the service had not been 
given the attention that its importance demanded. Major Cheever's conception of the needs of the 
military service very .soon brought practical results through his systematic and vigorous methods, a 
practical sy.stem of rifle practice was established which has since been in use, and has placed the New 
Hampshire military in the front rank of sharpshooters of the national guard of the country. 

May 3, 1881, Jason E. Tolles was commissioned captain of the Nashua City Guards. Captain 
Tolles had ri.sen from the ranks and was the last commanding officer of the company. Captain Tolles 
was commissioned adjutant of the vSecond regiment, July i, 1884 ; promoted to major, May 5, 1885, 
and to lientenant-colonel, Aug. 5, 1887, and to colonel of the regiment, Aug. 31, 1S94, having held all 
ranks from that of private in the City Guards, and proved himself to be a popular and efficient offi- 
cer, ahva\s the courteous soldier and gentleman, and never over-confident of his own abilities. The 
writer when captain commanding the City Guards thought he saw in Private Tolles the requisite 
material for an officer and offered him the position of corporal. This offer was at first declined by 
Mr. Tolles who expressed himself as fearing that he would not be able to fill the position. At the 
present writing he is mayor of the city of Nashua and also has the honor of commanding one of the 
finest regiments of the national guard in the country and will undoubtedly wear the star of the brig- 
adier in the service of his state before the end of his military service. 

Andrew J. Tuck was appointed second lieutenant of the City Guards July 25, 1879. He had pre- 
viously held the position of hospital steward of the Second regiment. Lieutenant Tuck's connection 
with the military was not of long duration but during his service he was always found at his post, 
always soldierly and efficient. He has been for some years and is at the present time in the insur- 
ance and real estate business. 

The first year of the company's organization a muster of the Second regiment under the com- 
mand of Col. D. M. White was held at Nashua. The camp ground was at Fairmount heights. The 
Nashua City Guards, Capt. E. J. Copp commanding, assumed the responsibility of all arrangements 
for camp and providing rations for the five hundred men of the regiment during the three days' en- 
campment. This, as may be understood, was a contract of no small proportions, but the company, 
with the hearty co-operation of citizens, proved equal to the emergenc)-, fully sustaining the reputa- 
tion Nashua has ever held for hospitality. The work of providing the immense amount of food was 
sj'stematically organized and carried forward to success. Committees were appointed for each ward 
for soliciting food from house to house and for providing for the delivery of same at the camp at the 
proper time. The whole city became interested in the work and very few refusals were met b}- the 
boys on the committee for soliciting. Bread, beans, meats, doughnuts, pies and cakes, literall}' by 
the cartload, were dispatched to the camp-ground during the three days of the camp. Two large 
tents hired for the occasion from Boston were erected with a cook-house built between the two for the 
commissary department. One tent was for the men, the other for the officers of the regiment and the 
guests. Under the direction of George W. Badger, the chief commissary of the camp, this most 
interesting feature of the camp was a great success. The second daj' of the encampment Governor 
Cheney, Adjutant-General Head, Mayor Williams and many prominent citizens were guests at dinner. 
One chief feature of the dinner, in the recollection of the writer, was two roast pigs in all the beauty 
of their corporeity, with all the usual culinary fixings. That the occasion was one of great enjoy- 
ment for everyone present goes without saying. This camp was a great event in the history of the 
Nashua City Guards and is one of the pleasantest recollections of the members of the company. 

The crowning glory of the military service of the City Guards was the memorable trip to York- 
town, October, 1881, in participation in the centennial celebration by the thirteen original states of 
the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. The appropriation by the legislature of our state provided for the 
sending of the governor and his staff, and a battalion of three companies with field officers, .staff and 
baud. The selection of the companies was from those of highest standing as determined by the 
report of the inspector-general. The companies .selected were the Nashua City Guards, Co. F, Capt. 
J. E. Tolles, Second regiment; Co. K, Captain Tetley, Third regiment, and the Strafford Guards of 
Dover, Captain Demeritt, First regiment. The commanding officer selected was Lieut. -Col. E. J. 
Copp of the Second regiment. Preparations for the trip were made in detail by General Ayling and 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 539 

CdloiR-l Copp. A side-wheel steamer belonging to the Stoninglou line was chartered and arrange- 
ments made for the embarking of the command at Providence. R.I. A contract was made with Hop- 
kins & Sears, caterers, of Providence, for the important office of supplying the inner man. It is said 
tliat thnni;_;li the stomach and good digestion come happiness; then, surely, our caterers were not 
responsible for any unhappiness of the New Hampshire boys on this trip. Through the courtesy 
and at the suggestion of Crovernor Bell, Colonel Copp issued invitations for a limited nund)er of citi- 
zens to join the expedition. Quite a number of Nashua citizens accepted the invitation. Among 
those who enjoyed this memorable trip were Dr. S. (). Dearborn, Cieorge V. Andrews and William H. 
Reed. Nashua was represented upon (Governor Hell's staff by (leneral Ayling, adjutant-general, 
and Gen. pnbert Wheeler, inspector-general. 

Upon arriving in Providence the New Hampshire battalion was met by the ofTicers of the Rhode 
Island military drawn up in line on Monument stpiare. From here the New Hamp.shire military 
were escorted to the new and elegant building of the \'eteran association of Providence, where a 
royal reception and Ijanqnet was tendered them. Governor Littlefield of Rhode Island made a sjieech 
of welcome and Governor Bell made a reply that for appropriateness and finished rhetoric could not 
be excelled. Every New Hampshire man present was proud of the governor of their state. Although 
entirel}' unexpected, Governor Bell's speech was a model of excellence; he appeared a living 
encyclopedia of facts of history, citing New Hamp.shire's and Rhode Island's joint services in the 
Wars of the Revolution and the Rebellion, where Rhode Island and New Hampshire regiments 
fought side by side, and of the services of the distinguished sons of Rhode Island with those of our 
own New Hampshire. 

After the banquet the battalion marched to the wharf where the steamer Francis lay waiting with 
steam up. All on board, about five v. m., the vessel was steaming down the river. Sunday morning 
found the expedition well on its way out on the broad Atlantic out of sight of land, a new experience 
for most of the New Hampshire lads. There was a smooth sea but a treacherous swell ; the day was 
beautiful for those who could get on their sea legs, but the grandeur of the mighty deep and the 
beauty of the daj- had no charms for many of those on board. Many a brave man went down that 
day and night under that terrible malady, seasickness, the commanding officer of the expedition 
leading the whole command in the intensity of his wretchedness. The services held that Sunday 
morning on the deck of the steamer by Chaplain Powers was attended by a select few. Monday 
morning Cape Charles was sighted, and ere long Fortress Monroe came into view, the captain of the 
vessel taking the ship up along the shore off the historic but now obsolete fortress. The sight was 
an interesting one to the younger generation of soldier boys, whose knowledge of the war in which 
it took so prominent a part was from their school books or the stories of their fathers. Soon the 
steamer was in the still waters of the York river where .sea sickness was forgotten and happiness 
reigned. After a beautiful ride up the river, Vorktown was reached about four p. m., Monday. The 
old town that had gone to sleep after the last gun of the Civil War had ceased reverberating, was 
now alive, and the scenes of war days re-enacted. War .ships with bristling guns and transports, 
gay with bunting and alive with soldiers of another generation filled the harbor. The flags of 
France, England and Germany floated over their representative war shijjs anchored alongside those 
of a fleet of our own navy, the entire North Atlantic .scpiadron. Camj) had been established near the 
Moore house, the scene of the surrender of Cornwallis. 

The celebration, covering a period of three days, was a rare exjierience for our New Hampshire 
soldiery. Representing one of the thirteen original .states, they felt the inspiration of the hour, and 
well filled the position to which they had been a.ssigned. After the ceremony of laying the corner- 
stone of the monument, the closing event of the celebration was a grand review of the military by 
the president and cabinet and the foreign embassy representative of the Lafayettes, the Rochambeaus 
and the von Steubens. That Nashua and the state had reason to be proud of their military is 
attested by the universal prai.sS given by officers high in rank and by the press generally. Upon the 
review, after passing the reviewing stand. General Hancock despatched a mounted aid to inquire 
what troops these were; returning with the information to the reviewing stand the aid was again sent 
to the h<.;ad of the column of the New Hamp.shire contingent, and, saluting the commander, said, 
"General Hancock's compliments, and he reque.sts your presence at the banquet this afternoon on 



540 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

board the flag ship \"andalia to be given to the foreign embassy." Colonel Copp replied, " Say to 
General Hancock 1 thank him for this compliment to the military of New Hampshire." 

The following is taken from the official organ of the army and navy, the "Army and Navy 
Journal : " 

"The Granite State, first on the list of the thirteen originals, contributed a battalion of three 
companies, twenty full files, equipped in a handsome blue uniform, under Lieut. -Col. E. J. Copp of 
the Second regiment, state troops. These companies were selected as the very best in the state, and 
well they fulfilled their mission. They passed in solid front receiving round after round of applause. 
It is said tliat good goods are made up in small parcels, and here was an exemplification of the old 
adage, for the New Hampshire battalion though small received a place second to none in the 
passage." 

The command embarked on the steamer Francis, Thursday afternoon, for home. A head wind 
anil a rolling sea made the return voyage a repetition of the outward passage; sea-sickness was 
general and no little alarm prevailed among the more timid of those on board. Many of the party 
adjusted life preservers and prepared themselves for the worst, fully believing that the ship and all 
on board would go to the bottom of the sea. Providence was reached in safety about noon on 
Saturday and soon all were en route by rail for home. 

The citizens of Nashua, from the organization of the company to the end, took pride in giving to 
the City Guards their united support. Its honorary membership included more than one hundred of 
the leading citizens of the city. The social features were no small part of the strength of the com- 
pany, as indeed it must be in all volunteer military organizations in time of peace. The "annual 
concert and ball" of the Nashua City Guards became the social event of the city, patronized by the 
fashion and wealth of Nashua. The companj' was disbanded at the end of its five years' service. 

An attempt was made to continue the organization as an independent military company for 
social purposes. The social features, however, crystalized into a club known as the City Guards 
Veteran association, the military part soon dropping out and disappearing. 

Company I, Foster Rifles, Second regiment, was organized in the spring of 1879. The companj- 
was named in honor of Gen. John G. Fo.ster, Nashua's most illustrious soldier. James A. Cobb was 
commissioned captain, Edward H. Parmenter, first lieutenant, and Judson A. Sawyer, second lieu- 
tenant, April 3, 1879. From the first inception and organization of the company, these three officers 
exhibited an enthusiasm and devotion to their duties rarely excelled. They were all veteran soldiers 
of the war of 1861. Experience has demonstrated that the ideal militia officer is one who has seen 
actual service and retains his military enthusiasm in the ranks of the militia. With these conditions 
in this organization there could be no other result than a most excellent military company. It has 
retained its organization to the present day ; and through all the years it has maintained the high 
standing it first attained. Each annual inspection by the inspector-general finds the company in the 
same excellent condition, although there have been many changes among the officers and in the ranks 
the same military enthusiasm and company pride continues to exist. An inspection by the inspector- 
general of to-day is quite a different thing from that of the old inspections of the militia days. It 
means something more than a superficial examination of the company. It now means a rigid, critical 
examination of every detail in the soldier, the uniform, arms and equipment, as well as the drill and 
discipline of the company. Fir.st, the general appearance of officers and men in line, the position of 
the soldier in detail, from the angle of each foot to the elevation of the chin, poise of the head and 
direction of the eyes, the exact position of the arms and hands and fingers in clasping their sword or 
rifle, and on to the manual of arms and evolution of the company. It is not too much to say of this 
company that it is not excelled by any other organization in the state. Company I has also carried 
off the honors in rifle practice and sharpshooting for several successive years ; Lieutenant Degnan 
taking the prize gold medal at every competitive rifle practice for the past ten years, and holding the 
regimental and state badges. The company holds all trophies offered by the state for marksmanship 
and sharpshooting. 

The armory of this company was for .several years in the Perham building, corner of Canal and 
Orange streets, occupying the third floor. In 1890 the company moved into the new and 
elegant quarters in the armory on Canal street. Lieutenant Parmenter was promoted to captain, 
Sept. I, 1884. Lieutenant Sawyer resigning, E.H. Saunders was commissioned first lieutenant and C. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 54, 

E. Lawrence, second lieutenant, June 6, 1885. Willis H. Goodspeed was comniissioiied captain. 
William R. Seaman, first lieutenant, and F. H. Thompson, second lieutenant. May 25, iSyo. Feb. 
5, 1895, Captain Goodspeed was promoted to major and Lieutenant Thompson commissioned captain. 
The company has an honorary membership of about one hundred of Nashua's business men who 
take pleasure in giving to the company their support. The annual ball in February and clambake in 
September, attended largely by its honorary membership, have been a social su.r.s^ tln..ngh all the 
years of its organization. 

Company C. vSecond regiment, N. II. X. G., was organized April 23, 18S7. Capt. James A. Cobb 
was first elected captain, C. T. Lund, first lieutenant, and E. C. Emerson, second lieutenant. Cap- 
tain Cobb and Lieutenant I.und resigning May 25 of the same year, E. H. Saunders was commis- 
sioned captain and H. S. Stevens first lieutenant and W. H. Livingston second lieutenant. The 
other officers of this company succeeding were W. I. L. Elliott, captain, who was succeeded Nov. 24, 
1S96, by Ernest S. Woods, who is in command of the company at the present time, Charles A. Poff, 
first lieutenant. Thomas J. Dane, second lieutenant. This company al.so became quite efficient in 
rifle practice, H. V. Gains winning a prize medal, and among the best shots were Captain F^lliott, E. 
J. Stanton, H. F. Long, George H. Conant and J. (). Laton. 

Company K, Second regiment, known as the Tolles Light Infantry, the last company organized 
in Nashua to the present time, also occupies the armory on Canal street. W. I. Blanchard, a wide- 
awake and popular young physician, was nominated and commissioned its first captain. He was pro- 
moted to major of the Second regiment May 16, 1893, being succeeded by C. E. Faxon in command 
of the company. Samuel S. Spaulding was commissioned first lieutenant and Arthur Iv. Bowers 
second lieutenant. Each having resigned they have been succeeded by Arthur G. Shattuck and Charles 
H. Barker. Captain Faxon's first military service was as sergeant-major of the Second regiment. His 
efficiency soon won for him promotion to the position of adjutant of the regiment, serving in this 
capacity till June 5, 1889, the term of his commission expiring at that time. Gen. J. N. Patterson 
succeeding to the command of the regiment selected Adjutant Faxon as assistant inspector-general 
with the rank of major. 

Upon Colonel Copp's promotion to the command of the .Second regiment, the headquarters of the 
regiment were establi.shed at Nashua. The following Xasliuans were appointed upon the staff of the 
colonel commanding: 

Adjutant, Jason E. Tolles; (luarlerniaster, George 1'. Kimball; surgeon, Dr. Charles C. F^llis ; 
chaplain, Rev. George W. Grover ; paymaster, Charles A. Roby. 

Upon subsequent promotion of Adjutant Tolles, William li. Spalding was connnissioned adjutant. 
After holding the position for about one year and upon leaving for Europe, Adjutant Spalding 
resigned his commission. In 1887 he was appointed upon the staff of Governor Sawyer with the 
rank of colonel. Colonel Spalding at the present time is cashier of the First National bank. 

Quarterma.ster Kimball proved to be a very efficient officer, in an important and difficult position. 
Chaplain Grover was a mo.st popular spiritual adviser, and an enthusiastic officer. He served through 
his full term of five years. At the time of his appointment and for .some years after, he was pa.storof 
the Pilgrim church. A brilliant man. a scholar and a i)ul])it orator of a high order. 

Paymaster Roby is a .son of Luther A. Roby, and is one of Nashua's bright young business men. 

In 1880 an encampment of the Second regiment was held at Peterboro. This was the last of 
the regimental camps. 

In 18S1 a brigade camp ground was established at Concord, upon the fair grounds upon the east 
side of the Merrimack river. These grounds were subse(iuenlly purchased by the state, enlarged and 
improved, and at the present time are equalled by few states in the country. Here the annual 
encampment of the entire state troops is holden. The several Nashua military coinpanies go into 
camp annually. Tt is the event of the whole year. It is here that the year's experience and instruc- 
tion is exemplified. 

The discipline of the encampments of to-day is vastly improved over that of the old militia days, 
yet it is the writer's observation that too much license is permitted and in too many instances military 
disciplin*^' is made subordinate to good-fellowship and social pleasure. I'pon military di.scipline 
depends the life and usefulness of the military organization. 



5^2 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

While it is not the proNince of the historian to assume the role of critic, he remarks in passing 
that the jealous eye of the public should be, and is, upon the morale of the military establishment, as 
a disciplined military body under efficient officers at all times and conditions for efficient service — 
and this condition is only possible through discipline — the National Guard is of the first importance ; 
but without discipline, and as an ornamental appendage for social enjoyment, it becomes too expen- 
sive a luxury to be supported by a tax burdened people. 

The hi.story of the military of Nashua without a record of the building of the Nashua armory as 
a home for the military would be incomplete. Its need had long been apparent. The annual appro- 
priations by the legislature is insufficient to meet the wants of the military of the state and it is to the 
several cities and towns that the people must look for co-operation. The direct benefit to the city or 
town in which the military is located gives to such organizations a claim for support fi'om the city or 
town and it has become a recognized principle with the state that the city or town that would or could 
not furnish suitable armory accommodations has no claim upon the state for maintaining there a mili- 
tary organization. The Nashua companies had for years been without suitable armories and it had 
been upon the hope of having better quarters that the organizations had been kept alive. The time 
had now come when definite action must be taken or the military of Nashua would be a thing of the 
past. With what success the matter was carried forward the writer will leave for others to put upon 
record. 

The following relative to the building of the armory is from the Nashua Daily Telegraph : 

" Before the first day of January, iScjr, will be dedicated in this cit>' the finest armory erected by 
a private corporation in the United vStates. A credit alike to its promoters, to the city, the state and 
the national guard of New Hampshire. 

"This week the carpenters will finish their labors, then the painters will have the run of the 
building for a couple of weeks, and then, the grand dedication and military ball will take place on a 
date in the latter part of this month yet to be determined upon. 

" Two years ago the idea first suggested itself to Col. E. J. Cnpp, the commanding officer of the 
Second regiment, N. H. N. G., that the Nashua militia should have a home for themselves that 
should l)e a credit to themselves and the city. The companies were then as now insufficiently quar- 
tered. A meeting was called in the court room by Colonel Copp early in the .spring of 1889. It had 
been preceded by several letters in this paper written by this same gentleman urging the necessity of 
an armor\- in this city. Several meetings were held they finally resulting in June, 1889, of the 
Nashua Arniorv association being formed with Col. K. j. Copp as president: the directors, J. A. 
vSpalding, C. II. Burke, J. H. Dunlap and C. A. Rob\-, the latter being also clerk and treasurer. 

"There was considerable delay in the selecting of a site for the proposed armory, and several 
plans were submitted to the association before the present excellent site on Canal street, and the plans 
now being carried out, were decided upon. From one cause or another beyond the control of the 
committee in charge, work has been delayed and the dedication, which was confidently expected to 
occur early in the fall, has not yet been fully decided upon. 

" From the first the brunt of the w<n-k, the planning, the raising of the stock, antl the details of 
pushing the scheme to the glorious success it is sure to be within a month, fell to Col. E. J. Copp. It 
is even hardly giving him the credit due him to state that but for him the armory would not have been 
built. It will be a lasting monument to his worth and energy as a citizen. 

" The plans for the dedication, which have not yet been full>' matured, include dedication exer- 
cises and a grand military ball. The exercises will take place in the afternoon and the ball in the 
evening. Among those who will be invited are Gov. D. H. Goodell and staft, the entire militia of the 
state, prominent military men of this and adjoining states and many other prominent men. It has 
not yet been decided upon who will make all the addresses but previous to the exercises, it is proba- 
ble that the finest military parade seen here since the dedication of the soldiers' monument will be 
made through the principal streets. In the evening the military ball in the drill shed is expected to 
eclipse anything of the kind ever witnessed in this city. The ball will be an invitation affair. After 
the dedication the companies will at once take charge of their headquarters. 

" The building itself is in the style of the old feudal castles, less familiarly known in this country 
than across the water. Its excellent site on the top of a slight slope, with ample ground., in front, 
add much to the charm the outside has to passers-by. The building, the only one in the city of its 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 3^3 

peculiar style, rises three stories in the front, with irregular roof, above a basement half above the 
ground. The head house is built of cobble stone and brick with single and triple arched stone sur- 
rounded windows. The wide, arched main entrance is in the center, the walk leading directly from 
the street to it. It will be the finest entrance in any building in Nashua. Directly to the east ri.ses 
the octagon tower of brick, fifty feet high in three stories. The tower will be surmounted by a forty 
foot flag staff, from which ' Old Glory ' will float much of the time. There are entrances on the east 
and west sides of the drill sheds, and from Grove street into the basement of the head house. The 
outside dimensions of the head hou.se are seventy feet long by thirty feet deep, and those of the drill 
shed are fifty by ninety feet. The appearance of the out.side is novel, unique and in perfect harmony 
with the purjiose for which the building is to be devoted. 

■' lUit it is not until one passes inside the armory that the full effect of the beautiful and conveni- 
ent headquarters that will hereafter be the home of Nashua's military can be realized. The outside 
promises much and the inside more than fulfills the expectations. 

" Passing through the ample-sized double cypress doors, panelled with the only bull's eye glass 
probably in use in the state, one steps into an ample hallway which will be handsomely tinted and 
lighted by an elegant chandelier. At the immediate left is the conveniently arranged ticket office. 
To the west of this is the general headquarters which will also be used as ladies' room. It is an 
ample-sized room with a single and triple arch windows that give a fine view southward. At the 
west end of the heachiuarters is a handsome oak mantel abo\e tiles of sea green. The entrance is a 
double doorway with heavy cypress doors. A small door to the left of the main doorway leads to the 
ladies' dressing room. At the extreme west end of the head house is the serving room, with a dumb 
waiter running from the kitchen in the basement. Xe.xt east by the stairway is the cloak room. At 
the right of the main entrance a doorway leads into the tower, which is taken up with winding stairs 
that lead from the basement to the band room in Ihe third story. By these stairs the rooms on the 
second and third floor and basement can be reached without entering the main floor bexond the 
entrance. Just to the north of the tower room is the reception and reading room with a double door 
leading into the hallway. Opposite the door is a large fireplace with handsome tiles and surmounted 
with a hea\'y oak mantel. The room will l)e richly furnished. 

"A double doorway opposite the main entrance opens into the drill shed, the finest one in the 
state. In its ninety feet of length and fitt\- of width iIkic is not a single pillar to obstruct the move- 
ments of the soldiers or dancers. On the south side is an am])le balcony for the nuisicians and on the 
west a stage sixteen by thirty feet. To the tip of the roof it is forty feet, and it is sujiported by five 
arched bases, over the floor and two half ones at each end. The floor is birch, and probably the 
finest in the city. The walls will be tinted and painted in liarmonious colors, and it will be the finest 
dance and drill hall in the city. Kach of the local cominuiies will drill there one night in each week, 
to be hereafter selected. 

" An easy winding flight of stairs, with heavy banisters, leads to the second floor where are the 
companies' suites of rooms. There are three suites, each of two rooms, with double tloors l)etween, 
and ample arched windows, giving a fine view of the surrounding country. The smaller of the two 
rooms in each suite is for the officers, and the larger for the privates. When the double doors are 
thrown back it practically makes one large room of the two. On the gla.ss panels of the main door 
of each suite will be painted the company's name that occupies it. The center suite, looking directly 
over Canal street, has already been selected by the Foster Rifles as its heachiuarters. and will be fitted 
up in the mo.st expensive and luxurious style seen in any jniblic rooms in this city. Company C has 
not as yet selected its headquarters. At the west end of the stairs is the gentlemen's dressing room. 
At the right of head of the stairs is the entrance to the tower leading to the ample-sized sightly band 
room on the third floor. That will be occupied by the Second regiment band. At the west side of 
the room a short .stairway leads to the roof, practically an exterior roof balcony. There in o])en air 
the band will rehearse on summer evenings. 

"The ba.sement is an enormous one and all of it will be utilized. .\t the foot of the tower stairs 
is the Gatling gun room with a wide opening on Grove street. Next north is the armorer's room in 
which will be fitted up a work bench for the repairs of guns, etc., and which also contains an ammu- 
nition va">'iwith an iron door. Then the pool room, for the exclusive use of members, will have a 
fine table. Behind this are two large company store rooms. Directly under the entrance is the 



544 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



boiler room, fitted up with a thirty liorse power boiler. Beyond is a generous sized lavatory with 
marble wash bowls, etc. The kitchen is at the extreme southwest corner and will be generously fitted 
up with stoves, sink, closets, dumb waiter and all conveniences. 

"The rifle range in the center of the basement, shooting to a solid rock wall at the west end, is 
seventy feet long and eight wide. A bowling alley will also be built in the same place later. These, 
like the pool room, will be for the exclusive use of the companies and stockholders. The larger part 
of the rear of the basement will be occupied by storage room which will be to rent, the entrance being 
on trrove street. 

"The building is a model of its kind, sulistantiall\- and elegantl\- built. Tiie timbers are all of 
the best of southern pine. The armory will be lighted by gas and electricity and heated by steam. 
The stone masonry was done b>- Thomas Kelly ; brick work, E. G. Spalding; pi]nng and plumbing, 
F. O. Ray; carpenter work, H. A. Holt. All have done excellent work. 

"The armory will be for the exclusive use of the members of the two local companies, band, and 
stockholders of the association They will be allowed the liberties of the public rooms, including 
the reading rooms, at all times, subject to the rules of the association. The hall will also be let for 
dances, etc., as the association deems proper. 

"Nashua has reason to feel proud of the architectural beauty of the armors'; of the future home 
of its military companies that is not equaled in the state and of the public spirit of the chief promoters 
of the association which made the armorv a fact." 




IIIK AU.MORY. 



Ms- 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



545 



FRbtMAN SNOW ROGKRS. 
1 1(111 I'lLciiian S. Rogers was bom at Dana, Mass., May 
7, iSov ilifil at Nasluia, I"fl). 7, 1S80. lie was a son of 




FKEKMAN SNOW UOOEKS. 

lilkaniiali and Tainziu (Snow) Rogers and descendant of 
early settlers of the Massachusetts colony. 

Mr. Rogers attended the schools of his native town and 
after that acquired a liberal business and general educa- 
tion by private study and observation. The active years 
of his life were spent in the manufacture of palni-lcaf 
hats. He was located at different periods of his early 
career at Dana, Ilardwick and Petersham, Mass. In 1846 
he located on Merrimack street in this city, in a liuildiiig 
on the site of the churn factory, where he pursued the 
business with marked success. lie was a man of the peo- 
ple. His sterling character, unquestioned integrity, 
unbiased judgment and executive ability gave him the 
confidence of the public, and with the added fact that he 
had served in the Massachusetts general court while a 
resident of that state, resulted in a demand for his ser- 
vices in the first and second common councils. In 1855. 
and again in 1S56, he was elected mayor, and both his 
administrations were marked with careful and prudent 
management of municipal affairs and the accomplishment 
of several permanent improvements. He was a member 
of the I'niversalist church and for many years a deacon 
in the Nashua society. 

Mr. Rogers was twice married : I'irst with V.\\/.:\ Clark, 
daughter of Hardin and Triphena Clark of Petersham, 
Mass., by which marriage five children were born : Hardin 
Clark, boru April 13, 1828, married Kllen Hastings of 
Petersham, Mass.. died at Hyde Park, Mass., Sept. 7, 
1880; Klizabeth, born Jan. 4. 1830, married Albert U. 
Taylor of Nashua; Henry, born Sept. 14, "831, tlied at sea 
Aug. II, 1856; Clementine, born Nov. 27, 1832, died March 
23, 1833; Sylvester, born Jan. 3, 1837, married Susan Tay- 
lor of Nashua, killed at the second battle of Hull Run 
Aug. 29, 1862. Mrs. Rogers died in 1844. Mr. Rogers- 
second marriage, Sept. 16, 1845, was with I.ydiaS. Haskell, 
daughter of Charles II. and Damaris (I'lagg) Haskell of 



Sliulesbury, Mass., who died at Nashua Aug. 19. 1885. 
Two children were born of tliis marriage; Charles l-'rce- 
nian, born in Nashua, May 13, 1848, married Mrs. Joseph- 
ine Camfil of Nashua, .\ug. 21, 1885: Caroline I'rances, 
born at Nashua, .\ug. 9, 1851, married John K. Hall of 
Nashua. .Sept. 19. 1872. 

THOMAS WOCbSTbK GILLIS. 

Hon. Thomas W. Cillis was born in Decring in 1806. 
died at Milford in 18S6. He was a son of John and Han- 
nah (Aiken) Gillis. Mr. C.illis was of Scotch-Irish 
descent both paternally and maternally, the names of his 
immigrant ancestors being among the first in the London- 
derry seltlenient as may be verified in the history of that 
place. 

Mr. Gillis was educated in the schools of the district 
where he was born and was a good specimen of the self- 
made men of his generation. He came to Nashua in 1828 
and by dint of courage and capacity rose from a picker- 
boy to the agency of the mills of the Nashua Manufactur- 
ing company, which position he held from 1835 to 1S53. 
During this term he acted for two years as agent of the 
.Souhegan mills at Milfonl and was a director and pari 
owner in iron works at Paterson, N. J., and Knoxville, 
Tcnn. In the last year mentioned he was chosen presi- 
dent of the Nashua Gaslight company and became agent 
of the Vale mills. In 1859 he went to Wheeling, \V. Va., 
where he built cotton mills which he operatcil about two 
years. He then built mills at Circleville, Ohio, which he 
operated till 1873, when, in the financial crisis of that 



ts 



i 







iihi\i\> wiiciMi-.ii r.ii.i.is. 

vear, fortune deserted him and he returned to New 
Hampshire and spent the rest of his life at Milford. 

Mr. Gillis was one of Nashua's first citizens. H<- " •- -^ 



546 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



man of strict religious principles, generous and progres- 
sive. Among the benefits which he conferred upon the 
people of his time was the Pearl street Congregational 
church, in which he was the moving spirit, and to the 
erection of the edifice in which it worshiped (now known 
as the Uuiversalist church) he contributed more than 
|3,ooo. He also was closely identified with the fire depart- 
ment and one of the old hand engines bore the name of 
"T. W. Gillis." In 1857 ''^ ^'^'^ elected niaj^or. His 
administration of municipal affairs was marked with the 
same care and intelligence he bestowed upon his business 
and private affairs, and is now recalled by old citizens as 
one of the best of the first decade of the city history 

Mr. Gillis was united in marriage in 1830 with Rhoda 
Fuller, daughter of Dr. Robert Fuller of Milford, who 
died in 1831. His second marriage, 1835, was with Eliza- 
beth C. French, daughter of .Stephen French of Bedford. 
One son was born by his first marriage : John Fuller, born 
Aug. 3, 1S31, died October, 1861 ; by his second marriage, 
Rhoda F;., born May 24, 1838, married John \V. Hutchin- 
son in 1874; Mary Moore, born April 7, 1842, married I,- 
F. Warner in 1870; Sarah ICittredge, born June 2, 1847, 
married Carl E. Knight of Milford in 1873. 

ALBIN BEARD. 

Hon. Albin Beard was born in Nelson, Feb. 28, 1808, twin 
brother of Alfred Beard, died in Nashua, .Sept. 16, 1862. 




.M.BIN niiAiiD. 

He was a son of Asa and Lucy (Goodnow) Beard and a 
grandson of David Beard, a prominent man in the affairs 
of Cheshire county. 

Mr. Beard obtained his education in the common schools 
of Nelson, and from his father, who was at one lime 
a school teacher, and learned the printers' trade in the 
offices of George Hough in Concord and the Sentinel at 
Keene. He was employed for a few years as a journey- 
man on the Columbian Sentinel of Boston, and devoted 
his spare time to writing articles for the newspapers pub- 
lished by his twin brother. In 1836 he came to Nashua 
and associated himself with his brother Alfred in the 
editing and publishing of the New Hampshire Telegrapli. 



Following the death of his brother in 1839, he became 
sole editor and proprietor of the Telegraph and so con- 
tinueil until his death. He was a clear and forcible 
writer with a keen appreciation of the humorous, and 
made for the Telegraph a reputation second to none in 
the state. (See history of the Telegraph.) 

During Mr. Beard's active career he was one of the first 
citizens of Nashua and Nashville in all things pertaining 
to the public weal. In his early manhood he was enthusi- 
astic in military matters. He was a member of the 
Lafayette Light Infantry and afterwards captain of the 
Columbian Grays. In 1840 and 1841 he represented the 
town of Nashua in the legislature and in 1846 and 1847 he 
was a member of the same body from Nashville. In 1848, 
1849 and 1850 he was a member of the board of superin- 
tending school committee of Nashville, and in all these 
years he was one of the strong men who promoted the 
interests of the Whig party. Mr. Beard labored unceas- 
ingly to dispel the ill feeling between the two towns, 
and when a city charter was obtained Ward One elected 
him to represent the people in the first board of alder- 
men. He was re-elected in 1854, and in 1858 and again in 
1859 he was called to the mayoralty. As chief magistrate 
of the city he harmonized many conflicting interests and 
instituted and completed improvements that left him on 
the top wave of popularity at the close of his administra- 
tion. When the Republican party, the principles of 
which he advocated from its inception, came into power 
in 1861, Abraham Lincoln commissioned him postmaster 
of Nashua, which office he held at the time of his death. 
Mr. Beard was an upright and progressive citizen, gener- 
ous in all his dealings, and a worker in season and out of 
season in his business and in efforts to advance the inter- 
ests of Nashua. He was a prominent member of the 
l^nitarian society, which he served several years as clerk, 
and had quite a reputation as a vocalist and for nearly a 
quarter of a centur)' conducted the music of the church. 

Mr. Beard was united in marriage May i , 1832, with 
Julia .A.. Crooker, daughter of Maj. Turner and Mary 
( Young) Crooker. Mr. Crooker was a son of Japhet and 
Lydia (Turner) Crooker. Mrs. Crooker was a daughter 
of Dr. John and Rebecca Young. Four children were 
born of their marriage: Alfred, born in Boston, I'eb, 23, 
1833, died at the same place April 18, 1833; Julia Amanda, 
born in Boston, April 20, 1836, married June 22, 1861, 
Gen. Wheelock Graves Veazey (late commander-in-chief 
of the Grand Army, and judge of the supreme court of 
Vermont and afterwards a member of the interstate com- 
merce commission); Lucy Josette, born in Nashua, Jan. 
17. 1841, married Oct. 19, 1864, Arthur Bingham of Nashua; 
.\lfred, born in Nashua, Dec. 24, 1842, married, Aug. 13, 
1S63, Lvicy E. Howard of Nashua, died in Lowell, May 
6, 1894. 

HIRAM TENNEY MORRILL. 

Hon. Hiram T. Morrill was born at Weare, May 22, 
1S15, died at Nashua, July 7, 1885. He obtained a common 
school education and beyond that was a self-taught and 
self-made man. His early life was spent upon a farm at 
Weathersfield, Vt. When he attained his majority he 
invested his savings in a farm which he soon after sold 
advantageously. With his increased capital he purchased 
the stage route between Alstead and Charlestown, and by 
careful management, soon after added to it other lines 



HISTORY Of A'AS//f;,i, jV. //. 



and fiiiallv controlled lUt- Forest line, from Nashua to 
Charlestovvn. In about 1850 the advent of railroads 
called a halt in staging and made it evident to him that 
a change in his entcr])rise was necessary. Accordingly 
he sold out ])art of his interest and founded an exi)ress 
business between Wilton and Hoston, under the (irni 
name of Morrill & Co. This firm and business, with the 
exception of a few years' interim, continued till Jan. i, 
1882, when it was sold out to the .\mcrican Express 
conipanj-. 

During his active career of more than forty years in 
Nashua, he was honored with many and laborious posi- 
tions of trust, and he filled all of them with entire credit 
to himself. He was an active member of the old state 
militia, and held many commissions. He was the war 
mayor of Nashua in i,S62 and i,S6;„ and the amount of 



^ 




IIIU.XM ri.NM-.\ MOKlill.l.. 

work which he did in those troublesome times, his wise 
precautions to preserve the peace and uphold the general 
government, his gratuitous service in hours of danger 
and sorrow, journeys at his own expense to the battle- 
field, caring for Nashua's wounded, burying her dead and 
providing for widows and orphans, are worthy to be 
recorded among the sacrifices and the brave deeds of the 
heroes, who, having perfect faith in the justice of their 
cause and a determination to do a man's whole duty in 
bringing about the final triumph of the federal arms, 
stood by the ship of state and Abraham Lincoln in every 
emergency that arose. That a self-made man, from 
humble beginnings, should be able to do this should be 
the very pride of our institutions. 

Colonel Morrill was elected commissioner of Hills- 
borough county three times and served seven years. He 
was a member of the legislature in 1858, 1859 and 1883, 



:i>id, at the time of his death, was senator from the 
seventeenth or Nashua district. He was president of the 
New Hampshire Hanking company, and an active citizen 
who was ever ready to do his part in any enterprise to 
advance the interests of the city, and he gave to the poor 
and every good cause that appeale.l to him with a lavisli 
hand. In tlie social affairs of life he was the most genial 
and sunny temperament, always at ease and always 
entertaining. He was a member of Rising Sun lo-lge, A. 
!•. and A. M., Meridian Sun Royal Arch cha].ter, St. 
George coninian<lcry, K. T., and the Scottish Kite con- 
sistory 32d degree. 

Col. Morrill was united in marriage Jan. 15, 1842, with 
Anne M. Mason of Boston. Mrs. Morrill, who was a 
descendant of Gen. Henry Woods, a pioneer of Grotoii, 
Mass., a woman who was active and self-sacrificing in the 
days of her country's trial and honored for noble deeds 
as wife, mother and neighbor, died at the family home in 
Nashua, June 3, 1875. I'onr children were born of their 
marriage: Ellen M., born Jan. 14, 1843, married James B. 
Fassett, Sept 9, 1S67; William Mason, born Dec. 13. 1845, 
married Alice D. Scott of Springfiel.l, Mass.. Aug. 13. 
18S3; Fred Hiram, born March 23, i860, died May 29, 
1S92, clerk of police court for several years and at the 
time of his death; lidward Tenney, born Aug. 21, 1861, 
married I.avinia J. Harrington Sept. 9, 1890. 

HDWAKlJ SP.Xl.UING, M. D. 

Hon. IMwanl Siialiling, M. D., was born at Amherst, 
Se])t. 15, 1813, died sudilenly. June 22, 1895, near I'arnia- 
cheene lake, in Maine, while on a fishing trip in that 
region. Dr. Spalding was the fourth child and first son 
of the children of Dr. Matthias and Rebecca (Alherton) 
Spalding. On the paternal side he was of the fifth gener- 
ation in direct descent from Edward Spalding, who came 
to New F.ngland about 1632 and settled at Hraintree, 
Mass., removing a few years later to Chelmsford, Ma.ss., 
of which place he was one of the earliest proprietors. In 
the fourth generation his descent was from Col. Simeon 
Spalding, son of lv<lward, who married for his second wife, 
Mrs. Abigail Wilson, whose maiden name was Johnson, 
the fourth generation in descent from Eilward Johnson of 
Woburn, Mass., who came from Kent county, ICng. Dr. 
Matthias Spaliling, one of the youngest of her children, 
was born at Chelmsford, Mass., June 25, 1769, an<l was 
graduated at Harvard college 1798. He then went abroad 
to jjerfect his education, and attended nie<lical lectures in 
London. Soon after his return home he settled in Am- 
herst and in 1806 was united in marriage with Rebecca 
Wentworth, daughter of Joshua Atherton, sister of Charles 
II. Atherton, the father of Charles G. Atherton. He 
was a physician and surgeon of superior education, whose 
services were widely sought, and who distinguisheil him- 
self for successful treatment of diseases. Moreover he was 
a citizen who wielded a wide and beneficent influence 
and who contributed a good man's full (juota in moulding 
the character of his generation, so that .\niherst has been 
noted in all the decades since then as a place of culture 
and refinement. His wife is remembered as a lady of 
refined nature and elegant manners. 

The subject of this sketch went to Chelmsford when 
eleven years of age to be under the instruction of Rev. 
.■\biel .•Vbbott. When thirteen years of age. he became a 
student at I'inkerton academy at Derry, .\bel F. Hildreth. 



548 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



a celebrated schoolmaster in those days, being principal. 
From the academy he went to Dartmouth college from 
which he was graduated in 1833. Among his classmates 
were young men who later in life became distinguished in 
the professions: J. F. Joy, LL. D., Rev. F. A. 
Adams, Ph. D., Prof. Joseph C. Bodwell, D. D., John Lord, 
LL. D., Prof. David Crosby and Samuel L. -Sawyer, M. C. 
from Missouri. Following his graduation he went to Lex- 
ington, Ky., hoping to find employment as a teacher. 
The field was not favorable to his aniliition and conse- 
quently he re- 
turned east in 1834 
and commenced 
the study of med- 
icine and surgery 
in the office of his 
father. li e a t- 
tended three 
courses of lectures 
at Harvard medi- 
cal school in Bos- 
ton and received 
his degree of M. 
D. in 1837. Dr. 
Spalding then 
spent a few niniillis 
riding with his 
father and observ- 
ing his treatment 
of the sick. Mean- 
time he was cast- 
ing about for a 
place to locate and 
had two or three in 
view when the 
small-pox broke 
o VI t in Nashua 
and he was invited 
by the authorities 
to take charge of 
the patients. The 
epidemic lasted 
a 1) o u t eight 
months, at the end 
of which time, hav- 
ing made several 
pleasing acquaint- 
ances, and, being 
urged to remain, 
he opened au office 
and cast his lot 
with the people of 
Nashua. Follow- 
ing a few years of 

practice by himself he accepted an invitation from Dr. 
Micah Eldridge, and became a partner with him in prac- 
tice. After this partnership was dissolved, he gained for 
himself an extensive and valuable practice. He was a 
member of the Hillsborough and New Hampshire Medical 
societies and enjoyed the coufideuce of a large circle of 
families, and his success as a physician had given him an 
enviable reputation. In the meantime he had been called 
to assume respousibilities of a fiduciary nature, involving 
such time, care and labor as to seriously interfere with 
his professional engagements. The transition to these 



EDWAKI) Sl'ALDlNC;, 



new employments was the natural sequence of the excel- 
lent judgment and rare capacity for business which he 
manifested. The accuracy and promptitude with which his 
accounts were rendered to the probate, and the just con- 
sideration for the feelings and interest of all persons con- 
cerned in the settlement of the estates comniitte<l to his 
trust, brought such a pressure of occupation that he was 
compelled to relinquish his profession. 

He had now been in practice twenty-five years, and satis- 
factory as his services as a physician had been to the com- 
munity, he was yet 
to perform an im- 
portant and valu- 
able service by his 
judicious manage- 
ment of important 
trusts and his earn- 
est co-operation in 
the direction and 
enlargement of 
new enterprises. 
In addition to his 
engage ments in 
the settlement of 
large estates, he 
became interested 
in banking, manu- 
facturing and rail- 
roads, holding 
various offices of 
hdior and respon- 
sibility in these 
insti tu t i o n s and 
corporations. He 
was for several 
years treasurer of 
tlie Nashua Sav- 
ings bank and sub- 
se(|uently its presi- 
dent. He was one 
of the original 
projectors of the 
I'ennichuck water 
works, of which 
company he was 
president at the 
time of his death ; 
a director and 
president in both 
uf the large cotton 
man ufac turi ng 
companies which 
have contributed 
so much to the 
prosperity of the city; he had also filled similar duties in 
other corporations elsewhere. 

In municipal and town offices he performed important 
duties, taking a lively interest in the progress of popular 
edvicatiou. He was elected a member of the school com- 
mittee in 1839 and served on that committee and on the 
board of education, of which he was president a numlier 
of terms, for a period of twenty years. He was also 
actively engaged in building up the city library, of which 
he was a trustee from the beginning of the enterprise. 
Never seeking political preferment and personally disin- 




oliiieil to the strife for i)olitical aistiiu'lion he, ticverlhc- 
less, served as city pliysiciaii and overseer of the poor in 
1853, in the common connoil in 1854, in the hoard of alder- 
men in 1.S57, and in 1S6.1 was elected mayor, attending the 
Re^nbliean national convention at Haltimore in the same 
year. He was a member of the state convention for the 
revision of the constitution in 1876, and councilor for two 
years iluring the administration of Gov. Benjamin I'". 
I'rescott. 1878 anil 1879. In 1866 he was elected a trustee 
of Dartmouth college an<l continued in that od'ice twenty- 
five years, during which time he contributed to the sub- 
stantial pros])erity of the institution by frequent unob- 
trusive gifts, and- the steady service of a loyal graduate. 
In 1882 the college conferred the degree of M<. I), upon 
him. He also represented the college as a trustee of the 
College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts during several 
years of its existence as a department.of instruction, and 
was a trustee of the New Hampshire asylum for the 
insane from 1SS3 until his death. 

Although his life was a busy one he found time for 
recreation, often seeking the woods and waters of north- 
ern New Hampshire, and the forests and lakes of Maine, 
finding in tluni the pleasures that an angler experiences, 
and also the eleinent.s of good health. His piscatorial 
diversions caused him to be identified with a good many 
men like-minded as himself, and as a conse(|uence he 
served a number of years as chairman of the state board 
of fish commissioners, a board that w'as created to ]no- 
mote the fish and game resources of the state and which 
accomplishe<l a noteworthy work. 

Dr. Spalding was a mendier of the First Congregational 
I'hurrh and few men in New Hampshire have served the 
cause that represents man's ha]>|)iness here and hereafter 
with more zeal and liberality. Ilis contribution in 1870 
to rebuild the First church, the original edifice having 
been destroyed by fire, was |io,rK)0, while his gift to the 
liuildiug fund for the magnificent edifice erected on 
Lowell street in 1893 and 1S9.1 was the second largest of 
the contributions. Dr. Spalding was a willing servant in 
alt the departments of church activities. He was presi- 
dent of the New Hampshire Bible society from i860 until 
his death, a Sunday school teacher, a promoter of mis- 
sions, chairman of conventions and zealous in promoting 
all good works calculated to advance the standard of right 
living and bless the homes of the people. Morethan this 
no man in Nashua of his generation <lid more to advance 
the cause of education or showed a kinder spirit or more 
generous hand in fostering and encouraging secular enter- 
prises for the public weal, and in encouraging individuals 
by example, by advice and by pecuniary aid to make the 
most of their opportunities, and thereb)' make this 
Nashua of ours the prosjierons and enlightened city we 
behold to-day. 

Dr. Siialding was united in marriage June 23, iS,)2, with 
Dora Barrett, second daughter of Joseph and Mary 
(Applelon) Barrett of New Ipswich, a family honorably 
identified with the history of the town so widely known 
by the character and achievements of its sons. Mrs. 
Spalding, who died Jan. 17, 18S7, was a woman of rare 
good .sen.se, gentle, kind to those in sorrow and affliction, 
never wearying in the ministrations that make men and 
women better and happier. Three children were born of 
their marriage: Edward Atherton, born Oct. 13, 1852, 
died Nov. 10, 1S63, M.iry .\. and Dora N., now living. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. N. 

VIRGIL CHASH OILMAN. 



549 



Hon. Virgil C. Oilman was born in I'nity, May 5, 1827. 
He is tlie third cliil.l and eldest son, in a family of eight 
children, of TCmerson and Delia (Way) C.ilinan. Mr. 
C.ilman traces his lineage to Moses Oilman, who was one 
of three brothers— Rdward, John and Moses— who eini- 
grateil from ICngland to this country early in the sixteenth 
century. The descendants of these pioneers in the 
civilization of this continent are numerous. There is 
harilly a state in the I'nion where they may not be found. 
The family has been in civil office from the lime our 
colony became a royal province to the jiresenl time. 
John Oilman was one of the first councilors in I'residenl 
Cutt's commission, and died in 1708. Col. Peter Oilman 
was one of the royal councilors in 1772. Nicholas Oilninn 
was councilor in 1777 and 178S, John Oilman in 1787, 
while John Taylor Oilman was fourteen years, eleven in 
succession, our highly respected chief magistrate. Ilis 
brother, Nicholas Oilman, was a member of the house 
of representatives in congress eight years, and in the 
national senate nine years. The ecclesiastical annals 
also have: Rev. Nicholas Oilman, Harvard college. 1724, 
and Rev. Tristram Oilman, Ilarvaril college, 1757, both 
respected men. The subject of this biograi)hy is a 
descendant in the line of Moses Oilman through Stephen 
aiul Dorothy (Clough) Oilman, who became his second 
wife Sept. 5, 1793, and bore him twelve children. His 
first wife, by whom he had nine children, was Anne 
Ilunton. Stephen was a native of Kingston and served 
as a cavalry ollicer in the Revolutionary war. Rmerson, 
son of Stephen, and father of Virgil, followed the trade of 
a clothier until machinery sn])planted the hand process, 
when, after pursuing the occupation of a farmer for a few 
jears, he removed to Lowell, Mass., in 1837. Blessed 
with good courage and strong and willing hands he 
supported his large family and give his children the 
advantages the city afforded in the way of education. 

Mr. Oilman was ten years of age when he became a 
resident of Lowell. He made fair progress, for a hoy of 
his age, in the public schools anil continued his studies 
through several grades in the high school. In 1843 he 
removed to Nashua, but it was not until 1851 that he 
entered business for himself. He then became associated 
with Charles P. Gage and O. D. Murray, under the firm 
name of Gage, Murray & Co., in the manufacture of 
printers' cards, embossed and marble papers. The firm 
managed its affairs with skill and enterprise, and out of 
it came the Nashua Card and Glazed Paper company. 

Mr. Oilman is one of the finest penmen and most 
accurate book-keepers in southern New Hampshire, and 
consei|uently his, services, after severing his connection 
with Gage ^S: Murray and while seeking renewed health, 
which had become impaired under his close apjilicalion 
to business, by tilling the soil .ind other out-door employ- 
ment, were often in demand in that department of mer- 
cantile affairs. He opened the first set of books for the 
Nashua Savings bank, and was the cashier's substitute in 
the Pennichuck bank during his absence. 

Mr. Oilman has been active all his life. In 1876 he 
liecame treasurer of the Nashua Savings bank in place of 
Dr. Ivdward Spalding, resigned, a position of great 
responsibility, which he held for more than eighteen 
years and with it the complete confidence of the public. 
Mr. Oilman has been identified with the growth and 



S50 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



prosperity of Nashua iu many ways not heretofore men- 
tioned. He was a stockholder and director iu the Under- 
bill Edge Tool company and Amoskeag Axe company, is 
a director in the Indian Head National bank, and was for 
many years a director in the Nashua Iron and Steel 
company and president of the Nashua Saddlery Hardware 
company and the Peterboro' railroad. In fact Mr. Gil- 
man's interest in pushing Nashua into the front rank of 
industrial importance has been such that he has written, 
for newspapers and other publications, more valuable 
articles on the sub- 
ject than any other 
citizen, with pos- 
sibly the exception 
of Editor Moore. 
Besides this Mr. 
Gilnian has taken 
a decided interest 
in military mat- 
ters. He was a 
member of the 
famous Governor's 
Horse Guards and 
an honorary mem- 
ber of the Foster 
Rifles. During all 
this time his inter- 
est iu agricultural 
pursuits has been 
such that he has 
owned some of the 
best farms in 
Nashua, and cul- 
tivated them to 
the admiration of 
the farming com- 
munity, furnish- 
ing tillers of the 
soil an incentive 
to do their be.st. 
Under his aid and 
encouragement 
what is known as 
the Concord street 
greenhouses were 
founded. He has 
served on the 
board of trustees 
of the New Hamp- 
shire board of 
agriculture and of 
the New England 
agricultural socie- 
l3', done yeoman 

service at numerous agricultural and horticultural fairs, 
and was among the first to breed and develop the now 
famous Plymouth Rock fowl and to encourage poultry 
shows, both local, state, New England, and uational, and 
was awarded a bronze medal at the Centennial exhibition 
for poultry. 

With all else Mr. Gilman has found time to hold public 
office. Never a self-seeker in the fiehl of political pre- 
ferment, the positions of responsibility which he has 
filled are where the office has sought the man. He was 
mayor of Nashua iu 1865, has served long and faithfuUv 




\ li;uU- CIl.VbL GII.MAN. 



on the board of education, and performed no end of work 
in promoting the cause of the people through the public 
librar}', having served from its organization, more than 
twent3'-five years, on its board of trustees and performed 
the duties of secretary and treasurer. Besides this he 
represented his ward in the legislature in 1879, being 
chairman of the committee on banks, and zealously 
opposing taxation of church property. In 1881 he was 
chosen senator from the old Nashua district, and was 
honored with the chairmanship of the leading committee 

of the senate, the 
judiciary, no mem- 
l)er of the legal 
profession having 
a seat iu that bod}'. 
The duties of this 
position, which 
had usually been 
assigned to an at- 
torney, were per- 
formed in a man- 
ner so conscien- 
tious and courte- 
ous and with such 
ability as to win 
for him the esteem 
of all who had 
business before 
the committee. 

Mr. Gilman is a 
member of the 
b'irst Congrega- 
tional church and 
society, and active 
in all its missions, 
having served it 
as director and 
treasurer, and 
])resident and di- 
rector of the Sun- 
day school. He 
was a generous 
contributor, not 
only to the l)uild- 
ing fund of its 
second and pres- 
ent edifice, but to 
the many things 
that are necessar)' 
to the furtherance 
of its work. It 
may be justly said, 
therefore, that iu 
all that tends to 
strengthen society, in all that is for the best interests of 
the city of Nashua, Virgil C. Gilman has done his full 
share as an honest man and good citizen. Dartmouth 
college conferred on him the degree of \. M. in 1893. 

In 1850 Mr. Gilman was united in marriage with Sarah 
I^ouisa, daughter of Gideon Newcomb of Roxbur}'. Two 
children were born of their marriage: Harriet Louisa, 
born October 21, 1853, married Charles 'W. Hoitt, attorney 
at law and judge of the Nashua municipal court, January 
I.), 1S75, and Alfred Emerson, born February 16, 1857, 
died September 29, 1857. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



.■)3l 



JOTHAM DUTTON OlTbRSON. 
Hon. Jothain I). Otlcrsoii was born in Ilooksetl, Scpl. 
II, 1805, (lied at Nashua, 1880. He was a son of James 
and Warllia (Chase) Otterson. His ininiij;iant ancestor, 
James Ollorson, came to this country from the north of 
Irelanil early in the eighteenth century. Of his four 
sons who accompanied him, William, who married Jane 
Temple before leaving his native land, settled in that 
part of Chester, now Hooksett. He enlisted as a soldier 
in the I'rencli and Indian war and perislie<l at Ticon- 
deroga, leaving a widow and two children, James and 
Mollie. James, who was born Aug. 19, 1757, named for 
his grandfather, and the father of the subject of this 
sketch, became a soldier in the War of the Revolution. 
Mollie lived a single life. It is an interesting fact in the 
history of the Otterson family that Jane, wife of William, 
accompanied her hus1)and two miles on fool carrying her 




luniAM DUTTON ( I TITiltSI ).N. 
baby, Mollie, in her arms, and leading James, then in his 
third year, by the hand, when he started from home to 
join his company. It was their last parting. The cour- 
ageous woman returned to the farm, took up her life 
work, tilled the soil, brought up her children and at her 
death left the estate to her son. The same farm is now 
owned and occupied by a nephew of the fifth generation. 
On the maternal side he was a descendant of Abner and 
Betty (Bradley) Chase, whose ancestors were among the 
first settlers of the Suncook valley, and bore an honorable 
record for piety and good-citizenship. 

Mr. Otterson was educated in the public schools of his 
native town and at Blanchard academy in I'embroke. He 
learned the machinists' and iron moulilers' trades and 
worked in Lebanon, Nashua, Hooksett, I'itlsfield. Mass.. 
and came to Nashua about 1833. After being employed 
for sometime in the machine shop of the Nashua Manu- 
facturing com])any, he went to Clinton, Mass., where he 
was superintendent of the Ivancaster mills, and in 1850 
returned to Nashua an<l purchased the interest of Deacon 
Baldwin, then lately deceased, in the Nashua Lock com- 
pany, located on Water street. With his associates. Col. 
L. W. Noyes and Robert Living, he continued the manu- 
facture of locks, knobs and house trimmings until the 



partnership was dissolved. In settlement of the business 
Mr. Otterson look the foundry, tools and fixtures, and 
continued in business as sole proprietor and manager 
until his death, under the name of the Otterson I'oundry 
company. He was a conservative and practical business 
man, who jiaid good wages ami look a deep interest in 
everything that had a tendency to dignify labor and 
promote the welfare of the laboring man. With all else 
Mr. Otterson was a citizen of the most democratic char- 
acter. He believed in the people and he entered heartily 
into the things that interest them. In the days l>efore 
Nashua was incorporated as a city he belonged to the fire 
department, was foreman of the Nashua company's 
engine company ami chief of the department. Mr. 
Otterson held a good many positions of honor and Irnst 
and assisted several industries upon their feet. He rep- 
resented his ward in the legislature with ability during 
two sessions and in 1868 and 1870 was mayor of the city. 

Mr. Otterson was one of the founders of the I'earl 
street Congregational church, and no man connected 
with it was more generous in its support or more constant 
and loyal to all its missions. He gave it financial support, 
without which it could not have sustained itself, and 
when it became necessary to close its doors he was sor- 
rowful, and yet, true man that he was. he united with its 
successor the Pilgrim church. Mr. Otterson was a mem- 
ber of Granite lodge, I. O. O. I-., and was one of the 
truly good and generous men of Nashua, who performeil 
every duty of life with conscientious fidelity, and left an 
unblemished record in all things. 

Mr. Otterson was twice marrie<l : first, l-eb. i, i8j8, to 
Sarah Kmery Scribner, daughter of Parker and Klizabeth 
(Umery) .Scribner of I'rankliu. Mrs. Otterson was a 
descendant on the paternal side of Josiah Scribner, who 
settled at .Xndover, who, on the maternal side, was 
descended from the Websters, his mother being Hannah, 
the sister of the father of Daniel Webster, and on the 
maternal side of the Hmerys and P"esen<lens. She died 
at Clinton in January, 1852. His second marriage, in 
December, 1852, was with Lucia I'ish of Athol, Mass. 
ICight children were born to him, all by his first mar- 
riage: James Parker Scribner, boi n in Hooksett, January 
14, 1S31, married Peb. 17, 1S53, Asenath Hnrd liannister; 
Mary I-Mizabeth, born June 29, 1833, at Lebanon, inarricil 
Rev. Robert S. Stubbs; Lafayette Washington, born in 
Nashua, March 5, 1836, died Sept. 14, 1837; Sarah Kmery 
Dana, born in Nashua, July 15. 1S38, married 1-rederick 
lUinnill, who dieil in the army, afterwards married ICdgar 
B. Burke of Nashua; Nancy lunery, born in Nashua, 
Nov. 20, 1841, married Dana D. Dodge of Nashua; George 
Washington, born in Hooksett, Oct. 5, 1S43, married 
Priscilla Cook, now resides in Florida; Ann Maria, born 
in Clinton. Mass., Feb. 7, 1847, married William H. Cook; 
William Henry, born in Nashua, March 31, 1850. died 
Sept. 17, 1851. 

UANA SARGHNT. 

Hon. Dana Sargent was horn in Nottingham West— now 
Hudson— Nov. 28, 1818, died, at Nashua, Nov. 24, 18S4. He 
was a son of Reuben and Kunice K. Davis Sargent. His 
immigrant ancestor was one of the original Scotch-Irish 
colony that settled at Londonderry early in the eighteenth 

centurv. 

Mr. Sargent was educated in the public schools of his 
native place and at the Nashua Literary institution. In his 



552 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



youth he learneil the trade of making carpenters' planes 
and followed that occupation for some time in his native 
place. His first business venture was in the hardware 
trade at Manchester, where he was in company with 
George A. P. Darling and remained about eight years. 
He then returned to Hudson and was associated w-ith John 
N. Marshall in the grocery business. From there lie went 
to Lawrence, Mass., where he formed a co-partnership 
with William H. Bridgnian and Hezekiah Plummer under 
the firm name of Sargent, Uridgman & Co. The firm did 
an extensive wholesale business in flour, grain, produce 
and lumber, its place of business being on Essex street, 
near the railroad station. Mr. Sargent sold out his inter- 
est in the firm about i860 when he came to Nashua and 
formed a co-partnership with John Cross under the firm 
name of .Sargent & Cross, and continued in the same line 




of trade, the mills and yard of Ihe firm being on Canal 
street near the Jackson company's dam. Later, after dis- 
posing of this business to James H. Tolles, he did an 
extensive business in southern lumber. 

Mr. Sargent was interested in many enterprises outside 
of his regular business, among which was the Nashua, 
Acton & Boston railroad, which, with Edw-ard H. Spald- 
ing, Henry Parkinson and others he was largelj' instru- 
mental in building, and that, too, at a personal less. In 
1854 he was warden of Ward Four, Lawrence, and repre- 
sented the same ward in the common council of the city. 
In 1855 he was the Democratic candidate for the mayoralty 
of Lawrence, and came within a few votes of an election. 
In 1870 he was the Democratic candidate for mayor of 
Nashua. His vote, being much larger than that cast for 
the gubernational candidate of his party, showed unmis- 
takable popularity, and the result was his re-nomination 
by his associates in 1871, when he was handsomely 



elected. His administration of the affairs of the citj- was 
of a far-reaching and judicious character. He advocated 
and purchased the tract of land known as the North Com- 
mon, and the city councils recognized the wisdom of his 
judgment by naming the thoroughfare on its northern 
boundary Sargent avenue. He also foresaw that it was 
onl}' a question of a little time when Crown Hill would be 
built over and the city would need a schoolhouse and 
engine house there, .\cting upon this belief he purchased 
for a nominal sum the lot on what is now known as Ar- 
lington street, on which buildings for the purpose men- 
tioned were erected a few j'ears later. These and other 
improvements, with courtesies shown every citizen who 
approached him, made him a popular executive and won 
for him the kindest compliments of the Republican press 
and voters, in addition to those of his own political faith. 
Mr. Sargent was a member of Ancient York lodge, A. F. 
and A. M., and the Royal Arch chapter at Lawrence. He 
was a petitioner for a charter for St. George commander}', 
K. T., and one of its charter members, serving the same 
body as eminent commander in 1S69 and 1870; he was 
also a Scottish Rite mason, 32d degree, Valle)' of Massa- 
chusetts. 

Mr. vSargeut was united in marriage March 11, 1841, 
with Susan M. Hadley, daughter of William and Rachel 
Hadley of Hudson. Four children were born of their 
marriage: Mary E., born Jan. 26, 1842, deceased ; Reuben 
Wilmer, born Feb. 16, 1843, deceased ; Susan Helen, Oct. 
24, 1844; William Franklin, born Oct. 5, 1S47, married 
Minnie Cullen. 

SETH D. CHANDLER. 

Hon. Seth I). Chandler was born at East .Vbington, now 
Rockland, Mass., Feb. ii, 1827. He is a son of Seth and 
Martha (Burrell) Chandler, and a descendant on both the 
paternal and maternal side from English settlers of the 
country roundabout Duxbury, Mass. 

Mr. Chandler attended the district schools of Rockland 
and besides the knowledge thus obtained he secured a 
liberal education by private study and ob.servation. He is 
therefore, a well informed man in matters of business, 
and in all things else that men who are not in profes- 
sional life desire to know. Mr. Chandler had his home 
in Rockland until he was twenty-three years of age. He 
then went to Hingham, Mass., where he drove a bread 
cart for one year, and was in business as a baker one year 
for himself. April i, 1853, he came to Nashua and bought 
out the bakery of Abel Bowman, located on the site of 
Whiting block, and conducted that business seven years. 
He sold out this business in i860 and for the next three 
years was engaged in the lard, tallow and sausage busi- 
ness in Boston. In 1863 Mr. Chandler disposed of his 
Boston business and embarked in business in a butchery 
and packing house establishment in New York Cit}', 
where he remained three 5'ears. In October, 1866, he 
returned to Nashua and bought out the flour and grain 
business in which he is now engaged, and which by his 
careful and conservative business management has alwaj'S 
been in a flourishing condition. 

Mr. Chandler, however, has not been engrossed in busi- 
ness to the point where men have no time to give to mat- 
ters that are and should be the concern of ever)- good 
citizen. On the other hand he has shown a decided inter- 
est in having good schools, wise laws and a just and 



HISTORY or NASI I (J A, N. II. 



55.1 



economical aihiiinislralion of municipal affairs. lie rop- 
rescntcil his ward in tlic common council in 1S69, and in 
the board of aldermen in 1870 and 1S71. In 1872 he was 




sHiii I). ciiANDl.i;i;. 

mayor of Nashua, and il is due to the foresij^ht of his 
administration that the present high school huihlins; was 
erected, and a l)e<^inuing made in paving streets ami intro- 
ducing modern methods in their general improvement. 
In fact he gave the city wise and faitful service. Mr. 
Chandler was one of the earnest citizens who came to the 
front at the time the foreign insurance companies aban- 
doned the state, who earnestly supported the people's 
cause, invested money that he never expected to recover, 
and gave his time to the management of the companies 
thus formed. Mr. Chandler has served on the board of 
directors of the Second National bank since its organiza- 
tion and has been a director for many years of the While 
Mountain Freezer company. He attends the services of 
the Universalisl church and is a citizen who is held in the 
highest respect. 

Mr. Chandler lias been twice niarrie<l : first, December, 
1855, with Hannah Iv Flagg of Nashua, who died in May, 
1857; second, December, 1862, with Hattie K. Ober, 
daughter of Henry and ICliza (White) Ober of Craflon, 
\'t. Of the three children born to them, .■Mice dieil when 
five years old, Walter died a young man twenty-six years 
of age, a daughter, Mabel, still survives. 

GEORGH H. WHITNEY. 

Hon. George II. Whitney was born in I'raminghani, 
Mass., KfS>. 24, 1S21, died at Nashua, March 7, 1895. He 
was a sou of Jesse and Rebecca (Newell) Whitney, who 
became residents of Nashua in 1826. His ancestors, both 



palern.il and maternal, were of Fnglish origin and early 
settlers in the colony of Massachusetts Hay. 

Mr. Whitney was educate<l in the common schools nn<l 
at Crosby's Literary institution. In 1838 he a]>prenliced 
himself to John H. Cage for three years to learn the 
machinists' trade. After completing his trade he went to 
New York City. He tarried there but a short time. 
Returning to New Hampshire, 1842, he obtained employ- 
ment in the machine shop of the ;\nioskeng company at 
Manchester, where he remained nine months. His next 
move was to Nashua, and here he remained. Mr. Whit- 
ney went to work fr)r his old employer, Mr. Cage. 1843, 
MS foreman, and continued in that position until the 
winter of 1852, when, with David A. <".. Warner, he 
became a partner in the business, the firm name being 
Cage, Warner ^t Whitney. The new firm, owing to the 
fact that the business had outgrown the buildings on 
Water street, built a large shop on Hollis street. The 
firm prospered. It employed a large number of men and 
was widely known. In 1862 Mr. Cage, the senior partner, 
was accidentally killed at I'ranklin by the ilischarge of a 
shotgun which he was removing from a wagon. The firm 
was then re-r)rganizeil under the name of Warner & 
Whitney, and so continued until 1S73. when upon the 
death of Mr. Warner, Mr. Whiliiej- became sole projiric- 
tor, and managed the business until his death. 

It was not alone, however, in the manufacturing inter- 
ests of Nashua that Mr. Whitney was prominent and 
progressive. He took a conspicuous part in her military 
and civil affairs. In 1S42 he identified himself with the 




(.Koiti.K II. \vlll^^■|■;^. 



I,afayette Light infantry, and from that lime to 185S was 
active in many of the numerous companies of those days, 
holding a first lieutenant's commission in the Granite 



554 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



State Cadets. He was also quartermaster of tlie Fifth 
regiment, New Hampshire infantry, in 1858, and an officer 
in the Cadets until about 1862, when the company dis- 
banded and most of the men enlisted in the cause of 
their country. To this honorable record it should be 
added that Mr. Whitney represented his ward in the 
legislature in 1S55 and 1856, served in the board of alder- 
men in 1857 and 1858, and was chosen mayor by the 
Republican party in 1S75 by a large majority. Mr. Whit- 
ney served the city in 1886 ou the board of assessors. 
He was a member of tlie Pilgrim Congregational church, 
Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., Meridian Sun Royal 
Arch chapter, St. George comnianderj-, K. T., and 
Edward A. Raymond consistory, 32d degree, also of 
Granite lodge, I. O. O. F. 

Mr. Whitney was united in marriage April 25, 1844, 
with Susan G. Stickne}-, daughter of Luther A. and Ruth 



CHARLES WILLIAMS. 

Hon. Charles Williams was born at Easton, Mass., Aug. 
I, 1816, died at NasHua, May 19, 1894. Richard Williams, 
his first American ancestor, was born at Glamorganshire, 
Wales, as early as 1599. He came to this country in 1632 
and settled at Taunton, Mass., in 1637. He has been 
called the "Father of Taunton." His wife, F'rancis 
Dighton, was born in Somersetshire, England. She was 
a sister to the first wife of Governor Endicott. (See 
History of Bristol county). He was deputy to the gen- 
eral court of Plymouth in Taunton in 1646, 1648, 1650, 
1 65 1 and several subsequent years, and was first ou the 
list of those who made the south purchase (Dighton); 
also of those who made the north purchase which in- 
cluded Easton, Norton, Mansfield and a part of Attle- 
1)orough. Both history and tradition link this line of the 




llESIDENCK OF MRS. CHARLES \\ 1 1,I.I.\MS. 



(Glover) Stickney, and of their seven children three 
have died: George F., born at Nashua Nov. 2, 1846, 
married Elthea Davis, Nov. 15, 1871; Charles H., born at 
Nashua June 22, 1851, married, first, Lizzie J. Genther of 
Waldboro, Me., second, Anna F. Fisher of Nashua; 
Alice G., born at Nashua, Sept. 26, 1853, married William 
H. Sexton, Sept. 27, 1881 ; Eugene P., born at Nashua, 
Nov. 28, 1855, married Sept. 26, 1883, Elizabeth L. Jobert, 
died Nov. 19, 1887, and, second, Myra B^ White, in April. 
1891 ; Clarence R., born at Nashua, July 24, 1849, died 
Oct. 8, 1868; Willis I., born at Nashua, March 21, 1848, 
died June 10, 1848; Susan May, born at Nashua, Dec. 23, 
1859, and died Jan. 2, i860. 



Williams genealogy to that of Oliver Cromwell, the 
protector, who was also a descendant of Richard Williams 
of Glamorganshire, Wales. His name was Williams, 
known in history as "Cromwell alias Williams," the 
assumed name of Cromwell being taken from his mater- 
nal uncle, Thomas Cromwell, who held the portfolio of 
state to Henry VI 11., and who made him an heir. Roger 
Williams was also of the same line. He outlived the 
Plymouth government and died at Taunton, Mass., 1692, 
leaving nine children. His estate is still in the posses- 
sion of his descendant. The direct descent fror.i Richard 
Williams of Taunton is as follows: Benjamin, the sixth 
son, settled at Easton, Josiah settled at Bridgewater; Seth, 



HISTORY OF j\ASUUA, A'. //. 



555 



tlie greal-Krandfather of Mr. Williams, was born at 
Bridgewater, May 21, 1722, settled at Eastoii, 1740, married 
Susannah Forbes, May 21, 1750, born at Bridgewater, May 
26, 1732. Edward Williams, his grandfather, born at 
Eastou, Jan. 28, 1751, married Sarah I,othrop, born at 
Bridgewater, November, 1755, married Dec. 3, 1772; he 
still retained the homestead where Lieut. Seth Williams, 
the father of the subject of this sketch, was born Jan. 29, 
1776, died November, 1851. He was a tanner by trade 
and took i''"'- '" ''"^' "'••'' "^ 1S12. lie married Sarah 
Mitchael in iScki. 
She was a daughter 
of Colonel Mitch- 
ael of Bridgewater, 
Mass., an active 
man in the Revo- 
lutionary War and 
for many years a 
member of the leg- 
islature from Eas- 
ton He lived near 
the homestead. 
They had eight 
children, Charles, 
the subject of this 
sketch, being the 
third son. 

Mr. Williams 
received a rudi- 
mentary educa- 
tion in the district 
school of his native 
place and spent his 
Ijoyhood on his 
father's farm. His 
business career 
commenced at 
eighteen, when he 
apprenticed him- 
self to the Easton 
Iron works four 
years, his compen- 
sation being twen- 
ty-five dollars for 
the first year, 
fifty dollars for the 
second, seventy- 
five dollars for the 
third, and one 
hundred and twen- 
ty-five dollars for 
the fourth. The 
financial crisis of 1837 embar- 
rassed the iron business, and 
Mr. Williams went west and 
located at Springfield, HI., 
but at the end of two years 
returne<l east and entered the 
eniplov of the iron foundry at 
Chelmsford, Mass. In 1841 he 
went to Manclicster and was 
employed in the .\nioskeag 
found rv 





S. & C. Williams. The partnership between Mr. Wil- 
liams and his brother was dissolved in 1859, and the 
business was continued — being known as the Nashua 
Iron foundry— by Charles Williams, and later wa.s prac- 
tically under the management of his son, Charles \. 
Williams (see biography). Mr. Williams then resumed 
personal control of the business and continued it until, 
by reason of failing health, he was compelled to abandon 
business affairs. 

Many of the prominent Nashuans of to-day got their 

start in life nn<l 
the incentive to 
greater usefulness 
and nobler aims 
from Mr. Wil- 
liams, while it is 
largely due to his 
fatherly advice 
and deep interest 
in those who 
looked to him for 
counsel anil em- 
ployment that 
many Nashuans 
owe their homes. 

Mr. Williams' 
busy life in the 
management of 
his foundry, anil 
the cultivation of 
his land — for he 
never got over the 
love of the soil 
with which he be- 
came imbued ill his 
youth — so fully 
occupied his atten- 
tion that he hail 
little or no time in 
which to partici- 
pate in public life 
as an official. He 
sat as a member of 
the first council of 
the city in 1853, 
and ill 1876, at the 
unanimous call of 
the Republicans, 
he was induccil to 
accept the mayor- 
alty nomination. 
He was elected in 
March of that year and liecamc 
the centennial mayor. "His 
administration," says his biog- 
rapher, "was characterized by 
the same prudence, fidelity and 
success that crowned his busi- 
ness career." I le was re-elected 
by a largely increased majority. 
One of the social events of 
Mayor Williams' term of ser- 
vice was the visit of President 



^^^l^ 

'^''^-^. 



^^ 





In ia,s, with ins brother Seth, he came to Nashua and Hayes and his cabinet to thi. city ainl at ^ ^^^^ 
establishcl the foundry business, under the firm name of residence, which was elaborately decorated for tin 



556 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H 



siou, Mrs. Hayes held a reception, Mrs. William.s pre- 
siding, which was attended by a great throng of people 
from the city and surrounding towns. Mr. Williams 
declined a few years later to be a candidate for coun- 
cillor. 

Mr. Williams was one of the five prominent men who 
originated the Second National bank, and held the office 
of vice president of the institution till shortly before his 
death, when he resigned. Following the announcement 
of his death the city council passeil a resolution, in 
memoriam, in which they put on record that he was 
"founder and manager of one of the city's greatest 
industries, that he filled the position of chief magistrate 
with al)ility, dignity and fidelity, was noted in private life 
for lilierality, courtesy and sweetness of disposition," 
and resolving that "the people have reason to deplore 
his death and hold in remenilirance his virtues." Mr. 
Williams was a constant communicant of the First Con- 
gregational church and an honored member of Rising 
Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M. 

Mr. Williams was united in marriage in i8.)6 with Kli/a 
Weston, daughter of Capt. Sutheric Weston of Antrim. 
She is a descendant of John Weston, who came from 
England in J644. He lived in Salem, Mass., and after- 
wards in Reading, Mass., married vSarah Fitch, died 1723, 
aged ninety-two years. Mrs. Williams, with her sons 
and daughter, travelled extensively in foreign lands, and 
has been among the foremost in all good works in this 
city. The children of this marriage were: Seth Weston, 
born April 15, ■•S49; Charles Alden, born Aug. 18, 1851; 
Marion Eliza, born March 4, 1854, graduated at Nashua 
High school and at Madam Porter's school for young 
ladies at Farmington, Conn., married at Nashua, Nov. 8, 
1878, to Herbert Allen Viets of Troy, N. Y. 

CHARLHS HOLMAN. 

Hon. Charles Holman was born at .Sterling, Mass., Nov. 
7, 1833. He is a son (^f Porter and Persis (Reed) Holman. 
Mr. Holman's parents were in hundde circumstances and 
as a result he was compelled to commence the battle of 
life at an early age and to fi.glit his way as Vjest he could. 
He obtained as good a common school education as possi- 
l)le, and at the age of eleven years went to work on a 
farm, where he remained until he was sixteen. F'rom the 
age of sixteen to twenty he was engaged in making boots 
and shoes at West Boylston, Mass. He then, with his 
savings, purchased his time of his father — a custom in 
those days— and attended school at Fort Edward, N. Y., 
until he was of age. The sedentary life he had been com- 
pelled to lead had serionsl)' impaired his health, and in 
the hope of improving it he became a canvasser, and in 
1S56 came into New Hampshire to sell the "Life of John 
C. Fremont," the first Repidjlican candidate for the 
presidency. With a companion, William C. Colburn, 
who, with the pecuniary assistance of Mr. Holman, after- 
wards became a Methodist minister, he traveled through 
the state several months, but the pecuniary results were 
not encouraging and so Mr. Colburn returned to his 
home and Mr. Holman continued for a time alone. His 
next occupation, only for a short time however, was that 
of a traveling salesman for E. K. Smith of Hanover, a 
confectioner. 

In the fall of 1857 Mr. Holman came to Nashua and for 
the next three years traveled for Col. Jonas C. Kempton 



in the same capacity that he had traveled for Mr. Smith. 

He traveled a year for Chapman & Cram. During all 
this time his health was delicate, and yet his indomitable 
courage and remarkable will power carried him through 
till he had a severe hemorrhage of the lungs and was 
compelled to take a respite from business for a period of 
six months. About i85i he commenced business for him- 
self in the same line which he had last followed, and since 
then few men have been more closely identified with the 
growth and development of Nashua. His first manufac- 
torj' was destroyed by fire in 1874, when he imme<liatelv 
bought out Colonel Kempton's establishment on West 
Pearl street and in less than tw-elve hours after the fire 
broke out was engaged in filling orders. He remained 
on West Pearl street till 18S2, when, in connection with 
John A. Spalding, he built the .southerly half of the block 
corner of Main and Hollis streets, which bears his name, 
and moved there, increasing his capacity as a manufac- 
turer and continuing to do the largest business of any 
man in his line of trade in New Hampshire. 

Mr. Holman has seen much of public life and held 
many positions of honor and trust, greatly to his own 
creilit and to the advantage of his constituents. He 




CIIAUJ.ES IIOL.M.VN. 

served in the board of aldermen two years, represented 
his ward in the legislature in 1869 and 1870, and the city 
in the senate in 1875 and 1876, being president of that 
body in the last year. He was mayor of Nashua in 1878 
and 1879, and his administration is remembered as one of 
the best. Mr. Holman was delegate from New Hamp- 
shire to the Republican national convention in Chicago in 
1S80, at which Gen. James A. Garfield was nominated for 
the presidency. Besides the political offices mentioned 
Mr. Holman has been a director for many years in the 
First National bank of Nashua, and also on the board of 
the Worcester, Nashua tSi Rochester railroad, Viesides 
holding other positions — president of the Nashua Reform 
club and president of the Pilgrim church society. Mr. 
Holman is a York Rite mason and a mendier of St. 
George commandery, K. T., and a .Scottish Rite mason 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 



and a iiitiiiber of Edward A. Rayniond consistory, 321! 
degree. He is also a Iodide and eni-auipnient Odd l-'ellow. 

II sliould In- addc-d that there is hardly a cause in 
Nashua in the past thirty years in which Mr. Ilolnian 
has not contributed of his means and been identified as a 
promoter. I'ntil a few years past, or so long as his health 
permitted him to participate in the activities of the city 
outside of his business, he was a prominent fissure in pub- 
lic gatherings and no public speaker was more popular 
than he. His keen wit, forcible illustrations and fund of 
anecdotes was always appreciated and always put an audi- 
ence in the best of humor. I!ut it was not all humor. 
Sandwiched in and adileil as a conclusion were logical 
deiluctions, solid facts and persuasive argument. In a 
word he has been, and still is, one of Nashua's most 
progressive and honored citizens. 

Mr. Ilolman was united in marriage Nov. 1, J863, with 
Mary S., daughter of George W. and Susan (Marston) 
Osgood of Amesbury, Mass. Mrs. Ilolman, like her hus- 
band, has been prominent in good works and has done a 
good woman's full share in deeds of charity and hard work 
to promote the ijilercsts of society. The only surviving 
cliild. Charles Francis, was born Sept. 2g, 1866, was grad- 
ualcil ;it the Nashua high school, and also at the Worces- 
ter Highland Military academy. 

BENJAMIN Fl.HTCHtK, Jk. 

Hon. lienjaniin I'ietchcr, Jr., was liorn at Weslmnre, 
Vt., June 4, 1837. He is a son of lienjamiu and I,ucin<la 
(Davis) Fletcher, and a descendant, in the ninth genera- 
tion, of Robert Fletcher who settled at Concord, Mass., 
in 1630. On the maternal side he is a descendant of 
Samuel Davis of Acworth. 

Mr. Fletcher obtained a common school education, and 
beyond that is a .self-made man. He is a man of wide and 
varied information and thoroughly conversant with all 
the details of the business to which he has devoted his 
energies from his youth to the present hour. I\Ir. 
Fletcher came to Nashua with his parents in 18.42. He 
was employed at the works of the Nashua Iron and Steel 
company for many years as forge-master, and in 1883 
went to liridgeport. Conn., to take charge of the affairs 
of the Bridgeport Forge company, of which he is treas- 
urer and general manager. In his line nf industrial 
pursuits there is probably no man in the country who 
stands higher. He knows all the technicalities of manu- 
facturing, the demands of the markets and the intricacies 
of business, as shown by his successful career. 

While a resident of Naslnui, and it is his purpose to 
return here when he retires from business, he was much 
in public life and a progressive citizen who wielded a 
wide influence and performed all the pul)lic duties he 
assumed in ,1 ni.iiuur creditable to himself an<l to the 
welfare of the city. He was a member of the common 
council in 1868 and 1869, and president of the body in the 
last year mentioned. In 1869 he was electe<l chief 
engineer of the fire department, and held that responsible 
position several years between that time and 1880, being 
one of the very best fire-fighters Nashua has ever had. 
He was elected mayor of the city for 1880 and again for 
i88r, and during his term of office he greatly improved 
the hydrant system for fire department purposes and 
inaugurated and comjdeted other improvements that 
have proven of lasting benefit to the people. Besides 



557 

this service he was an eflicient member of the board of 
education and active in other affairs calculated to advance 
the interests of the city. 

Mr. I'letcher was made a Mason in Rising Sun lodge, 
A. F. and A. M., and was a charter member of Ancient 
York lodge, in which he sat in the soulh while it was 
uiulera dispensation in 1870 and of which he was treas- 
urer for several years, commencing in 1873. He received 
his demit in 1885 and became a member of St. Johns 
lodge at Hridgeport, Conn., where he hiis since become a 
mend)er of Jerusalem Royal Arch chapter, Jerusalem 
council of masters, and Hamilton coinmandery K. T. In 
Odd I'ellowship he has received all the degrees and is a 
member of I'ennichuck lodge and Indian Head encamp- 
menl, withdrawing from Nashoonon encampment to 
become a charter member, and is past gran.l and past 
patriarch of these bodies anil past grand, past higli-pricsl 
and past granil patriarch of the state Imdies. He has 
l)een a meni1)er of the grand lodge of New Hampshire 
over thirty years and rei>resenled it in the sovereign 





/ftmfm^ 


' \ 



f!li\|AMl\ I'l.KTfllKH. In 
grand lodge in 1871 and 1872. In religious matters he is 
a T'niversalist. Mr. Fletcher is a man of ideas, and in 
the lodge or before the public is never at a loss to clotlie 
these ideas so as to make their significance plain and 
forcible. In fact he is a self-made, self-reliant man whose 
career shows what may be accomplished by study ami 
application. 

Mr. I'letcher was united in marriage in 1859 with 
Parmelia Ingram, ilaughter of Roswell and I. aura (rratt) 
Ingram of Nashua and a descemlant of Samuel Ingram 
and Richard I'ratt. There were four children of their 
marriage, all born in Nashua: Frank M., born Deo. 24, 
1859, graduated at Nashua high school, class of 1881, 
died Jan. 25, 1885; I.aura Helle, boru April 29, 1864; 
.\gnes, born Dec. 4, 1870, died April, 1S74; Rosalind, born 
Dec. 4, 1870, married O. C. Cole of liridgeporl. Conn., 
Oct. 30, i8()0. 

ALFRHD METCALF NORTON. 

■ Hon. .Mfred M. Norton was born at dreenland, .April 
13, 1822, died at Nashua, July 13. 1892. He was a son of 



558 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Daniel J. and Mar_v (Marstou) Norton. His paternal 
ancestors were of English origin, and among the early 
settlers of the territory roundabout Dover. His maternal 
grandfather was Thomas Marston, who married Mary 
White. Both families were among the first people of 
their section, active and influential in social circles and 
public affairs. 

Mr. Norton was educated in the common schools of his 
native place and graduated at Brackett academy .\pril i, 
1851. He entered the service of the Boston Gaslight 
company, where, 
by industry and 
perseverance, he 
mastered every de- 
tail of the business 
and was rapidly 
advanced from one 
position to another 
until he became 
recognized as one 
of the expert gas 
engineers of New 
England. In 1853 
he became man- 
ager of the gas 
works at Dover, 
where he remained 
seven years. He 
then became em- 
ployed at the gas 
works in East Bos- 
ton, and in 1861 
became the com- 
pany's manager, a 
position he held 
until he came to 
Nashua in 1S74, 
making thirteen 
years in the service 
of that company. 
He held the re- 
sponsiljle position 
of engineer and 
manager of the 
Nashua Light, 
Heat and Power 
company from the 
date last men- 
tioned until his 
death, and for sev- 
eral years was 
treasurer of the 
company. During 
his administration 

the gas company's plant was remodeled, enlarged, new 
buildings were erected, modern inventions and methods 
adopted and the price of gas to consumers reduced nearly 
one-half. It will thus be seen that Mr. Norton spent 
forty years of his life in the manufacture of gas, and that 
during thirty-eight years of this time he was a manager. 

In 1883 and 1884 Mr. Norton served the city in the office 
of mayor, and although elected and re-elected by a parti- 
san political organization, it is greatly to his credit that 
he gave the city a non-partisan administration both in 
his appointments and in the demand for improvements. 




AI.FKED METLALF NORTON. 



There was nothing small or hollow-hearted in .\lfred ]\I. 
Norton in any association or business transaction of life. 
He was commanding in stature, perfect in physical pro- 
portions, democratic in social life, conservative in judg- 
ment, faithful to every trust, and had the complete 
confidence of the people. Mayor Norton built the Canal 
street iron bridge, completed undertakings begun by 
former administrations, and incepted and carried forward 
other improvements that have been of vast importance 
to the public. Following this service to the city his 

party desired to 
nominate him for 
senator, well 
knowing that his 
popularity would 
insure his election , 
but he declined 
the honor. Mr. 
Norton was made 
a Free Mason in 
Strafford lodge at 
Dover, and was 
knighted in Wil- 
liam Park man 
c o m m a u d e r y , 
Knights Templar, 
at East Boston. 
He affiliated with 
the local bodies, 
and, by reason of 
his commanding 
stature, marched 
at the head of the 
column in St. 
George command- 
ery whenever that 
body appeared in 
public. 

Mr. Norton was 
united in marriage 
at Gonic, July 13, 
1859, with Leona 
E. Foster, daugh- 
ter of Nathan and 
Sally (Gilson) Fos- 
ter. Mr. Foster 
was born at Nor- 
way, Me., April 9, 
1795, died at Nor- 
way, Me., Jan. 19, 
1S37; Mrs. Foster 
wasborn atGroton , 
Mass., Dec. 30, 
I79i,died at Nash- 
ua, July 13, 1SS2. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Norton are : 
Mary f;., born June 17, i860, at Reading, Mass.; Julia L., 
born Oct. 12, 1861, at Boston, Mass., married Albert J. 
McKean of Nashua, April 23, 18S9; Harry Austin, born 
Dec. 13, 1863, at Boston, married Katherine Gallinger of 
Concord, Oct. 10, 1888; Leone S., born Feb. 8, 1866, at 
Boston, married Frank H. Ivers of Cambridge, Mass., 
Oct. 8, 1S84; Fred W., born at Boston, Nov. 17, 1868, mar- 
ried Almira Mercy Whithed of Nashua, Oct. 24, 1894; Paul 
T., born at Boston, June 4, 1870; Arthur E., born at Boston, 
Dec. g, 1871 ; Walter I"., born at Boston, Oct. 20, 1873. 



JIISTORY or NASHUA, N. II. 
JOHN AUGUSTINE SPAI.hlNG. 



559 



IIiui. John A. SpaUIiiiK was born in Wilton, May 29, 
1837. lie is a son of Moses and Anna II. (Kimball) 
Spalding. The name appears early in the middle ages of 
English History when battles were fought hand to hand 
(see "Spalding Memorial," published in 1872), and a 
coat-of arms was deemed essential to honor. There is a 
town in Lincolnshire, Rng., bearing the name, and it is 
from that place that luUvaril Spaldon (the name being 
written Spalding 
and Spaulding in 
the next and suc- 
ceeding genera- 
tions") emigrated 
to this country in 
1630 or 1631. He 
settled at Brain- 
tree, Mass., where 
his first wife ami 
daughter died. In 
1645 his name aj)- 
pears among thir- 
ty-two petitioners 
for a tract of land 
for the purpose of 
a settlement, and 
subseqjient rec- 
ords show that, 
in 1655, he be- 
came one of the 
incorporators of 
Chelmsford, 
Mass., named after 
Chelmsford, Eng- 
land. The family 
name of his second 
wife, Racliael, is 
not given in the 
records of that 
day, but the line- 
age is successively 
traced through 
seven generations 
to the subject of 
this sketch. The 
descendants of this 
pioneer, like that 
of many another 
early settler, are 
scattered through- 
out the union. 
They have held, 
and still hold, 

prominent places in the professions, in the mercantile 
and monetarj' world, in manufacturing industries and all 
the occupations in which men are employed for a liveli- 
hood . 

Mr. Spalding was educated in the district schools of 
his native town and at the Nashua Literary institution, 
of which I'rof. David Crosby was the founder and jirinci- 
pal. From 1S50 to 1856 he was a clerk in the clothing 
store of his "irother, Capt. William R. .Spalding, at Law- 
rence, Mass. In the last j'ear mentioned, lieing then in 
his nineteenth year, he came to Nashua and engaged iu 




lOlIN .\li;i .M INK .SI'. \I. DING. 



the same line of trade for himself. lie continue.! in the 
business with good success until 1S62, when the l-irsl 
National bank was founded and he was chosen cashier a 
position he held, with credit to himself and the entire 
confidence of the community, until January, 1895. thirty- 
two years, when he rcsigne<l and his son, Col. William 
!•:. Spalding, became his successor. He is still a director 
in the institution and its vice president. Mr. Spalding 
has also served for many years on the bonrd of trustees 
of the Nashua Guaranty Savings bank. To him it is 

largely due that 
the investments 
of this institution 
are of a character 
that enabled it to 
pass unscathed 
through the finan- 
cial depression of 
1893 and 1894, anil 
thus retain its 
credit as one of the 
soundest institu- 
tions of its kinil in 
the state. 

But Mr. Spahl- 
ing's activity as a 
citizen of Nashua 
has not been 
wholly in the line 
of banking. I'or 
years he has been 
a large and suc- 
cessful operator 
in real estate. In 
fact the records 
of Hillsborough 
county show that 
during the past 
twenty-five years 
he has recciveil 
and executed more 
deeds than any 
other man in the 
county. During 
the serious fire in- 
surance troubles 
that were forced 
upon the state iu 
1S80, he responded 
to the cause of the 
people and lent 
his services as an 
officer and his 
money as a stock- 
holder to form and manage two local companies, both of 
which were serviceable in protecting the properly of the 
city and state, and in winding up their affairs returned to 
the stockholders their original investment with hand- 
some interest. Mr. Spalding has always encouraged 
iuilividnal enterprises ami manufacturing industries. 
Many a successful meichanl owes his start in life to him, 
and many corporations would be extinct to-day hail he 
not come to their ai<I in time of financial distress. He is 
at the jiresent time ollicer ,inil stockholder in the Howard 
Euruiturc Mamifacturin.g coiii])aiiy. and several other 



S60 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



concerns that employ a large number of men and women, 
and directly and indirectly benefit the people of Nashua 
and the towns of the Souhegan valley. 

It is not alone in the activities mentioned that Mr. 
Spalding has been a busy man and useful citizen. He 
represented his ward in the legislature in 1865 and 1866. 
and the district, which then included Nashua and several 
neighboring towns, in the senate of 1S78. This was 
the last senate under the constitution of 1850 and was 
composed of twelve members instead of twenty-four as 
now. In 1S83 and 1S84 he represented the third district 
in the governor's council, and in 1SS5 he was elected 
mayor of Nashua. The number of ballots cast for him in 
this election must be considered as a test of popularity, 
for in 1S84 his party was defeated at the polls by about 
one hundred and eighty votes and he was elected by that 
number, a change of three hundred and sixty. He was 
not a candidate for re-election, and, as it turned out, his 
party was defeated under a new leader. Mr. Spalding's 
administration of the affairs of the municipality was one 
of the most satisfactory in the history of the city. He 
investigated the system of sewerage, and, finding it 
imperfect, had new surveys made with an outlet at the 
Merrimack river and made good progress in its con- 
struction. He also incepted the fire-alarm system and 
put it in the line of realization; anticipated the needs of 
the future by purchasing nearly eleven acres of land and 
adding the same to the Edgewood cemetery, and started 
the Nashua street railway of which he was the first presi- 
dent. Besides this he was a presidential elector of the 
Garfield and Arthur ticket, and was chairman of the 
Nashua Police commission from its organization in 1S92, 
until 1895. 

Mr. Spalding was a director of the Concord railroad 
six years, which included its stormy history, and at the 
present time is a director in the Wilton railroad and in 
the Worcester, Nashua & Rochester road, positions 
which he has held for a .series of years. He is a member 
of Rising ,Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., Meridian- Sun 
Royal Arch chapter, St. George conimandery, K. T., and 
of Edward A. Raymond consistory 32d degree; also of 
Pennichuck lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand, 
and Nashoonon encampment of the same order, of which 
he is past chief patriarch, and an original promoter and 
stockholder of the association that built Odd Fellows' 
block, serving on its board of directors from its organiza- 
tion to the present time. That Mr. Spalding has been a 
very busy man since he settled in Nashua is further 
evidenced by the fact that he is president of the First 
Congregational society and served it in 1S93 and 1894 as 
chairman of the building committee of the magnificent 
edifice on Lowell street, expending )f 125,000 with fidelity 
that had the approval and thanks of the subscriliers of 
that fund. 

Of Mr. .Spalding as a man among his fellow-citizens 
much might be said that must be omitted in au historical 
work that has its limitation. It should be stated, how- 
ever, that his oversight of the affairs of the I'irst National 
bank has been of the most satisfactory and appreciable 
character by its stockholders and patrons; that his 
administration of public trusts have been of a most ser- 
viceable character to the people and honorable to him- 
self ; that no worthy cause appeals to him and is dismissed 
empty-handed ; that his democratic sociability with the 
humblest as well as the affluent has been, and is still, a 



source of happiuess to thousands of men and women 
whose lives are brightened by intercourse with him, and 
whose private affairs are benefited by the advice he has 
given and the aid he has advanced. Mr. Spalding has a 
summer home at the old homestead distiict on Abbot hill 
in Wilton, and also in the grounds of The Grand at Blont 
Vernon, and whenever he is at either place his latch- 
string is out for friends and acquaintances. 

Mr. .Spalding was united in marriage at Wilton, Oct. 13, 
1859, with Josephine E. Eastman, daughter of Joseph 
and Abagail Eastman of Rumney. Mrs. Spalding died 
at Nashua in January, 1877. His second marriage occurred 
in November, 1878, with Anna, daughter of Dr. E. T. and 
Mary M. Learnard of F'all River, Mass. His children, 
b}' his first wife: William E.. t)orn Dec. 13, 1S60; Harry 
E-, born 1862 who died the same year. 

JAMES H. TOLLES. 

Hon. James H. Tolles was born in Nashua Oct. 17, 1846. 
He is a son of Horace C. and Sophia A. (Wright) Tolles. 
(For ancestors see .sketch of his father). 

Mr. Tolles obtained a common school education in the 
district where he was born, and a wider range of practical 
knowledge relative to mercantile customs and methods 
and matters of public moment by private study, intuition 
and observation. He is a musician by nature, study and 
practice, and during his youth made it his profession, 
being a mendier at various times of the Dnnstal)le Cornet 
band, the Nashua Cornet band and several orchestras, 
besides teaching and playing in church choirs. At the 
present time music, both vocal and instrumental, is 
almost entirely abandoned by him, although he continues 
to greatly enjoy it, both his wife and daughter being 
musicians of high rank in the profession. 

Mr. Tolles is a self-made man in the truest sense. 
When he left his home, at the age of twenty years and 
six months, he was in feeble health. He had not been 
able to perform any work for two years, and even then 
could do but little. He went to work, however, for his 
brother, Henry J. Tolles, in a grocery store at Dunstable, 
Mass., and remained there about three years, his health 
improving meantime so that he felt like pushing out into 
the world. He returned to Nashua, and although he had 
obtained a complete knowledge of mercantile affairs, he 
accepted a situation in the dry goods store of Crawford & 
Anderson, located in Noyes block, and the largest store 
of its kind in the city at that time, at seven dollars and a 
half a week. His ability as a salesman in this, to him, 
new line of business, was soon discovered by his employ- 
ers, and his wages were very soon increased beyond the 
usual salaries of that day. In July, 1872, although his 
emploj'ers offered him every possible inducement to 
remain with them and spoke discouragingly of his pur- 
pose to enter a new line of trade, lie resigned his clerk- 
ship and accepted an invitation to go into the lumber 
liusiness with John Cross, his father-in-law. It was an 
unfavorable time of the year to enter the business, and, 
conse()ueutly, on his return from his wedding trip, he 
accepted a position with .Sargent & Cross, whose mills 
and lumber yard were located on Canal street, near the 
Jackson company's dam, as au all rouud assistant for the 
firm. Three months later, Dec. 9, 1872, Dana Sargent 
and his brother, B. F. Sargent, retired from the business, 
aiul the firm was changed to Cross &.'i4.1es, and so 
continues at the present time. 



HISTORY Ol- NASHUA, N. //. 



561 



coiii]);ini()nable man, 



iMr. Tolles, however, is soinethiug more tliau a success- 
ful Inisiness man. He has put lime, money and influence 
into the enterprises that have been incepteil and carried 
forward for the development of Nashua industrial 
resources, and has 1)een a generous giver and worker in 
the things that promote the interests of society and are 
helpful to the public. lie was elected mayor of the city 
for 1S86, and re-elected for 18S7 and 18S8. (See chapter 
on Civil Government). 

In private life he is a cordial 
a model citizen, a 
promoter of the 
interests of musi- 
cians, and an ear- 
nest worker in 
many directions 
for the public at 
large. He is a 
member of I'enni- 
cliuck lodge, I. O. 
O. F., Merrimack 
River conimand- 
ery, V. (). O. C, 
a member of the 
su p re me co ni - 
mandery of the 
or<ler, and for 
many years, and 
now, is grand treas- 
urer of the grand 
commandery of 
the state of New 
Hampshire; the 
order of Cood Fel- 
lows, and an officer 
in the supreme as- 
sembly, and also 
of the City Guards 
club. He is also 
in corporate and 
other organiza- 
tions, being a 
director and clerk 
of the Nashua 
Light, Heat and 
Power company, 
tile Indian Head 
National bank, the 
Nashua Building 
and Loan associa- 
tion, the Lowell 
Electric Light 
corporation (Low- 
ell, Mass.,) the 

Wheeler Reflector company (Boston), and active in the 
management of many other important trusts, besides 
being a trustee of the Nashua Savings bank, the City 
Ivmergency hospital, and serving on the executive board 
when it was established; i)resident of the Nashua Board 
of Trade and a member of the state board, in which he 
served as the chairman of the committee on statistics; 
administrator and trustee of the estate of Dana Sargent. 
Mr. Tolles is a member of the First Congregational church, 
which he served on the committee that had charge of the 
erection of the maguiliceut edifice on Lowell street. 



Mr. roUes was united in marriage Julv 8, 1872. with 
Mary Lllen Cross, daughter of John and Sarah A. (Sar- 
gent) Cross. (For ancestors see sketch of 
One child has been born to them 
'. 1874. 



her father). 
Marion E., born Aug. 




IAMI..S II. I 111. 1. 1- 



CHARLES HORACE BURKE. 
Hon. Charles H. llurke was born in Milford. Dec. 4. 
■85". He is a son of Nahuni W. an<l Anna SX. (Lewis) 
Burke. On the paternal si.le he is a descendant of Rich- 
ard Iturke, who 
came from Eng- 
land to America 
in 1670 and settled 
at Sudlniry, Mass., 
where he becnine 
an inlhiential citi- 
zen. His children 
and children's 
chililren, like 
1 hose of many oth- 
ers of the colonial 
families, have be- 
come widely scat- 
tered and have 
maile for them- 
selves honoralile 
reconis in the ]>ro- 
fessions, the mer- 
cantile world and 
the general occu- 
pations of men. 
On the maternal 
side he is a de- 
scendant of David 
Lewis of l'"rances- 
lowii, of wlioni 
honorable mention 
is maile under ilate 
of 1764 in Coch- 
ran's history of 
that pl.ace. 

Mr. llurke came 
to Nashua with his 
parents in iS56and 
was eilucated in 
our puldic schools. 
During his minor- 
i t y h e was em- 
ployed in his 
father's bakery, 
and shortly after 
attaining his ma- 
jority he liecame a 
a partner in the linsiness, the firm name being N. \V. 
Burke & Son. His father died in 18,83, ""<• since that 
time he has conducted the business alone, having added 
new machinery from time to time, increasing the output 
and keeping abreast of the times. Mr. Burke is one of 
the most reliable and busy business men in Nashua, and 
besides the management of his bakery is presi<lent of the 
Nashua Iron and Brass foundry, president of the Nashua 
Boot and Shoe company, president of the Home Building 
and Loan association, director in the Second National 
bank, the Nashua .■\rmory association, Nashua coal com- 



S62 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



pauy, trustee of the City Guaranty Savings bank, ex- 
president of the board of trade, and one of the promoters 
of the Nashua street railway, having served ou its first 
board of directors. That he has the confidence of tlie 
people is thus abundantly shown, and that he has done 
all in his power to build up and promote the industries 
of Nashua is a fact bej-ond cavil. 

In politics Mr. Burke is a progressive Democrat, a man 
whose magnetism aiul popularity is such that he has been 
elected to office several times when his party associates 
ou the ticket have 
failed of an elec- 
tion. Mr. Burke 
represented Ward 
Eight iu the com- 
mon council in 
1S74, and iu the 
legislature iu 1876. 
In 1878 he was col- 
lector of taxes for 
the city, and iu 
1889 and 1890 he 
served in the office 
of mayor. His ad- 
ministration of 
city affairs during 
the two terms he 
was chief magis- 
trate was marked 
with patriotic zeal 
and improvements 
that have the ap- 
proval of the peo- 
ple. He recog- 
nized the long 
standing claim of 
the veteran volun- 
teers for a suitable 
memorial to those 
who fought the 
battles of the re- 
public by erecting 
and dedicating the 
beautiful soldiers' 
and sailors' monu- 
ment on .\bl>ot 
square, and he 
added the Arling- 
ton street school - 
house and the 
Court street police 
station to the 
needed and per- 
manent improve- 
ments of the city. He also improved the sewerage 
system, sidewalks, streets and highways and devoted his 
time unstintedly to the public service, and to the inci- 
dental things that convenience the people and give a city 
an important uanie abroad. Mr. Burke was appointed 
ou the Nashua police commission in 1891 by Gov. Hiram 
A. Tuttle, and re -appointed by Gov. John B. Smith for 
a term ending in 1899. He is clerk of the board and 
highly regarded by his associates and those who have 
business with the department. 

It is not alone iu the business and political world that 




CII.VKI.HS 11. BUKKE. 



Mr. Burke has been an active citizen. He has shown 
praiseworthy interest in church, educational, social and 
benevolent organizations and has done his part in pro- 
moting the interests of each. He is a member of 
the Universalist church and its treasurer for the past 
fifteen years, and served the Ballou association as its 
president, taking part in its entertainments and encour- 
aging its members to lives of usefulness. Mr. Burke is a 
member of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and -A. M., and of 
Edward .•\. Raymond consistory 32d degree; also of I'en- 

nichuck lodge, 
I. O. O. F., of 
which he is past 
grand, of Indian 
Head encampment 
of which he is past 
])atriarch, and 
E v e n i u g Star 
lodge, K. of P., 
of which he is past 
chancellor. He is 
an honorary mem- 
ber of the New 
Hampshire Vete- 
rans' association, 
a deserved com- 
pliment paid him 
for his patriotic 
service in build- 
ing the monument 
to the memory of 
Nashua's veter- 
ans, and a former 
meui1)er of the 
Citv Guards club. 
:\Ir. Burke w-as 
united iu mar- 
riage Sept. 7, 1S76, 
with Asenath D. 
Spalding, daugh- 
ter of Hosea B. 
and Dorcas (Mar- 
shall) Spalding of 
Merrimack. (For 
genealogy see 
sketch of Solo- 
m on .S p a 1 d i n g, 
Mrs. Burke's pa- 
ternal ancestry be- 
ing practically the 
sanie.^ They have 
one child, Tena, 
born at Nashua, 
Dec. 25, i88g. 



WIl.LIAM H. BEASOM. 

Hon. William H. Beasom was born in Nashua, at the 
homestead on Main street where he now resides, Aug. 17, 
1S61. He is a son of William D. and Jane N. (Boardmau) 
Beasom. (For ancestors see sketch of his father.) 

Mr. Beasom was educated in the public schools of his 
native city, and, with the exception of five years spent iu 
California, Colorado and Nebraska, has alwaj-s had his 
home here. His business is that of a manufacturer. He 
was treasurer of the Uuderhill Edge Tool company from 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. If. 



563 



18S6 till its ])laiit anil business were sold lo the American 
Axe company in 1891, and the Nashua Sa<ldlery Hardware 
company, of which he is general manager and treasurer 




W1LI,IAM II. BEASO.M 

owes its existence and prosperity largely to his entcrjirise 
and business sagacity. He is a trustee in the Nashua 
Savings bank and director and vice-president in the 
Indian Head National bank, besides being interested in 
one way or another in other puljlic and corporate institu- 
tions. 

Notwithstanding his business cares and resimnsibilities 
Mr. Beasom has been much in ])ublic life. He was clerk 
of Ward Four in iS85 and 1887, councilman in 1888 and a 
member of the board of aldermen in 1889 and 1890. He 
was elected mayor of Nashua for the municipal year 1891 
in one of the hardest fought local campaigns ever waged, 
and was the youngest executive officer, being twenty-nine 
years of age at the time, in the history of the city. His 
administration was of a business character. Ivvery 
department was improved, sewers extended, streets paved, 
the police station completed and occupied and the con 
struction of Amherst street .schoolhouse begun. Mr. 
lieasom was re-elected for the year 1892, but after he had 
discharged the duties of his office for a few months his 
health failed and he relinciuished the executive chair to 
Alderman C. H. Faxon, who was acting mayor the balance 
of the term. In politics Mr. lieasom is a Kei)ublican and 
inlluenlial in parly councils. He is a member and junior 
warden of the Church of the Good Shepherd, and a nuin 
whose amiable qualities and honest purpose commands 
respect and attracts friends who support him in business 
enterprises and at the polls with earnestness that cannot 
be otherwise than gratifying to himself and friends. 

Mr. Beasom was united in marriage Oct. 8, 1884, with 



Mary F. Stevens, daughter of Mark W. and I.ucy R. 
(I'helps) Stevens of Sloansville, Schoharie county. N. Y. 
Twochil.lren have been I)orn of their marriage: Mary, 
horn Sept. 3, 1885; Margaret, born Dec. 23, i8<^. 

WILLIAMS HALL. 

Hon. Williams Hall was born at Mason Aug. 11, i.S;,,. 
He is a son of Ceorge and Rachael (Boynston) Hull. an<l 
a direct descendant of Richard Hall, who came from 
Kngland ami seltle<l in Bradford, Mass., in 1673. On the 
maternal side he is also of Rnglish ancestry, the Mason 
branch of the Boynston family having a lineage in one of 
the oldest in New England. 

Mr. Hall obtained the best possible education in the 
schools of his native place, and beyonil that is a self- 
taught man who has made good use of his opportunities, 
and is therefore well informed in all mailers of a mer- 
cantile or a business character as well as on general 
themes that are of interest and importance to busy men. 
Tpon attaining his majority he went lo Townsend, Ma.ss., 
where he w^as employed two years as a clerk in a country 
store. From Town.seud he went lo Charlcslown, Mass.. 
where he followed the same occupation in a general grain 
store. In 1857 Mr. Hall came lo Nashua and until 1S60 
was employed at cabinet work in the manufaclory of his 
brother on Water street. He spent the next eight and a 
half years as a clerk, being employed three years by John 
M. H(>])kiiis, four years by Solomon SpaMing & Co., and 
eighteen months by Seth I). Chandler. In 1869 he bought 
oul the general store of Hopkins & Ramsey, anil in 1874 




w 11.1.1 \Mn II \I I. 



sold out to C. C. Shattuck & Co.. for whom he wascleik 
for the next two years. Jan. 1. 1S76, he bought a half 
interest in the business, which assumed the name of 



564 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Shattuck & Hall. Mr. Sliattuck -withdrew in 1886 and 
since then Mr. Hall has continued the business by him- 
self. 

Aside from business Mr. Hall has been interested in 
public improvements and other things that inure to the 
advancement of the interest of the city and individuals. 
In 1872 and 1S73 he was a member of the common coun- 
cil, and in 1874 deputy sheriff of the county. In 1892 he 
was elected mayor of Nashua, and his administration of 
the municipal government during the year 1893 was 
marked by the completion of the Amherst street school- 
house and the erection of the Amherst street fire engine 
house, one of the finest buildings of its kind in the state. 
He inaugurated and carried forward to completion sev- 
eral other improvements, and made a cleau record that 
will stand the test of time and be a source of pride to 
his descendants. Mr. Hall attends the Universalist 
church and is a member of Rising Sun lodge, A. 1". 
and A. M. 

Mr. Hall was united in marriage Nov. 28, i85o, with 
Jane F. A. Howard, daughter of Benjamin and Pliebe 
(Damon) Howard of Hinghain, Mass. They have one 
sou, Frank W. Hall, born at Nashua, June 3, 1874. 

THOMAS SANDS. 

Ilun. Thomas Sands was l)orn at St. Albans, Me., Julj- 
4, 1833. In 1840 the government appointed his father, 
Hiram Sands, supervisor of the construction of Fort 
Smith, Ark., and the family removed to that place. The 
fort, being located on the line of the Choctaw Indian ter- 
ritory, was remote from educational advantages and con- 
sequently his schooling came from parental instruction 
and general observation. Five years later he became a 
resident of Cambridge, Mass., where he attended a gram- 
mar school two terms. At the age of fourteen he appren- 
ticed himself for three years to the Davenport Bridges 
and Kirk I^ocomotive manufacturers. During this time he 
exhibited marked inventive talent, among the things pro- 
duced by his brains and hands Ijeingthe first roller skate. 
His next place of employment was with the Moss & 
Osborn Steam Engine company in Boston. While there 
he invented Sands' brick-making machine. He produced 
several of these machines and successfully operated them, 
after which he located a mauufactory at St. Johnsbury, 
Vt., and traveled extensively for the purpose of intro- 
ducing them among brick makers. In 1853 he set up one 
of his machines within a stone's throw of the capitol at 
Washington and invited the senators and congressmen 
to witness its workings. The result was the sale of the 
patent for $25,000. 

Mr. Sands' next place of emploj'ment was with the 
Singer Sewing Machine company in Boston. He remained 
with the company a short time, when, by mere chance, he 
became acquainted with a manufacturer of reed organs. 
The result was he apprenticed himself for the remainder 
of his minority to M. O. Nichols of Boston, and before 
his term of service ended he invented a pipe organ in the 
shape of the present grand piano, which he patented. 
During this time he became a self-taught organist and 
was engaged at three dollars a week to play in churches. 
Leaving Mr. Nichols he formed a co-partnership with 
John P. Lindsey, the object being to manufacture organs. 
The venture was not successful and the partnership was 
terminated in 1856. Mr. Liudsey continued the business 



and established shops in Lacouia, and Mr. Sands was in 
his employ as superintendent until 1857, when the enter- 
prise was abandoned. 

Thrown again upon his own resources he invented a 
card printing press, which was the inception of the proof 
press now in general use. He traded this machine, before 
it was patented, for land in South Reading, Mass. His 
next venture was a partnership with a Mr. Prince for the 
purpose of manufact ring brick. They furnished the 
contract of brick for the construction of the Franklin 
street schoolhouse at Manchester. Prince failed in 1867 
after filling several contracts, but the young inventor, 
although a lo.ser, was not easily discouraged. He returned 
to Laconia and entered the employ of Gardner Cook — a 
manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds — for the purpose 
of manufacturing his invention known as the spring 




TIIOMA.S SAND.S. 

needle for hosiery. Mr. .Sands refused an offer of $10,000 
for the patent, but put this invention against |io,ooo capi- 
tal, and with S. T. Thomas went into the business under 
the name of the Sands Needle company. He continued 
in the business until 1S70, when he sold out. The next 
product of Mr. .Sands' active brain is known as the White 
Mountain ice cream freezer. He established a manufac- 
tory at I,aconia and was on the top wave of success, when, 
in 1881, his works were destro)'ed by fire. A new factory 
was established in Nashua and was successfully managed 
by Mr. Sands until 1889, when he sold his interest to a 
syndicate for a large sum of money. It is one of the 
flourishing industries of the city at the present time. 

Mr. Sands now, on account of his health, physicians 
informing him that he would not live very long if he con- 
tinued the mental strain he was under, retired tempora- 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



S'-'.S 



rily from the activities and cares of mainifacturiiiK inter- 
ests. Me invested his money largely in real estate ami 
took life easy. Tlie habits of a life time, however, could 
not be overcome. He felt unsettled, and consequently he 
liecame interested with others in hioating the manufac- 
tory of the nianchard Churn comjiany in Nashua. lie is 
pre.sident of the company at the present time, and has 
been interested, financially and otherwise, in the Sands 
& Brown manufacturing company, a concern that manu- 
factures woven wire sprinsr beds, the l)usiiiess of which 
he was instrumen- 
tal in bringiui; to 
Nashua. 

Mr. Sands' close 
application to bus- 
iness has not pre- 
vented him from 
taking an active 
part in the affairs 
that concern the 
welfare of his 
country .lud the 
c o ni m unities 
where he has re- 
sided. He was an 
original anti-slav- 
ery man, and, in 
his younger days, 
when a resident of 
Boston, was count- 
e d among the 
belligerents who 
resisted the return 
of Anthony Burns 
to slavery. Satiir- 
day, June 2, 1S54, 
he even went so 
far as to partici- 
pate in the hazard- 
ous effort to break 
down the doors of 
the court house 
where the fugitive 
was confined, and 
while the excite- 
ment was at white 
heat w'as supposed 
to have discharged 
firearms which 
killed Blanchard. 
He has clung tena- 
ciously all his life 
to the principles of 
hisyoutli.aud isan 

outspoken and fearless advocate of whatever he believes 
to be for the best interests of the public. Public office 
holding has not been his aim or purpose in life. He has 
many times refused to be a candidate, and not till he was 
relieved of the cares of business would he permit his 
friends to use his name for the office of mayor of Nashua. 
He was the candidate of the Republican party in 1892, 
and re-nominated by acclamation in 1893, and in the last 
named }-ear was elected for the municipal year, [894. Mr. 
Sands made some substantial and satisfactory improve- 
ments upon the streets and highways; he was instru- 




JO.SKl'lI \\ IIU\V.\I!I), 



mental in the purchasing of Nashua's first ron.l ninchiiie. 
and in every way showed a practical knowledge of roa.l 
making. In fad he instituted many improvements in 
the departments of the public service and filled llie chair 
and performed the .hities of the chief executive of the 
city with credit to himself. 

-^s a citizen, since his residence iu Nashua, Mr. Samls 
has occupied a high and honorable position in the esti- 
mation of his fellow citizens. He has lieen active not 
only in doing zealously and willingly all that he could 

for the advancc- 
ineiit of tlie city's 
interests and the 
welfare of thegen- 
eral public, but 
has also respond- 
ed liberally to 
jirivate aod public 
charities. 

Mr. Samls is a 
York .Mason and a 
Scottish Rite Ma- 
son of the 32d 
degree, a niember 
and past grand of 
W i n n i |)iseogee 
lodge, I. (). O. I-., 
I.aconia. a Knight 
of Pythias, and a 
member of the In- 
dependent Order 
of the o I d e n 
Cross. lie is also 
a musical director 
of the I'liitarian 
choir and active iu 
minor societies. 

Mr. Sands has 
been twice mar- 
ried. His first wife 
was Elizabeth C, 
daughter of Col. S. 
I). Johnson of Bed- 
ford. P'ive chil- 
dren were born to 
them, the only 
survivor of whom 
is Lizzie I., wife of 
Kriiest .\. Morgan. 
Mrs. Sands died in 
1S88. His second 
marriage was with 
Mrs. l.izzic M.. 
Russell, widow of 
Joseph K. Russell of Laconia, at Nashua, October 6, 1890. 

JOSEPH WOODBURY HOWARD. 

Hon. Joseph W. Howard was born at Washington, Nov. 
22, 1844. He is a son of Iw.ra P. and Mary (Trow) 
Howard. 

Mr. Howard was educated in the public schools of his 
native place, at Tubbs' I'nioii academy at Washington 
and at the academy at New London. I'poii leaving 
school he returned to his home in Washington. A little 
later he was engaged in business for aliout a year in 



566 



HISTORY or NASHUA, N. H. 



Manchester. In 1S67 Mr. Howard came to Nasliiia and 
entered the furniture store of E. P. Brown, becoming for a 
partner in the business shortly after and so continuing a 
nunilier of years. Upon the dissolution of the firm he 
formed a co-partnership with Capt. C. D. Copp, under 
the firm name of Howard & Copp, and continued the 
business. This firm was dissolved after two or three 
years of successful business, and Charles H. I'rench 
became his partner under the firm name of Howard S: 
French. Still later the firm was changed by the admis- 
sion of David Heald of Milford to Howard, French & 
Heald. This firm had a manufactory at Milford in addi- 
tion to its manufactory in Nashua, and did a very large 
wholesale business. It was dissolved in January, 1S94, 
French X: Heald assuming control of the Milford branch 
and Mr. Howard becoming sole proprietor of the busi- 
ness in Nashua, in which he still continues. 

Mr. Howard's enterprise is of the kind that is not 
easilj- discouraged or embarrassed by adversity. Fire of 
the most destructive character has followed him with a 
persistency that would wreck a less hopeful and deter- 
mined man. His retail department was totally destro3'ed 
while located in the old Beasom block ; his manufactory 
in the Greeley buildings on Lowell street was badly 
damaged, his manufactory in the old Washington house 
and its annex on Main street was wholly consumed, as 
was his manufactory and storehouse on Front street. At 
other times he has suffered from less destructive fires, 
the last being the burning of the upholstery department 
of his business on Front street. Notwithstanding these 
discouragements he has steadil)' rebuilt, and increased 
his capacity for business and at the present time, in 
addition to his local business, is president and manager 
of the Howard Furniture company, organized in 1892, 
which has a large manufactory at Wilton and a store- 
house and salesroom on Front street, Nashua. Few if 
any of the active men of to-day have done more in help- 
ing onward the progress of the city in the past twenty- 
five years. He was half owner with his father in building 
Howard block, and has rendered pecuniary and otlier 



assistance to other equally important enterprises, includ- 
ing the Masonic temple and Odd Fellows block. 

But it is not alone in business that Mr. Howard's 
induence has been felt in the things that make a live city. 
He has takeii a conspicuous part in pu1)lic affairs, and, 
being a man in whom the people place implicit confi- 
dence, has held uearl)- every office within the gift of his 
ward and the city. After serving Ward One on the board 
of selectmen, he represented it in the common council in 
1877 and 1878, and in the lioard of aldermen in 1879 and 
iSSo, and has served the city on the board of education 
twelve years. He was a member of the legislature of 
1887 and 1888, in which the great railroad fight occurred, 
and represented the district in the senate of 1893 and 
1894, performing his duty to the state in a conscientious 
mauner and winning the approval of his con.stitueuts to 
the degree that caused them to insist on his candidacj- 
for the mayoralty in 1894. 

In the social world Mr. Howard has been equally con- 
spicuous. He is a Universalist and a liberal contributor 
to the needs of that denomination in Nashua; a member 
of Rising Sun lodge, A. F. and A. M., Meridian Sun 
Royal Arch chapter, Israel Hunt council, St. George 
commandej"y, K. T., and Edward A. Raymond con- 
sistory, 32d degree. He is a Knight of Pythias and an 
Odd F'ellow, in the last order being president of the 
Iniilding association that owns Odd Fellows block, and a 
member of the City Guards club. He is also a member 
of the board of trustees of the Nashua Savings bank and 
a director in the First National bank, besides holding 
similar positions of trust in several other city institu- 
tions. In a word he is a very busy man and an influen- 
tial factor in the industrial, municipal and social life of 
Nashua. 

Mr. Howard was united in marriage Aug. 27, 1868, with 
Naucy J. Hasseltou, daugliter of Joel aud Mary (Herrick) 
Hesselton of Wilton. Three children have been born 
of their marriage : Charles Woodbury, born Oct. 28, 
1869. married Blanche L. Baldwin, 1894; I-'rauk Barrett, 
born Sept. 20, 1871 ; Mary Ilasselton, born Aug. 14, 1876. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 567 

MUNICIPAL. 

THI: Civil, GOVERNMKNT OF THH TOWNSHIPS OH DUNSTABI.K. Ol.l) DUNSTABLH. 

Nashua, Nashville and thh City of Nashua. 

!!v \v. <). ci.()i(;ii. 

TWV. practical-miiiikd student who entertains a purpose to contribute to llie connnon stock ot 
knowledge relative to the men— their civil government and their achievements— who were 
]irominent in public stations in the townships of Dunstable, Old Dunstable, Nashua. Nash- 
ville and the City of Nashua in past decades, finds himself somewhat end)arrassed at the 
ver}- outset of his task. He discovers when searching old records, comparing citations au<l endeavor- 
ing to harmonize conflicting statements, that much that had been associated in the public mind as 
unqualified truth is questionable fiction, and that many interesting paragraphs that have appeared in 
public print have little or no foundation in fact, being for the most part the imaginings of writers 
who, hoping no doubt to escape prosiness, have unwittingly colored their theme. In a word, the 
alignment that should separate the real and the ideal is, in many instances, so imperfectly drawn, and 
the necessity of making excuses so ingeniously interwoven, that there is danger, in restating the facts, 
of falling into like errors. The perplexities thus indicated — cropping out here and there along the 
track of centuries — are many times manifest in evidence of troubles incidental to locating and build- 
ing the first meeting-house following the first division of the town : in (juarrels between settlements 
and towns over division lines, places of worship and bridges; in the controversy over the location and 
building of the town hall, the Hunt memorial library building, and sundry other events of like char- 
acter which there is no moral right for concealing from the reader of to-day and student of the future. 
The recorder, therefore, has no license to avoid plain truth, and hence it will be seen that — while 
endeavoring to be impartial and just — reasonable excuse exists for seeking the charitable judgment 
of his fellow citizens. 

The pioneers, who literally toiled to make the wilderness blossom and bear fruit lliat has ripened 
in the civilization that crowns the close of the nineteenth century, were men of rugged constitutions 
and iron nerve, rigid in ]>rinciple, tenacious in their individual rights, and strict in matters of di.sci- 
pline. They were Puritans : dissenters. They recognized no man as master and j>aid only such 
deference to the king as was compulsory. In fact, while they tacitly gave their consent to be gov- 
erned, so far as the affairs of state were concerned, they governed themselves in communities. Their 
system of government, as developed in this country, was not, as many persons believe, moulded from 
British customs. It was the result of necessity, each step in its advance having been taken to meet 
the demands of an increased population. In early times public affairs were con.sidered and passed 
upon by the whole body of freemen, but the frequent attendance upon town meetings by widely scat- 
tered settlers became burdensome, and hence certain ])ersons were selected to act for a stated time. 
their authority being "to order the affairs of the town." This was the origin of the board of select- 
men. Other town offices were " set up " to meet growing demands. Here, then, is the beginning of 
local civil government. 

UUNSTABLF UNDHK ITS FIRST CHARTFR. 

The objective point for those who would know more of the municipality is the townships of which 
it is the successor. As early as 1650 the general court of Massachusetts granted tracts of land in the 
Merrimack valley to actual settlers and to others who would agree to pay a nominal tax. These 
tracts or farms, were located as extending from Chelmsford along the banks of the Merrimack and 
Souhegan rivers. In 1655 settlers began to arrive-Jonathan Tyng being the f^rst-an.l a few years 
later 167^,, their number having increased so that they felt the "need of accommodation" (the legal 
right to establish local government, impose taxes and settle a minister) they petitioned the general 
court of Massachusetts for a charter. This petition was signed by Thomas Kdwards Thomas 
Wheeler, senior, Thomas Brattle, Jonathan Tyng and twenty-two others. The prayer of the peti- 
tioners was granted Oct. 16, 1673. (old style.) It containe.l the usual conditions of the times: "that 



568 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Five Hundred acres of Upland and Meadow be laved out for Publick use and tliat they jiroceed in 
setting up ye Plantation as to finish it out," (i. e., procure such number of settlers as would sujiport 
a minister, clear, break up, fence, l)uild houses and live in them), "within three years, and maintayne 
and able Orthodox minister.'' The charter, which did not give the town a name, was duly accepted 
and an organization perfected. They named the new borough Dunstable (in compliment to Marj- 
Tyng, mother of Jonathan Tyng, who came from Dunstable, Eng.) and entered into a compact 
fixing the methods by which they would Ije governed. There are no consecutive records of their 
minor transactions. The\' met, as occasion required, in farm houses and on May i6, 1674, voted to 
build a meeting-house between Salmon brook and the house of Lieutenant Wheeler. The next A'ear, 
1675, King Phillip's war broke out and the incursions upon the settlement so scattered the inhabitants 
(Jonathan T\ng, onl\', remaining) that this vote became inoperative. Three years later, iri7,S, peace 
having been restored, the people returned to their homes and the meeting house was Iniilt. It was a 
rude affair compared with the church edifices of to-day and can better be imagined than described. 
In 1679 the delayed conditions of the charter were " finished out " with thirty families, and the future 
made secure by the settlement of Rev. Thomas Weld. Their affairs then ran in a smooth channel 
for a number of years. In i6,Sy a revolution ha\ing occurred in Great liritain and James II. being 
deposed, they chose John Waldo, Cornelius Waldo and Robert Parris to represent them in a conven- 
tion, held in Boston, "for assuming the government." The convention was, in spirit and purpo.se, a 
declaration of inalienable rights and thus a forerunner of American independence. In 1692 Jonathan 
Tyng and Thomas Henchman were their representatives. The)- murmured at the expense — legisla- 
tors being paid at that time by the town instead of the state as now — and, discovering that they were 
not compelled by law to be represented, voted "not to send." 

The settlers had now enjoyed about ten years of peaceful life. Their dream of pro.sperity, how- 
ever, was rudely broken. King William's war broke out and many of their wisest and best men were 
slain, and they were again forced to flee for their lives. Oueen Anne's war followed in its train, and 
finally those who remained were compelled, under the lead of John Lovewell, to give battle to the 
merciless savages whose depredations had reduced them to poverty and compelled them in 1701 and 
again in 1704, to apply to the colonial treasurer for aid, tv\'enty pounds being granted them each time. 
The story of those twenty-five j^ears of hardship, the record of the deeds of bravery of those who 
defended wives and children, their suffering, their experiences in the wilderness, the tragic death of 
Weld, Lovewell and a score of others is a story of romantic interest and is simpl}- mentioned here to 
preserve continuity. Peace came at last, and in 17 11 the broken-hearted and impoverished settlers, 
who had been living in garrisons the greater part of the time for twenty-five years, could number but 
thirteen families, a total of eighty-six persons. But they had courage and looked to the future with a 
determined purpose to regain all and more than they had lost. Local government had meantime 
fallen into disuse, and for some time following the last date nothing of striking importance is noted in 
their records. They built roads and bridges, paid their just proportion for keeping the highways of 
the town and those south of them in repair, l)uilt a boom across the river, glazed the meeting-house 
appointed Joseph French coffin-maker, and " constructed " a town boat, 1728, for " fording the Merri- 
mack," probably at Little's .station, now South Nashua, for the purpose of communicating with their 
neighbors on the territory now known as Hudson. 

It must not be understood, however, that the early settlers of Dunstable were oblivious of the 
doings of the general government. Far from it. They kept a watchful eye on all that was transpiring, 
and the only reason that can be assigned for their failure to participate is found in their pecuniary 
embarrassments. That they were opposed to "heredity rule" and determined to assert their inde- 
pendence is susceptible of proof though the fact that, notwithstanding their method gave ofhence, 
they insisted on choosing a grand juryman as early as 1723 and continued their practice. It is also 
shown in the fact that for more than fifty years after receiving their charter they neglected — although 
frequently reminded by agents of the government— to establish a public school. They maintained 
that their people were too widely scattered to make a school advisable and that for all purposes for 
which they had any use for book knowledge they were able to give instruction in their homes. They 
taught their children reading, mathematics and penman.ship, and it is not too much to say that they 
proved competent teachers. In 1730, however, the adjoining towns cau.sed them to be indicted, 
whereupon they raised ten pounds and employed a teacher one season. They felt, however, that they 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



569 



were being imposed upon and lapsed into the old way. No further attempt was made to coerce them. 
The years that followed before the town was divided, by reason of the settlement of the boundary line 
dispute between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, were years of comparative plentv. They culti- 
vated their farms, paid their taxes— the total amount for all town purposes, including the minister's 
salary, being from two hundred and fifty dollars to four hundred dollars a year— kept their highways 
in repair and sought forgetfulness of past misfortunes. A few disturbing affairs of public momeiil. 
however, crept in upon them. The first of these was a proposition to purchase the ministerial farm of 
Rev. Mr. Ki(hlcr :is a parsonage. There were a good many dissenters to this proposition and also a 
hitch as to whom the deed should be made. Considerable hard feeling was engendered and threats 
were made to apply to the general court for redress, but happily the cloud j.assed without a serious 
storm. The second disturbing subject related to the meeting-house. It "was out of repair and not 
dccciU." The (|Ucstion to be .settled was "would the town build a decent meeting-house or rectify 
and iiand the old one." It was voted to build. A year of vexatious wrangling followed. It was 
then decided to build "about four rods westward of where the meeting-house now stands," whereupon 
nineteen per.sons entered a protest. They declared that the location was unjn.st, and were so earnest 
in their opposition that the matter was held in abeyance nearly two years. In 17.^4 the (juarrel was 
renewed, and when those who favored the location heretofore named were about to carry out the 
provision of the vote of the town an invitation was received to ap])ear before the general assembly 
and make answer to the remonstrance of John Kendall and others. The subsequent records of the 
town are lo.st, hence the "sense of the voters" cannot be stated. It is evident, however, from the 
facts that the meeting-hou.se was not t)uill until 173S, that there were many hot di.scussions aiul much 
ill-feeling engendered. On the completion of the meeting house another controversy, the result of 
the five years' unfriendliness, arose. The inhabitants of the westerly side of the town and the 
northerly side of Groton petitioned to be set off as a separate townshi|>. The petitioners rei)resented 
that owing to the distance — from six to ten miles — they were deprived of preaching, and, for this, and 
other reasons, they desired a distinct township. The people of the easterly' part of the town resisted 
to the bitter end, which came Dec. 28, 1739, at which time the general court of Ma.ssaclnisetts acted 
affirmatively upon the petition. The success of the.se petitioners aroused the people of the western 
portion of the town. They brought forward a similar complaint, and, after considerable debate and 
sundry protests from the settlers near the Merrimack river, they were finally empowered to "set up" 
a parish under the name of We.st Dunstable. They had authority only to employ a minister: in all 
else they remained a part of Dunstable while it remained under Massachusetts' jurisdiction. Hriefly 
told* from imperfect records, the foregoing statements contain the essential facts relative to the estab- 
ishment of local government over the territory now governed in part under the charter of the city of 
Nashua. 

Before making a further .summary of the affairs of the civil governments of which Nashua is a 
successor mention .should be made concerning the ownership of the territory. The town of Dunstable, 
as has been shown, entered upon a new era of prosperity early in the eighteenth century. Deserted 
farms were being tilled by new settlers, a minister. Rev. Josiah Swan, had been secured, and. the 
plantation having increa.sed to fifty families, prosperity had evidently come to stay. The new comli- 
tions that confronted the original grantees and their heirs, together with the fact that the town had 
.some years before fixed the population at eighty families, aroused ihcm to the necessity of protecting 
their interests in the "common and undivided land." They caused a legal warrant to be poste<l 
warning a meeting to be held at the meeting-house July 12, 1729, for the purpose of making a record 
of legal ownership and an equitable division of the same. The meeting was held on the day cited in 
the warrant. Benjamin Prescott was cho.seu moderator, and it was voted that 1 ,000 acres of ccpial 
value be laid out to each of the original grantees and that the heirs of John Lovewell and others who 
had fallen in tlie defence of the settlement have the .same. They also made their organization perma- 
nent, inferentially declaring themselves proprietors of all the land then unsettled, and not before 
granted to non-residents, within the boundary of their charter. A few years later, however, they 
were shorn of some of their po.ssessions by the "setting up" nf new towns, but in the end-after they 

•The rc-KUr is rcferrt-.l lo other chapters of this work for coiuimiity of narrative relative to wars. Indian 
massacre,., the succcs.sors of Rev. Mr. WeUl, the ol.l Imrial ground, an.l other matters that are not uiclu.le.l in this 
record of the civil government of Dunstable. 



-JO HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

came under New Hampshire government — they froze out, taxed out, bought out and confiscated all 
that belonged to Massachusetts grantees. The land thus mentioned was surveyed and set off from 
time to time by Joseph Blanchard, surveyor of the town and proprietors' clerk, and due record made 
in a book kept for that purpose. Of the land in question four hundred and forty acres, on Watane- 
nock plane or Watanenock neck — exclusive of two grants of twenty-three acres each on the Merrimack 
river, owned respectively by Thomas Clark of Boston and John vSolendine of the town — were sur- 
veyed in 1764 by Colonel Blanchard, and conveyed, Sept. 10, to Joseph Knight and Christopher 
Temple. The descriptive boundary was as follows : "A parcel of land north of Salmon brook and 
south of the Nashua river," formerly known as the Watenenock river, "running westward about two 
miles ; " also conveved to Samuel Whitney, " one hundred and ninet>' acres upon the same plain, ujion 
Salmon brook southward." The land on the north side of the river was granted to the Boston Artil- 
lery company Oct. 11, 1673, a few days before the Dunstable charter was signed. The boundary was 
as follows: " Or.e thousand acres on the north side of the Nashway river, at the intersection with the 
Merrimack, extending along the north side of said river about one and a half miles, and on the 
Nashway to Spectacle meadow, about two miles." In these three descriptions is found the original 
ownership of the major part of the territory now embraced in the thickly settled part of Nashua. 
Col. Joseph Blanchard purchased, about the middle of the eighteenth century, the interest of the 
Artillery company and later sold it to actual settlers. The land on the south side of the river was 
di.sposed of in the same way, and in 1816 the original proprietors closed their accounts. A few years 
later the Nashua Manufacturing company became the purchaser of a large tract, and since then the 
list of ownership has enlarged — most of the territory described being now in house lots. 

DUNSTABLE UNDER A NEW HAMPSHIRE CHARTER. 

In 1 741 a new state line — over which there had been a controversy for a good many years — was 
established between Massachusetts and New Hampshire. This line divided the town nearlj- in the 
middle, "leaving in Massachusetts," says Judge Worcester, "the part of the old town now in Tyngs- 
borough and Dunstable in that state and a narrow gore from the old parish of West Dunstable, now 
in Pepperell, and severing from Groton a small triangular tract now in the south part of Nashua 
along the state line." 

The division came as a surprise upon the inhabitants of all parts of the town. They had seen 
their territory diminishing in extent from time to time — Nottingham, now Hudson, having been set 
off in 1732, Souhegan East, later Rumford and now Merrimack, in 1733, Amherst and Litchfield in 
1734 — and they felt the last blow keenly. They argued that the)' had been unfairly dealt with and 
claimed — at the same time declaring that under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts they were secure in 
their methods of local government — they had grave doubts about their standing under the jurisdiction 
of New Hampshire. Moreover, their kindred, their history, their business interests and their church 
were in Massachusetts. The more they brooded over the situation the more disgusted, discouraged, 
and homesick they became. In fact their grievances became so magnified that nearly five years 
elapsed before they were sufficiently reconciled to apply for a new charter, and even then they would 
not have humbled themselves had not other settlements in the town insisted on another division and 
on l)eing set off. The issue was actually forced upon them. No alternative remained but to act or 
lose their identity. After much vain strife the>' consented to make application to the royal governor, 
Benning Wentworth, for a charter re-establishing the township. Col. Joseph Blanchard was chosen 
agent of the town for that purpose, and April 4, 1746, it was obtained. Another grievance came with 
it; new towns had been set up and their territory thus again diminished. Nor was this all. 
Although Dunstable was the original settlement the charters of Mon.son, Merrimack and Hollis were 
given precedence in date. Ten days later, however — notwithstanding their discomfiture — a legal 
meeting of "all those (lualified to vote" was held at the hou.se of Jonathan Lovewell, when the 
charter was accepted and the following officers chosen: Jonathan Lovewell, town clerk: Jonathan 
Lovewell, Thomas Harwood and Thomas Patch, selectmen; Joseph Blanchard, treasurer; Jonathan 
Snow, tithing-master; Thomas Allds, Elnathan Blood and Thomas Killicut, field-driver; Ephriam 
Lund and Samuel Keeny, fence- viewers ; William Lund, Gideon Howe and Joseph Butterfield, hog 
con.stables. It was voted that future meetings be called by the selectmen and then the meeting was 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 5-, 

adjourned. In the records of this meeting the adjective "ohl." as a prefix to the name of the town. 
is used for the first time, the evident purpose being to emphasize their priority over the other Dun- 
stable and the towns whose charter antedated theirs. At a subsequent meeting it was voted to pay 
Colonel Blanchard thirty pounds, old tenor, expenses for obtaining a charter.* It will be observed 
that in this concise summary is given the circumstances under which the charter was <.l)tained, the 
price paid, and the first legal government, under the laws of New Hampshire, estal>Iished over the 
territory now governed under the charter of the city of Nashua, together with the first officers, and 
the fact made clear that the inhabitants were not in a frame of mind calculated to lead to generous 
dealings among themselves or with neighboring towns. 

A list of the officers of the town during the hundred years that follow, together with anything 
like a complete sunnnary of the business transacted, is not practicable. It is enough to know that 
the men who controlled imblic affairs in tho.se days were not unlike the public servants of the present 
time. They had their sharp differences of opinion and were more or less jealous of each other. In 
fact the records show that they were often hopelessly divided on matters of local policy and were just 
as tenacious and uncompromising in whatever they deemed their rights, individually and collectively, 
as are the people of this generation. The truth of these statements— and, if this asser\'ation seems 
harsh, the reader must remember that their e.xalted patriotism, devoted husbandry and religious 
zeal are set forth in other chapters, this chapter presenting more especially the view that is "of the 
earth earthy " — are borne out by the tone and temper of the .second and sub.sequent meetings of the 
town. It was there, at the second meeting. May 10, that a bitter controversy arose over the minister, 
over the payment of the just amount of salary due him for services rendered when they were a part 
of the other Dunstable, and also over the location — most readers will find it difficult to suppress a 
smile — of their one public building, a meeting-house. These troubles — the second mentioned of 
which lasted seventeen 3'ears — will be better understood when considered in separate paragraphs. 

For some reason that is not made clear in the records the town was about equally divided in favor 
and against Rev. Josiah Swan. As a whole the voters were desirous that his ministry over them 
should come to an abrupt end, and it is quite evident that a heated debate took place and that party 
feeling ran high. Finally a committee w^as chosen "to wait on Rev. Josiah Swan to know his 
demands on the town and report the same to the meeting." The committee reported that "the 
demands on the inhabitants, on both sides of the province line, what was old Dunstable was two 
hundred pounds, old tenor, for his salary for the past year." The only answer made by the meeting 
was a vote to excuse from the payment of any part of this sum those not residing under the old 
charter, and also that the committee "treat with Rev. Mr. Swan and see if they can come to an agree- 
ment with him to perform the office of gospel minister in this town and if they can they agree with 
him so long as they think proper not exceeding said term." It does not appear that the committee 
agreed with Mr. Swan. At an adjourned meeting Sept. 29, ' ' it was proposed that Rev. Josiah Swan's 
salary be raised and assessed according to contract and voted in the negative," and "voted in the 
affirmative that the place of preaching be at Deacon Jonathan French's house." Their grievance 
against Mr. Swan had now become of a belligerent character. They discussed it in stormy detail, 
and Oct. 15 "voted that Noah John.son, Thomas Harwood and Jonathan Snow go to Rev. Mr. Swan 
and see if he had any demands on this town and if he has to see upon what terms he will acquit this 
town and ask a dismission of the church here, and that they hear his proposal and make jjroposals to 
him to settle affairs." Two days later another meeting was held at which the committee reported 
that Rev. Mr. Swan "desires six weeks in which to make up his mind as to the terms on which he 
would withdraw." Voted to grant his request and "to hire .some person to preach six weeks." Nov. 
28, the six weeks having elapsed, the town met again. The committee, which found Mr. Swan 
obdurate, reported that "the Rev. Josiah Swan's terms are if the town would give him three hun<lred 
and fifty pounds, old tenor, he would endeavor to get a dismission from the church and would acquit 
the town." The discussion that followed, judging from the division of sentiment, the character of 
those interested, and the tone of their vote, may be set down as of angry import. Here it is: 
" Voted that if Rev. Josiah Swan pursue his proposal and gets a dismission from the said church and 
bring a certificate thereof and offers the .same to the selectmen they shall assess the inhabitants and 
pay him." During this time the town .settled Rev. vSamuel Hird. Mr. Swan, who was still a freeman 
*A f:ic-siiiiile of this document is given as a frontispiece to this work. 



572 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

of the town, and others voting against him. Mr. Swan settled with the town March 2, 1747, and 
shortly afterwards moved to Lancaster, where he resumed his former occupation of a schoolmaster. 
This controvers}^ lasted ten months and authorities agree that it was of a bitter character. 

Meanwhile, for the town had another and more serious iron in the fire at the same time, a warm 
discussion was progressing and increasing in importance, relative to the location of a meeting-house. 
Their former place of worship was located in the other Dunstable and they " would have none of it." 
They were holding town meetings and religious services in houses and barns, which was neither 
comfortable nor dignified, and were determined on settling on a site for a house "suitable to the 
inhabitants." At their third meeting, July 6, the matter was brought forward and discussed, after 
which it was " voted that the place for erecting a meeting-house for the Pulilick Worship of God be 
on or near the common road of passing through the town, viz, the road passing l)y the house of Jona- 
than Lovewell ; " also, " voted that the place of building and erecting said meeting-house be as near 
the barn of Messrs. Tyler and Hancock, now in the po.ssession of Thomas Cowen, as a place can be 
found convenient for the use," and that " the place of preaching be at Ephraim Lund's barn and to 
hire a proper person to preach." The first votes are antagonistic and the only explanation that can 
be given is that under their parliamentary usage a subsequent vote on a subject cancelled former 
votes relative to the same. At all events the action of the town raised a storm at once. Decided 
opposition came from unexpected sources and the question was taken home for further consideration. 
The result of thinking and talking the matter over found public expression in a vote at a meeting 
held vSept. 29, when it was "voted that the place to remove the meeting-house to in this town be 
about forty rods to the south of Jonathan Lovewell's house, to the west of the road of passing, upon a 
place of rising ground about six rods west of said road." Then the storm burst in fury. The free- 
men, both for and against the proposition, took sides, and, unquestionably, determined on a fight to 
the bitter end. The opponents of the removal and site were exasperated and Col. Joseph Blanchard 
entered a written protest in which he insisted that the location was unjust, boldly declaring that the 
meeting was illegal and accused the moderator, Jonathan Lovewell, of "admitting to vote inhabitants 
who were not qualified." The result was much the same as is experienced in these days, with excep- 
tion that an appeal was not taken to court. This protest, which no doubt created a sensation in the 
town, was entered upon the records and the meeting adjourned. Six weeks later, Oct. 15, 
another effort was made to settle the controversy, but nothing was done except to vote " that the 
place removing the meeting-house be not the place and that another be agreed on." Thus matters 
stood until the next spring, when, March 2, 1747, a statement was made that: — 

"A number of the inhabitants have proposed to take that part of the meeting-house in that will 
be the proportion this town ought to have in said meeting-house together with old areages if any be 
coming to them from Dunstable, Mass., and to erect and furnish a meeting-house forty feet long and 
twenty-eight feet wide twenty foot post on the place that shall be stated by the committee chosen at 
this meeting and build as many pews therein as may be commodious on the lower floor and gallerj', 
finish a pulpit, leave two seats below next the front one on the men's side and one on the women's 
side a pew below for strangers and one pew for the minister's family and that they calculate the 
charges that they have been at and apportion the same on the pews and proportion to the tax on real 
estate." 

On this proposition the vote was in the affirmative. They were not content it seems with this 
settlement of their differences, for at the same meeting it was voted that "a committee of three judi- 
cious men belonging to some other town or towns be raised to locate said meeting-house." Then it 
was voted that the committee consist of Joseph Fitch of Bedford, William Lawrence of Groton and 
John Chamberlin of Souhegan East, and "the place shall be as stated by the committee." After 
another provoking delay it was voted, whether or not on the recommendation of the committee is not 
stated, that the place be "near the common road that passes Thomas Harwood's house to the Nash- 
way river." But the end was not yet. At a meeting held May 25, it was voted " to sell the interest 
of the town in the old meeting-house to the town of Dunstable, Mass., for one hundred and fifty-five 
pounds," and also that "the vote relative to a meeting-house be not pursued and that some other 
measures betaken." The division of sentiment was so .strong that nothing was accomplished and 
further consideration went over to a meeting held July 6, which was adjourned to Aug. 31, when it 
was voted " to set a meeting-house near the common road passing through the town, viz, the road 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. „^ 

that passes Thomas Harwoo.l's house to the Nashway river." The meeting adjoi.nied to Sept. 15. at 
which time twenty heads of families, including Rev. Mr. Swan, wearying of strife and tunnoil, and 
some of them dissatisfied with Rev. Mr. Bird, whose orthodoxy was in doubt and whom they deiiom- 
iimted a " new light of the Whitefield school," petitioned the town " to be excused from paying taxes 
to support the minister and also from being a.ssessed to erect and furni.sh a meeting-house where he 
was to preach." Col, Joseph Blanchard, the leader of the opposition, as against Jonathan Lovewell. 
headed the petition. They were excused. As if this was not enough to distract the town eleven 
others, residents of "One Pine Hill," entered a protest saying they could not and would not attend 
Mr. Bird's meeting. They had contributed to the building of the meeting-house in Hollis when, 
by the old line, they belonged in that town, the distance was one-half less, they were attached to 
Rev. Mr. Ivnerson and they desired to be .set off to that town. This protest proved the entering 
wedge of a long and bitter quarrel in which Hollis became a moving factor. The request was denied, 
and .seventeen persons sul),scribed two hundred and fifty-six pounds and entered into an agreement 
with the town to take the money coming for the sale of their interest in the old church and build a 
meeting-hou.se, according to plans heretofore mentioned, and sell the pews by auction, the money 
received to be divided in jnoper proportions to what each subscribed : " and the town will assemble 
and agree upon a place that is just and etpial near the connnon road passing through said town, vi/. 
the road that jiasses Thomas Harwood's house to the Xashwa\- river bridge." This agreement was 
in part rudely broken at a meeting held Nov. y, it being voted that "the committee having agreed 
upon a place that is not just and e(puil, all circumstances considered, it therefore now voted that the 
place be one hundred and forty rods south of the house of Jonathan TvOvewell, a few rods to the west 
of the town road on a plane of rising groun<l !)y a pine tree marked X or the nearest ]ilace convenient 
for that not more than forty rods from that place." The plan to build by subscription ami sell by 
auction — the site being now settled — was agreed upon by the town, which, lieing interested as a sub- 
scriber to the amount of one hundred and fifty-five pounds (received in ])aynient for the old meeting- 
house) immediately hedged against wage-earners on the jjoint that the t<jwn should "oversee in the 
matter of cost and get the work done cheeper if it could." The meeting-house was built during the 
fall and winter of 1747, and town meeting was held in it June 17, 1748. 

The meeting-house, it will be observed, had been built and furnished according to contract, and 
yet the trouble did notecase. The location was unsatisfactory to nearly one-half of the ]>opulatioii 
and they refused to be placated or comforted. Both sides were determined and belligerent, and, s(j 
the records relate, March 13, 1749. " the warrant for the meeting was taken away by violence." The 
selectmen certified a new warrant, but no business of importance was transacted. In fact the town 
would neither settle with the builders of the meeting-house, pay for preaching, form a parish associa- 
tion with the neighl)oring towns, call a minister or meet in the meeting-house, and for seven years. 
until Oct. 15, 1774, the meetings were held at farm houses as had been the custom before it was built. 
The ])eople were not only angry with each other, but, as subse<|uent events show, with the i)eople of 
other towns, and that their anger did not cease for several years is abundantly proven by their record : 

Jan. 15, 1750: " \'oted that the peojde of Nottingham and Dunstable, Mass., upon pledging to 
to pay a just proportion of the tax to support a minister ( their reiiuest being before the meeting in 
writing) may attend public worship in the meeting-house in this town," whereupon Jonathan I.ove- 
well, Noah Johnson, Samuel Whiting and others entered a written ])rote.st, and here the matter 
ended. 

In the meantime the inhabitants of "One Pine Hill" were uneasy, discomforted and a source of 
constant irritation and vexation. They would not vole to hire preaching and they again jietitioned 
to be set off to Hollis. 

March 25, 1751 : Voted that the request of the i)eople of "One Pine Hill " ( their jietition having 
been di.scussed) be denied and that "the place of Publick Worshij) be at the meeting-hou.se built by 
Jonathan Lovewell, Noah John.son and others until the town see fit to alter it." 

April 15, 1752: Voted to decline an invitation to forma parish reunion with i)eoi)le of Dun- 
stable, Mass. 

"In these troubles," says Judge Worcester, "it was very natural that the kindly sympathies of 
the good people of Hollis should have been strongly with the settler at "One Pine Hill." The 



574 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

records of the town show that as early as Oct. 26, 1747, Hollis voted " to request of Dunstable the 
People of One Pine Hill with their Lands be set off to Hollis," but this request was not hospitably 
entertained. All concerned were obdurate. 

Dec. 21, 1753: "Voted the place whereon to set up a meeting-house for Public Worship on 
Lord's day be at the crotch of the road as near as can be with convenience near the house where Jona- 
than Lovewell now dwells: " also 

" Voted that the old meeting-house be took down, moved and set up on the place this night voted 
and that the same be forthwith don." 

March 5, 1754: " \'oted that the old meeting-house be fitted, raised and furnished as well as it 
was before it was took down at the place agreed upon for that use and that the pew ground below the 
same as was put to that use before the house was took down, and the pews sold at publick vandue ; " 
and also 

" \'oted to excuse 'One Pine Hill ' people from all charges in fitting, raising and furnishing the 
old meeting-house," to which last concession seventeen voters entered a protest which has the effect 
of annulment. 

The people of "One Pine Hill " were now vexed beyond measure, and, it would seem, the peo- 
ple of Hollis were giving them aid and comfort. The former addressed a new petition to their towns- 
men reiiuesting to be set off and the latter voted " to joyne 'One Pine Hill ' People, so called, to get 
them set off from Dunstable to be annexed to Hollis." The town of Dunstable discussed their requests 
March 8, 1756, and peremptorily denied them. 

Sept. 27, 1757 : "\'oled that nothing more be done about furnishing the meeting-house at pres- 
ent ; " also 

" \'oted to hire Klias Smith to preach," whereupon John Allds and Jeremiah Colburn protested 
in writing that Smith ilid n(_)t adhere to Westminster confession and they were Presbyterians. * * 
* * * "" Nine others protested that the meeting was illegal and that Smith's "preaching 

is contrary to our profession," while seven contented themselves with " protesting that the meeting- 
was illegal ; " and it was 

"Voted that the town would not Incourage the settlement of Elias vSmith." 

Nov. 27. 1758; " It was proposed whether the peojde of 'One Pine Hill' .should be excused or 
released from paying anything towards the support of the Gospel and it was voted in the negative" — 
and fourteen persons signed a protest against settling Josiah Colburn and a committee was appointed 
to find out why he was dismissed from his last place. (The conunittee reported at a subsequent meet- 
ing that " it was to ease the taxpayers," and he was thereupon hired.) 

Meanwhile the people of One Pine Hill were not appeased. They renewed their demand to be set 
off, and Dec. 18, 1758, "it was proposed to give consent for their set off to Hollis for one thousand 
pounds." This proposition was voted down, and then it was voted that "the people of One Pine Hill 
are uneasy and to make it easy move the meeting-hou.se to the center of the town." A comnuttee 
was appointed to talk the matter over with the grieved jieople and the conunittee reported that "the 
people of Pine Hill would not be content nor joyne in .settleing a minister, neither consent to hear one 
sermon," and thereupon the vote to move the meeting-house was rescinded. F'inally it was " voted 
to settle Mr. Colburn and give Pine Hill the full part of preaching according to their tax in any place 
in Dun.stable they might choose." Even this proposition did not heal the wound. 

At the annual meeting of the town, March 19, 1759, the strife was renewed and waxed so warm 
that Thomas Lund accused the moderator, Jonathan Lovewell, of "allowing persons to vote who 
have no right." The meeting was then in no mood for business and so promptly adjourned. The 
people, however, could not rest easy. On April 23 they met again, and, after discussing a proposition 
to set off the people of One Pine Hill, voted in the negative. They also refused to set off John 
Willoby's one hundred and thirty acre farm. The Pine Hill people, so much in earnest were they, 
again ajspealed to Hollis for aid and sympathy. Hollis responded with a gift of fifty pounds, and 
thereupon — to the number of fifteen, eighteen including the selectmen of Hollis — they petitioned 
the governor and council for relief. Their petition recited their grievances. The town of Dun- 
stable upon being notified voted not to set off the land, and appointed Col. Joseph Blanchard, then 
a member of the governor's council, Zaccheus Lovewell and Joseph French agents of the town to 
oppose the petition. This conunittee evidently put on war paint. It reported: 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 575 

"Wee are sencible that this vexatious IVliliou is stirred up and encouraj,'ed by Mollis purely to 
prevent Justice to their Western Inhabitants which they forsee will obtain unless they Cloak it by 
Ruining Dunstable. 

•• What Oenius gave them front to mutter out this Motly Petition it is iJiflTicult to guess. 

" The petition of Holies and the petetioners are totally Groundle.ss Wherefore we pray that the 
petition may be dismissed." 

The petition was dismissed, and it is said, .says Judge Worcester, " in answer to a like petition a 
few years later, that when it was found that Duii.stable would answer it the petitioners were afraid or 
ashamed to appear in defense." The battle was renewed in 1760. The town of I >unsial)le, however, 
made an effort to pacify the Pine Hill people. It was voted Oct. 6 "to move the meeting-house to a 
place just and equal: " and again Nov. 10 that "the place for a meeting-hou.se is about one hmulred 
rods westerly from Lund's bridge .so called by a pine tree marked F on the southerly .side of the road 
that leads to Thomas Haley land;" and also "to set of John Willoby's farm to Holies." Hut no 
compromise would be entertained by One Pine Hill people. They petitioned again, and went so far 
as to offer Dunstable /i,5io for permission to be set off. The town not only declined the offer but 
voted Nov. 24 to reconsider its former vote to move the house and fifty-si.x pouutls for "fixing it up." 
As if this were not enough to break the hearts of their belligerent fellow-citizens they voted Aug. t,, 
lyfii, to change the creed of the town from Presbyterian to Congregational, and Oct. 19, 1761, that 
" no part of Pine Hill be set off to Holies." 

The One Pine Hill people, however, with the aid of IloUis, were good fighters. They would 
not let go their hold. In 1 763 they again .sought relief through the governor and council. In this 
petition they enlarged upon their grievance and informed the authorities that ; 

" vSoon after Dunstable was Incorporated they got into Parlys about .Settling .Mr. IJird. Ivach 
Party Courted Pine Hills Assistance, promising to vote them off to Holies as soon as the matter was 
settled ; and so Pine Hill was fed on Sugar Plums for a number of years, till at length Dunstable cast 
off the mask and now appears in their True Colors " " * ' So that their opposition 

must arise from some other quarter to keep us as whips to drive out every minister that comes among 
them, for they are always divided and which side we take must carry the day." 

Dunstable voted to continue the defense and appointed a committee. This committee gave as 
good as had been received. It said in part : 

" The complaint is groundless and unreasonable. As to the meeting-house it was owin."- to 
themselves (the location), for many of them voted to have it where it is and none of them against it. 
They so acted and voted for fear it might be moved to a place more ju.st and equal and so they be 
prevented from being set off to Holies. As in time ])ast so they are now stirred uj) by Holies People 
and so could it now be obtained to break up and ruin two towns (meaning Dunstahle and Mon.son), it 
may be hereafter something of a cover to hide the ini(iuity of Holies and helj) the private interests of 
mercenar}- persons but can't possably promote the Public Good or help the Interests of these Towns." 

The case was argued before the general court and that body was convinced that One Pine Hill 
and its inhabitants ought no longer to remain a part of Dunstable. An act, .setting them off, was 
passed Dec. 13, 1763, and thus ended one of the longest and most tenacious town quarrels in the 
history of New England. 

The peo])le of Dunstable subinilted (|uietly to their defeat antl for a time gave their attention to 
other matters. The\ voted, March 4, 1765, that "the account of Capt. Nehemiah Lovewell, for 
opposing One Pine Hill and other service done for the town, amounting to sixty-one pounds, old 
tenor, be allowed," and June 6 that "Jonathan Lovewell be allowed ten shillings for getting the case 
depending with Thomas Fessenden continued." At an adjourned meeting one pound five shillings 
was voted to Mr. Lovewell " for going to Portsmouth to answer Fessenden." Fe.s.senden had preached 
for the town and it had declined to pay. The only recorded transactions of the town during the next 
seven years that lia\e an\- special interest to the jieople of to-day are found in the following condensed 
excerps ; 

Oct. 6, 1767, voted to excu.se persons of other ])ersuasions from pa_\- tax to sui>port Rev. Mr. 
Kidder," and at the same meeting, 

"\'oted not to give leave to remove any of the windows of the meeting house, and not to excuse 
any person of different persuasion from paying to supi)ort the minister," then reconsidered, and 



5 76 HISTORY OF NASHUA. N. H. 

"Voted to excuse those who brought a certificate from the minister that they were of a different 
persuasion." 

May 5, 1770: "Voted to pay Joseph Whiting for opening and sweeping the meeting-house six 
shillings for one year." 

During these years the relation between Dunstable and Hollis was a good deal strained. The 
people of Dunstable had grievances that time could not heal. They were jealous of Hollis because 
the charter of that town ante-dated theirs, and moreover the fact that the people of that town had 
meddled in their quarrel with the families at One Pine Hill still rankled in their bosoms. In short, 
they were determined to punish their adversary on the first opportunity that offered. The opportunity 
came at last. It seems that for many years — in fact while they were yet under the jurisdiction of 
Massachusetts — the question of a Ijridge over the Nashua river at a place called Lawrence mills, since 
known as Runnell's falls, had been agitated. The town of Dunstable had pursued a waiting 
policy. It had successfully dodged the issue. Hollis meanwhile had resorted to all sorts of schemes 
to build the desired bridge. In 1751 it voted to help build it; in 1756 it pleaded with Dunstable 
through an authorized committee but obtained no satisfaction; in 1760 it petitioned the general court 
for a lottery to raise the necessary money, and in 1759 and again in 1761 it called on Dunstable to join 
with it. Dunstable did not heed the call. Its vote was " in the negative," which is evidence of the 
sentiments heretofore attributed to her people. Then the town of Hollis, upon being informed of 
tile indifference of the people of Dun.stable. built a Ijridge, being aided with "money subscribed out 
of town." In 1765 the bridge having probably been carried away in a .spring freshet, Hollis rebuilt 
and repaired it at a cost of eight hundred pounds. Though "often requested" Dunstable gave no 
aid and there the matter rested until March, 1772, when Hollis voted to appoint a committee to 
"ask for and recover of Dun.stable a share of the cost with power to prosecute if necessary;" the 
committee also had power "to treat with Dunstable relative to setting off to Hollis the farms of 
Daniel Merrell, K1)enezer Jaquith and Thomas Jaquith — these families being nearer the meeting- 
house in Hollis than to that in Dunstaljle and disposed to contribute to the maintenance of the bridge." 

Dunstable also appointed a committee. On the report, whether verbal or written is not stated in 
the records, Dunstable voted at a legal meeting held June 15, 1772, "that they would not do any- 
thing towards building a bridge over the Nashua river at or near Jaquith's mills ; " also voted " tliat 
they would not annex the land of Daniel Merrel, Ivbenezer Jaquith and Thomas Jaquith in Dunstable, 
lying on the Nashua river, to the town of Hollis." This curt answer no doubt nettled the people of 
Hollis, but for all that they did not find it necessary to prosecute. On the other hand they bided 
their time with patience and six months later ajipointed another committee. This committee had no 
better success than the first, for it seems b\' the Dunstable records of Feb. i, 1773, the town voted, on 
a propositon to set off the farms of Merrel and Jaquiths, five hundred acres, " that it would not agree." 
Just at this time it was discovered by someone "learned in the law" that Jaquith's mills were not in 
either town. There was a defect in the line and neither Hollis nor Dunstable was compelled to main- 
tain a bridge. The wise men of Old Dun.stable now saw their " way out of the woods." The loss of 
five hundred acres was as nothing compared with the cost of Ijuilding a Ijridge antl keeping it in re- 
pair for all time to come, and so in a legal meeting held P'eb. i, 1773, it was voted "to set off the 
farms of Merrel and the two Jaquiths to the town of Hollis upon conditions that the town of Dun- 
stable be forever excused from any future co.st to effect the same or building a bridge at the Nashua 
river." Hollis accepted the terms and in May, the same year, the general court legalized the trans- 
action. 

Before passing from the eventful period in which the transactions narrated occurred it will be 
interesting to note that in .several j)articnlars the civil government of the eighteenth century was not 
unlike that with which the people of the nineteenth are familiar. " The poor are always with you " 
was as true then as now and the undercurrent of purpose to avoid " town charges " the same. The 
methods of " ye olden tymes," however, was more peremptory and somewhat harsher, as will be seen 
by the following warrant, which is one of several of like purport spread upon the records ; 

"Province of ) To Thomas Cowen, constable of the Town of Dunstable in the Province of New 
New Hampshire. I Hampshire. Greeting. 

"Whereas, Benja Furbush and Mary his wife and three Children under age which is kept in 
their family viz Phebe Sneling and Asa vSneling and Lucy vSneling and John Downs and Mary his 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. ^-y 

wife a small Child vi/. Jane Maxwell all laU- ficm a Place called Souhegan Kast in said Province all 
poor persons and neither freeholders or Inhai)itanls of the Town by Law have come in to this Town 
to House Keei)inK and to Dwell and at present are residents in a House of Mr. James Gordons with- 
out any consent of the Town or selectmen and have resided for Twenty four days last past in this 
Town which they have no Legal Right to do Now then for that they might not become Chargable to 
the Town you arc hereby commanded in his Majestys Name forthwith to Notifie and warn the said 
persons and every one of them that they and each of them Depart out of this Town within fourteen 
days next Coming at their Perril and see that you make return of this Warrant and the time of the 
said persons Ivntering and being Warned as aforesaid unto the Court of (Quarter Sessions of the peace 
of the Province aforesaid. 

JON.VTII.VN LOVEWEI.!,, 1 o i ^ 

^ j^r ( Selectmen. 

TlIOM.V.S H.VRWOOD, I 

" Dated at Dunstable the thirteenth day of June .\nno Domini 1746. 

"A true copy pr Jox.VTii.\.\ LovKWKi.i. Clerk." 

The official return uiicni this warrant, if any was made, is not recorded, but it is presumed that 
Con.stable Cowen did his duty and that these poor persons were summarily ejected from the town. 
This cruel system, however, did not protect the town treasury, for it is recorded a few years later that 
the poor among them had to be provided for. The following is a true copy : 

" Voted that the Poor of this Town be .set up at \'andue and be struck off to the lowest bidder for 
a term of one year the .selectmen having the wright to remove them when they think best Ivdward 
Turrel bid off James Robbins at forty-six cents per week Daniel Lund bill off Mary Kenny for Miss 
Lund at one hundred and forty cents pr week Abraham Hale, Jr bid off Mary Kennys child at thirty- 
eight cents pr week Nathan Fi.sk bid off Dorothy Purkins and is to keej) her clothes as good as they 
are now and keep her clear of Cost from the Town." 

Local quarrels and dissensions, and di.sputes with neighboring towns, ended with the settlement 
of the Jaquith bridge controversy with Hollis, and in the years that followed they gave freely of their 
time, money and blood to establish the independence of the colonies. The cause was near their 
hearts. They were patriots — loyal and true to the Continental army — and no sacrifice or hardship 
disheartened them. The narrative of events in which they were moving factors is given in another 
chapter of this work. All therefore that is pertinent in this connection to the civil government of the 
town is a few interesting and instructive extracts, orthography corrected, from the records: 

Sept. 13, 1774 : " Voted eighteen pounds, six shillings, lawful money, to procure ammunition; " 
al.so, " voted three pounds to Jonathan Lovewell for going to Portsmouth to petition for liberty to send 
a representative, and for going to Exeter to join in choice of Delegates for a General Congress." 

Jan. 9, 1775: "Voted that Jonathan Lovewell, Jo.seph Eayrs and Robert Fletcher be cho.sen 
deputies of the town to meet deputies of other towns to choose delegates to represent the Province in 
Continental Congress to be held in Philadelphia, May lo; " also 

"Voted that Samuel Roby, Jonathan Lovewell, Joseph Ivayrs, Benjamin Smith and Josejih 
Wright be a connnittee to see that the result of the late Continental Congress be carried into ])ractice 
and that all persons in this town conform to it." 

March 6, 1775: " \'oted that Capt. Benjamin French, Jonathan Blanchard and John .Sears be 
added to the committee to see that the result of the Continental Congress " etc.; also, "voted to i)eti- 
tion the General assembl\- to be excused from paying Provincial tax until given the privilege of 
representation." 

April 3, 1775 : " \'oted that there be a school-house built in each of the several school districts, 
(there were five districts), in the town of Dunstable and that there be a committee of three from each 
district to fix upon certain places, and procure it for their .school-hou.ses, having regard for distance, 
and if either committee cannot agree on a place for the house then all of the connnittee, or a majority, 
shall go and find a certain place for that district and that each di.strict have a proportional part of 
money to build with according as they pay taxes » * « shall agree to build a school- 
house by the first day of October, 1775;" also voted "that eighty pounds, lawful money, be rai.sed 
for building said school-houses." 

May 7, 1776 : " Voted to pay Dea. Thomas T<und four shillings for transporting one Aaron and 
wife and tw-o children from Dunstable to Bedford ; " also " \oted to pay Noah Lovewell, Daniel Allds 

46 



578 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H 



and Benjamin Smith three shillings each for numbering the inha1)itants of the town of Dunstaljle." 
(The number was three hundred and seventy-six males, three hundred and twenty-nine females, forty 
men in the army, seven slaves, total seven hundred and fifty-two. 

Jonathan Blanchard was chosen delegate to the Revolutionary convention at Exeter. 

March 3, 1777: "Voted that those men that stayed with Lieut. David Allds at Cambridge at the 
time of the Concord ' fite ' be paid out of the town treasury the same wages for the time served as 
those enlisted in the army," also 

" Voted that thirty pounds be raised for schools," the amount prior to this date Ijeing twenty 
pounds. 

April 10, 1777 ; "\'oted that the town treasurer be and is hereby directed to hire as much money 
at six per cent per annum as will be wanted to pay the extraordinary expenses of raising the propor- 
tion of men in the town for the Continental army." 

June 2, 1777 : "Voted one hundred dollars to Joseph Honey, forty dollars to Simeon Butterfield, 
and sixteen pounds, four shillings to Ebenezer Joseph to make their bounty equal ; " and "voted to 
raise seven hundred and thirty-five pounds, lawful money, to pay the extraordinary expenses of the 
pre.sent war." 

Feb. 9, 1778; \'oted to appoint a committee of nine to give Jonathan lyOvewell instructions to 
call a full and free representation of this state for the sole purpo.se of framing and laying a permanent 
plan or system for the future government of this state." 

Sept. 9, 1779 : "Met for the purpose of taking under consideration the Bill of Rights and plan of 
government for the state of New Hampshire." 

Sept. 20, 1779: " Voted to reject the Bill of Rights." 

June ID, 1779: " Voted to pay five hundred dollars liounty to each soldier." 

June 24, 1779 : "Voted to raise $1,600 and pay the three Continental soldiers last engaged $1,500 
of the same." 

Oct. 15, 1779: "Voted to pay Lieut. John Lund eiglit pounds, two shillings for enlisting Conti- 
nental soldiers," also "voted to Dea. William Hunt four pounds, eighteen shillings, one penny 
expenses for attendance at Concord." 

July 31, 17S0: "Voted to raise /'i,20o, currency now passing, to pa\- what money had been bor- 
rowed to procure CoiUinental soldiers," also " voted to raise ^^4,000, currency now passing, for pro- 
curing beef that this town is called upon to send to the Continental ami)'," also "voted to excuse 
from assessment soldiers who have been three years in the service." 

Sept. 10, 1780: "Voted ^"7,000, currency now passing, to procure beef for the Continental army." 

Nov. 23, 1780: "Voted to raise ^,'9,400 to discharge the town's obligations to the soldiery, to be 
assessed in mone)- and grain." 

March 5, 1781: "Voted three hundred and twenty-eight pounds, nine shillings, new issue or 
equivalent, to procure Ijeef for the army," also "voted to pay Rev. Mr. Kidder's salary, upon the scale 
of depreciation, as ordered by the court, the amount being sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings, and four 
pence in bills of the new issue. 

July 12, 1781 ; " \'oted that the town treasurer be ordered not to receive the balance due from 
Joseph French in Continental bills, by reason of the dej^reciation thereof, also "voted that David 
Gilson discharge one bushel of rye on his sons obligation from the town at the rate of one hundred 
and forty dollars for the 1,200 he received," also, "voted that the Constable be ordered not to collect 
any more beet rate and pay back what he had collected." 

Oct. 10, 17S1 : "\'oted that fifty-five silver dollars be raised to procure rum for the Continental 
army." 

Dec. 18, 1781 : " Voted that Jonathan Blanchard and ten others be a committee to examine and con- 
sider the plans of government lately formed for the state and lay their objections before an adjourneil 
meeting." 

Jan. 15, 1782 : "A vote was proposed to see if the town objected against the plans of government 
lately formed for the state and it unanimously passed in the affirmative," and Col. Noah Lovewell 
was chosen delegate to a convention held at Concord. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 579 

March 1 1, 17S2: ■'\'()le(l to abate Jonathan Powers' minister tax in consideration of deafness." 
April iS, 17S2: " \'oted that men who work on the highway be allowed four shillings a daj- in 

the best i)art of the year," also "voted to have the selectmen agree on some person or persons to go 

in search of William Mann, as they think best." 

Dec. 2;,, 17.S2 ; " Voted that the objections against the Bill of Kiglits and plans of government as 
drawn b\ the comnnttee be as it now stands and that the selectmen draw off the objections and .send 
the same to Concord," also, "voted that Colonel I^ovewell go to Exeter and get all the discount that 
is due the town for l)ounties paid Continental .soldiers and supplies for their families." 

July 7, 178;,: "Voted that the .selectmen be desired to make incjuiry who has served in the war 
for the town and liad no consideration and lay a report before the town." (The ])opulation had now 
decreased, i)arlly by reason of enlistniLiU in the army, from .seven hundred and three to five hundred 
and seventy three.) 

Nov. 8, 1783: "Voted to dismiss the petition drawn to j)re.sent to the general court," also 
" voted to pay Benjamin Taylor one pound, seven shillings for a gun lost at Winter Hill." 

April 18, 1785: " \'oted to sell .some part of the floor of the meeting-house, upon consideration 
to be agreetl upon or l)y auction to the highest bidder, and that the money be expended for repairs," 
and at the same meeting, (the old and ever new trouble): — 

" W'hereas complaint has been made that sums of money have several times been voted for partic- 
ular purposes, to discharge the town debts, and the selectmen have taken and used a part contrary to 
appropriation, which has served to mislead the town and create discontent, and if this method should 
be continued the accounts cannot be well understood or the debts so agreeably discharged, therefore : 

" \'oted that the selectmen do not on any pretence draw or appropriate any money to different 
purposes, and that they keep proper books." 

March 5, 1787: " \'oted that Mary Harwood be allowed seven pounds, eight shillings for what 
this town was benefitted by her late husband in the war, also voted the same, (amount not stated), to 
the heirs of William Lund." 

Jan. 10, 17S8: "Voted not to accept the constitution," (presumably that of the state.) 

The oidy member of the go\ernor's council from the towns formed out of the territory of OKI 
Dunstable was Col. Joseph Blanchard, who .served by appointment from 1741 till his death in 1758. 
In 1752, and for some years after, Jonathan Lovewell represented Dunstable and Merrimack in the 
house of representatives, the towns being classed together. In 1762 Dunstable and Hollis were 
classed together. The hostile feeling between the people, by reason of the meeting-house and bridge 
trouble, asserted itself. The result is thus recorded in the New Hampshire Historical collection, vol- 
ume one, page fifty-seven. 

" For a number of years after Hollis was incorporated, the two towns were classed together to 
send a man to represent them to the general court. Dunstable being the older town, required the 
Elections to be uniforndy held there, until Hollis became most populous, when it was requested by 
Hollis that they should be held in those towns alternately, that Each might have an Equal chance. 
But Dunstable did not consent to this proposal. Hollis feeling some resentment, mustered all its 
forces, leaving at home scarcely man or horse. Previously to this time the person chosen had been 
uniformly selected from Dunstable. But on this occasion the people of Dunstable, finding they were 
outnumbered, their town clerk mounted a i)ile of shingles and called on the iidialiitants to bring in 
their votes for Moderator for Dunstable. The town clerk of Hollis mounted another pile and called 
on the inhabitants of Dunstable and Hollis to bring in their votes for Moderator for Dunstable and 

Hollis. The result was that Lovewell, Esq., was declared Moderator for Dunstable and Dea. 

l'"rancis Worcester, Moderator for Dunstable and Hollis. Each Moderator proceeded in the same 
manner to call the votes for Represenative. Jonathan Lovewell, Esq., was declared chosen to repre- 
sent Dunstable and Dr. John Hale was declared chosen to represent Dunstable and Hollis. Accord- 
ingly both repaired to Portsmouth to attend the general court. Lovewell was allowed to take his 
seat and Hale rejected. Hale, however, instead of returning home, took measures to acquaint the 
( lovernor with what had transpired and awaited the issue. It was not long before Secretary Theodore 
Atkinson came into the House and proclaimed aloud, ' I have special orders to dissolve this House ; 
Accordingly you are dissolved.' ' God save the King.' 



58o HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

" It appears from the Journal of the House that the election of both Lovewell and Hale was set 
aside, and the House inunediateh- dissolved \>y the Governor. A few days after a second election was 
held and Hale returned by the sheriff, and at once obtained his seat without further objection." 

The outcome was unsatisfactory to both towns and it does not appear that they affiliated, politi- 
cally, afterwards. A few years later Dunstable renewed its request for single representation, and, the 
privilege being granted, Jonathan Blanchard was chosen to represent the town. Noah Lovewell 
represented the town in 1777 and i77^>; William Hunt, 1781; Benjamin I-"rench, 1782, no record for 
1782: Frederick French, 1793, 1795, 1797, 1803, 1805 and 1806; Noah L,ovewell, 1794, 1796 and 1802. 

The number of votes b}' which the early representatives of the town were elected to office are not 
recorded. An idea of the number of freemen who were qualified to take part in public deliberations, 
however, may be gathered from the following, among the first with figures attached, for presidential 
electors, Dec. 15, 1785, when Gen. Benjamin Bellows, Gen. Moses Dow, John Dudley and Eben Thomp- 
son had twenty-nine each, Timothy Farrar, twenty-eight, and Timothy Taylor, one, the last presuma- 
bly the voter's error in writing his ballot. At the second presidential election, Aug. 27, 1792, but twen- 
ty-two votes were cast, the small number probably being due to busy season with farmers. Six years 
later, March, 1800, the total vote of the town as recorded for governor was seventy-six, of which John 
Taylor Gilman had seventy-three and Timothy Walker, three. Further than this, to the close of the 
century, the records show but little of interest. The people met annually in March and at other times 
when town affairs demanded their attention. They elected officers kept a watchful eye on the schools 
(which is a reminder that the first mention of a school on the territory now the city proper was at 
"Indian Head," and that this designation of locality occurs but once in the records), paid the minis- 
ter's salary, made appropriations, laid out highways, ordered roads and bridges repaired, sold the 
poor by auction, lived in peace among themselves and in ostensible friendship with Hollis and other 
neighboring towns. That they built iijion substantial foundations, and that their virtues far out- 
shone their faults, is in evidence in the benificent civil government — nut alone of Nashua, but of all 
the cities and towns of the state — which Idesses mankind to-day and is pledged for the future. 

INDIAN HEAD VILLAGE— NASHUA VILLAGE. 

At the Ijeginning of the present century the settlement on the territory now endjraced in the 
thickly settled portion of the city proper was called Indian Head \-ilIage. The Iniililings were mostly 
on land contiguous to what is now known as Railroad square, and north antl south of this point was 
practically a barren wilderness.* Pul)lic affairs, however, were still conducted under the charter of 
Dixnstable and so continuetl until 1837. The population of the whole town was 862 persons. Thomas 
French was town clerk, and Thomas French, Theodore Frencli and David Fiske .selectmen, and so 
far as anything appears in the records the people were at peace among themselves and all the world 
besides. The Ijusiness transactetl at the annual town meeting in i8co and [or many years afterwards 
was mostly of a routine character. It was voted that the town be defaulted in an action brought by 
Rev. Joseph Kidder, and also to sell for thirteen shillings the oak tree near the meeting-house. In 
November, 1802, it was \-oted to hire William Patrick to preach during the ensuing winter. In 1803 
one hundred and twenty-nine votes were cast for governor, a post office was established at the Harbor 
and the place began to take on the enterprise that has characterized it to this day. The same year 
the town voted a call to Mr. Patrick at four hundred ilollars for a settlement and three hundretl 
dollars a year salary, the conditions being that he should withdraw at any time when two-thirds of 
the voters became dissatisfied and that he .should return the amount granted as a settlement if he left 
without the consent of the town. In 1804 the Middlesex canal was opened. In 1805 Daniel Abbot 
was to carry on a lawsuit against the town of Acworth, and sold the town pew to Francis Davidson 
for one j-ear for five dollars and fifty cents. In 1806 on hulependence day, at the suggestion of Daniel 
AblKit in an oration at the celebration of the opening of the canal, the village took on the name of 
Nashua village. Jan. 29, 1807, voted to settle Joseph Briggs at two hundred and fifty dollars for a 
settlement and five hundred dollars salary. In 1808 voted twenty-five cents bounty for old crows and 

*A more complete description is given in the revised edition of Fox's history, which is incorporated in this 
work. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 5s i 

nine cents for young crows. It will llius be seen that so far as the civil government is concerned an 
era of good feeling, enterprise and prosperity began with the century. 

At a meeting of the town, held April 17, 1807, it was stated that the old meeting-house was out 
of repair and it was proposed to vote to see if the town would rebuild " on such a place as a disinter- 
ested committee from out of town should say was convenient for the town, provided free of expense to 
the town or that the pew ground should build it." The vote stood thirty-one in favor of the proposi- 
tion and forty-nine against it. It is evident, from the fact that two or three other votes are recorded 
relative to the subject, that con.siderable di.scussion followed. The outcome was a vote to choose a 
committee of three to "see where a meeting-house should be built and to hire preaching." The 
meeting was adjourned to May 10, when it was voted to ".set the meeting-house on Cummings Pol- 
lard's field, west of the place where it now stands, provided it can be done free of expen.se," and a 
committee of three was appointed to draw plans. Mr. Pollard offered the land as a gift. Another 
meeting was held May 29, when it was voted to accept the plans presented by the committee and 
request Willard Marshall to give a jjiece of land adjoining the land accepted from Mr. Pollard, for a 
common. Mr. Marshall gracefully acceded to the request. It was then voted to sell pews according 
to numbers on the plan and close a contract with anybody who could be found who would build for 
the sum thus pledged, the builders to have the rest of the pew ground. Willard Marshall, Thomas 
French and Daniel Abbot were chosen building committee. It is probable that no one desired to 
make such a contract, for, Aug. 2.S, the town reconsidered all votes relative to a meeting-house and 
dropped the subject. 

The only item of interest in town affairs in 1810 was a vote to pay fifty dollars for a singing school. 
The old subject came up again, however, at a special meeting on Jan. 12, 181 1, when the (juestion, 
" Will },-ou build a meeting-house in this town?" was decided in the affirmative by a vote of forty-two 
to eight, and two committee.? — one to locate the same and the other to receive proposals — were chosen. 
These connnittees reported May 11, and it was voted that the site be near the pound place on land of 
Willard Marshall and that five acres of land, on both sides of the road, be secured for a common*. 
John Lund, Thomas French, Daniel Abbot, Samuel Preston and Willard Marshall were chosen to 
plan the building. It was then voted to pay pew owners five dollars each for the right to dispose of 
the old meeting-house, and to appropriate one hundred dollars to hire Rev. Joseph Kidder to preach 
such length of time as he thought proper for that amount. At an adjourned meeting James T. Lund 
proposed to build "a town meeting-house for five hundred dollars and the old hou.se and to complete 
the same one year from Septenrber." His proposal was accepted and Thomas French, Thomas Lund, 
Jr., William F. Boynton, Daniel Abbot and Israel Hunt were appointed building committee. Aug. 
II, a meeting was held at Jesse Estey's stable when it was voted to build fifty-two feet wide, sixty 
feet in length and leave it to the committee which will be best, to have pillars or portico or to have it 
boarded up and clapboarded." John Epes and John Whittle were added to the committee. Aug. 2, 
1812, the town voted one hundred and twenty dollars for a bell, provided the same amount was sub- 
scribed by the people, and fifteen dollars for lightning rods. Oct. 2, voted twenty-two dollars and 
fifty cents towards paj'ing for the bell, to purchase pew number two for the minister, to hire a man to 
ring the bell, to accept the report of the building committee and to make arrangements for a dedica- 
tion. The dedication occurred Nov. 4, the sermon lieing preached by Rev. Humphrey Moore, I). I)., 
of Milford. It will thus be seen that the second jniblic liuilding in Old Dunstal)le was located and 
built without the usual friction that accompanies such undertakings. 

During the twent3'-fi\-e years that followed nothing occurred to disturb the peace and (|uict of the 
people. Prosperity attended them. The Nashua and Jackson conqianies' canals and mills, two or 
three important bridges, several church edifices and many dwelling-houses were built, newspapers 
were established, the poor sold annually at auction, and many resources of wealth developed. A brief 
sunnnary, however, of a few of the transactions of the town will not be found uninteresting. In 181,^ 
Rev. Ebenezer Peck Sperry was settled at three hundred dollars for a settlement and five hundred 
dollars salary, and it was voted to pa>' five dollars a month to men in the army, in addition to the gov- 
ernment jiav. In 1815 it was voted to make up the pay of all volunteers to fifteen dollars jier month : 

•Thu ineetiug-house was luiiU on this site, which is occupied :il Ihis liiiu- li\ Ililaiul A. Holt's iluc-lliiiij-housi-, his 
carriatre-housc staniliii" over the old foundatioii. 



582 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

to appropriate $1,000 for schools and have the bell rung at twelve, noon, nine in the evening and on 
all public days. The first hearse was purchased by the town in 1822 and a house built for the same. 
In 1824 the town voted on the question, " Whether the shire town should be Amherst or Mont Ver- 
non," one hundred and ninety to four in favor of the former : also voted to pay teu cents an hour for 
labor on the highways. In 1826 the first firewards were appointed, and it was voted " not to pay Not- 
tingham twelve dollars for burying William Phillips." Under date of April 27, 1827, the selectmen, 
Stephen Kendrick, Eleazer F. Ingalls and Caleb Pearson, complained to Clifton Claggett, judge of 
probate, "that Simon L. Phelps, by excessive drinking, idleness and vicious habits doth waste, 
spend and lessen his estate and so neglect his business as to expose himself and family to want and 
suffering ; " therefore they desired a guardian appointed. This was the usual method of dealing for 
manv years afterward witli those who drank to excess. It is mentioned here from the fact that it is 
the first case of the kind upon the town records. The first town report ordered spread upon the 
records was for the year 1829. The first printed report was by the selectmen of Nashua in 1837, the 
same being a summary of the affairs of 1836, the last year the town was known as Dunstable. It is 
interesting to note in this connection that the legal existence of Old Dunstable covered a period of 
ninety-one years ; that in the beginning the total amount of money raised by taxation was about two 
hundred and fifty dollars, and at the end $12,903.63 ; that the debt — and overdraft the last year by 
reason of rebuilding the Main street bridge, which was necessitated by the construction of the Jackson 
company's dam — was $3,282.32. It is also an interesting fact that the inhabitants had increased from 
about sixty families of rising three hundred persons to 2,105 males, 2,960 females, a total of 5,056; 
total number of scholars from sixty, approximately, to 1,256. 

That the people of Old Dun.stable were patriots who gave freely of their blood and treasure to 
establish American independence there is abundant evidence. Their country was their pride and they 
celebrated its natal day in an enthusiastic manner. The last general celebration in the old town 
took place July 4, 1835. The Declaration of Independence was read b^- Benjamin F. French, and an 
oration delivered by John Louis Clark. The civic procession, marshalled by Col. Thomas G. Banks, 
and escorted by the Nashua Guards, Capt. Charles T. Gill, must have been a brilliant sight, for in 
line were the female operatives of the mills, clothed in white, and thirty-four of the survivors of the 
War of the Revolution. The venerable patriots, supported by staves and crutches, joined the pro- 
cession at the Indian Head coffee house and marched through the route to the oval, (then a shad}' 
grove in Factory street), where the literary exercises were held. The list is as follows; 

Jonathan Woodward, Dunstable, Mass., 96; James Crossman, Mason, 92; Isaac Wright, Dun- 
stable, Mass., 81 ; Joshua Pierce, Hudson, 71; Joshua Palmer, Dunstable, 73; Thaddeus Wilson, 
Dunstable, 70; Eleazer Fisk, Dunstable, 75; Nathaniel Merrill, Medford, 72; John Odall, Merri- 
mack, 73 ; Daniel Bailey, Hollis, 80; Seth Cutter, Pelham, 77 ; Isaac Marshall, Dunstable, 76; Jacob 
March, Londonderry, 75 ; Daniel Anderson, Londonderry, 78 ; Jacob Nutting, Londonderry, 88 ; 
Phinehas Holden, Brookline, 70; Silas Howard, Milford, 78; Ephraim Goss, Amherst, 69 ; Robert- 
son Lakin, Amher.st, 72 ; Timothy Randall, Amherst, 72 ; Nathan F'isk, Dunstable, 71 ; Israel Hunt, 
Dunstable, 77 ; Joseph Greeley, Hollis, 78 ; Benjamin vSprague, Bedford, 83 ; Jonas Woods, Dun- 
stable, 76 ; William French, Dunstable, Mass., S3; Jonas French, Dunstable, Mass., 77; Edmund 
Tenney, Pelham, 79 ; Hugh Moone, Amherst, 69 ; Col. Solomon White, Roxbury, 81 ; John Field, 
Mei-rimack, 80 ; Joseph Crosby, Amherst, 82 ; Lot Spalding, Hollis, 73 ; Thomas Cheney, Derry, 80. 

The connnittee of arrangements for this crowning event in the history of Old Dunstable — for it 
was then foreshadowed that the name was to be changed to Nashua — were David Gillis, Albert 
McKean, William P. Abbot, Mark W. Merrill and William P. Newell; the assistant marshals, Har- 
vey F. Courser and John Flagg ; the committee to prepare toasts, John M. Hunt, George Y. vSaw\er 
and John Eayrs. Dinner was served at the Washington house and the survivors of the Revolution 
were the only guests. It was a great event. 

Old Dunstable was represented in the legislature in 1801, 1803 and 1804 (the names of those 
prior to this date being given, in this chapter, in closing the eighteenth century) by Theodore 
French ; 1802, Noah Lovewell ; 1807, Zaccheus Lovewell ; 1810, iSn, 1812 and 1821, Daniel Abbot ; 
1815, Timothy Taylor ; 1816 to 1824, Jesse Bowers; 1825 to 1829, Benjamin F. French ; 1826, Benja- 
min F. French and Eleazer F. Ingalls; 1S27, Eleazer F. Ingalls and William Boardman ; 1828, Lsrael 
Hunt, Jr. and Moody D. Lovewell; 1829, Benjamin F. French and James Osgood; 1830, Moody D. 



HISTORY OA NASHUA, N. H. 583 

Lovewell and Charles G. Atherton ; 1831, James Osgood and Josiah Fletcher (died before taking 
his seat); 1832, Ivleazer V. Ingalls and Robert Anderson; 1833, Charles G. Atherton and Moody D. 
Lovewell; 1834 and 1835, Moody D. Lovewell, Charles G. Atherton and Zebediah Shattuck ; 1836, 
Charles G. Atherton, Ik-njaniin L. Jones and Zebediah .Shattnck. 

THE TOWNSHIP OF NASHUA. 

The reader will ha\c noted that in the thirty years preceding affairs now under consideration 
Nashua \-illage had grown from a sparse settlement to the central jioint of business and population. 
For more than twenty years ol this period merchants and the public generally had suffered inconven- 
ience by reason of two Dunstables side by side. Travelers were confused, and mail matter and 
merchandise often went astray. Under these conditions it seemed a necessity for one of the towns to 
.seek a change of name. The people both sides of the line were unwilling to make the change. 
Tho.se residing in New Hampshire felt that they had the best claim. The first settlement was here. 
Its honorable history in peace and war, its traditions and associations were mostly theirs, and they 
were loth to give them up. The people of "'t'other Dunstable" entertained the same view, and 
although often requested to take another name — its leading citizens tacitly agreeing at one time to be 
known as Massapoag — they steadily procrastinated. The situation became annoying, and finally, at 
a town meeting held in the early autumn of 1836, the selectmen were instructed to apjilv to the 
legislature for relief. The selectmen — John Eayrs, Perlej' Foster and Eleazer Barrett — carried out 
the instructions of the town in good faith by obtaining the following enactment: 

Be it enacted by the .senate and house of representatives in general court convened: That the 
town of Dunstable in the county of Hillsborough shall, from and after the thirty-first day of 
December in the j-ear of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, be called and known in 
law h\ the name of Nashua. 

Approved Dec. 8, 1836. Ls.v.vc Hill, Governor. 

The new town started off with a debt of $3,819.19. Its annual appropriation, including $3,000 
for schools, was about $13,000. The meetings of the town were held in churches, and, as was unan- 
imously agreed, the crying need of the town was a town house. The matter was talked up among 
the citizens in an informal way, and, at a meeting held Oct. 29, 1838, discussed for determined action. 
Finally, on motion of Aaron F. Sawyer, it was voted expedient to remove the old South meeting- 
house — the house which was dedicated in 18 12 — to some convenient site in Nashua village, and Jesse 
Bowers, Jacob Hall, Elijah Colburn, George Y. Sawyer and James Patterson were chosen a committee 
to see about the expense and a location. At the same meeting the selectmen were instructed to 
confer with owners of the pews, take into consideration ownership of the bell, ascertain probable 
amount of damages and report back. At a subsequent meeting the selectmen reported that thej- had 
conferred with the pew holders and that thirty-four could be equitably settled with, three refused to 
assent and two wanted further time ; that the bell belonged to the house and the house belonged to 
the town. George Y. Sawyer reported for the special committee. He stated — the report being here 
condensed — that several citizens had made propositions to sell lots to the town and that the commitee 
had thought it expedient to give the proprietor of the lot selected ownership of the basement of the 
building for stores — owner of land to lay the foundation, set underpining and place stone steps at the 
doors. Thomas Chase made the most liberal terms for his lot, corner of Main and Pearl streets, and 
the committee had made a contract with him subject to the approval of the town. 

The report of the committee — mild as it appears on the records — proved the entering wedge of a 
controversy that lasted fifteen years, and to some extent handicapped for many years more the growth 
and prosperity of the city. In fact it was the history of the old Dunstable meeting-house quarrel 
repeated and intensified. The residents of the north side of the river declared that they were not 
represented on the committee. They averred that the location was unjust, called attention to the fact 
that Railroad square was the hub, and inasmu-ch as they were the heaviest taxpayers, and for many 
other reasons, including the convenience of the public, their wish to have the town house located 
among them should be respected. The residents on the south side of the ri\er were ecjually emphatic 
in expressing their views. They claimed that they were actuated by the purest of motives; they 
were looking to the future, and, finall\-, when goaded to extravagance of language, they informed 



5^4 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

their dissatisfied fellow-citizens that "they would not onl>- locate the building to suit their own 
convenience, hut that they would compel them to help pay for it." No further action was taken at 
this time. The meeting adjourned and the subject Ijecame a town topic, engendering ill feeling to 
the extent that there was very little social intercourse between the people on the north and south 
sides of the river during the winter that followed: 

At the annual town meeting March 25, 1839, it was resolved that "a committee be appointed to 
in<|uire into the subject of removing the old vSouth meeting-hon.se and remodeling it so as to make a 
convenient town hou.se, and also the subject of building a new town house, estimate the expense of 
each subject separately and all other matters connected therewith." Charles F. Gove, George Y. 
Sawyer, Israel Hunt, Jr., George Tuttle, Aaron C. Bagley and John Crombie were reported as a 
committee. This action precipitated another heated discussion in which former arguments were 
repeated and "fuel added to the fire." The south-siders, however, hesitated about carrying out 
their programme. They were ably led by Mr. Saw}'er and had the requisite number of votes to 
accomplish their scheme, but the belligerent opposition of Daniel Abbot, Charles F. Gove, Charles J. 
Fox and a score of other north-siders deterred them from action. The records of the town for the 
next two years make no mention of a report from the committee. They are silent on the subject, and 
the newspapers of that day throw no light on the controversy. It is certain though that both sides 
were active and quarrelsome and determined that overtures of peace should not be entertained or 
concessions made. Thus matters stood for two years, the enmit\- increasing in bitterness; families 
becoming divided and the outside world looking and wondering what next. In fact the situation, as 
recited by an old resident, was a constant discomfort to the mind, a disturbance to mercantile affairs, 
an affliction to the churches and a bar to social good fellowship. But few people would cross the 
river to attend places of public worship or for any other purpose when not absolutely necessary, they 
would not dance on each others territory and it was next door to treason to trade with each other. 

This phase of the wrangle la.sted two j-ears, the north-siders meantime subscribing about $4,700 
for the purchase of the site on which Greeley block now stands, and offering to deed it as a gift to 
the town, or, if more acceptable, they would purcha.se and deed free of expense the lot on which 
Whiting block now stands. The offer was spurned and they were again informed that the house 
would be built on the south side of the river and they would be compelled to help pay for it. Thus 
matters stood on March 5, 1842, when the opponents met in town meeting, in the Olive Street church 
edifice, and precipitated a fight for the supremacy. Of that battle royal there is no abstract report in 
existence. George Y. Sawyer, then in the beginning of his career, one of the ablest debaters in 
New Hampshire, led the south-siders. Israel Hunt, Jr., and Leonard W. Noyes gave him prompt 
and efficient support, while less conspicuous citizens contributed their views. The gist of their 
arguments was that the tendency of growth in villages and cities was southward, that the great mills 
were on the .south side of the river and in time the plain (heretofore mentioned as Watanenock neck) 
would be thickly populated, hence the desirability of selecting a site that would become central in 
the near future. The north-siders were led by Charles F. Gove, Daniel Abbot and Charles J. Fox, 
three able men, assisted by William Boardman, Josiah G. Graves and others. These gentlemen 
repeated arguments heretofore indicated and affirmed that if they must cross the river to attend town 
meeting, the old South meeting-house was as satisfactory as an}- place south of the bridge. More- 
over, they would present the town with the lot at the head of Main street or at the corner of Franklin 
street, and Rev. Andrew E. Thayer, a substantial north-sider who had taken an active part in the 
discussion, offered to give a lot eighty-three feet front and one hundred feet deep on Main street, 
seventeen rods north of the bridge. "The discussion," says one of the newspapers of that day, 
"lasted nearly a day and a half, and it was decided by a vote of five hundred and eighty-two to three 
hundred and ninet\--six that it should be on the south side of the river, between Pearl street and the 
bridge." (The outcome of this discussion and decision is gi\-en under the head: The Township of 
Nashville). 

The official records of this exciting meeting are very brief. On the first day the town voted "to 
build a town house and approjiriate $10,000 for that purpose," no mention being made of the site. 
The resolution that was discussed on the two subsequent daj'S, and which, being passed, divided the 
town, was: "that a committee be appointed to negotiate for and purchase a lot of land for a town 
house, which lot shall be situated in the village between the Nashua ri\-er on the north and Pearl 



/ f /STORY OF NASHUA, N. If. 5S5 

street 011 the smith," and lolhiwiiii; its ])assage Mr. Sawyer was authorized to carry out llie will of 
the town, and Leonard W. Noyes, Thomas Chase, Israel Hunt, Jr., Samuel Shepherd, who was the 
arcliitect of the building, and Franklin l^'Ietcher were cho.sen as a building conunittee. The records 
show that these gentlemen were selected because their sjinpathies and residences were on the south 
side, the first committee named being rejected because one or two north-siders were named upon it. 
The meeting adjourned in bad temper, the hostility of the north-siders being of the mo.st unconi- 
proniising character. 

A few weeks later it was discox-ered that S 10,000 would not jnirchase the lot selected — the same 
that the City Hall building now .stands upon and that building being the identical structure of 1842 — 
and complete the undertaking, and conse<iuently at a special meeting of the town, Aug. 19, the same 
year, it was voted that the committee purchase the land and erect a building thereon, ])rovide(l the 
same may be completed in all its parts not to exceed $i.S,ooo. It would apjK-ar, however, that the 
south-siders were mil (|uile satisfied with themselves, for at this meeting Dr. Micah l^ldredge moved 
"that a committee be apjjointed to confer with a committee from Nashville relative to a reunion," 
and it does not appear that there was a dissenting voice. The conunittee was Jesse Bowers, Micah 
Eldredge, C.ustine Marsliall, Thomas W. Gillis, Josephus Baldwin, Tliomas Chase and Martin 
Crafts. (The sequel to this resolution is given in Nashville's histor_\-. 

Tlie e.xact date on which the corner-stone of the town house was laid is not disco\ered b\- the 
writer. It was laid, however, with " the usual civil and religious ceremon\-." In an excavation of 
a stone under the northeast corner is deposited, in a zinc or lead box, a jilate with the date, names of 
the building conunittee, architect, a large collection of documents of all kinds, newspapers, re])orts 
of various institutions, law, etc., together with specimens of American coin. .\ prayer was offered 
by Rev. Au.stin Richards, and an address, "appropriate to the occasion and the circumstances," was 
made by the Rev. Dura D. Pratt. There is no record of a dedication. 

Meanwhile thoughtful residents of Nashua, for there were now two towns, were suffering with a 
troubled conscience. They had evidently come to the conclusion that they had overshot the mark 
and were in condition of mind suited to a compromise. Accordingly at the town meeting in March, 
1843, it was voted, without division, that Jesse Bowers, Franklin Fletcher and John M. Hunt visit 
the legislature and urge a reunion of the towns, failing in which to seek a better settlement, and a 
new line by the Nashua river. This committee was opposed by Charles F. Gove and Charles J. Fox, 
and all its efforts came to nought. The line remained unchanged and Nashua was compelled to 
settle on the basis of Nashville's charter. 

The years that followed, before the towns were united under a citj* charter, were filled with 
turmoil. The troubles summarized as existing from 1839 to 1842 became intensified, and every enter- 
prise calculated to advance the interest of the towns was handicapped. The debt and rate of 
taxation in Nashua caused the promoters of new industries to hesitate in their investment of capital, 
and many who were desirous of settling here were deterred by the belligerency with which they were 
attacked by one side or the other. There was no peace. Both sides of the Nashua river was fighting 
ground and woe betide the unaccompanied boy who strayed from his own bailiwick. He was sure to 
return to his kindred w'itli torn clothes and bruised flesh. Military and fire companies were not on 
friendly terms, the police were powerless after the middle of the bridge was passed, and even those of 
whom better things were expected exhibited a feeling of jealousy and resentment. This condition 
of affairs became so serious that in 1853 wiser counsel prevailed, and, a city charter having been 
obtained, it w-as voted, Sept. 17, four hundred and sixt5^-eight to three hundred and thirty-four, to 
unite with Nashville. The town of Nashua was represented in the legislature in 1837 by Benjamin 
L. Jones, George W. Baglej-, Hugh Jameson and Charles J. Fox : in 1S3S and 1839 by Daniel Abbot, 
Stephen Kendrick, George Y. Sawyer and Silas Butterfield : in 1S40 and 1841 by George Y. Sawj'er, 
Isaac Spalding, Albin Beard and Josephus Baldwin ; in 1842, by Ivconard W. Noyes, Abner Andrews 
anil Anthony Gage; 1843, Josephus Baldwin ; 1844,110 election; 1845, Thomas Chase, William F. 
Lawrence, Isaac Spalding and Aaron F. Sawyer; 1S47, George Y. Sawyer, Isaac Spalding, John H. 
Gage and F,van B. Ilanimoiid; 1848, George Y. Sawyer, Jefferson Rockwood, Nahuni Williams and 
Evan B. Haiiiiuoiul; 1849, Edmund Parker, Nahum Williams, Jefferson Rockwood and Aaron F. 
vStevens; 1S50, Aaron F. Stevens, Malachi V. Dodge, Jr., Samuel F. Wright and lulmund Parker; 
constitutional convention, lulmund Parker, George Y. Sawj'er, Isaac Spalding and Leonard W. 



5 86 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

No)'es; 1851, George Y. Sawyer, vSamuel F. Wright, David Baldwin and I'"dniund Parker; 1852, 
David Baldwin, Charles K. Whitne3% Malachi F. Dodge, Jr., and Isaac Spalding; 1S53, not repre- 
sented. The records of the town were closed under date of Sept. 19, 1853, Charles T. Ridgway 
being the last town clerk. 

THE TOWNSHIP OF N.4SHViLLE. 

The declaration of the vote that located the Nashua town house between the Main street bridge 
and Pearl street, together with the boastful spirit of the victor, wrought the opponents of the site up 
to a state of mind bordering on frenzy. They felt, considering their liberal proposition to furnish a 
building lot free of expense to the town, that they had been wronged, and, following their return to 
the north side of the river, gathered in groups and discussed their defeat in language that was neither 
parliamentary nor complimentary to their south-side fellow-citizens. In fact their disaffection was so 
great, and their determination not to submit so uncompromising that arrangements were made at once 
to hold an indignation meeting on the evening of the same day. The meeting was called at Greeley's 
hall and it was organized with Daniel Abbot, chairman, and' Solomon Spalding, secretar}'. 

Remarks setting forth the grievances of which they complained " in consequence of the illiberal 
and proscriptive course pursued by a majority of the citizens of Nashua living on the north side of the 
river," were made by the chairman, Charles F. Gove, Charles J. Fox and others and a committee of 
five was rai.sed "to prepare a statement of facts and suitable resolutions expressive of the sentiment 
and feelings of the meeting." The report of that committee was unanimously adopted at a meeting 
held on the following Saturday evening. 

This report (vide town records in city vault) recites the troubles already recorded, and in sarcas- 
tic and indignant language arraigns the people of the south side of the river as " t)'rants and 
robbers," governing by the principle that "might makes right," taxing without representation, and 
pursuing "a course of oppression and injustice, of insult and selfishness without precedent." In 
fact they denounced their fellow-citizens as engaged in a conspiracy to depri\-e them of their rights, 
and declared that they would not submit to the high-handed and arbitrary course of would-be 
dictators. The report closes in these words : " To all such we bear no ill-will ; but if we cannot live 
together in peace, enjoying equal rights, let us then separate in peace. For those few who have 
labored so hard to excite hostility and jealousy, we wish no worse punishment than their own evil 
passion. Retribution will overtake them. We have asked nothing but what every candid man will 
say is reasonable and equitable, a fair and full hearing, and no proscription, and if this is to be denied 
the rights and feelings of five hundred voters who pay nearly or quite one-half of the taxes of the 
town shall not be trampled upon with impunity." The points of this report were condensed into a 
series of nine resolutions and adopted by the meeting. 

That the north-side residents were desperately in earnest is evidenced bj- the fact that on Monday 
evening, the fourteenth, they met again, and, after many and vigorous expressions of indignation 
"voted to draft a petition and obtain signatures to be presented to the legislature on the first 
Wednesday in June, for a division of the town." Perley Foster, Zebediah Shattuck, Solomon 
Spalding, John Flagg and Robert Moore were chosen as a committee to carry out the will of the 
meeting, and also to notify in writing the selectmen of the town of the action taken. The petition 
was signed by William Boardman and four hundred and seventy-six others, and in due time pre- 
sented to the legislature. Franklin Pierce, afterwards president of the United States, was secured 
as counsel by the petitioners, and George Y. Sawyer, afterwards a member of the New Hampshire 
judiciary, appeared for the remonstrants: Leonard Roby and five hundred and twenty-nine others. 

Heretofore — so far as discoverable upon the surface — politics had played no part in the contro- 
versy. It had been a town house fight and nothing else. Now — unless the memory of old residents 
is at fault, and the impression conveyed between the lines deceptive — party lines were drawn. 
Nashua was a Whig town. Prominent non-resident Democrats conceived the idea that favors 
bestowed upon the petitioners would naturally attract them to that party. The legislature was 
Democratic. Mr. Gove and Mr. Fox were Democrats. Mr. Pierce was a Democrat. Under these 
conditions Mr. Sawyer, a Whig (even though ably seconded by Leonard W. Noyes* and other 

* Col. Noyes was so chagrined by this unwarranted turn of affairs that he eschewed politics for the rest of his 
life. In fact he would not even consent to be the candidate of his party, which was equivalent to an election, for the 
first niavorality nf the united towns under a citv charter. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 587 

Whif^^s), was powerless. The intliience of the {(inner Iriuiniihed and a charter was obtained for a 
new town under the name of Nashville. The charter granted the petitioners all the rights and 
jirivileges a town may exercise under the laws of the state, imposed all the responsibilities, made 
provisions for a division of the propert)' of the oUl town, and fi.ved the rates of liability on del)ts. It 
was signed by Gov. IIenr\- Hubbard, June 2},, 1842, and the town was organized at a meeting held at 
(■reeley hall, July ir, William lioardman calling it to order and Daniel Abbot being elected mod- 
erator. The first otTicers of the the town were: Charles F. Gove, Fordyce M. Stinson, Albert 
McKean, Thomas Pearson and James Roby, selectmen; Alfred Greeley, treasurer, and Robert Moore, 
town clerk. The organization was perfected by the choice of a superintending school committee and 
minor officers. 

The town of Nashville was now fairly- launched and ready for any battle that Nashua might 
desire to fight. Na.shua, however, was no longer in a belligerent mood. Its thoughtful citizens 
realized that their \ictory was barren of results, that the people of Nashville had downed them and 
the town house site was insignificent compensation for the loss they had sustained. Moreover, 
friendships were broken, church affiliation disturbed to the detriment of the cause of religion, 
business interrupted, social intercourse abandoned and an enmity aroused among their young people, 
all of which augured ill for the future. The people of Nashville — although they would not admit as 
nuich — suffered from like promptings of conscience and hardships, while rivalry, jealousy and discord 
on lioth sides of the ri\er were of such a nature that capitalists hesitated when industrial enterprises 
were considered. This undesirable picture, the result of four j-ears of contention, was now com- 
pletely developed, and although Nashua had exhibited penitence, and held out the olive Ijranch by 
requesting, without a dissenting vote, a reunion, Nashville was obdurate and uncompromising, and, 
October, 1S42, postponed action on a motion made by Mr. Abbot, "that a committee be appointed to 
confer with a committee appointed on the part of Nashua in regard to reunion." "We wish never 
again to be united with the town of Nashua," was the language of the opposition as voiced in a 
motion by Eleazer T. Merrill, which resolution, on the suggestion of Mr. Abbot, was rejected. At 
this meeting it was voted to build a town house and a committee was appointed for that purpose, but 
no house was built. 

In 1843 the town cast four hundred and eight votes. Its receipts were $5,816, and its expendi- 
tures $5,486. Hatred of south-si<lers was still the ruling passion, no friendship the one desire of their 
hearts. At the annual meeting, March 14, the request of Nashua for reunion was again considered 
and, "that the matter might be emphatically and forever settled", to use the language of a resident 
of that day, the roll of the town was called and every man put on record. The result was the smiting 
of "the hand extended over the river" by a vote of three hundred and sevent\--seven to seventeen. 
The spreading of the names upon the minutes of the meeting under yea and nay captions, for the 
first and only time in the history of Dunstable, Na.shua, and Na.shville, shows conclusively that the 
spirit of peace was not permitted an abiding place in JSTashville. 

The chagrin of the peojile of Nashua over the outcome of their effort at reunion was in a large 
measure concealed. They grieved and yet bethought themselves to make one more effort ; instruct- 
ing their selectmen to seek reunion through the legislature, failing in which they were to (jbtain 
better terms in the matter of a division of the public property. The old forces, howexer, were allied 
against them, consequently they were compelled to settle as directed in the Nashville charter. It was 
a bitter cup, and accompanied h\ taunts that superinduced a revengeful spirit. While in this condi- 
tion of mind the}- conceived the idea that Nashville had no use for a town farm in Nashua or the old 
south meeting-house, and, as they were to be sold at auction, thej- would therefore refrain from bid- 
ding. 'I'he lending men in Nashville were agreed among themselves that the farm was just as handv 
for them as a town as it was when they were citizens of Nashua and therefore made arrangements to 
force Nashua to ])ay a good ])rice for it or lose it to Nashville at less than its value. They facetiously 
boasted as much, and Nashua, being deceived by their sh;ir]) jiractice and therefore bidding cautiously 
was trapped. Nashville got the farm — the same that is now owned l)y the city — at aljout half its 
value. The same tactics i)revailed when the meeting-house was sold. Na.shville got it at her own 
price, and, having no use for it, sold the bell to the church in I'.rookline and the edifice to a contractor 
who razed it and used the lumber in building a dwelling-house at Indian Head. These and other 
transactions — of little significance from an historic standpoint — added to the estrangement between 



588 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



the rival towns and engendered more of hatred ; "hatred, envy and malice," that seethed and burned 
for ten years and the effects of which cropped out now and then in the four decades that followed — 
witness several acrimonious debates over the removal of the postoffice from a site a few rods south of 
the bridge, locating the soldiers' and sailors' monument north of Railroad square, choosing a site for 
a city library and other material and immaterial transactions. 

Aside from facts heretofore stated the records of the town furnish very little of general interest. 
Officers, of course, were chosen annually, a new bridge was built over the Nashua river east of the 
mills of the Jackson company, the Amherst street cemetery was instituted and a hearse purchased, a 
school house built at Mount Pleasant, (the lot being the gift of Daniel Abbot), a corduroy road con- 
structed at "the willows," police and fire regulations adopted, ordinances passed and other business 

incidental to town government transacted. 
Town meetings were held in Greeley hall, 
the Baptist and Unitarian church edifices, 
and, commencing in 1850, in Franklin hall. 
In 1S45 it was again voted to build a town 
house, and in 1847 a conunittee was ap- 
pointed for that jnirpose. There is no 
record of a report by the committee, but 
Feb. 22, 1850, the town contracted with the 
Nashua & Lowell railroad whereby Frank- 
lin hall was to be used for town purposes 
tor a period of fifty years on payment of 
one hundred and twenty dollars annually. 
(The contract is still in force, 1897.) The 
census of the town, 1849, gave the popula- 
tion at 1,104 niale, 1,533 female, seven hundred and thirty-six scholars, and the report shows that it 
was free from debt. The people of Nashville, however, mellowed at last. They wearied of the never 
ceasing quarrel, and they sighed for relief from the hundred and one disturbing influences that burden 
the mind and destroy usefulness. In fact it became plain to them that the growth and prosperity 
of the towns was dependent upon concerted enterprise, and the more thej' thought the matter over 
the more reconciled they became to reunion. Under the lead of citizens whose names are given in 
another connection, public sentiment was quickly crystalized in the affirmative and on Sept. 17, 1853, 
it was voted two hundred and forty-seven to one hundred and fifteen to accept a city charter. 

The town was represented in the legislature in 1843 by William Boardman and Albert McKean ; 
1844, Albert McKean and Eleazer T. Merrill ; 1845, Ziba Gay and William Wetherby ; 1S46, Ziba 
Gay and Albin Beard; 1S47, Albin Beard and Franklin Foster: 1848, Edmund Parker and Daniel 
Abbot; 1S49, Abraham Mitchell and Fordyce M. Stinson ; 1850, David Robinson and Albin Beard; 
1851 and 1S52, Solomon R. Bullard and William S. Atwood ; 1853, no election. Robert Moore was 
clerk of the town ten years, John N. Barr one year, and Levi McKean the last year, the latter closing 
the records Oct. 4, 1853. 





^si^^ss^i^i^ 


■UMMBKOH 






- ''-''''' ^i^^^^^^^^^^K 




^^^KLt^^JL ''M. A^^^^^»^ 


sw^HB^R 


L' ' ' ".s^^ifl^^^H 




^^^^^S 


0^f^" ""' 






^^»iS^ 


'' ' '" 1 




Tu.\\.\\.<^^ 



•iiiK wir.i.ows. 



THE CITY OF NASHUA. 



The first suggestion relative to the reunion of the towns under a city charter, as remembered by 
several old citizens, came from Charles G. Atlierton of Nashville shortly after his election to the 
United States senate in 1852. George Y. vSawj'er of Nashua seconded the move. These learned and 
farseeing leaders of public opinion had evident!}' considered the situation in private conversation, 
and were agreed that the interests of both parties to the unfortunate quarrel were identical, and 
would be better conserved by unity. The logic of events, whether viewed from a mercantile, 
industrial or moral standpoint, clearly favored this view. These considerations were strengthened 
by observation and knowledge that the conditions were such that Manchester and Concord were 
outstripping the people of southern New Hampshire in the things that make wealth, progress and 
influence. Besides this there was a personal motive, not alone with them but with many others, 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, U. II. 



589 



uiKk-rlyiiig the general facts — pride. Both had become public men, and, however much the idea \w3.y 
be berated, they knew that when abroad in the world a tlegree of significance is attached to the fact 
that the individual hails from a city. 

The task to be performed in educating the public mind to this conclusion was, considering the 
grievance of fifteen years, a difficult one, and particularly so for Judge Sawyer, who had championed 
the cause of the south-siders in the original controversy. Judge Sawyer was eminently a man who 
possessed the courage of conviction, and, although Senator Atherton took the responsibility of the 
initiative, which it was deemed expedient should come from the north-siders, was active and per- 
suasive in creating .sentiment in desired directions. William Boardman, Josiah G. Graves, M. D., 
Albert McKean and other prominent citizens of Nashville became at once earnest advocates of the 
proposed reunion. Leonard W. Noyes, who, although he had eschewed politics, could always be 
counted on in all matters of good citizenship and things that tended to promote industrial pursuits, 
Evan B. Hammond, M. D., (Irlando D. Murray, John W. Gage, (ieorge H. Whitne\- and other 




leading citizens of Nashua also supported the measure. The result ol the ail\ucac\ of reunion 1)\' 
these citizens is indicated bj' the votes recorded under township heads. 

The adoption of the charter, which, as heretofore noted, was accepted ."^ept. 17, was proclaimed 
and a warrant issued authorizing a general election of officers of the new municipalit\- to take place 
on Saturday, Oct. 8. The candidates for the mayoralty were Josephus Bahlwin, Bernard B. 
Whittemore and Winslow Ames. A majority vote was required on the first day, and neither 
candidate having the requisite numljer there was no choice. The polls were opened again on 
Monday, when only a jjlurality vote was required, and the result of the ballot was: Ames, one 
hundred and sixty-seven, Whittemore, three hundred and eleven, Baldwin, 'nxQ hundred and fifty- 
eight. Mr. Baldwin was declared electe<l. The inauguration took place on the fifteenth of the 
same month, Charles G. Atherton administeiing the oath of office and Rev. Dura D. Pratt making 
the prayer. Edward P. Emerson was chosen city clerk, Aaron F. Stevens president of the common 



5,jo HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H 

council, and William P. Ainsworth clerk of the council ; the books, paper.s, key.s and funds of the 
towns were turned over by Edward Spalding, acting as agent, and thereupon the convention dissolved. 

The amount of funds received from the town of Nashua was nine hundred and twenty-one 
dollars and ninety-one cents, from Nashville $1,054.15, in both instances being the unexpended 
balance of appropriations for the year. The debt, which the city assumed, the same being wholly 
that of Nashua, was $27,547.50. The infant city had a population of 8,942 souls and 2,181 voters. 
The valuation, as totalized by the assessors, was $4,266,658. It had five fire hand engines, one 
hose carriage and one hook and ladder carriage, and other property, including the City Hall 
Iniilding, farm and incidentals, to the value of $41,752, exclusive of school houses. 

Mayor Baldwin's first administration covered a period of only five months. The improvements 
of the year were practically completed when he came into office, and the business in hand consisted 
mostly in laying foundations for the future: that is, drafting, discussing and making rules and 
regulations for the fire and police departments, and ordinances for the preservation of the peace and 
other necessary objects. It was a difficult and delicate task, but, having the wise counsel of Aaron 
P. Hughes, city solicitor, and Aaron F. Stevens, president of the council, matters were taken up in a 
systematic and intelligent manner, and without noise and friction crystalized in law. In 1854 Mayor 
Baldwin was a candidate for re-election. That he had met the expectations of the people is evident 
in the fact that of the eight hundred and eighteen votes cast he received five hundred and sixty-two, 
Bernard B. Whittemore having two hundred and seven and William F. I^awrence, forty-nine. His 
second administration was characterized by good judgment and plain dealing. An engine house was 
built on the north side, south of Circuit street, at a cost of $2,665, and the general affairs of the city 
conducted on an economical basis. The Nashua Gas Light company was chartered in 1850, and the 
Nashville Aqueduct company in 1852. In 1853 the name of the latter was changed to the Penni- 
chuck Water works, and during Ma3'or Baldwin's administration both undertakings were completed 
to the extent that the city was supplied with water and gas. Mayor Baldwin, who was a man of the 
people, was a popular chief executive. He drew fifty dollars from the city treasury as compensation 
for his services. 

In 1855 the candidates for the mayoralty were Edmund Parker, Josephus Baldwin, Charles F. 
Gove and Freeman S. Rogers. The election of Mr. Rogers by a vote of 1,030 over four hundred and 
fifty-six for Gove, one hundred and sevent3^-one for Baldwin and twenty-three for Parker was a sur- 
prise to the friends of the defeated candidates. They were not prepared for such a result. It came 
about, however, through the American party, which was controlled in secret conclaves and put to 
rout the old political organizations in that and the succeeding year, Mr. Rogers being re-elected in 
1856. The two administrations of Mayor Rogers were of a peaceful and progressive character. He 
advocated better sidewalks, an increase of the police force, purchase of land for a common, beauti- 
fying Railroad sc|uare and other improvements which, as suggested in his inaugural address, were a 
necessity to the community and an earnest of the progress of the city. With one or two exceptions 
his recommendations were acted upon affirnratively and lasting benefits resulted. During his second 
administration the state enacted a prohibitory liquor law and Isaac Eaton, the city marshal, was 
instructed to enforce it. Mr. Eaton, in obeying his instructions, seized five or six barrels of spirits 
and jailed the owner. Considerable excitement prevailed and litigation was threatened. The city 
refused to furnish Marshal Eaton with an indemnifjdng bond, whereupon he compromised the matter, 
discharged the defendant and resigned his office. The liquor was returned to the owner and thus 
ended the first attempt at prohibition in Nashua. It was the first and only seizure made in the .state. 
William White was appointed marshal vice Eaton, resigned, and on the morning of Jan. 9, 1857, an 
unfortunate incident occurred that has become noted in police annals. It was the result of jealousy 
and intoxication among the night watchmen. The principals in the affair were detailed at a ball at 
Franklin hall the night before and towards morning imprisoned one of their number and two other 
persons in cells under the Cit}' Hall building. A little later the place was discovered to be on fire. 
The prisoners lost their lives. Foul play was suspected, but the charges were not sustained at the 
investigation which followed. Mayor Rogers was in no way responsible for these transactions and 
his administration has never suffered reproach by reason of them. It was during Mayor Rogers' 
administration, July, 1856, that mill number one of the Nashua Maiuifacturing plant and a number 
of dwelling houses on High and Garden streets were burned, entailing a loss of $100,000 to the com- 
pany ; insurance about $35,000, and $10,000 to indix'iduals. 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. //. 591 

At the amuial election in March, i<S57, Cieorge Bowers and Thomas W. Gillis were the candidates 
for the mayoralty. Mr. Gillis was chosen by a majority of two hundred and five votes. It was an 
era of great financial distress throughout llic conntrx-. Thousands of men were out of employment. 
The wolf was at the door. These conditions precluded public improvements and therefore Mayor 
Gillis, in his inaugural address, urged the need of economy and the reduction of the public debt, and 
bent his energies in that direction. The streets were kept in good repair and department expenses 
paid; but little else was done. His administration was mainly satisfactory to the people, but owing 
to personal considerations due to the state of the country he declined a nomination for a second term. 

In 1858 and again in 1859, Albin Beard was chosen to the office of chief magistrate of the city 
by a majority vote over I.saac vSpalding and George Bowers. The ballot in 1858, with but slight 
difference in 1859, was Spalding twenty-nine. Bowers seven hundred and thirty-one, Beard nine 
hundred and sixty-one. Mayor Beartl, like his immediate predecessor, not only recommended 
economy in the matter of public expenditures but i)racticed it. Many j^erplexing and conflicting 
interests handicapped his administration, the country, owing to agitation that led up to the John 
Brown insurrection, was drifting toward civil war, business was at a stand-still and hence the 
people were not enthusiastic in local affairs. Mayor Beard harmonized differences to a large degree, 
conducted public business on a routine basis, and suggested some improvements that were consum- 
mated some years later. He was popular in office and highly regarded in private. 

The mayoralty election of i860 was between Aaron \V. Sawyer (see biography ) and Aaron P. 
Hughes, brothers-in-law, and resulted in nine hundred and seventy-seven votes for the former and 
eight hundred and sixteen for the latter. The financial and political condition of the country had 
not improved to any encouraging extent. A national political battle was now being fought on grave 
issues and already the rumbling of the " inevitable conflict " disturbed the public mind. Under these 
conditions Mayor Sawyer was compelled to abandon enterprises that promised to develop the growth 
of the city and continue the policy of retrenchment. Roads, bridges and public buildings were 
repaired and department bills liquidated, but little or nothing done with an eye to the future. The 
population at this time was 10,665, the number of voters 2,186, the latter figures demonstrating that 
the increase over 1853 was due to the influx of female mill operatives. The total valuation of the 
city was now $4,577,978, the city debt $51,118, city property, exclusive of school-houses, valued at 
$45,476. The threatened crisis in national affairs at this time had a depressing influence upon the 
public mind and discouraged all attempts to spend money for the inihlic weal. Ma>or vSawyer 
declined to be a candidate for re-election. 

At the annual election in March, 1861, the struggle for the supremacy between political parties — 
due in a great measure to conditions heretofore stated — in the choice of a chief magistrate was more 
than usually animated. The candidates were Isaac Spalding, George Bowers (see biography) and 
Franklin Munroe. The friends of the last two mentioned candidates were belligerently active and 
the result of the ballot on the first day was: Munroe eight hundred and sixty-two. Bowers eight 
hundred and fifty-one, Spalding twenty-two, scattering eight, no choice. On the second day Colonel 
Bowers received eight hundred and seventy-four votes to eight hundred and fifty-five for Mr. Munroe, 
and was declared elected and duly inaugurated. The country was on the verge of civil war, and 
therefore no consideration could be given to the things that tend to local growth. It was enough, as 
viewed by taxpayers, to pay current bills and hold the machinery of government intact. Maxor 
Bowers' political affiliation at that time was with the party in the ranks of which were men who. to 
say the least, sympathized with those who had taken up arms against the government. These men 
endeavored in many ways to so influence his official conduct as to defeat the state in recruiting men 
for the defence of national honor, but, be it said to his everlasting credit, being a soldier who had 
followed the flag through stubborn battles to the halls of the Montezumas, his patriotism was such 
that he performed all the duties of his office on a plane above reproach. But few local improvements 
were made during his administration. Nothing was desired or expected. It was i|uite enough to 
pay economical current expenses. 

The office of mayor in the decade of years under consideration was nut in any sense a bed of 
roses. On the other hand it was hedged about with thorns to the degree that it required a brave and 
energetic man to perform the duties. The sentiment of the Republican party in 1862 crystalized in 
favor of Hiram T. Morrill. Colonel Morrill declined but was finally persuaded to allow his name to 



592 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

be used. He was iioniiiiated. Mayor Bowers had every reason in the world to expect the people to 
indorse his administration and therefore sought and secured a renomination, and that too in spite of 
the opposition of party leaders whose wish to distress the general government he had vigorously 
declined to favor. The result was not unexpected. Mayor Bowers' offended party associates 
refrained from voting the mayoralty ticket and Colonel Morrill was accordingly elected, the vote 
being Bowers seven hundred and sixty-four, Morril seven hundred and ninety-eight. Mayor Bowers, 
however, did not "sulk in his tent." He was too much of a patriot to be guilty of conduct 
unbecoming his record in war and peace, and so a few months later, disregarding party ties, he 
buckled on his sword and went to the front line of battle as lieutenant-colonel. It should be added 
in justice to his memory — the smoke of the conflict having cleared away — that his administration of 
local affairs stands out as a bright oasis in a desert. Ma3'or Morrill was re-elected in 1863, George 
Stark being his opponent and the vote standing, Morrill eight hundred and forty-nine, Stark seven 
hundred and sixty-six. 

Mayor Morrill's first administration was not unlike that of his predecessor in office. He practiced 
such economy as was possible, and yet made liberal provision for the families of those citizens who 
were in the army, assisted and encouraged recruiting and kept wise supervision over city affairs. His 
second administration was beset with many perplexing problems and annoyed by unfortunate partisan 
influences. Both boards were tied, the aldermen being five and the common council ten of each 
party, and party passion in the ascendant Following the adjournment of the joint convention in 
which the oath of office was administered and the inaugural address delivered, these bodies retired to 
their respective chambers. In the council Theodore H. Wood was conceded the presidency by a vote 
of eio-hteen to two for Henry Holt. Then came a struggle over the election of clerk. The candi- 
dates were Frank A. McKean and Jacob D. March. Eighty ballots were taken, when one of 
McKean's supporters failed to vote and March was declared elected. Meanwhile the mayor and 
aldermen transacted the usual routine business necessary to complete their organization, and, it being 
evident that the council was at logger-heads, adjourned to two o'clock the same day. At the hour 
mentioned five of the aldermen were purpo.sely absent. The animus was to prevent a quorum. 
Between one and two hours were spent in waiting, during which time Aldermen David Crosby 
absented himself subject to recall, and Mayor Morrill and one other alderman temporarily left the 
room. The board finally adjourned to seven o'clock on the evening of the same day. At that hour 
the five aldermen were still absent, whereupon Mayor Morrill made his appointments and they were 
confirmed by the five aldermen present. The board then met in convention with the common council 
and elected John G. Kimball city clerk. An issue was immediately raised. The outgoing city clerk, 
Isaac H. Marshall, refused to give up the books or open the vault. He, and his partj' associates, 
maintained that, inasmuch as there was no quorum of the aldermen, and because of the absence, 
temporarily, of the mayor and two aldermen in the afternoon, the election of Mr. Kimball was illegal, 
and durino- the succeeding three months maintained this attitude to the great hindrance of public 
business. These clerks. Mayor Morrill recognizing Kimball, occupied separate desks in the office^ 
and it is said were on unfriendly terms and armed. Meantime relief was sought through the supreme 
court, and in June (see New Hampshire reports, volume seven, page four hundred and sixty-five) a 
decision was rendered as follows: " When, by statute, the day of meeting of the mayor and aldermen 
and common council is fixed for a prescribed duty, one-half the aldermen cannot defeat a legal 
election by absenting themselves; they are bound to be present at all times when the board is in 
session till an election is made, and if recess or adjournment is made are bound to take notice." Mr. 
Kimball, therefore, and other officers, who.se legal appointment depended on the decision of the 
court, prevailed and business was resumed. But Mayor Morrill's trials did not begin nor end with 
the affair recorded. There came a call during his administration for men to fill the depleted ranks of 
the army. A draft was ordered ; disloyal citizens threatened resistance, and rioting and bloodshed 
were imminent. Prudence dictated that measures be taken to preserve the peace should violence lie 
resorted to. Accordingly arms were secretly procured and stored at midnight in the armor\- over the 
City Hall, ammunition was hidden in the city vault and picked men notified to assemble at the stroke 
of the bell or sound of the drum. Happily, drastic measures were not needed to subdue the passion 
of the opponents of the government. Mayor Morrill had other burdens to bear besides those 
mentioned. Regiments of soldiers passing through the city on their way to the seat of war were 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



593 



welcomed, fed and given final gods^peed as they left the state; the sick and wounded who returned 
were cared for, and when great battles were fought, like Gettysburg, he hurried to the front at his 
own expense to succor suffering Nashuans, see that the dead were buried and those unfit to continue 
longer in the service provided with transportation to their homes. Aside from these patriotic acts he 
gave his time unstintedly, to the neglect of his business, in supervising the affairs of the city and the 
furtherance of necessary improvements. No task, however arduous, discouraged him, and no duty 
was evaded or left unperformed. All that the patriotic people of Nashua ought to do was done, and 
the good name of the city thereby preserved. Previous to this time alarms of fire were given by shout- 
ing and by church and factory bells. Isaac Eaton, chief of the fire department, in his report for 1863, 
reconnnended the purchase of a bell to be hung in the City Hall tower. The councils of 1864 acted 
affirmatively on the recommendation, and the steel bell now in use on the building was procured by 
Mayor Morrill and Chief I'Daton at an expense, including incidentals and hanging, of about nine 
hundred dollars. During Mayor Morrill's first term there was expended, by special appropriation, 
$23,126 in aid of soldiers' families and $20,700 bounty for substitutes in the army; during his second 
term $23,839 aid, and $91,000 bounty, which sums were subsequently reimbursed to the city by the 
state. 

The candidates for the mayoralty in 1S64 were Matthew Harr and Ivdward Spalding. The ballot 
resulted in the choice of the latter by a vote of nine hundreil and fifty-two to six hundred and eighty- 
two. The Civil War was now the one absorbing theme of public solicitation. The wisest had no 
conception of the exigencies of the morrow; doubters as to the final result were everywhere ])resent; 
patriots could only hope, watch, wait and declare their faith that the final victory would be with the 
North. Under these distressing conditions all the energies of Mayor vSpalding, besides a judicious 
expenditure of the public funds to keep streets and highways in repair and oversee dei)artnient 
affairs, were necessarily devoted to strengthening the general government by obtaining enlistments 
for the army and providing for the families of the men in the field. This he did, despite bitter 
opposition, in a manner that won the admiration of all who counted no sacrifice too great to be made 
for country. Mayor Spalding expended, by .special appropriation, $85,000 in payment of bounties 
and $20,447 in providing for the women and children of soldiers. His administration endured with 
patience and fortitude many of the hardships incidental to the period, and deservedly ranks with that 
of its immediate predecessor. 

In 1865 \'irgil C. Oilman and Bernard B. Whittemore were the mayoralty candidates. Whitte- 
niore, editor of the Nashua Gazette, received six hundred and two votes and Gilman eight hundred 
and forty-eight. The condition of public affairs, as heretofore recited had not improved. The 
Federal armies were being reinforced ; the hour of deliverance or defeat was near at hand ; the people 
were nervous and irritable ; the office of chief magistrate of a city a most unenviable position. 
Mayor Gilman's first care was provision for the dependents of the men at the front and securing 
volunteers to fill the depleted ranks. This accomplished, and the victor\' a few weeks later at Appo- 
mato.x certifying that the war had ceased, he felt notwithstanding the increased debt and the oppo- 
sition of timid taxpayers that something should be done to promote the general welfare of the city. 
The first thing to be considered was the erection of a county record building. The affirmative must 
prevail or the records would be removed from Amherst to Manchester instead of Nashua. Public 
sentiment was divided, notwith.standing which Mayor Gilman secured a special appropriation of 
$20,000, which was subsequently increased to $25,000, and erected the building now occupied for the 
purpose indicated. The wisdom of his judgment has not been questioned since his retirement from 
office. Besides what has been heretofore mentioned Maj-or Gilman put gas fixtures, chandeliers and 
settees into the City Hall, straightened Amherst street, which formerly ran over the southern portion 
of Edgewood cemetery, and filled the gully at that point. He also straightened Concord street north 
from Stark street, and filled a valley that w'as a great hindrance to travel. These and other improve- 
ments marked the dawn of a new era that the searcher of records discovers five years later. Of a 
special appropriation for bounties Mayor Gilman spent $10,443. Among the notable events of his 
administration was the welcoming home of the la,st battalion of New Hampshire troops. It was com- 
posed of the Tenth and Thirteenth regiments. Tables were spread on Abbot square — the place from 
which these commands took their final departure for the seat of war — a large concourse of people, 
many of whom were from the surrounding towns, was present. Mayor Gilman's address, which was 



47 



594 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

printed in the newspapers of that day, was delivered on, or near, the spot on which the soldiers' and 
sailors' monument stands. Surely his administration deserves a conspicuous place in the civil history 
of the city. 

The candidates for the mayoralty in 1866 and 1867 were James L,. Pierce and Gilman Scripture ; 
the ballot. Pierce six hundred and twenty-three and seven hundred and twenty-four respectively, and 
Scripture eight hundred and eighteen and eight hundred and seventy-three. Mayor Scripture was 
deterred from contemplated improvements by the cry of retrenchment and the judgment of his 
councils. They, the aldermen and couucilmen, believed that the financial condition of the country 
did not warrant special appropriations. In fact the face difference in value between paper promises to 
pay and the gold standard was such that a waiting policy seemed advisable. Mayor Scripture — as the 
result of the burning of the city farm buildings — recommended strengthening the fire apparatus, and 
to that end purchased the fir.st steam fire engine, Torrent, and horses for the department. James H. 
Reed, a few years later a member of the board of engineers, was the first foreman under the new 
order of things, and Tyler M. Shattuck the first engineer. Mayor vScripture's management of other 
departments and city affairs in general was prudent and satisfactory to those of his fellow-citizens 
who were satisfied with the privileges of an overgrown village. That, personally, he was one of the 
most popular maj'ors of the decade is within the memory of many who are living to-day. 

The loyal administration of Mayor George Bowers in the troublesome days of 1861, recollection 
of the circumstances under which he was denied popular endorsement in 1862, together with the fact 
that he had performed gallant .service in the Civil War and since then had been identified with the 
party that prevailed in the last year mentioned, gave him high standing in the community and moved 
friends and admirers to seek an honorable place for him in local history. Accordingly in 186S he was 
conceded the mayoralty nomination. James L. Pierce was the opposing candidate and the vote 
stood: Pierce nine hundred and sixt3'-five, Bowers 1,090. Mayor Bowers' second administration was 
as popular as his first. He built the city vault, an iron safe being in use before this date, improved 
highways and bridges, repaired school houses and managed the various departments upon an 
economical basis. Mayor Bowers now felt that the city of his birth had made the amende honorable. 
He wished to retire from public life, and therefore declined renomination. 

At this period in the history of Nashua, as viewed from a progressive standpoint, affairs were 
practically at a standstill. The places of more than a thousand young men who had fallen out of the 
ranks during the Civil War had been but partially filled, business blocks and dwelling houses were 
simply landmarks of the old village, manufactories — owing in part to fluctuations of the currency — 
had not become settled upon a secure basis, and therefore the immediate future looked unpromising. 
To these discouraging conditions was added the knowledge that there was a slight falling off in the 
population, and the hard fact that if hope of escape from decay and degeneration was to be enter- 
tained, many too long delayed improvements must be made and new avenues of trade opened. 
Among the men who believed in the future of Nashua was Orren C. Moore. In the face of these 
obstacles he founded the Nashua Daily Telegraph, and in editorials and speeches infused new life and 
new hope into city affairs. With persuasive energy he advocated the things that have come to pass 
and thus laid future generations under obligation to him. 

The nominees for the maj'oralty in 1869 were James L. Pierce, who received seven hundred and 
twenty-seven votes, and Jotham D. Otterson, 1,015. Maj'or Otterson proved the right man for the 
emergency. He was approachable, practical and thoroughly impressed with the necessity of laying 
new fountlations, and to this end devoted pretty much all his time. During the two years he held the 
office (for he was elected in 1870 over Dana vSargent by a vote of nine hundred and fifteen to eight 
hundred and fifty-one) he rebuilt the Main street bridge, built the central fire engine house on Olive 
street at a co.st of $40,000, constructed a mammoth sewer through Main street, and incepted other 
improvements that were realized through his successors. In the autumn of 1869 fire destroyed a 
temporary engine house, standing on the site of the present police station, and with it the steam fire 
engine. The engine was rebuilt at Manchester and a few months later, April 16, 1870, the First 
Congregational church edifice and contiguous property on Main street, from Park street to Pearson 
avenue was destroyed. During the conflagration help was asked from Manchester and nobly 
responded to, and Tyler M. Shattuck, a veteran fireman and a brave soldier who had retired from the 
service with the rank of captain, won the enduring gratitude of the citizens as engineer of the steam 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 595 

engine. The machine was stationed on the bridge, and during manj- anxious hours was worked to 
the degree that lier smokestack was red with heat and the situation so appalling that few people 
dared venture within fifty yards of the place. The loss was rising $70,000, insurance $46,000. 
Beasom and Noyes l)locks were badly damaged by fire the same year, and Henry Holt's batting mill 
on Merrimack street totally destroyed, which, with less disa.strous fires, made a total loss of nearly 
$130,000. The situation plainly indicated the need of another steamer, and Mayor Otterson, notwith- 
standing the murmurs of those who always make it a part of their I)usiness to censure an adminis- 
tration, purchased another engine, Niagara, and made a liberal addition to the supply of hose. The 
expenditures of his two years increased the city debt and grumblers were not a few, but for all that 
time has shown the wisdom of his judgment antl iin])arlial history does him justice. It was not alone 




(^FiRt Stations.} 



in the things mentioned that Mayor Otterson set the pace that has developed into the Nashua of 
to-day. 

It was during his first term in oflice that the projectors of the Nashua i\: Rochester railroad 
solicited the aid of the city. The proposition was that Nashua should take $200,000 worth of bonds, 
redeemable in twenty j-ears, upon which interest was to be guaranteed, thus insuring its construction. 
The councils and public sentiment were about equally divided. The wisest financiers hesitated. 
Mayor Otterson favored the project. Editor Moore threw the influence of his newspaper into the 
breach in support of the proposition and the .struggle began in earnest. It was argued that the 
construction of the road would give Nashua superior shipping facilities, that it was a beginning that 
would make it one of the business centres of New England; that it was the one thing needed to 
develop southern New Hampshire and finally that growth and prosperity depended upon this kind of 
enterprise. The opponents of the road took counsel of their fears, but after a long and weary contest 
— the common council being ably and affirmatively led by its president, Eugene F. Whitnej- — the 
resolution was carried. Subsequent administrations issued city bonds with which to procure the 
amount of money thus pledged. The road was built and a few j-ears later the city disposed of its 



596 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

bonds without loss. In this transaction as in others heretofore mentioned, time has vindicated the 
course of Mayor Otterson. He declined a third nomination. The decade of ^-ears here closing 
showed a debt of $195,950, city property $193,890, population 10,553 (a falling off of one hundred and 
twenty-two from i860), voters 2,483, valuation, unwarrantably inflated for the purpose of taxation, 

$5,146,734- 

In 1871 the candidates were Oilman .Scripture and Dana .Sargent. The people made choice of 
Mr. Sargent, his vote being nine hundred and sixty-eight to eight hundred and ninety-four for ex- 
Mayor Scripture. Mayor Sargent, like his immediate predecessor, believed Nashua's future depended 
on a mighty infusion of enterprise. He was of those who were heartily out of patience with the men 
who cried a halt, and possessed the moral courage necessary to continue the work so auspiciously 
beo'un by Mayor Otterson. Among the crying needs of the day was a school hou.se at Mount 
Pleasant. He joined hands with Editor Moore, ex-Ma>-or Spalding and Francis B. Ayer, M. D., 
(political opponents) in an effort to induce the state to locate the normal school upon the lot, and, 
with others, offered to assist the undertaking from his private purse. When it became evident that 
the proposition had miscarried he recommended an appropriation of $30,000 towards the erection of a 
new building, and although opposed by conservative citizens succeeded in securing that amount. 
The house was built and dedicated while he was yet in office. Another important policy of his 
administration was developed through a resolution requesting the representatives in the legislature to 
procure the passage of a special act authorizing exemption from taxation for a period of five or ten 
years of industries by a two-thirds vote of the council. The desired legislation was obtained mainly 
through the effort of Editor Moore, and on Jan. 31, 1872, Mayor Sargent signed the first resolution 
passed by authority thus given. The exemption was in favor of Oregg & Hoyt, and the result, as 
witnessed in 1895, is the sash, door and blind business, and, indirectly, the peopling of Crown Hill. 
Having accomplished this undertaking his farseeing vision evolved the future. It was a plain 
proposition to his mind that eventually the city would need a tract of land in that vicinity, and he 
argued that the time to purchase was when it could be obtained at a nominal price. A majority of 
his council agreed with him and the result was the city acquired the land on Arlington street, now 
occupied by a modern school and engine house, for $2,000. He also bought for $9,000, the territory 
embraced in the North Common, the avenue on the north side of which was subsequently named in 
his honor, and secured a vote appropriating five hundred dollars in aid of those w'ho were suffering 
by reason of the Chicago fire. Mayor Sargent made a careful study of the needs of the cit>- and 
managed its department affairs with such gratifying success that when he retired from office the news- 
papers and progressive citizens said many kind things of him. He was re-nominated, but failed of 
re-election through the opposition of voters who failed to comprehend the significance of the new 
order of things. 

The men who opposed the re-election of Mayor Sargent in 1872 very soon discovered that in the 
choice of Seth D. Chandler — who had 1,067 votes to 1,039 for Sargent — the executive chair of the 
city was again filled by a magistrate whose face was turned toward the future. Mayor Chandler's 
first and great care was the disposal of the city bonds to procure funds with which to meet the city's 
pledge of $200,000 to the stock of the Nashua & Rochester railroad, a measure which, as a member 
of the common council in 1869, he had advocated as a feeder to the trade and industrial interests of 
Nashua, and which he had again supported when in the board of aldermen in 187 1, in a resolution 
completing the terms of the subscription. He placed bonds to the amount of about $68,000 and in 
other ways rendered invaluable service to the enterprise. More than this, and in consonance with 
the policy he had successfully advocated during his career as a city official, he influenced the councils 
to vote a gratuity of $15,000 to the Peterboro' railroad, to secure the extension of the Wilton railroad 
to Greenfield. The result was a through line to Keene and beyond, and the realization of the benefits 
foreshadowed in the resolution of May 14, 1869, authorizing aid to the Nashua & Rochester railroad. 
In addition to these important transactions Ma\'or Chandler called for and obtained $12,000 with 
which to complete the Mount Pleasant school house and grade the lot. He also continued the work, 
in the face of opposition and with aid of committees from the churches, of disinterring the bodies in 
the Spring street cemetery, thus removing from a busy center an unused burial place and preparing 
the lot for the magnificent high school building erected under the supervision of succeeding admin- 
istrations. Mayor Chandler bonded a floating debt that had been necessarily created by predecessors, 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 597 

wlio, like himself, were deteriiiined on rising above the environments of a decaying village, spent 
#3.500 in making the Canal street iron l)ri(lge safe for travel, and conducted the routine affairs of the 
city on business princij)lcs. During his administration the city sustained heavy losses by fire, the 
most disastrous being (April 30) the rolling mill of the Nashua Iron and Steel company, $50,000, and 
at the same time Worcester & Nashua railroad, |;2o,ooo. The year he served the city as its chief 
magistrate was rich with measures that tended to advance its prosperity and help make it what it is 
to-day, the second city in the state. Mayor Chandler, on account of large business interests that 
needed his time and attention, declined to be a candidate for re-election. 

The mayoralty candidates in 1873 were Josiah M. Fletcher, one hundred and ten votes; Hiram 
T. Morrill, eight hundred and twenty; Frank A. McKean, nine hundred and seventy-seven; 1874, 
Fletcher, one hundred and forty-two; Morrill, seven hundred and seventy-seven; McKean, 1,130. 
The bi-centennial of Dunstable was celebrated during Mayor McKean's first administration. It was 
an event of much significance, and that it was observed with becoming spirit and to the lasting credit 
of Nashua is due in a great measure to the indefatigable lal)or of Ma\or McKean. A mammoth tent 
was pitched on the Nashua company's square, (since utilized for a store house), the civic oration was 
delivered In Judge -Samuel T. Worcester and the ecclesiastical discourse bj* Prof. John Weslej* 
Churchill. Other exercises were had befitting the occasion. The matter of a soldiers' monument 
was agitated but nothing came of it. Mayor McKean continued the work of jireparing the Spring 
street cemetery lot for a school house, and built and finished the Harbor school house on Lake street 
at a cost of about $10,000. During his second administration he laid the corner-stone of the high 
school building, contracted with John M. Flanders for its erection, and expended, approximatelv, 
$63,000 tow-ards completing the undertaking. The losses by fire in Mayor McKean's first vear 
aggregated $60,000: Reuben Godfrey's residence $4,000, Warner & Whitney's shop and office $4,000, 
bakery building on Hollis street, occupied by Nahum W. Burke, two fires, $20,000, Charles 
Holman's confectionery manufactory corner Main and lUdridge streets, $i8,oco. These misfortunes, 
added to the record of 1S72, caused the fire underwriters to contemplate an advance in rates. Mayor 
McKean and his council concluded that the purchase of another steam engine would result in a 
saving of money for the taxpayers, and therefore added Indian Head, number three, which was held 
as a reserve until put into commission at Crown Hill. His administration graded the Mount Pleasant 
school house lot and put in a bank wall at an expense of about $1,000, and, in the face of much 
opposition, laid the first stone pavement (between the Main street bridge and Water street) in the 
city, the latter improvement being more especially due to the persistent effort of Aldermen William 
D. Cadwell, Daniel M. .Smith and Ross C. Duffy. The city finances were satisfactorily conducted 
and his administrations are credited as progressive and in consonance with the demand of those who 
were building for the future. 

In 1875 Thomas P. Pierce and George H. Whitney were the candidates, the ballot resulting in 
the choice of the latter by a vote of 1,225 to 1,171. Mayor Whitney completed the high school 
building at a cost of about $30,000, and remodeled the old high school building on Main street for 
grammar school purposes. These expenditures, together with a heavy verdict (between $5,000 and 
$6,000) rendered against the city in a suit for highway damages, necessitated curtailment in other 
directions and consequently Mayor W'hitne)- was forced to forego some of the improvements sug- 
gested in his inaugural address. All departments, however, were faithfully managed, and the steady 
advance on lines marked out in 1870 kept in mind. Mayor Whitney, a courteous, modest, conscien- 
tious man, who naturally sought escape from the hurly-burly of public life, declined a renomination. 

The candidates in the centennial year and again in 1877 were Gilman C. .Shattuck and Charles 
Williams: 1876, vShattuck, 1,193; ^^'iIlianls, 1,236; 1877, Shattuck, 1,099; \\'illiams, 1,291. The 
general feeling at this time was that the cit}- debt should be reduced before undertaking other needed 
improvements. Moreover, public attention was centered on the exposition at Philadelphia and the 
populace desired an Independence Day celebration worthy of the cit\'. Mayor Williams lent his 
influence to the latter proposition and the Fourth of that 3ear was accordingly made memorable in 
the annals of Nashua. Gen. Aaron F". Stevens marshalled the civic procession, and among his aids 
were heroes of the Civil War whom the citizens delighted to honor. The programme inlcuded a 
burlesciue parade, sports, band concerts, balloon ascension, fire-works, etc. It was also during Mayor 
Williams' administration that President Hayes and members of his cabinet were royally welcomed 



598 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

and entertained, Col. Thomas P. Pierce, a soldier of the Mexican and Civil Wars, graciously 
performing the duties of chief marshal and master of ceremonies. Maj'or Williams cut down a hill 
at the harbor and graded and improved Main street at that point. He made many other minor 
improvements and conducted the financial affairs of the city prudently. In fact it may be said that 
his administration met the approval of the people. 

In 1S78 Nashua witnessed one of the most exciting and bitterest political campaigns in her 
histor}'. A citizen, Frank A. McKean, was nominated for governor. His political associates were 
active and determined to carry the city. The opposing party, which had maintained a local majority 
the three previous years, was quite as determined to prevent such a result. The battle became fierce. 
The Democratic partj' which supported McKean, nominated William H. Cook for mayor. The 
Republican party, when assembled in city convention, discovered that it was composed of two factions, 
one demanding a candidate pledged to the strict enforcement of the prohibitory liquor law and the 
other content with less radical measures. The result of the ballot was a surprise. Clark M. Langley 
but for the scattering votes, would have been nominated. The second ballot resulted in the nomina- 
tion of Charles Holman. The out-and-out prohibitionists were offended. They declared they had 
been unfairly defeated, and, at a meeting held a few evenings later, nominated Langley as a third 
candidate. Under these conditions part)' passion was in the ascendent and argument in the direction 
of mending matters of no avail. The result of the ballot was lyangley, one hundred and twenty-four, 
Holman, 1,112, Cook, 1,215; the board of aldermen Democratic and the common council tied. That 
Mayor Cook — owing to the tie, party animosity and a rumor that a certain Democratic member would 
vote for a Republican for city clerk — was embarrassed from the very outset of his administration was 
apparent. The first ballot for city clerk showed a total of one more vote than the convention was 
entitled to ca.st and was declared void. Immediateh' a claim was set up that it was a trick to discover 
the situation. Mayor Cook smoothed the troubled waters as much as possible and ordered a second 
ballot, which resulted in the choice of a member of his own party. Threats were freely made for 
several days afterwards that an appeal would be taken to the supreme court, but nothing came of it. 
Following the adjournment of the inaugural convention another struggle for the supremacy occurred 
in organizing the council. The candidates were William R. McMillan and Frank D. Cook. Ballot- 
ing was begun about twelve o'clock and continued until some time the following da)'. Each candi- 
date had eleven votes. Some of the members of the council were prostrated by the poisonous atmos- 
phere of the room, some by the limitations of nature and others by sustained excitement. Lunches, 
easy chairs and cot beds were provided during the night, and many part)- followers remained about 
the vestibule to give courage and advice to their respective representatives. The dead-lock was 
finally broken on the two hundred and sixth ballot in favor of Mr. Cook, one of the opposing party 
refraining from voting. Nor was this all of the troubles of Mayor Cook's administration. The 
leaders of his party feared that some of the aldermen were pledged to vote for a Republican for other 
city officers, and, that detection might follow, devised a three-cornered pasteboard ticket and placed 
watchers over their members to see that they deposited the same in the ballot box. They also used 
colored tickets and other devices much to the chagrin and discouragement of Mayor Cook, who was 
over-ruled and made a target for the quips of the newspapers. The unfairness with which Mayor 
Cook was treated did not end here. An act was coached through the legislature in June changing 
the day of election from March to November, thus reducing his term of office to seven months. The 
consensus of opinion after party passion had subsided was, and still is, that Mayor Cook was not 
fairly treated by either party. He was handicapped and unable to accomplish undertakings that he 
knew were for the best interests of the city. He did, however, all an honest man may do in conduct- 
ing departments upon an economical basis and left l)ehind him a record that, under all the circum- 
stances, should not be looked upon as unworthy of comparison with those of other ma>'ors who served 
the city in troublesome times. 

The canvass preceding the November election in 187S demonstrated that the third party 
adherents who supported Langley in March were determined on reviving the old issue. They 
nominated Coleman W. Murch, while the democrats supported Frederic Kelsey and the republi- 
cans Charles Holman. The ballot disclosed; Murch, one hundred and nineteen; Kelsey, nine 
hundred and thirty-three. Holman, 1,285. Mayor Holman and his associates in the government for 
1879 were inaugurated without dissension and the affairs of the city resumed the even tenor of their 



///S/'OA'}- OF NASHUA, N. H. 



599 



way. During liis first adniinislralioii a tronbk-sonic ([uestioii arose relative to the interest on the 
Nashua & Rochester railroad stock held by the city. .Six per cent was guaranteed by the Worcester 
& Nashua railroad. The Nashua cS: Rochester road cost in the neighborhood of S8oo,ooo more than 
the engineer's estimate. The financial condition of the Worcester & Nashua company was such — 
its stock, by reason of the excess of interest it was compelled to pay under the terms of the guarantj- 
having depreciated from one hundred and thirty dollars to eighteen dollars — that there was inuninent 
danger of bankruptcy unless relief was afforded by a reduction of interest to three per cent. The 
facts were given out in an official synopsis of the railroad company's books, and Mayor Holman, 
before taking action in the matter, secured the services of an expert accountant and verified the 
statement. Meanwhile the newspapers and many citizens of influence had openly declared that if 
affirmative action was taken Mayor Holman's jiolitical career was ended. It was, considering that he 
was com-inced that to hold fast to the original contract was to force the road into bankruptcy and 




CriV l-AiiM AXI) UOlSIi ()[■■ fOKUIiCTION. 



entail heavy loss upon the citv, a most trying situation. Mayor Holman, however, disregarded all 
threats and acted upon his judgment. He led his councils to grant the reduction, and since then it 
has been an indisputaVile fact that his action relieved the embarrassment of the road — the stock 
quickly advancing from eighteen dollars to si.xt\-five dollars per share — so that in the end Nashua 
was enabled to dispose of its stock at par, and many individual stockholders who held their certificates 
till a few months later realized from ten to thirty per cent advance. In other affairs it was deemed 
expedient, considering the pul)lic debt, and in compliance with the majoritx' sentiment of the tax- 
payers, to forego all im])ro\-ements not imperative and apply the strictest business jirinciples to all 
departments. By so doing a most satisfactory exhibit was made. Despite the threats that had been 
made, Mayor Holman was re-nominated the following year and received nine hundred and seventy- 
eight votes to se\-en hundred and thirty-seven for Quincy A. Woodward and fifty-one for Thomas 
Melend\-. The onl\- friction experienced during his second administration was at the \-ery beginning, 
and came about through di\-ision of supi)ort in the choice of city marshal. The candidates were 
Willard C. Tolles, Horace S. Ashley and William O. Clough. On the twenty-.second ballot the vote 



6oo 



til STORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



was tied between Clough and Ashley, when the mayor gave the casting vote to the former. Mayor 
Holnian conducted the affairs of the city during his second term on practically the same lines as his 
first. He macadamized Main and Canal streets, made needed improvements at the Mount Pleasant 
school house and house of correction, met all the city liabilities inside of the annual appropriation, and 
at the same time reduced the cit)- debt about 5^10,000. It was a very satisfactory .showing and credit- 
able to his financial and executive ability. The total city debt at the close of this decade, less $220,400 
loaned on account Nashua & Rochester railroad, was $243,340; valuation, $8,940,480; city property, 
including school houses, $635,176; population, 13,397; voters, 3,014. 

At the annual election in 1880 the ma3'oralty candidates were Josiali M. Fletcher, Frank A. 
McKean and Benjamin Fletcher, Jr. The vote stood: J. M. Fletcher, fort)'-one; McKean, 1,174: B. 
Fletcher, 1,383; in 1S81, Alfred M. Norton, eight hundred and thirtj'-uine ; Fletcher, eight hundred 
and ninety. Both administrations of Mayor Fletcher ( 1881 and 1882) were alike a credit to himself 
and the city. He did a vast amount of work that had become indespensable by reason of the growth 
of the city in the previous decade, and dispensed with sundry antiquated sy.stems that had become 
sources of annoyance. Mayor Fletcher perfected the hydrant S3-steni, and greath' added to the 




HUDSON IRO.V BRIDGE— LOW AND HIGH WATER. 

efficiency of the fire department. His administration built that part of the Hudson iron bridge 
belonging to Nashua at a co.st of $10,209; and the O'Donnell school house on Chandler .street at an 
expense, including fixtures, of about $10,000: purchased the lot on which the police station is 
erected (a wise and prudent forethought as it turned out) for $6,683; improved the City Hall 
building, constructed new sewers and extended old ones, and made additions to the stone paving in 
streets. The improvements credited to Mayor Fletcher's administration were absolute necessities, 
and yet, the city debt and the outspoken opposition of many influential taxpayers being taken into 
account, it required more than ordinary courage to carry them forward to completion. Besides 
making the improvements mentioned he kept a careful oversight over departmental expenditures and 
conducted city affairs on business principles, thus reducing the city debt $12,300 in 1881 and $6,851 
in 1882, a total in two years of $19,151. This was indeed a gratifying exhibit. Mayor Fletcher 
proved a chief magistrate of courage and independent judgment equal to the demand of the times, 
and so became sponsor for two of the most satisfactory administrations of the generations he served. 
The mayoralty elections in November, 1882 and 1883, resulted in the choice of Alfred M. Norton. 
The vote stood, first year, James H. Dunlap, 1,150; Norton, 1,283; .second year, Isaac Eaton, 1,002; 



HISTORY OF NASHirA, A^ //. 6oi 

Norton, i.iSj. Mayor Norton's two adniinislralioiis, 18.S3 and 1SS4, were helpful to the growth and 
prosperity of the city. In his first year he coni])lete(l the new hydrant system inaugurated by Mayor 
Fletcher at an expense of about five hundred dollars, enlarged the South Common, S2,2co ; introduced 
water into the cemeteries, seven hundred dollars; purchased a hose carriage, seven hundred dollars; 
hose, $i,4Sy; and remodeled the interior of the City Hall building — which to this time was a relic of 
antiijuity — a<lding steam-heating fixtures, modern furniture, jiainting and rejiairs, at a cost of about 
$10,000, and ex])en(led something in excess of $5,000, in defending the cit\- in an action to recover 
damages for the use of Knibb's valve on fire engines, and in a suit brought by the \'ale Mills 
company to recover damages on account of outlets to sewers into the Harbor pond. In his second 
year he built a new iron bridge over the Nashua river f)n Canal street, $<S,50o; widened liridge street 
at the corner of Amory street from money realized by the sale of Nashua & Rochester railroad stock, 
and expended in the courts about $3,200 in legal fees and nine hundred dollars to satisfy a verdict 
for damages for that amount by reason of a defective highway. These costly lawsuits were the final 
settlement of long standing claims for which his administration was not responsible. Mayor Norton 
patrioticall)' encouraged the celebration of the Fourth of July, 1884, and secured an ajjpropriation 
for that purpose. The event. Col. William H. D. Cochrane, chief marshal, included jjrocessions, 
band concerts, sports, balloon ascension and fireworks, and passed off agreeably to the credit of the 
city. In addition to the onerous duties inciilental to the large expenses enumerated, he gav'e careful 
attention to department affairs and finances which he managed with skill and creditably to himself. 
Mayor Norton retired from office with the respect and entire good will of his fellow-citizens and the 
approbation of a clear conscience. 

At the annual election in 1S84 the candidates were Thomas .Sands, James H. Tolles and John .\. 
Spalding. The result of the ballot was: vSands, one hundred and nine; Tolles, 1,249; Spahling, 
1,428. The beginning of Mayor Spalding's administration was embarra.ssed by an issue of the 
gravest importance to the city. The legislature had passed a law requiring insurance companies to 
pay the face of their policies, i. e., when total losses occurred the_\- should not be allowed to adjust 
claims and compel the policy holders to settle for less than the amount for which they were insured. 
Foreign companies demurred and withdrew from the state. No insurance was to be had and property 
was fast being uncovered and at the mercy of the fire fiend. The people were greatly excited. Men 
of influence said, "Call the legislature together and repeal the law." FCditor Moore, who, during his 
entire career in Nashua, was a leader of public opinion, excoriated the runaway companies through 
the columns of his newspaper and declared unconditionally that Nashua would take care of herself. 
City Editors Clough and Bussell interviewed merchants and manufacturers by the score and bv 
publishing their opinions showed conclusively that the balance of public sentiment favored the view 
of the editor. Mayor Spalding, although surrounded by those who were opposed to the law, bravely 
championed the cause of the people and a battle royal thereupon ensued. The first meeting to 
organize a home mutual company was thinly attended, but for all that Editor Moore and Mayor 
Spalding pledged to make the " fight of their lives." The issue was restated in the newspaper the 
following day, personal interviews were had with men of nerve, and at the second meeting Cornelius 
V. Dearborn, Josiah M. Fletcher, Elbridge P. Brown, Mark R. Buxton, John H. Goodale, Seth D. 
Chandler and a few other influential citizens came to the rescue, and, despite all opposition, formed 
the Indian Head Mutual Fire Insurance company, with a guaranty fund as required by law, and 
immediately took risks upon exposed property. A few days later some of the heretofore lukewarm 
citizens aroused themselves, and with the aid of the men whose names have been given, organized 
the Capitol Fire Insurance compau}-. The cit)'^ was saved from loss, the companies did business 
several j'ears, or until the return of the runaways, paid all their liabilities and regular dividends, and 
when they closed accounts divided a handsome surplus among stockholders. The insurance problem 
having been satisfactorily solved. Mayor Spalding gave his attention to routine business. A few 
months later, however, another vexed question in which the people were deepl\ interested, came up 
for adjustment. A small amount of the Nashua & Rochester railroad stock had l)een sold at si.xty 
dollars per share. Meantime a syndicate had been formed through which there w-as an opportunity 
to dispose of the balance of the stock held by the city at par ($100 a share.) The leading financiers 
of the city were divided as to the expediency of affirmative action. Some counselled him to wait for 
a rise, others declared it was time to " unload." Mayor Spalding took the latter view and realized 



6o2 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

$142,000, vvliicli he added to the sinking fund provided to take care of the city bonds issued to 
purchase the stock and due in i<S92. Had Nashua declined to sell the syndicate could not have 
secured control of the road, and the value of stock must have necessarily remained at sixtj' dollars or 
thereabouts for an indefinite period. The result of the sale made the control by the syndicate possi- 
ble and enabled individual stockholders to dispose of their shares at a premium. Although Mayor 
Spalding did not escape criticism at the time, the wisdom of the course he pursued became apparent 
a little later and was highly satisfactory to even those who had advised negatively. Mayor Spalding 
recommended the construction of a mammoth sewer from the Merrimack river through Hollis street 
to the Woodlawn cemetery. There was a crying need of this improvement, and, the councils having 
adopted his recommendation, the undertaking was begun and the sewer completed that season as far 
as the Concord railroad junction. During his term of ofhce he compelled the railroads entering the 
city to erect and operate gates at dangerous crossings, secured from George Stark, as a gift to the 
city, the attractive park at the junction of Concord and Manchester streets, built a hose house on 
Bridge .street and increased the tributary sewerage sy.stem of the city. He also broke ground for the 
Nashua street railway — being at the time president of the company holding a charter that he had kept 
alive through years of persistent effort — and rendered appreciable service in completing the enterprise. 
Besides this step toward the realization of the hope of making Nashua a modern city it stands to 
Mayor Spalding's credit that he recognized the necessity of an electric fire alarm system, and, after a 
thorough investigation of different patents, adopted the one now in use and, Dec. 8, 1S85, secured the 
passage of a resolution authorizing an appropriation of $6,000 for its introduction. Electric street 
lighting, although favored by his administration, was relegated to his successors. His prudent 
management of department finances reduced the city debt $14,500 and secured lasting benefits to the 
people. In fact, the service he rendered prepared the public mind for the work that lay in the path 
of his successors, and in this view, and because of the things he accomplished, he is entitled to the 
gratitude of posterity. Mayor Spalding publicly announced at the time of his nomination that owing 
to his business engagements (for he was the cashier of the First National bank and connected with 
several industrial and other enterprises), he could not consent to be a candidate for a second term and 
although a second nomination was offered and urged upon him, could not be induced to accept. 

The mayoralty candidates at the election in 1885 were Thomas Sands, who received fifty-six 
votes; Cornelius V. Dearborn, 1,073; James H. Tolles, 1,115; 1886, John H. Goodale, 95; Frank D. 
Cook, 1,226; Tolles, 1,400; 1887, James M. Fletcher, fifty-nine; Cook, 1,312; Tolles, 1,321; recount, 
Fletcher, 59; Cook, 1,313; Tolles, 1,322. Mayor Tolles served three terms, 1886, 1887. 1888, and is 
the only chief executive of the city accorded this honor. He believed that if Nashua were to become 
a metropolitan city the work of development that had been steadily going forward since the days of 
Mayors Otterson and Sargent should be continued, and to that end bent all his energies. His first 
care, as considered in his inaugural address, was in the matter of finance. He clearly and forcibly 
argued that inasmuch as the law compelled the city to add $7,062 annually to the sinking fund 
provided to liijuidate the bonds given in connection with the Nashua & Rochester and Wilton rail- 
roads transaction there was no necessity for holding in reserve the total amount realized b}' his 
predecessor b>' the sale of the stock of the former. Accumulated interest and the amount required 
to be annually added would swell the total far beyond the requirements of the city in 1892, when the 
bonds became due for which the sinking fund was created. Moreover the payment to the c\\.y from 
the city of the amount of coupons on bonds redeemed but not yet matured was a method of doing 
business that should be abandoned. In fine he recommended that all money not required to meet the 
city obligations at maturity of bonds in 1S92 be applied in payment of all the then outstanding script, 
notes and bonds due prior to that date. The bonds held by the tru.stees of the sinking fund 
amounted to $61,500, and a resolution was recommended and passed authorizing their cancellation, 
and ordering them filed with the matured debt of the city; also another resolution authorizing the 
discontinuance of the annual appropriation of the $7,062 to be added to the sinking fund. Many of 
the opponents of this new order of things looked upon the proposition as rank heresy and threatened 
his impeachment if the scheme was carried out. Mayor Tolles, however, were not alone in his views. 
Ex-Mayor Edward Spalding and several other of the leading financiers said he was right, and with 
this backing, and in the determined spirit of a positive man, he made an issue in the city council, 
which was politically arrayed against him, and, after a protracted struggle in which there was little 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 603 

or no exhibition of temper, carried Iiis jioiiit, thus coiniiiittint; huth political parties to the proposition 
ami silencing those who had threatened imi)eachment. The policy thus ado])ted proved a relief of 
about 550,000, during the period of this administration, which the people would have been obliged 
to li(|uidate by direct tax. 

Having opened the way to a continuance of the improvements begun and contemplated, the 
authorized appropriation for an electric fire alarm was made. lie was, nevertheless, confronted hy 
l)er])lexing conditions. The amount ($6,000) was insufficient for the undertaking, citizens were 
angry liecause of the erection of unsightly poles and the necessary trimming of shade trees, and not 
a few were distressed in mind because of what they were pleased to mention as an unnecessary outlay. 
Mayor Tolles dodged the grumblers as best he could and gave his attention to the business in hand. 
He found that the New England Telegrapli and Telephone com])any was seeking the right of way in 
the city, and, althougli it was a hard bargain for the concern, he made a contract by which it l)ecame 
bound, in consideration of right of way, to furnish and maintain poles, cross-arms, and pins ujion 
which the city should have perpetual right for fire alarm wires. The result was the completion of 
the system at a slight cost above the appropriation and a large annual saving. Mayor Tolles con- 
tinued the work on the mammoth sewer —introducing for the first time in Na.sliua an excavating 
machine that saved hundreds of dollars — and completed it during his last administration at a total 
cost, including Mayor Spalding's expenditures, of about #50,000. 

Another appreciable improvement was in connection with the cemeteries. He recommended and 
secured the appointment of superintendents and during his first year reset a large number of fallen 
gravestones, cleared out unsightly undergrowth, graded paths, and, during the following years, 
erected needed chapels at Woodlawn and Edgewood. 

In May, 1886, the subject of electric lights for the public streets was introduced in the board of 
aldermen, and immediately it became evident that there was to be a formidable opposition to the 
measure. Mayor Tolles, being a stockholder and officer in the Nashua Electric Eight company, was 
now between two fires, his own and the city's interests. He stated as much and pledged that if it 
were deemed advisable to light the city with electricity the contracts should be as reasonable as in 
other cities or the award be made to the lowest bidder, the Nashua Gas Light company being the local 
competitor of the compau)- he represented. The discussions that followed were long and tedious, 
resolution after resolution failed of passage, experts were called, public hearings were given in which 
the Gas company participated, and the subject held in abe^-ance for months. Finally the Electric 
company put up several lamps on trial and sustained the same at its own expense for a number of 
months, and Feb. 27, 1887, a two years' contract was made for one hundred and eight arc lights at 
$7,000 a year. Opposition then ceased and surely few if any citizens would now vote to return to the 
old method of lighting. 

Still another improvement and unquestionably one of the best in the past quarter of a century 
was on Canal street. The street was narrow between Chandler street and the bridge, and during the 
greater part of the year a slough through which it was difficult for heavily loaded teams to pass. 
The Jackson company offered to give land from the yards in front of its blocks upon the condition 
that the city set back the fence and rebuild the sidewalk. Considering that the street must be paved 
if the improvement were to be made, the undertaking was one of great moment. Mayor Tolles and 
his board carefully considered the proposition and studied the needs of the future. It was wisely 
determined that it should be accepted even at the risk of increasing the jniljlic debt, and to this 
decision is due the fact that the street is now one of the most attractive in the city. Like all other 
improvements it had the opjiosition of those who are always in sorrow over public expenditures. It 
was made, however, without additional debt. Mayor Tolles cut down and graded Concord street 
from between Hall's avenue and Stark street to the hill beyond — thus bringing into the market 
house lots on the streets on either side and inducing people to build dwelling houses that have atlded 
materially to the taxable property of the locality — and enlarged (nearly to completion) the county 
record building. He sold the city's practically worthless gravel pit on Granite street and house lots 
on Sargent's avenue for about $5,000: added a fraction more than ten acres of land to the Edgewood 
cemetery for $1,600; re-numbered all the houses in the city, put a flag-staff ujion the City Hall 
building and purchased a flag (the first owned by the city, and which the local newspajiers had been 
demanding for years) and introduced the weather signal service. 



6o4 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



Ill 1887 Iiidepeiideiice Day was celebrated as never before in town or city history. Col. William 
H. D. Cochrane was the chief marshal and the procession included local and invited companies of 
the National Guard, fire companies, and among the then new features in this locality, a division of 
trades exhibits. Gov. Charles H. vSa\V3'er and his staff, with other distinguished citizens of the state, 
honored the occasion and witnessed the balloon ascension, sports and fireworks. It was also during 
Mayor Tolles' administration that the French international convention of Union St. Jean Baptiste 
societies (which he welcomed in a fitting address) was held in Nashua, a magnificent civic procession 
being one of the features. During his last term of office the subject of a .soldiers' monument was 
agitated by the citizens. Nov. 13, 18S8, the aldermen considered a resolution appropriating $12,000 
for this purpose and also locating the monument on the Railroad square oval. It was amended to 
$10,000 and passed. The common council amended it to $12,000 and " in front of Greeley building." 
The public was undecided as to location and engaged in hot discussion relating thereto in public 
meetings, therefore the aldermen referred the wliole matter to the incoming ailministration. The 
general expenditures during the three years Mayor Tolles served the city in the executive chair, 
which included the purchase of a stone crusher, were economically managed and satisfactory exhibit 
made. In the summer and autumn of his last year the residents of Crown Hill demanded a school 
house. The suggestion was made that the Pearl street school house be removed to a convenient site, 
but Mavor Tolles and his board rightly declared that such a course, inasmuch as the house was in no 
particular suited to the needs of the district or consistent with future growth, was inexpedient, and 
therefore, as their last important oiTicial act, passed a resolution authorizing the incoming council to 
appropriate $25,000 for the erection of the building that now adorns the lot on Arlington street. That 
Mayor Tolles made improvements that have stood, and shall continue to stand the test of time no 
citizen will attempt to gainsay. He gave unstintedly of his time to the public service, he endured 
without a murmur the harsh criticism of those who could not understand his motives, and bore him- 
self courteously under all circumstances. More cannot be expected of any man. 

The mayoralty candidates at the annual election in iSSS were John H. Goodale, who received 
thirty-two votes, Edward O. Blunt, 1,621, Charles H. Burke, 1,760. In 1889, Nathan O. Prescott, 
nineteen; Charles T. Lund, 1,487; Burke, 1,599. Mayor Burke ( administrations of 18S9 and 1890) 
was confronted by the mooted question, "whether or not the work of making Nashua an up to date 
city should continue, or, yielding to the clamor of an influential minority, all improvements should 
cease." He wisely chose to continue, and among his first acts — meanwhile meeting with consider- 
able opposition — he secured the authorized appropriation for building the school house at Crown Hill, 
and, near the close of his second term, turned over to the city the building on Arlington street, the 
total cost being about $34,000. Another long delayed (and it may be added often promised) under- 
taking was the erection of a soldiers' and sailors' monument. Favorable public sentiment had been 
aroused during the administration of his predecessor, and, although that class of citizens who invari- 
ably scold over public expenditures were clamorous for another postponement. Mayor Burke believed 
that considering Nashua was twenty-five years behind other cities in honoring the men who had 
fought the battles of the Republic it was high time to make amends. The majority of his council 
was like-minded and accordingly $12,000 was appropriated. Abbot square selected as a compromise 
and satisfactory site, and the corner stone laid by the Grand Army of the Republic, Milton A. Taylor 
chief marshal, on Memorial Day, 1889, a magnificent procession of veteran soldiers and sailors, under 
escort of the local companies of the National Guard, being present and participating in the exercises, 
Col. Frank G. Noyes delivering an oration. The monument was completed during the next few 
months and Oct. 15, the same year, dedicated by the state department, Grand Army of the Republic, 
Col. lUbridge J. Copp, chief marshal. The event marks one of the grandest events in local history. 
The city was radiant with flags, bunting and banners. Thousands of the veteran soldiers and sailors 
of New Hampshire, with comrades from other states, headed by bands of music and drum corps, and 
escorted by military companies and secret organizations, paraded the streets, children of the public 
schools (grouped for that purpose) sang patriotic hymns, the state officers of the Grand Army 
performed the dedicatory service of that order, Mayor Burke and others made stirring addresses and 
Gen. Charles H. Burns delivered a classic oration. The opponents of the undertaking were silenced 
and no words other than of gratitude to Maj'or Burke and his associates have since been spoken. 
Mayor Burke completed improvements to the county record building, the total expense being about 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



605 



$2,500 : strengthened the fire department by adding a chemical engine and outfit at a cost of $3,000; 
remodeled the central fire station (making nearly the entire excavation under it) at an expenditure of 
$4,500; built and established the Quincy street fire station, $3,000; enlarged the city tomb and 
Woodlawn cemetery (purchasing land on Kinsley street) at a cost of about $5,000; made alterations 
and improvements in the City Hall building, (putting in new steam boilers and modern doors and 
windows) $2,500; built a nuunmolh sewer from Railroad square to the North Common, $27,000 ; laid 
more sewer pipe and edge stone than any of his predecessors ; completed paving Canal street to Kail- 
road square, $6,000 ; macadamized several streets; received the Hunt lecture fund ; established the 
office of city engineer ; secured an annual appropriation for the militia which encouraged building 
the armory on Canal street, and carefully guarded minor interests. The foregoing is not all by any 
means that stands to the credit of Mayor Burke's administration. P'or many years the newspapers, 
courts and cit\' ofiicials had been inveighing against the police station ( in the basement of the City 
Hall building) and demanding that something in the interests of humanity be done about it. Mayor 
Burke gave the naatter very serious consideration, although there was considerable opposition to the 




.STAHK S(i_U.\RE. 

proposed outlay, secured an appropriation and built the model 1)uilding which adorns Court street and 
satisfies the demands of the times. The building cost upwards of $30,000. Mayor Burke entertained 
President Harrison on the occasion of his visit to Nashua, and performed many other courteous acts 
that reflected credit upon himself and the niunicipalit\- he represented. He devoted the major part 
of his time to the affairs of the city and impartial history must declare that the work he accomplished 
grandly comjileted the new Nashua that Kditor Moore and Ma\-or Olterson laid the foundation of 
in 1870. The population at the close of this decade was 19,311; \aIuation, $10,445,038; voters, 
4,684 ; city debt, $339,074 ; city property, $691,033. 

The mayoralty candidates in 1890 were Frank D. Cook, twenty-four votes: Walter B. Chase, 
1,670; William H. Beasom, 1,896. In 1891, John Cross, fifty-four; Williams Hall, r.490; Beasom, 
1,731. Mayor Beasom (administrations of 1891 and 1892) believed with a majority of both political 
parties that the police and fire departments should be taken out of politics, h'rom the inauguration 
of the first city government the efficiency of both had been somewhat luindica])pe(i with changes that 
occurred among officers with the change of administrations. The time had come to make tenure of 
office in these departments subject to good behavior and Mayor Beasom took the initiative to accom- 
plish this ])nr])ose. He wrote the original draft of tlie legislative act authorizing the fire commission 



6o6 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

and urged its passage, aud was also interested in the legislation that secured the police commission : 
the first commissioners of the former being his appointees : the commissioners of the latter being by 
the o-overnor and council. The consensus of public opinion is that both commissions have resulted 
in radical reforms that have been beneficial to the peace, dignity and protection of the city. Mayor 
Beasoni also recommended the appointment of a police matron (making the finst appointment in 1891 ) 
and the purchase of an ambulance, which was added to the service a few months later. His first 
administration built the Arlington street engine house at an expense of about $6,000; purchased a 
new hook and ladder truck, $1,900; enclosed the park at the junction of Concord and Manchester 
streets with a dressed stone curb, $2,800; constructed the stone bridge on Allds street over Salmon 
brook, about $7,000 ; liquidated arrearages on contracts for building the police station, $12,939 : and 
the soldiers' and sailors' monument, $4,062 ; besides introducing assessors' maps, which were com- 
pleted in 1892. A few weeks following his second inauguration his health failed and he was there- 
fore compelled to relinquish the executive chair. Alderman Charles E. Faxon was elected acting 
mayor by the board of aldermen, and performed the duties of mayor the rest of the term. Improve- 
ments incepted in 1891 were continued and the expenditures that resulted in Commercial street 
authorized, an agreement being entered into by which the Worcester, Nashua & Rochester railroad 
bore the major part of the expense. Some marked improvements were made upon highways and 
bridges, the grade raised on the north side of the Main street bridge, greatly to the convenience of the 
public, and a resolution passed authorizing an appropriation to build a school house on Amherst 
street, plans for which had been made in 1891, and a location decided upon. Acting Mayor Faxon 
had many difficult problems to deal with but for all that conducted municipal affairs in a creditable 
manner. Mayor Beasom resumed the chair of office at the close of the year and welcomed and 
qualified his successor, a custom that has prevailed since the adoption of the city charter. 

At the annual election in 1892 the candidates were Thomas Sands aud Williams Hall, the latter 
being elected by a vote 1,787 to 1,778. A recount was had but the result was not changed. When 
Mavor Hall (administration of 1893) came to the executive chair he found the public mind greatly 
disturbed over the choice of a site for a public library building. He used with the public and his 
council everv possible argument and endeavored to harmonize conflicting interests and desires, and 
was at all times ready to obey the order of the court, but despite the utmost he could do public senti- 
ment could not be placated nor his official associates induced to settle the vexed question. (A more 
extended statement relative to this unfortunate controversy is given at the close of this chapter. ) 
Mayor Hall accomplished many undertakings that were of va.st importance to the public. He 
purchased land of the Jackson company for the purpose of widening Amory street, and the improve- 
ment in that thoroughfare, which includes the pavement, made it possible to lay the track of the 
electric railway and at the same time permit abundant egress from the freight house of the Boston & 
Maine railroad. Mayor Hall extended the Ward One main sewer (as provided by a special appro- 
priation of $15,000) from Greeley street, through Merrimack, Abbot, Manchester, Halls, Webster, 
Stark and Concord streets to the brow of the hill beyond, building of brick nearly three-fourths of 
the distance and continuing with Akron pipe. His enterprise had the approval of the people bene- 
fitted, many of whom expressed to him their personal gratitude. The Amherst street school house, to 
build which an appropriation was authorized by the preceeding administration and for which ways 
and means were provided by Mayor Hall's administration, was built during his term of office, and, 
although a committee of the government of 1892 held over, was given his personal attention. The 
cost was about $18,600. He also built the Amherst street fire engine house (one of the finest in the 
state, and in which every citizen takes an honest pride) at an expense, including land, of about 
$38,000. Mayor Hall built a sewer from the base of Commercial street to the Nashua river, paved 
Commercial and Hudson streets, and straightened, filled and in man}- ways improved Concord street 
from the old Ferry road to the Pennichuck brook. He also rendered all the aid in his power to the 
establishment of the Cit}' Emergency hospital, using his influence to secure an appropriation of 
$2,000, which amount, added to the gift of citizens, made the realization of this long needed institu- 
tion possible. One of the most important acts of Mayor Hall's administration relates to the finance. 
He found a floating debt of $125,000 and issued cit}- bonds, due in 1913, in payment. The sale of the 
bonds was the most favorable to the city of any in its history: a sure indication that the "out-side 
world" now looked upon Nashua as a modern and enterprising city, the credit of which is in a great 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



607 



measure due to the positive and far seeing men who performed the duties of its chief magistrate 
during its reconstructive i>eriod. In issuing the bonds mentioned Mayor Hall took the wise precau- 
tion — a business method which his successors will no doubt follow — of establishing a sinking fund, to 
which $6,000 is to be added annually, to meet the city's obligation at maturity. The routine affairs 
of the\arious departments were faithfully managed during the year, and Mayor Hall retired from the 
office with the credit of an able and progressive administration. 

The candidates for the mayoralt)' in 1893 were Josiah M. Fletcher. se\-enty ; Thomas Sands, 
1,544: William A. Gregg, 1,575. The annoyances incidental to the introduction of the Australian 
ballot system were such that a recount of the votes, as in the previous year, was demanded. The 
result was Fletcher, seventy; Gregg, 1,596; Sands, 1,603, and the finding was confirmed by the 
supreme court. Mayor Sands contemplated making necessarj- improvements upon highways, 
macadamizing certain streets and curtailing as far as possible the general expenses of the govern- 




RMInoalls 97. 



SCIIOOI. HorSKS, KKKI ted in iSiyO.i,;. 

ment. All things considered it was a task allended with some disadxantages, conspicuous among 
which were a dozen or more pending lawsuits to recover damages for injuries on the highways and 
which, by reason of a change in the laws of the state it was desirable to have settled at an early day. 
He was a busy man about the courts for a long time and in the end his administration was compelled 
to pay out for counsel fees and adverse verdicts nearly $14,000. This with other extraordinary 
expenditures increased the incidental account $17,000 over the appropriation. It was an unfortunate 
condition of affairs, and, the rate of taxation having been fixed at a minimum for the purpose of 
lessening the hardships of merchants and manufacturers who were troubled because of the financial 
condition of the country, nothing could be done to mend the situation. Mayor Sands, however, met 
the changed conditions of affairs with courage and decision, lie purchased a combination truck for 
the fire department for $2,200, hose $1,400 and a ho.se wagon five hundred aiul fifteen dollars; 
improved fire engines at an expense of $2,100, bought a road machine for $3,700, and paid outstand- 
ing bills for paving stone, contracted for before he came into office, amounting to nearly $10,000, 



6o8 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

arrearages on Amherst street engine house $i4,oco, and for the support of the I-'niergency liospital, 
$2,500. Many of these demands were a surprise and a source of worriment to him. Notwithstanding 
the difficulties summarized he macadamized Hollis street, greatly improved many other streets and 
highways, supervised the departments and insisted that all their expenses should be economical. 
Taking into account the many disadvantages Ma>or Sands labored under his administration deserves, 
as it receives, the approval of the people. 

In 1894 the election l)eing now for a term of two years, the candidates for the mayoralty were 
John Cro.ss, twenty-eight; Eugene F. McQuesten, 1.630; Joseph W. Howard, 2,051. Mayor 
Howard ( 1895 and 1896) had many hard problems to solve. The taxpayers were insistent in their 
demand that the expenses of the city government should be lessened, and yet public necessity 
demanded improvements. It was a difficult task to satisfy both. Mayor Howard, however, succeeded 
in a large degree in meeting public expectations. Under his administration the Main street bridge 
was widened and strengthened, a new bridge was built at Fairmount, the Hunt library site was 
condemned under the law of eminent domain and became the property of the city, modern school 
houses were built at Belvidere (Bridge street), at Palm street, and many minor and important 
improvements made, including paving streets and other work incidental to changing the street 
railway from horse to electric power. The total valuation of the city at the outgoing of his 
administration as exhibited by the official reports was $13,452,845; total liabilities, less sinking fund, 
to cancel bonds at maturity, $575,078.85; valuation of city property, as shown by inventory. 
$579,825.44; total number of polls, 5,746; population (estimated), 24,000. 

At the municipal election in 1896, the mayoralty candidates were William D. Swart, 1,754; 
Jason E. Tolles, 2,318. Mayor Tolles' administration (1897 and 1898) dedicated the school house 
built by the preceding administration. It is in the midst of putting into practice reforms demanded 
by taxpayers, and promises economy in expenditures, which, by reason of the demands of a growing 
city, could not be made by his predecessors in office and still keep the municipality abreast of a 
progressive age. That Ma3'or Tolles, and his successors in the office of chief magistrate of Nashua, 
will do all that in them is to proclaim to the world that the gate city of New Hampshire is to 
continue in growth and prosperity and maintain her proud position as one of the leading commercial 
and industrial centres of New England need not be emphasized here. Nashua is to have a pros- 
perous future. 

Mayors: 1853 and 1854, Josephus Baldwin ; 1855 and 1856, Freeman S. Rogers; 1857, Thomas 
W. Gillis ; 1858 and 1859, Albin Beard; i860, Aaron W. Sawyer; 1861 and 1868, George Bowers; 
1862 and 1863, Hiram T. Morrill; 1864, Edward Spalding; 1865, Virgil C. Oilman; 1866 and 1867, 
Gihnan Scripture; 1869 and 1870, Jotham D. Otterson ; 1871, Dana Sargent; 1872, Seth D. Chandler; 
1873 and 1874, Frank A. McKean; 1875, George H. Whitney; 1876 and 1877, Charles Williams; 
1878, William H. Cook; 1879 and 1880, Charles Holmau ; 1881 aud 1882, Benjamin Fletcher, Jr.; 
1883 and 1884, Alfred M. Norton; 1885, John A. Spalding; 1886, 1887 and 1888, James H. Tolles; 
1889 and 1890, Charles H. Burke; 1891 and 1892, William H. Beasom ; 1893, Williams Hall; 1894, 
Thomas Sands; 1895 and 1896, Joseph W. Howard; 1897, Jason E. Tolles. 

Presidents of the common councils: 1853 and 1854, Aaron F. Sawyer; 1855 and 1856, David A. 
G. Warner; 1857, Ivory Harmon; 1858, George L. White; 1859 and i860, Josiah M. Fletcher; 1861 
Jonathan Parkhurst ; 1862, Jacob D. March; 1863, Theodore H. Wood; 1864, Henry Holt; 1865, 
Mark R. Buxton ; 1866, George Turner (resigned), James E. Kent ; 1867, Charles D. Copp (resigned), 
John M. Flanders; 1868, William P. Buel ; 1868, Benjamin Fletcher, Jr.; 1870, Eugene F'. Whitney ; 
1871, Eugene W. Johnson; 1872, Thomas H. Pinkham; 1873, Loriiig Farnsworth ; 1874, Timothy 
B. Crowley: 1S75, Edgar B. Burke; 1876, James H. Dunlap; 1S77, Alfred Chase; 1878, F'rank D. 
Cook; 1879, James A. Merrill; 1880 and 1881, Charles W. Stevens ; 1882, Guy W. Latham (resigned ), 
Joshua W. Hunt ; 1883, Isaac C. Johnson ; 1884, Charles E. Cummings ; 1885, Charles R. McQues- 
ten ; 1886, Albert H. Bailey; 1889, Henry P. Whitney; 1890, Frank P. Rideout ; 1891, Fletcher W. 
Burnham ; 1892, Eester F. Thurber ; 1893, Frank L. Kimball; 1894, William D. Swart; 1895 and 
1896, Charles J. Hamblett ; 1897, Edward H. Wason. 

City clerks : 1853 to 1857, Edward P. Emerson ; 1857 to 1863, Isaac H. Marshall ; 1863 to 1867, 
John G. Kimball; 1867 to 1874, George H. Taggard ; 1874, Ralph A. Arnold ; 1875, George H. Tag- 
gard ; 1876, Ralph A. Arnold; 1S77, George H. Hatch (resigned), Eugene M.Bowman; 1878, 
Randolph W.Farley; 1879 to 1884, Eugene M. Bowman; 1884, Ralph A. Arnold; 1885 to 1889, 



HISTORY or NASHUA, N. //. 



609 



Eugene M. Howman : iSSy aiul iScjo, Charles S. lUissell ; iSyi lo 1896, Kugeiie M. Houiiian, to whom 
the writer of this chapter acknowledges his indebtedness for many courtesies, and also for time spent 
in assisting him in searcliing records ; 1.S96 and 1897, Oeorge F. Smith. 

Clerks of the common council : 1S53 and 1.S54, William P. Ainsworth ; 1S55 and 1856, Henry O. 
Winch; 185710 1S60, Charles H. Sackrider (resigned), George Swain: i86i, Theodore H. Wood; 
1862 to 1872, Jacob D. March (died in office), Ceorge Swain; 1873, George Swain; 1874, Henry H.' 
Davis; 1875, W. F. Pinkliam ; 1876 to 1888, John II. Chapman; 1888 to 1889, George F:. Danforth, 
1889, now serving.' 

The police court, jjoHcc department, fire department and city library are incidental in the 
municipal history, but neither have cumulative facts that are of special bearing in the civil 
government, and therefore are here treated in brief summary. 

Prior to the date of the city charter court was held by any justice of the peace who could be 
induced to sit. Either Isaac Spalding or Israel Hunt, Jr., was usually called. With the charter a 
regular court was instituted and General Hunt was appointed justice. He served until 1856 and was 
followed by Thomas Pearson who resigned in 1862. lulward P. Ivmer.son served as ju.stice from 1862 
to 1874, Solomon Spalding from 1874 to i,S76, James P. Fassett from 1876 till his death in 1889, when 







HAiNU lUii. 

Charles W. Hoitt, the present justice, was commissioned. The associate justices have been Isaac 
Spalding, Henry Parkinson, Bernard B. Whittemore, George H. Taylor, Clark M. Langley and 
William O. Clough, the present incumbent, commissioned in 1878. The clerks have been Augustine 
F. Long, Cliarles W. Hoitt, Fred T. Morrill, George E. Conlon, James H. Willoughby and Martin 
Fitzpatrick, Jr. 

A new police department was also organized under the charter. It has experienced many 
changes and was formerly between the upper and nether mill-stones of politics. .Since 1891 it has 
been controlled by a commission appointed by the governor and council. Theli.stof marshals, (chiefs 
of the department) is as follows : 1853 to 1855, Ignatius Bagley ; 1855 and a portion of 1856, Isaac 
F'aton ; 1856, William White ; 1857 to 1867 — with the exception of 1861, when Samuel Tuck held the 
office — and again in 1875, Thomas G. Banks ; 1S68 to 187 1, wdien he resigned, Charles M. Robinson ; 
Elbridge P. Brown completed Robinson's unexpired term and held the office in 1874; 1872 and 1873, 
Salnia H. Murdough ; 1S76 to 1880, with the exception of seven months in 1878, w^hen Timothj' B. 
Crowle)- was marshal. William O. Clough ; 1880 to 1884 and in 1885 and 1886, James H. Hunt ; 1884 
and 1S87 to 1891, Willard C. Tolles ; i8yi, the present incumbent. The department consists of 

*A complete list of city officers from 185,^ to the present time, includini; rejiresentatives in the legislature, would 
make quite a volume of itself and therefore it is deemed inexpedient to publish the same in this connection. 

■4S 



6io 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 



a marshal, deputy marshal, captain, sergeant, inspector, turnkey, sixteen patrolmen and a reserve 
force of sixt}' men. 

The fire department, like other departments mentioned, has been through many and radical 
changes. It has, however, always maintained a good name for efficiency and been officered and 
manned by the best citizens. Since 189 1 it has been "out of politics " and governed bv a commis- 
sion elected by the city councils. Its chiefs under the city charter have been : 1853 to 1855, Josephus 
Baldwin, the first mayor; 1855 to 1857, Franklin Munroe ; 1857 to 1858 and 1870 and 1871 Lac 
Eaton; 1868 and 1869, Edgar B. Burke; 1872, 1878 and 1879, Benjamin Fletcher, Jr.; 187/to 1876 
Qumcy A. Woodward; 1876, 1877, 1880 to 1884, Frank A. Barney; 18S4 to 1891, Charles H Whit' 
ney ,1891, present chief, George O. Osborne. The department has four steamers, four ho,se carriages 
two hook and ladder trucks, two chemicals, twenty horses and ninety-four men. ' 




STEAM FIRE ENGINE NUMBER FOUR 

Mary^'p Ssfe^Hanf "/t^?' T' '°""''' '^' ^"^'^ ^^ ^^"^ ^^'^ ^'^ '^^^^^'^^ ^'^^y E- Shepherd, 
Mary P. Fiske, Hattie E. Richardson, Sarah W. Kendall, Mary E. Hunt, Mary E Law and their 

associates. As early as 1830 Rev. Andrew E. Thayer established a circulat ng ibrao^ to Ita n book 
from which a fee of from two to four dollars a year was charged. It contained at one th 11 os^^ 
Iten^um r^l^rr^^ established a private organization ^ith corporate powers kLras 
Athenseum. A weekly fee was charged. It had about 1,300 volumes and althou<.h its usefulness 
was conceded by its patrons it did not meet the demands of the increasing inhab tints of the iy 
This fact was recognized by Orren C. Moore, editor of the Telegraph, who suggested to the Ead s'' 
abil JHf ; ^°"f ^'-^" organization that had done patriotic work'during thet^ivi War-the des r- 
abihty of a levee for the purpose of raising funds with which to establish a free public library The 

OnT"riereiirof%tVir'"^^ '^^' f ^"' -'^ -''^^ ^-^ ^^^" ^-^ ^^-- -^^^ upon fffirinativlu 
h^v: ber; :e was hel :r C^rnan T ""'" ;fV--^— ^ °^ the ladies whose names 
a pro. Of L hundred .J^^t. l^. ^.^r^.r, ^^ ^ ^^ 



///.V/VVvT OF NASHUA, N. //. 6ii 

of eighty-seven volumes of desirable books. To this the Atheiueuiii library was added, and the whole 
offered as a gift to the city upon condition that $i,ooo be expLMided annually for its supjjort and 
development. The gift and condition were accepted in July, the same year, seven trustees appointed 
and the library located in the south room, second story, of the county record building, where it 
remained until 1892, when it was removed to more commodious cpiarters in Odd Fellows building, 
Temple street, where it is now located. The city, much to its credit, has kept faith with the founders, 
and prominent citizens have shown commendable spirit by donating to it many standard works and 
miscellaneous publications. Some years ago Daniel Hussey, for many years identified with the 
manufacturing interests of the city, devised a legacy of $50,000, payable upon the death of his 
widow, for a library building, which legacy is a consideration of the future. At the present writing 
the library has a small but convenient reading room, contains about 14,000 books, and is regularly 
supplied with magazines and the latest publications. 

It is a singular coincidence that the civil history of Nashua— at the point where this work 
necessarily leaves it— ends as in the beginning of Old Dunstable, with a controversy over the location 
of a public building. In the autumn of 1892 Mary A. Hunt and her daughter. Mary E. Hunt, gave 
the city $50,000 with which to erect a public building to be known as the "John M. Hunt Memorial 
Library building." The gift was upon condition that the city purchase a lot of land to be selected 
by the tru.stees of the library, acting with a committee of the city councils. The gift was accepted 
under the conditions named and the joint committee unanimou.sly agreed upon the Greeley lot, .so 
called, at the head of Main street, on Railroad .square, at $35,000, made report accordingly and with- 
drew. The site chosen was satisfactory to the people of the first three wards and unsatisfactory to 
a majority of the residents of the other six wards. A heated controversy and discussion followed in 
which much bad feeling was engendered. The objectors claimed that the location was remote from 
the center of the population, that the growth of the city was southward, and that sinister motives 
were shown, while the survivors of 1838-53 declared over and over again that it was an unwarranted 
revival of the old quarrel that resulted in the township of Nashville. Others stumbled over the cost 
and not a few inveighed against the proposed building as unnecessary and ex])ensive luxury. Those 
who favored the scheme were derided as out-spoken in bitter condemnation of the attitude of their 
dissatisfied fellow-citizens, and as pacificators who would allay public feeling by making it clear by 
facts and figures that the site was practically the centre of the residences of the patrons of the library. 
They claimed that justice demanded that at least one ornamental public building should be on the 
north side of the river, and, moreover, it was the street railway centre. Arguments failed ; the city 
councils disagreed ; a syndicate purchased the lot and demanded $5,000 more than the price stipu- 
lated, which amount was pledged by citizens of the north side ; the supreme court was appealed to, 
and wiien it rendered a decision that the lot must be purchased by the city the councils took the risk 
of being in contempt by refusing to act. Meantime the donors became disturbed, and, feeling that 
they had precipitated a controversv' and were also uncivilly treated requested, through the court, the 
annulment of their contract with the city and the return of their gift. The evidence on this feature 
of the controversy was presented to Chief Justice Doe and Justice Blodgett in June, 1895, and in 
October, following, a decision was rendered denying the request and ordering the city to procure the 
lot selected by its authorized committee and proceed to carr}- out the original contract. Mayor How- 
ard at once opened negotiations with the syndicate owners, but, being unable to agree upon the 
purchase price, the lot was legally condemned by the city councils and taken under the law of 
eminent domain. At the time of this writing, July, 1897, ^^'^^ indications are that there will be a year 
or more before the John M. Hunt Memorial library building is erected as originally designed by the 
donors of the funds for that purpose, and that all the bitterness engendered bj- the controversy will 
have passed away. 

Here ends the chapter on the civil government of the townships of Dunstable, Old Dunstable, 
Nashua, Nashville, and the city of Nashua. What the future is to be no man can foretell. It can 
only be hoped that quarrels and dissensions \\\\\ cease ; that the mistakes of the past wnll be avoided; 
that the good work of developing all its resources may go steadily forward, so that happiness and 
prosperity may attend the generations yet to be born. 



6i2 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

SOCIETIES AND CLUBS. 

BY HENRY A. CUTTKR. 

THE societies and clubs of a place are indicative in a way, of the character and tastes of the 
people. And the influence of such organizations work for the good or bad, and mould the 
thoughts and actions of communities. The benefits of organizations along the lines of 
active charities, or in the consideration of abstract moral principles, or in the promotion of 
good fellowship is obvious. Such, practically, are the purposes of the various associations which 
have been organized and maintained by our citizens. It is safe to say that Nashua has supported 
more organizations of the various kinds specified than any other city of its size in the state. At the 
same time, the home life, which is the most powerful factor of the integrity of any community, has 
not been neglected, as it is apt to be, whenever the outside influences are as .strong as they are, and 
have been, in a cosmopolitan city like Nashua. 

There are numerous organizations, which, being allied to either the church, the military, or to 
life insurance and other business ventures, will not be presented in the limits of this chapter, 
which treats mainly of such bodies as are social, or quasi-social in their main characteristics. There 
have been bodies formed for mere temporary purposes which have not had any effect upon the people, 
and they can hardly be treated of historically. There have been other associations whose objects 
have been of a purely private nature, and in which the public generally has no interest. 

A survey of our past .social condition shows "the club" to be of comparatively late origin. 
Hitherto we find nothing that is analagous to it. The people formerly, instead of forming clubs, 
received their friends at their homes, and depended more upon church sociables, and lecture courses 
for their entertainment. In the dispensation of charity they acted to a greater extent independently 
of each other. Unity of action seems to be a principle that the last and the present generation have 
extended into every phase of life. Sociological matters have apparently followed the trend of 
political power and become more centralized. An article upon this subject portrays a present status 
solelj-. 

The pioneer of organizations which are semi-social in their character is the Masonic lodge, and 
the oldest Masonic body of Nashua is Rising Sun lodge, number 39, A. F. and A. M., which was 
instituted on the thirteenth day of June, 1822, under a dispensation from the grand lodge of the state 
of New Hampshire, Joshua Darling, grand master. Willard Marshall, Ephraim Blanchard, and 
John Lund were the prime movers in securing its organization. The first meeting was held June 26, 
1822, and Ephraim Blanchard was elected its first master. Oct. 15 of that year there was a public 
consecration in the "meeting-house," and Thomas W. Phillips of Boston delivered the oration. 
This meeting-house stood near the Harbor burial ground. The following is a list of its senior 
ofhcers, — the master, with the years of service: Ephraim Blanchard, 1822, 1823; Alfred Greeley, 
1824, 1847, 1848, 1849, 1854; Israel Hunt, Jr., 1825, 1826, 1833, 1834, 1S35, 1845, 1846; John M. 
Hunt, 1827; Stephen W. Balcome, 1828; Col. Leonard W. No}'es, 1829: William Boardman, 1S30: 
Luther Ballard, 1831, 1832; Jacob Hall, 1836, 1837, 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842: Dr. Elijah Colburn, 
1843, 1844; Thomas Pearson, i860: George A. Rollins, 1861: William W. Bailey, 1862, 1863; 
Thomas J. Rockwood, 1864, 1865; Charles E. Paige, 1866: William Barrett, 1867: Edward Parker, 
1868; Henry M. Davis, 1869: Frank A. McKean, 1870; Dr. Oliver A. Woodbury, 1871, 1872: Dr. 
George W. Currier, 1873, 1876: Henry A. Marsh, 1874, 1S75; Mark R. Buxton, 1877, 1878, 1879: 
John A. Grater, 1880, 1883; Ralph A. Arnold, 1881 ; Col. William H. D. Cochrane, 1882: Henry A. 
Cutter, 1884, 1885; George R. Pierce, 1886, 1887; George A. Underhill, 1888, 1889; Warren G. 
Howe, 1890: John H.Clark, 1891, 1892; James H. Blake, 1893, 1894: Edward H. Wason, 1895, 
1896. It will be seen that prominent men of the place, lawyers, doctors, merchants and others have 
been leaders in this body. During its life of three quarters of a century it has had various lodge 
rooms; it originally held its meetings in a dwelling at the Harbor. It has since occupied rooms in 
the old Greeley building, in the old Exchange building, and for over twenty years it occupied the 
third floor of Nutt's building. Jan. 21, 1890, it held its first meeting in Masonic temple. 



J/JSTORV OF NASHUA, /V. II. 613 

It or.n'iuii/.ed with Init few iiiembers, and it has <^rown to Ijc the second largest lodge in the state, 
with a nienihershii) of nearly three hundred. It has niaintainecl a high rank niasonicallj- in the state, 
and some of its members have been the senior officer of the grand lodge of the state of New- 
Hampshire. Frank A. McKean, Cieorge \V. Currier antl Henry A. Marsh have occupied that 
position. George W. Currier has also attained a like distinction in the grand chapter, and in the 
grand comniandery of Knight's Templar. The position of eminent grand commander has also been 
held liy Milton A. Taylor, John H. Clark and Henry A. Marsh. The influential and business men 
of the town and cit>' have been members of Rising Sun lodge. It has a sizable charity fund, which 
has been well managed and safely invested. Its long life and present condition attests its fitness to 
its environment, and gives promise of an indefinite period of usefulness amongst us. Judge Charles 
F. Gove bequeathed to the lodge a tomb in the old Nashua cemetery, in which his remains now 
repose. 

Ancient York lodge, number 89, A. F. and A. M., was first organized under a dispensation 
granted by the grand lodge, Ma\- 19, 1870. May 18, 1871, it accjuired a charter. Its charter members 
were Edward Parker, Dana Sargent, Albert H. Saunders, Benjamin Fletcher, Jr., Martin \'. B. 
Greene, Leonard C. Farwell, and George W. Moore. The following is a list of the masters, with the 
years of their service: Edward Parker, 1S70: Albert H. Saunders, 1871; Martin V. B. Greene, 
1872: Herman V. Dane, 1873, 1874; Joshua W. Hunt, 1875: Addison W. Knight, 1876, 1877; 
George E. Spalding, 1S78; George B. Bowler, 1879, 1880; Sidney H. Favor, 1885, 1S86; Joseph 
Shattuck, 1887: Frank W. Adams, 1888. 18S9; Hendrick B. Gordon, 1890, 1891 ; Edward O. Fifield, 
1893, 1894; Edward P. Graham, 1895, 1896. This lodge has a membership of one hundred and 
sixty-four. The fact that it has attained a membership of large size in a comparatively short time 
proves its po]nilarit\-. 

In 1827 a dispensation was granted to establish Meridian .Sun Ro}al Arch chapter, number y, in 
Nashua, but the charter was not granted until Sept. i, 182S. This body has had a flourishing 
existence, and now has a membenship of two hundred and twenty-five companions. William Board- 
man was the first senior officer, and Edward O. Fifield is the present incumbent of that chair. 

Israel Hunt council, number 8, R. and S. M., was chartered Feb. 27, 1873, with Daniel R. 
Marshall, Aaron King, John C. Knowles, John D. Chandler, Oliver H. Phillips, Charles H. Fosdick, 
Isaac Eaton, William Barrett, Thomas Pearson, William S. Atwood, Silas S. Drew and Artemua 
Knight, as charter members. The first senior officer was William O. Clongh. Its meinliership is 
about one hundred and fifty. 

Jan. 16, 1867, Hiram T. Morrill, John M. Sanborn, Oliver H. Phillips, Alfred Greeley, Thomas 
Pearson, Stillnian Chase, Aaron King, Dana Sargent, William S. Atwood, Daniel R. Marshall, 
William Barrett, George H. Gillis, William H. H. Hinds, and Joa. H. Nottage petitioned the grand 
comniandery of New Hampshire for a dispensation to establish a commandery in Nashua, and in 
consequence a dispensation was granted and the first conclave of St. George commandery. Knights 
Templar, was held F"eb. 6, 1867. A charter was subsequently granted Sept. 29, 1868. William 
Barrett was the first eminent commander, and George Frank Hammond is the present eminent 
commander. This body has had a prosperous existence since its establishment. The men who go to 
make up the activity of the lower Ma.sonic bodies, to a great extent, are to be credited with the 
success of this body. It has a membership of about one hundred and seventy-five knights, who are 
mostly citizens of Nashua. It is one of the most popular societies in our midst. 

June 19, 1863, the national grand body of 33d degree Masons granted a charter to Aaron P. 
Hughes, Aaron King, Oliver H. Phillips, Alfred Greeley, Israel Hunt, William Barrett, Oliver A. 
Woodbury, Isaac Ivaton, Joseph A. Gihnore, Natt Head, and twenty-two others to form a grand 
consistory for the state of New Hampshire. Aaron P. Hughes was the first senior grand officer. 
June 7, 1864, charters were granted to form the subordinate bodies, with the following titles: Aaron 
P. Hughes lodge of Perfection: Oriental council. Princes of Jerusalem: vSt. George chapter of Rose 
Croix: Edward A. Raymond consistory. James P. vS. Otterson was the first senior officer of the 
lodge; Henry B. Atherton was the first senior officer of the council; Hiram D. Woods was the first 
senior officer of the chapter, and William Barrett was the first senior officer of the consistory. 

The growth in this branch of Masonry was somewhat slow until about 1883, since which time 
the membershi]) has increased \-ery rapidlx'. Nashua, until very recently, has lieen the only ])Iacc in 



6 14 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

the state where these degrees were conferred. The membership in the consistory is about five 
hundred and seventy-five. 

Connected with the Masonic bodies, although in the nature of a business enterprise, is the 
Masonic Building association, which in this chapter it may be well to recognize. 

This is a corporation, chartered May i6, 1889. It owes its inception chiefly to Dr. George W. 
Currier, who conceived the idea, and with the co-operation of such men as W. D. Cadwell, George E. 
Anderson, George R. Pierce, Dr. George A. Underbill, Joseph Shattuck, George A. Rollins, Rev. 
Henry B. Smith, Henry A. Cutter, the building was completed. Nearly every Mason in the city 
responded in taking at least one share of the $50,000 capital. The corner stone was laid Sept. 14, 
i88g, by the grand lodge of New Hampshire, George W. Currier, M. W. G. M. The organ was 
purchased by a voluntary subscription amounting to $1,800, which was pledged in a single evening. 
Mrs. Aaron King, Mrs. John M. Hunt and Mrs. G. Warren Greene added one hundred dollars each 
to that fund. The building was dedicated Jan. 21, 1891. Rev. E. C. Bolles, D. D., of New York, 
delivered the oration in the afternoon. A banquet was had in the theatre at six o'clock, J. Tyler 
Hicks & Co. of Boston being the caterers. At eight o'clock a reception was held. At nine o'clock 
a musical entertainment took place in the lodge room, the Mendelssohn male quartette, Howard M. 
Dow, organist, and Miss L. E. Dow, vocalist, being the talent. Afterwards dancing in the banquet 
hall concluded the day. 

All the Masonic bodies occupy the third and fourth floors of the Masonic temple. Each body 
elects a trustee, and that body of trustees rent the apartments of the Masonic Building association 
and adjust the rents among the various occupants, and have general charge of the quarters. 

Odd Fellowship has had a thriving existence since its first institution in Nashua. The oldest 
body in the state is found here. 

Granite lodge, number i, I. O. O. F., was instituted Sept. 11, 1843, and it was chartered Sept. 
16, 1844. The charter members were O. D. Murray, C. T. Ridgway, David Philbrick, Charles T. 
Gill, Edward P. Emerson, Edwin P. Hill and others. David Philbrick was the first noble grand. 
It has had over one thousand members. It was first located in the old Exchange building, afterwards 
it occupied a part of Noyes block, then in Telegraph building, in Goodrich building and finally, 
when the I. O. O. F. temple was built, it removed into that magnificent building where it has lodge 
room accommodations second to none in the country. Pennichuck lodge, number.44, I- O- O- F-. 
was chartered Aug. iS, 1859. Its charter members were Leonard C. Farwell, Samuel K. Wellman, 
Edward P. Emerson, Franklin Munroe, John M. Sanborn, Jacob D. March, Ezra Davis and C. C. C. 
Hill. 

Olive Branch lodge, number i. Daughters of Rebekah, was instituted Nov. 16, 1886. Its charter 
members were George E. Bagley, Norman E. Bragg, Arthur M. Davis, George E. Danforth, Menzel 
P. French, Charles A. Goldthwait and others. 

Nashoonon encampment, numlier i, was instituted May 9, 1844, and was chartered Aug. 15, 
184S. Its charter members were David Philbrick, Rev. C. L. Arnold, O. D. Murray, C. T. Ridgway, 
B. D. Bingham, Jon. A. Hosmer anil others. This is the oldest encampment in the state. 

Indian Head encampment, number 20, was chartered Jan. 14, 1873. Prominent among its 
charter members were Btnjamin Fletcher, Albert Beard, William S. Atwood, H. F. Dane, A. P. 
Hendrick and W. E. Taggart. 

Patriarchs Militant, Canton A, number 9, was chartered under this title May 29, 1890. Odd 
Fellows who were prominent in securing its institution were Jason E. Tolles, Charles H. Dunlap, 
William M. Wilkins, Horace S. Ashley, James H. Reed and John A. Fisher and others. This has 
been a very popular and active body and at present has a membership of over one hundred. Mem- 
bers of the two encampments had, previous to the date of the charter of the canton, maintained 
an organization as a uniformed rank since Oct. 7, 1879. R. M. Blanchard was the first captain. 
Even before that date they had drilled as a military compau}-. They attended the dedication of the 
Odd Fellows temple in Boston, with M. G. Wilson as captain. They were the first company of 
uniformed Odd Fellows in Boston. 

The needs of the Odd Fellows of Nashua demanding better accommodations, a number of Odd 
Fellows, who realized the success which had attended the efforts of the Masons in building the 
Masonic temple, called a meeting of the Odd Fellows of Nashua and formed a corporation under the 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 615 

statutes. This corporation was chartered Feb. 9, 1891, with a capital stock of $75,000. It was 
organized with J. W. Howard, president; Frederick Eaton, treasurer: George E. Danforth, clerk. 
The directors inunediatels- took the matter in hand and secured one of the best corner lots on Main 
street. With the support of the fraternity behind tlieni, tlie building soon became an assured thing. 

The laying of the corner stone of the Odd Fellows building with imposing ceremonies occurred 
May 14, 1S91. The procession consisted of various cantons and lodges from the adjacent towns and 
from many distant jdaces. It was under the marshalshij) of Gen. Charles W. Stevens. The build- 
ings along the line of march were profusely decorated, aiul the city had the ai)pearance of a fete day. 
The ceremonies were performed according to the ritual of the order by Canton A. nund)er 9. An 
oration was delivered by ex-congressman O. C. Moore, which presented a picture of the city as it will 
appear with its new building contrasted with its appearance half a century ago. It was listened to 
with marketl attention by a vast throng which filled the contiguous streets. A banquet to over six 
hundred in the Gilman card shop on Pearson avenue was served at six o'clock. A grand ball at the 
Nashua theatre in the evening concluded the festivities of a most eventful day in the annals of 
Nashua. The dedication was a menujrable event. April 26, 1892, is a marked day in the history of 
the order, and initiated a new era in Odd Fellowship for Nashua. Favored by a Vjeautiful day, 
and at a time of year when all nature was propitious, the beautiful building was consecrated to the 
work of benevolence and good deeds of the noble order of Odd I'"ellows. 

During the forenoon the local bodies were bus}- escorting visiting lodges and fraters to the 
various places of entertainment. In the afternoon a procession of over one thousand Odd Fellows in 
line proceeded from the old lodge rooms to the new edifice where the work was performed in full form 
by Granite lodge, number i, Rufus S. Bruce, N. G. The music was furnished by the Ariel quartette, 
E. O. Wood, J. M. Blakey, G. E. Danforth and H. L. Sanderson. A bountiful and elaborate 
banquet was served in the City Hall at six o'clock, Tanner of Haverhill being the caterer. H. S. 
Ashley was chairman of the banquet committee. Gen. C. W. Stevens sat at the head of the table, 
with the governor, H. A. Tuttle, at his right hand, who with other eminent guests graced the 
occasion. Over four hundred plates w^ere laid. This most joyous and ever to be remembered day 
terminated with a dance and that apartment, which is to be the scene of many future happy and 
gladsome gatherings, was tested to its fullest capacity. 

The Knights of Pythias have three subordinate lodges here: — Nashua lodge, number 5, instituted 
Maj' 9, 1870; Evening Star lodge, number 35, instituted March 4, 1890; and Rathbone Sisters, 
Nashua Star Temple, number 4, besides the uniformed rank, S. S. Davis division, number 2. The 
secret order has had a flourishing existence. The late S. S.Davis was at one time the senior national 
grand officer. 

There are man>' other societies, a mere enumeration of which will suffice to show to what extent 
our citizens believe in a combination of effort. 

Improved Order of Red Men, Independent Order of Good Templars, Patrons of Husbandry, 
Ancient Order of Foresters, American Legion of Honor, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, Daughters of Liberty, Knights and Ladies of Honor, Knights of Honor, 
Order of United American Mechanics, Brotherhood of Engineers, Order of United Friends, Order of 
the World, United Order of the Golden Cross, United Order of the Pilgrim Fathers, Circle Montcalm, 
Union St. Jean Baptiste, Ligue Du Sacre Coeur, Knights of Columbus and others. 

The societies are of comparitively late origin, and have achieved success. They have a secret 
ritualistic work, in which the general public is not interested, but the .social atmosphere which sur- 
rounds that work begets a spirit of goodfellowship, which has wrought the citizens together in other 
undertakings, and has tended to make us more one people in .strife with the outer world. Certain of 
these societies have kindly responded to the invitation of the writer to furnish data in regard to 
themselves. 

John G. Foster post, nund)er 7, G. A. R., was chartered Feb. 24, 1868. It owes its existence in a 
large measure, if to any one person more than another, to the efforts of the late Col. George Bowers. 
He was its first commander. The charter members were Col. George liowers, Capt. Henry B. Ather- 
ton, Maj. Timothy B. Crowley, Col. Dana W. King, Maj. Richard O. Greenleaf, Tyler M. Shattnck, 
Elmer A. llaskins, Noah T. Joy, Moses E. Wilkins and I-:iijah R. Wilkins. Matthew T. Benton 
was the department commander at that time. 



6i6 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

Its first meeting was held in Beasom building, and then in succession it occupied the third floor 
of old Exchange building, the attic floor of the Cit.v Hall, the third floor of the Countj- building, 
the third floor of Laton building on Railroad square, and in 1894 it acquired the Park street chapel, 
where it has now exceptionally fine quarters. Its membership is now over two hundred veterans. It 
has been distinguished by having had three of its members department commanders. Alvin S. 
Eaton, Col. George Bowers and Col. Frank G. Noyes have served in that capacity with credit to 
themselves and to the post. 

One of the most important events in its history was the erection of the soldiers' monument. It is 
to the credit of the organization that such a monument graces one of the public squares of our city. 
The idea was first conceived in the hal! of the post, a committee was appointed to ask the assistance 
of the city in the furtherance of the plan. For a great many years previous to any definite action 
being taken, by the post, this question had been stirring the minds of the veterans. The matter was 
carried before the cit}' government, and an appropriation of $12,000 was secured. A building com- 
mittee of five from the city government, with Cliarles H. Burke, mayor, chairman, and three from the 
post, Col. Frank G. Noyes, Gen. Charles \V. vStevens and Dr. Royal B. Prescott was appointed. 
This committee advertised for plans, and thirty-six were submitted, from which a choice was to be 
made. Those selected were by T. M. Perry, and the contract was awarded to Frederick & Field of 
Quincy, Mass. The corner stone was laid by the grand lodge of the state of New Hampshire, George 
W. Currier, M. W. G. M., May 30, 1889. On the afternoon of that day a procession — Milton A. 
Taylor, chief marshal — was formed on Main street and marched to Abbot square. The procession 
consisted of a battalion of the militia under command of Maj. Jason E. Tolles, companies I and C, 
the Nashua High vSchool cadets, vSons of Veterans, two steamers, Pennicliuck hose, and Union Hook 
and Ladder companies of the Nashua fire department. Canton A, P. M., Knights of the Sherwood 
Forest, Ancient Order of HiVteniians, Union >St. Jean Baptiste society, »St. George commandery, K. 
T., Triiiit\' commandery, K. T., of Manchester, Mt. Horeb commandery, K. T., of Concord, grand 
conunandery, grand lodge, A. V . and A. M., city government in carriages. The exercises consisted 
of opening" address by the mayor, Capt. E). M. Shaw spoke in behalf of the post. The formal cere- 
mony on the part of the grand lodge was performed. Col. F. G. Noyes delivered an eloquent oration, 
kindled the memories of the surviving veterans, and touched the heart of the large audience which 
had crowded into the square, where many of the boys of '62 had spoken a last good-bj-e to their 
friends and begun their journey to the front. Benediction by Rev. H. B. Smith, R. W. grand chap- 
lain, closed the service. The architect of the monument was T. M. Perry of Quincy, Mass. The 
model of the bronze sailor was made by S. J. O'Kelley, sculptor, of Boston, and that of the soldier 
was by C. Buberl, sculj^tor, of New York. Among the various articles deposited under the corner- 
stone was a list of Nashua's 1,355 soldiers and sailors who served in the War of the Rebellion. 

The monument was dedicated Oct. 15, 18S9. A procession which eclipsed all prior processions 
in the history of Nashua, under the marshalship of Col. E. J. Copp, was formed on Main and adjacent 
streets. It was composed of eleven companies from the state militia, Manchester and Nashua High 
School companies, Amoskeag Veterans, state officials, Gov. David H. Goodell, John G. Foster post 
number 7, John G. Foster post, number 163, of F'ramingham, Mass., and thirty-seven other posts 
from various places in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Sons of Veterans, A. O. H., U. St. Jean 
Baptiste society, city government, invited guests, consisting of distinguished veterans, and the New- 
Hampshire delegation in congress. The ritualistic dedicatory exercises of the G. A. R. were per- 
formed by post number 7, under lead of Deputy Commander James F. Grimes of Hillsborough. 
Gen. Charles H. Burns of Wilton delivered the oration in a most impressive way, and brought forth 
very beautifully the lessons which the monument teaches. 

Among the various organizations of this city there is one, wliich, from the benevolent work it has 
done and the patriotism it has inculcated, fully deserves recognition. This is the Woman's Relief 
corps, number 30, auxiliary to post number 7. Corps 30 was instituted April 2, 1885, with a mem- 
bership of fifty-five. Its first president was Mrs. Nancy W. Moore. Much depends at the beginning 
of a society upon the choice of officers. In this respect Mrs. Moore was eminently fitted forthe place 
as will be .seen from the fact that at the end of the year the membership had increased to one hundred 
and twenty-four members. For several years it remained the largest in the department, and has 
always been among the first in the ei^ciency of its work and especially in the amount given for 



insroRY or nashi/a, n. //. 617 

charity. Duriiio- the first ten years it expended for relief $i ,91 1 .83. Since then $315.56, making a 
total since organization of ^'^2, 227.39. It contributed largely to the furni.shing of the Soldiers' 
Home at Tilton. Mrs. Moore in iSSSwas elected department president of New Hampshire, and in 
her annual report S])oke of the necessity of a soldiers' home in this state and recommended that, if 
the project for one which was on foot should materialize, the various corps of the department should 
furnish it. Through her influence a fair was held at the vShirley Hill hou.se in August, 1889, for the 
benefit of a soldiers' home, tlie proceeds to be given to John G. Foster corps 30 for that purpose. 
The fair realized ninety-one dollars and to this was added the sum raised by the corps from the pub- 
lication of a newspaper. As a result the Nashua corps soon had two hundred and twenty-seven dol- 
lars toward furnishing the home, part of which was raised before the site for the soldiers' home had 
been selected. The reception room and office were entirely furnished by the corps at an expense of 
alxnit four hundred and fifty dollars. Generous contributions were made for this purpose to the corps 
by residents of Nashua. The corps also materially contributed for the relief of the Johnstown suf- 
ferers, opening headijuarters at City Hall, where, a,ssisted by the citizens, it prepared clothing and 
packed boxes which were sent to Johuslowu at an estimated value of about $2, coo. The corps also 
furnished a room at the F^mergency hospital. 

Its presidents have been Mrs. Nancy W. Moore, Mrs. Sarah \\. Kunnells, Miss Kate M. Thayer, 
Mrs. Anna T. Olmstead, Mrs. M. Augusta Graham, Mrs. Helen S. Willoughby and Mrs. Etta M. 
Chase, the latter being president this year. 

The corps now numbers two hundred and thirteen members. As each Memorial Day comes they 
keep in sacred remembrance the deeds of our dead heroes b}' placing upon their graves the flowers of 
spring, and are ever ready to assist in caring for the helpless and needy ones left by them. 

Of the purely local charities, and one which stands at the head because of its success, is the 
Nashua Protestant Home for Aged Women. This institution was incorporated by a special act of 
the legislature June 2, 1S77, Mrs. A. M. Stevens, Mrs. Fannie \V. Sawyer, Mrs. J. N. Beasom, Miss 
Sarah \V. Kendall and others were the incorporators. Its name shows the exact purpose of incorpo- 
ration. It has been supi)orted by donations, bequests, and funds obtained from dinners, fairs and 
entertainments. Owing to the excellent way that its finances have been managed by the treasurer, 
Miss Kendall, it now has a property not far from $25,000, mostly in real estate. It first occupied a 
house on Chestnut street, afterwards on Kinsley street, but in 1892 it built a very commodious and 
comfortable building in the rear of the Kinsley street house, on Walnut street. Twenty-nine aged 
women have taken advantage of this institution, and have been enabled to spend their last days con- 
tentedly and comfortably. 

Independent Order of Good Templars, Harmony lodge number 1 1 1, was chartered June 17, 1S74. 
Among the grantees appear the names of James M. Wilkins, J. E. Walker, George H. Rollins, 
Henry L. Redfield, Warren G. Howe, Rufus D. Andrews, and others. 

Patrons of Husbandrj-, Nashua Grange, number 13, was chartered March 17, i,SS6, but it has 
had an organization since Dec. 22, 1873. 

United Order of the Golden Cross has two subordinate bodies located here: Merrimack River 
commaudery, number 43, was established through the endeavors of C. A. Batchelder, Dr. C. S. Col- 
lins, N. S. Whitman, C. W. Murch, P. F. Eaton, F". \'. Marshall and others in August, 1S79. 

Nashua commander}-, number 98, was chartered April 23, 1880. Prominent charter members 
being Dr. E. F. McQuesten, T. H. Pinkham, N. O. Prescott, M. F. Sprague, C. C. Cameron and R. 
M. Sawyer. The national grand treasurer, John D. Swain, for many years past has been a resident 
of our city. 

United Order of Pilgrim Fathers, Governor Wentworth colony, w^as established Nov. 4, 18S6, 
with I'Vank G. Thurston, George li. Wheat, Dr. C. S. Rouusevel, lidward W. Dowd, B. A. Pease, 
Elmer W. liaton and others as charter members. 

Knights of Honor of the World, Centennial lodge, number 251, w^as granted a charter vSept. 5, 
1876. As charter members a])pear. among the names of others, the following well-known citizens : 
Dr. G. W. Currier, E. S. Knight, R. M. Hlanchard, C. 15. Jackman, Charles II. Collins, and the late 
S. S. Davis. 

Knights and Ladies of Honor, No. 350, was created Aug. 31, iSSo. J. !•'. Barnes, G. W. Moore, 
B. B. Otis, J. P. Howe, Americus Shattuck, A. S. Clark ap])ear with others as grantees. 



6i8 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

In the line of charities, and in a field that has not been pre-empted by the good people of Nashua, 
lies the work of an organization of young ladies known as the Good Cheer societ}'. Their work is to 
visit the sick, and to comfort those unfortunates bj' carrying them fruit, flowers and delicacies, by 
words of good cheer, by bright smiles and sympathetic looks, and by expressions of confidence in their 
return of health. This beautiful idea was originated by Mrs. B. A. Pease (nee Flagg), Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Buddy (nee Spalding), now of Texas, Mrs. E. M. Gilman (nee Wallace), now of Springfield, 
Mass., and Miss Elizabeth Flather. Their first meeting was held in the fall of 1883, at the house of 
Miss May Wallace (Mrs. E. M. Gilman), and, besides the above there were present Miss Jane E. 
Thayer, Miss Helen Lane, Miss Fanny J. Lane (now Mrs. C. F. Coburn of Lowell, Mass.,) Miss 
Clara Stetson (now Mrs. H. C. Parker of Woburn, Ma.ss.,) Miss Munn and Mi.ss Gorman. The 
original officers were Miss Spalding, president; Miss Flagg, vice-president; Miss Stetson, secretarj^ 
and treasurer. 

The society has since increased its membership to twent)--five at which number it is limited. 

These young ladies, who were eminently fitted to their mission, began their good work and thej', 
and their successors, have carried it on unremittingly. A proper recognition of this very commend- 
able charity has been accorded them, and they have persisted in what to many might seem to be a 
disagreeable task, but which to them has been a pleasure, and they have been rewarded with an 
appreciation on the part of those to whom they have been, in fact, ministering angels. 

This charity has been sustained by the young ladies by the proceeds of lawn parties, teas, danc- 
ing parties, dramatic entertainments, etc., which they have verj- ingeniously managed. On the 
morning of Jan. i, 1886, these young ladies issued a woman's edition of The telegraph, realizing a 
handsome sum from the sales and advertisements. They have extended their work by contributing 
to the poor, as well as the sick, the necessities of life. They have also acquired a fund. At the estab- 
lishment of the Emergency hospital on Spring street they furnished two rooms. 

The importance of having a woman's club in Nashua had been for some time considered, and on 
May 29, 1896, Mrs. E. F. McQuesten invited to her home a limited number of interested women to 
take some action in the matter. The outcome of this meeting was the organization of The Nashaway 
Woman's club with the following officers: President, Mrs. O. C. Moore; first vice-president, Mrs. 
Enoch Powell; second vice-president, Mrs. E. F. McQuesten; secretary, Mrs. Albert N. Flinn ; 
treasurer. Miss Lucy F. Thayer; directors, Mrs. John F. Stark, Mrs. John H. Barr, Mrs. S. S. 
Whithed, Mrs. J. A. Spalding, Mrs. Frank H. McQuesten, Mrs. Edward F. Knight. 

The first year's work has exceeded the expectations of its most sanguine members. The classes 
in art, literature, current events and music have been most interesting and instructive. The very 
efficient chairman of each class has put a great deal of time and thought into the work of preparing 
programmes for the meetings, and their efforts were crowned with great success. The amount of 
talent developed in the membership has been most gratifying. The club since its inception has been 
so successful that it promises growth and the widening of its influence as the years go by. 

Among the many clubs supported by gentlemen, there is but one — the Guards club — whose long 
continued existence and whose large membership warrants its appearance as an historical fact. 
When the state militia was organized in 1878, a company was raised in Nashua, with Col. E. J. Copp 
as its first captain, which company was known as the Nashua City Guards. This was company F, 
Second regiment, N. H. N. G. It was composed of young men who were in the front rank socially 
and in a business waj-. This company achieved distinction and many of its members became promi- 
nent in the military affairs of the state. Its first captain became colonel of the regiment, and its 
second captain became the adjutant-general of the state (Gen. A. D. Ayling), Col. Jason E. Tolles 
became colonel of the regiment, Maj. W. H. Cheever, Maj. F. L. Kimball, Col. Charles H. Dunlap of 
the governor's staff, and Capt. C. A. Roby were also members of this company. Ties were formed in 
the drill room and on the muster field which the boys were loath to discontinue when the term of their 
enlistment expired in 1883. So that in that year, Jason E. Tolles, Charles H. Dunlap, Frank L- Kim- 
Vnill, Charles A. Roby, Elmer W. Eaton, Frank O. Raj- and others organized a social club. From this 
nucleus the present association sprung. It first occupied a single room in the Laton building on 
Railroad square. Men who had no connection with the old company were admitted. The next year 
well appointed rooms in the old Beasom building became their home. This building was completely 
destroyed by fire in February, 1886, and the club lost everything that it possessed. For a few 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 619 

n.nUhs it occupied temporarily the rooms of the old Historical society on the third floor of Tele- 
graph building. Upon the erection of Howard building quarters were there provided font. The 
entire third floor of Ayer's building was leased in 1891 and arranged as the club desired, and the 
rooms were finished and furnished as befitted a club of its character. It increased rapidly m mem- 
bership and the military spirit was lost by the larger number of its non-military members. 

In 1894 the verv appropriate, but rather cumbersome name which had adorned the club-Tie 
Nashua City Guards Veteran association-was .shortened into its present cognomen. Inder this title 
the iollv times which had permeated the life of the old company were not lost to sight Its mainte- 
nance has demonstrated the fact that our business men believe in the maxim that all work and no 
play makes Jack a dull boy." The building of a dub house has been seriously discussed, and will 

be a realitv in the not distant future. -^ 1 ; 1, 

Chief'among the literary societies and one that has made an impress upon the community which 
warrants a permanent record made for it is the Fortnightly club, which is an organisation ^o-" literary 
and social improvement an<l which was established in February, 1887. It includes many of the lead- 
ing professional men of Nashua, its principal newspaper editors, Us prominent teachers, a good 
lufmber of business men, and many ladies. The membership is limited to one hundred. 

The meetings of the club are usually held in private parlors on Monday evenings of every other 
week during the winter season. Its e.Kercises consist in the reading of original papers on popular 
heme in familiar discussion of the subjects treated, and in other entertainments, chiefly musical. 

The excellence of its programme has been a subject of frequent --■-^- ^,^^^>- '^^^'^ \^,^.^J 
range o topics, some of them requiring much learning and patient research ^^ hile nearly a third 
of the subjects are distinctivelv literary, many are social and practical, a good number scientific, some 
eLcatfonal others historic-relating especially to local history-and others devoted to the fine arts 
an to obse vatious in travel. Three papers generally are presented at each meeting the principal 
o e treating broadly of the subject for the evening, the other two considering special topics relating 
"tl e fo^<?oing. The discussions frequently are animated and are participated in by many of the 

1 «rc "The records of the club present much that is interesting and instructive. 
"""T^nam s he';erion: who took an active part in the organization of the Fortnightly Cub are 
The "a'^es 01 t p ^^j Hiram M. Goodrich, Rev. George W. 

Srov r°0^;en C MoLXrles'c^^ Morgan, Rev. Henry C. Parker, Dr. Royal B Prescott, Re. 
Cyrus Richardson, D. D., Rev. Henry B. Smith and Dr. Alfred M. Spalding. The first president .as 
W VJ Bailev and the first secretary was C. C. Morgan. _ , ■ ^- 1 „ 

■ The Shakespeare club, a societv for the study of William Shakespeare, was organized ,n Nashua 
Oct? 887 The constitution of the Stratford club of Concord, with a few slight aherations was 
adopted and the name. The Shakespeare club, assumed. Miss Dora N. Spalding was chosen p esi- 
dent M;s H . Goodrich vice-president. Miss Caroline W. Bailey secretary and treasurer Ther 
ha been no change in the officers with the exception of that caused by the lamented death of Miss 
has been no cUa .-, ^.^^^^ ^^^^ secretary and treasurer. The meetings 

fake pTace at rh m^of the members every Friday afternoon from October to May It is the 
custom to Ob eve Shakespeare's birthdav by an entertainment as suitable as possible to the occasion. 
fH s Pti po Mr E, -ing Winslow has read The Tempest, Prof. C. C. Shackford his lecture upon 
Hamlet nZyl Clapp up^on Othello and upon the Sonnets, Mrs. Downs upon a visit to Stratford, 

and Professor Elson upon the !-;.-'-.;V'^fiS" The present members, in addition to the officers 
The number of ^^;f--^^;;^^';^'^'^^^ ^Tss Hele Bailev, Miss Elizabeth Flather, Mrs. 
ZT^:.::i^^C.U.^^-^ Ma^taldiug, Miss C. H. Sawyer. Mrs. Jessie Taylor, Mrs. 
A„=tin Wallace Mrs E. H. Whithed, Miss Marion B. Aten. , ,„ ■ , j- 

TheHath^ -^ the latter part of February, ,889, by the fol owing ladies: 

^ i T Che ev Ms W P Hussev. Mrs. Chalres Holmau, Mrs. F. D. Cook, Miss CharloUe 
Mrs. E. E. Chene , Mr.. \V .1 .mi . . Goddard and Miss Flora E. Wilder 

Atkinson, Miss M. Ellen Earl, Mrs^E- ^. f .7;/;^;^^^^^^ „,eurred March 4, at the residence 

:j^;;::rVm;:r^^dr^i:u:n^i;:^Sr;^t:Xted and the cmb organized und^the 
e of lie Hat^^awaV cl b The first board of officers consisted of Mrs. E. E. Cheney, president : 
;?;r ; D JS^!; ^ci^ty: and Mrs. Charles Holman, treasurer. The number of members is 



^^° IIJSTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

in Concord, and Mrs. G T. Wnki^ d^ st^ ^ 

are held with the different n.en.bers' on Frida3 If LrT. ^n fro!n 1 'e^^^ Knda"'- ^^r k"^^^"'^'^ 
April 23, Shakespeare's birthday, at which time some exer^r ^' '" ^''^°^^' '"'^" 

Papers are prepared on the plays'and charact : r^rse Ued" thTn^r^tar- ''' '^' " °'""^^'^- 
study of the play. With three exceptions the membership fs ti same" at the"/ """"''"/ 7"' ^'^ 
nearly eight years ago. Its officers at the present time are presided Mrs ohf H r " . ! " ''^'^ 
tary, Mrs. F. D. Cook, treasurer, Mrs. Charles Holman ^''''''^'''' ^^''- J^^n H. Goodale, secre- 

rece^^t^^aM™^:;;::^;^::!:^:'^..^^---^' '".^^"""- ^^-^ ^^ -^ ^"-^-^^«" --^^ 

interested in making theTives of ^^^J^ l^::'^;^::'::^^ ^'%'^"^?^ ''^^ ^'^ "^ 
roundings to become worthy men and women. It s cliductrd bv tL iT ' n"^ T'' '-' ^'"'' """ 
association, an organization comnosed of ch^rit L ^"''"^"^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^'^S s Daughters' Benevolent 
The officers are pr^esident, M^lTl^."::^!;:^, ^^s V^^^^^^-^^-^^es of the city, 
clerk, Mrs. E. E. Harvey ; treasurer Miss Carrie M k! H T i ''' ^''- ^^"''^^ ^- ""^t; 

two members from each church Th; nurser. u ; m V T] ' """^"^ °^ ^'''^^'°''^ consisting of 

Kim street. It was then remove! t! T^:::^:::^';^;^;:-'^^-^' )T °" 

by the managers, who are consta.itlv Mile "J, «''™'"a«ce, Th„ necessfty is keenly tel, 

parents. „!,„ „,igl„ otl.envLe i ™«v L , "?,"""■ """'>' *''''"" °' ''"<' >~"'"'S '"■1 «->"hy 
Miss Sttsan Sherman, re elar-fan" he sj: "f °"- f" '*'"'~" """"""^ andassistan, 

i. <.ne largely to the.'r patie,,fa"fh- .dly'er, 'd;,':,::' t'^J Z^tl^fr """ 'I' T' '°^'°"'= 

i~'r:»7:i?.s:\-t:.^:::,;^™rerr'-"?--"" 

evening in Mr. Sylvester's parlor in ThXn 'r I .■ '^^^ ^""^ ^"^'^^ ^- Sylvester, met one 

house.'plans for which Urf r: e ted J ^1 ^^^^^ ^^ ^'^^^^^^^^y ^^ meeting a small boat 
house. The boat house was to be nrinHn. 1 f i ' '"' ^"'' """'^ °^ ^he Nashua dve 

lectors. G. A. Svlvest : ectedT d n'of'tl^rt:'"""" "^ '°''^- "^' ^""^^ °^^'"^^ ^^^ ^^^ P^ 
sion it was decided that a committee cons st"* o S '''''^'''^'y -g-"-tion, and after much discus- 

who would go into the sche e w th the de f T""' ''°"'' ''^^^'"■" " ^^^^^ ^^^ others 

there might'be found thirty ofi^ gent en n wh^l '^ V'^''''^'' "'' '' was suggested that 

the next meeting the reports showed hat i Z f^ ^ '"P^"'' '""^^^ "" organization. At 

allowing at least ^f one hu^lred ^mb^rs for the d^ "'"^ ""'"^"' ' '""" '^ ^^"^^ "P°" ^ ^^'^ 

ratii:t Lt:^r:^:b:;.::zr;^:r:uhi:;:^::r^'z" ^^^^^ - ^--^ - ^ --- 

and other athletic sports to promote ,,h.:Z , f' encouragement of boating and 

interested in rowing and canoe'; "rNrslu:: ' " ""' ""' '"^'^^ ' ''''''' "^ ^^^'^"^^ --"^^ ^'-- 
The incorporators were G. A. Sylvester E S Hill T m ri i t tt . 

Greeley, W. P. Hovey, F. W. Mavnard, F. W." Hatfh E H Watr'T, fi f"'"' ''" ^^ ''^ 
corporation was held Tulv q iSo. in ti,. . ^ ' ' ^- ^- Wa.son. The first meeting of this 

A. Sylvester, presidtit V S Hil " 1 "I/"'"' ''' '''^'' ""^ '''' ^°''°^^''"S °«^-- ^^-^ed: G. 

were adopted Ld the folirwing";idit:ri offit^s rd'eT. t B^laSf \ i ^^""^T^"" .^"^^ ''-'^ 
treasurer; F. W. Maynard, J B Crowlev Ilr I !!'" ^ "■'>• '^"''"""'='" ■ "^^ * Hatch. 
George W. Campbell; eapt.in. "'' "'"' ^^ °- """'«■ J' "^ '-'1"'=«. directors: 

avaiiirsu:';o;uSit''T;™h'ri;'i'.d'''''''VM' 7""'"'" '°«="'" '"o «•-■■*< <>» - 

Man.,,aet„ri,,g company la^;d ,::;:Tet^;-L't^:lrMf,X,:- -,:;;:- 



HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. ^'^' 



The membership is limited to one hundred. The present otlicers are r 

., • -1 .^ T R iv„„l,-v secretary E. K. Johnson, treasurer : L. (.t. Neviue. »^. i.. 

EQ TTill ^•iop-nresulent ' • n. (^ro\vie\ . sclh-ijin > *-<• *•■ j , ,i . • 'I'l,. 

. D. iiiii, ^ ice picsiiiciii. , J. - , „ ,• n w ( nmnlii-U cautain. 1 lie 

land in its enclosure and laid out tennis and croquet grounds. Including private 
has a flotilla of fourteen and additions are constantly being made. 

It is estimated that there are^including both ^^^^^"^ ^^,^^^^^:2^. .as organized 
1. Nashua at the present tn.e. There^ r;:2:^tt e bei^^.^^:: hundred and ten, and it has 
Sept. 1, .894: reorganized in Ma>, ^«96, prese t ^ The ofhcers are A. H. Jones, 

lately compMed^nd IS o^uppnga^ Nashua Cycle club .as organized n. 

president ; Ahin J. Lucier. clerk r Greelev building on Railroad square. It 

May, 1896. At the present tniie is '^^^^'f^'^^^'^'^l^'^^.X,,, p.estdent; Fred Whittemore, 
has a membership of about one hundred. Ofticeis. 15. 1.. ^'^icner, 1 
., , r A R Teach secretary Frank L. Mottrani, treasurer. 

A. Noble, C. of \V. 1.,, f„.r, rHx-isions in the citv. Division number 

S:mvr;r;l.:^"jaL.'s:.:,T;,;:'Vice-,„e»,e,,.: :o,.. J^ S,„„..„. reCO,.i.,g «c..»0-: W.,„.,.. 

H Phippard, financial secretary; Thomas Burns, treasurer. Th.,„ns 

Diggins. v:ce.pre,ide,„ : 0'"»'» ^>'" •- 7,^:;;'';;;LT; dl' 1 L mos; »cc..s,u, .„... i..„K,.t. 
This order has a large membership of the lush citizens ana 
ntit secret organizations of the city. 

has had a successful ex steic vice-president; Thomas Talbot, recording secretary ; E.N. 

J. B. Phaneuf, president; J. v_. Lormier, \ice picsiuc 

„rga„i«d March ,, .896. I.B officers .re Dr, H^ H^ Ur.v.ere. pre. dent , H.„r, H. Lefelnre, 
prLide.,. : A. R. S.lves.er, secretar, ; O.ea. O. Des^.n.p. re r • ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^ _____ 

. T.;e E...- No» ^ f,:7,\:X'To tf . o B rtr. "uT,.U,.g o„ Mai., ».ree., „-..ere U „a, fitted 

lir:.;.::.:;:. cZ,,,oL..s,.:ltr:. I,» o»cer. arc T,.o,„., C„r.di„c, „re.dc„t : He,,,, Parad.sc, 

vice-president; Joseph Tivnan, secretary and treasurer. ■ ,-, , ^ 

The Order o United American Mechanics is represented by Eagle council , number 2, was instUute^l 
The Order 01 UiuteaAmeicd rtc nfficers are C E Cummngs, councilor ; John H. 

,„„e .o, ,8„. »».'-'"'-»";;-;^^'™:7 , ^ ,ct'c at, -^Car.es »";„., treasure,. T„is 

?tr7d:;.3'e-;i.,'sre; \>!,;r'„t;,;cM, ;-'»'-;;,--::r:K'T^,^„S7r.s,:r: 

ir re?;^-j;;H^:::,r- s. rs,rrt;:;'see:s:^n:.. . o.„„eNreas.,r „. 

■ The old.t„„e hrc,,,.., arc represented h, Nashua at the preset ti,„e ^ »;3"-"»" -'!;,! 

Nashua Vetera.. Firc.e.fs >-™'i""->'-'V:rc,;"::r. c"' 1 'as 'r.,*,":,,"" o, ahout o.,e 
president; H. E. Woods, secretary; M. L- 1 uiell, treasurer. 

hundred. 



^-2 HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H. 

The Ballou association is a society of young people connected with the Universalist church It 
IS soc:aI and benevolent :n its nature. Its officers are Walter H. Clement, presided clrie L 
Walker, v-,ce-pres:de:U ; Harry F. McClure, secretary; Edward E. Nelson, treasurer ' ^■ 

The Kmghts of Columbus, Nashua council, „un,ber 131, was organized April 21 x8gs It is a 
social and benevolent order. Present officers : J. J. Dovle srand knight ■ H r Pu / . 

grand knight; John H. Field, chancellor; Alvin /. l.ucier; /::;;! et tan GeotToTts^rer' 

Associated with John G. Foster post, GAR is T O 4 Wa.r., 

The Union Veteran's union, is represented in the citv hv tliP r^i n r, 

auartermastpr- r M^ xj^.f.., i- . . .. , ^ ^- "-"Junurs, surgeon . Lliarles McGrearor 

VkTc^ifoux O G N H "r; r^ ''"'""' '"*"'' ^'^^P^^'"^ ^^>-" «• Webster, O.^D.- 
New HamS'^e. '"^'°"' "" '' '''' "•^'""^^- '^^ '--' ^''^P-^--^ commander fo; 




.--u-^^Zuf^ 



■9o 



BC- 2 4. 



■is 






o, -^ 






^°-n^. 



.40* 



^ 



^0' '^^ 









/.. 



>P-^^. 



'> 



•^<- s\^ ^> 



/X ^^^* ^'% -^^ /\. ^;'^»^' ^'\ ^ :° /\ ^ 



-^=-0^ 



.-^O. 



<'^ J- '^c^'^m' ^' 



"'^. 





















^"^ '^^<i0j- 1^^ ":\ivx^^^-^' 



■^^ 


















\^'^?.Y^V^ '^<^"'>^5^\o^ ^^-^^^V^ ^ -'^^^ 









"°o 



/^ V. .;; y-v 



♦.'o* 



^ y*" .;**■% . '^ .-Mi^ ^^ ^^ .:Sfe^ 



'o V" 



"^..- 

^i-. 



a"* -.. '•*-- 



^-.4^' 
i>%. 















'or 



>^. -..^iIL"4 ' 



'> 






^/^'b-' 



')l 



>'):< 






^^ 












A 



<> 



,<}> , o " = , ""<$> 



..i^J,**.^ 1 



.^' 






. . =, „ ' ^0 









A 






'^-^^ 



.-io* 






.^t 



-^ 






•^./^r^^ 



^ * 


" ■' (- 




^"^ 


* » , 


" A* 






V 




\^ • 


-V 


v^" 




/",. 


.^' 




'.•. % 



^ijj^:'- ■■ 



„ . o • ,0^ 



• \ 






< V ^ 



■^^ 












<> 






<*> 



^rt^A/-*^ 



':ji\ 



•^--0^ 

.^•^°' 



v^ 









'~^-UM'-^ 



'.'>} 









c°\>' 



^<> 






o 



"^ u'-<i/J/'^ .^ 



-^ 

,0' .<.•»- '> 



^, *r^.'' .<!■' 







• 


A^ 


<• 


'> 




cO" 




•y 






**. - 


-^.^ 


0^ 





,v^^- 



•I o^ ■ - 

^ °, ' . - o ■> 

V - - ' • c\ 









^ \^ 






• V -<- .- - w -i^ - L. .■-. . ' 



^" 













^..^ /^|y^\ v./ .':^:%^^^ ^..^ ;^^\ v./ .'>^^^'; ^ ,^ ;^#^'- "^ 












^^•n^. 


r- 






.0^ •.. ... ■ ^* 


f. 


'i- 


7,. '^"^ 


:^^' 


\ 


%• 


■^0 










^o^ ^<i^ -• 






^ 


^v 






> 


. S\ . O " , 


■1 . . 




o'" 


0^ V '*•'-"'•• .*^- 






•* 

%■ 






c 










: "^^-o-^ 








.^> -o^ - 












& 




■ 





^"V. 



.■^•t;!. #■» <x^ •*• <-■ -«> 









0- Q , 



"■v* 












X 



.^^\...."-. •- ..^^ 






'^'t'MrS 



^^°^_ -;(^<^: ^-^ ■•^^ 












.^'J^ 






^^^^ -^^ >^ 



<i'^:r. 






-^ 



.0^ 









. \ ', • ■ . r^ Ti* 






•o . 












>^.^o'j^^ ' 



■^- 






' ST. AUGUSTINE y . ^^\\- -V 



